The Party Continues At A New Venue Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Kurt Diserio Fuel Cleveland returned again this year at a new venue, The Madison, on Payne Avenue. The invitational custom motorcycle and art show is presented by Lowbrow Customs, The Gasbox, and Forever the Chaos Life. The weekend kicked off with a wild pre-party at Saucy Brew Works. Saturday's show got rolling around noon but was instantly packed with bikes from the start, filling the surrounding streets and parking areas. Pittsburgh had quite the presence this year. Our team at Pittsburgh Moto was represented with both Alexa's photography and my trippy chopper art. Jamboozie Customs had their wild panhead on display right near the event entry, and Steve Simqu's Yamaha XS650 (which you've seen featured in the pages of our magazine) was sitting strong in a sea of classic bikes and custom choppers. It was great to meet a lot of new people and run into many familiar faces. Check out some of the photos I snagged while navigating the packed house, and visit www.fuelcleveland.com for more information on the show. Big thanks to Mikey and the crew for giving us all something to look forward to every July! 1972 Kawasaki Triple by Matt Kopp. Artist Darren McKeag. 1981 Yamaha TZ250 by Hilo Ito. Harley-Davidson Sportster Chopper from Emma Myers. Chopper Art by Kurt Diserio. 1950 Triumph Pre-Unit Land Speed Racer from Tyler Malinky. True Love Speed Shop. Suzuki DR650 by Spencer Parr. Deadline welding gear. Photography from Pittsburgh Moto's Alexa Diserio. 1928 Harley-Davidson Peashooter by "Cabana" Dan Rognsvoog. 1955 Harley-Davidson panhead chopper from Justin Valcourt. Yamaha XS650 by Steve Simqu. Harley-Davidson "Jersey Devil" chopper by Jerry Merola. VW Trike by JP Rodman. Harley-Davidson panhead chopper by Jamboozie Customs. Harley-Davidson shovelhead by Chris Graves. Art by Grail Ogzewalla. Waylon Jennings guitar art by Tony Provenzano. FUEL CLEVELAND 2019 Organized by LOWBROW CUSTOMS THE GASBOX FOREVER THE CHAOS LIFE website  |  facebook  |  instagram Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by KURT DISERIO

An Indian Larry Inspired Chopper from Oil City Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio When building a motorcycle, inspiration often comes from the legends of the past. Every period had its style, and every builder tried to create something original. The hot rod era was a time with some big personalities in custom culture—names like Ed Roth, Von Dutch, and Dean Moon to name a few. The art created by these individuals resonated in motorcycle builders like Indian Larry, who would in turn inspire the blockhead chopper you see here by Travis Dittman of Oil City, Pennsylvania. A fabricator by trade, Travis spent a lot of his youth in the garage with his father. “My dad was into hot rods and bikes,” he explained. “He had a 1976 Kawasaki KZ900 that he bought new at the time. When I was a kid, he’d be out in the garage, and I was right there working with him. I still have that bike today.” Travis developed an interest in Harleys during a car show when he was younger. A guy pulled in with a Softail sporting a shovelhead engine. It was just a typical bobber Softail that was painted candy apple red, but it was enough to light the fuse. He started with a couple of Sportsters, but eventually decided to get a big twin. He explained, “My wife went for a ride on my buddy’s bike, and it scared the crap out of her. She told me she would never ride on one, so I could do what I wanted.” That’s all she had to say. The build started when he acquired a custom Crazy Horse panhead replica frame that he sold but later bought back from a friend. The engine is an 80 inch Evo that uses an aftermarket cam and cases with an S&S carburetor. Using Indian Larry as the inspiration, Travis wanted something that looked like his style without being a complete copy. “I used some Indian Larry pieces throughout the bike, like the points cover and rocker collars,” he said. “At one point, the tank was flat black with Rat Fink painted on it. It even had a Von Dutch flying eyeball in the back. I later saw the gold and really liked it. There weren’t many bikes around that color, so I decided to go with it.” The frisco style chopper has attracted attention locally. Travis was even stopped at a DUI checkpoint in the middle of the night on his way home from work, only because the cops wanted to take pictures sitting on the bike. Some of the more unique elements include the top motor mount, which was made from a Suzuki GSX-R750 connecting rod. The forward controls were machined by Wally Stearns and also used connecting rods from a small-block Chevy. Up front is a DNA springer with a Three Two Choppers wishbone kit and homemade handlebars. The Moon oil tank is located on the front of the frame, which is a nod to the old gasser builds of the hot rod days. The seat cover was done by Rosco Bickel. A notable characteristic of Indian Larry was building bikes so that you could see all of the mechanics and craftsmanship. Travis took that into consideration, mentioning that nothing is hidden on it. He wanted it all open so that if the chopper broke down on the side of the road he’d be able to fix it with what little tools he carried. Just like when he was young, Travis’s father was there every step of the way. “My dad was pumped when I started building this, and now when I see the finished bike it makes me think of him,” he said. When asked about future builds and where the inspiration would come from, he mentioned that his father’s old KZ900 might be the next project. We’d love to see it happen. Featured in Issue 005 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON EVOLUTION Built by TRAVIS DITTMAN facebook Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

BAPTISM BY FIRE Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio Stay loose, look where you want to go, watch out for gravel, and always pay attention to other drivers. These are just a few of the things we tell our friends or family when they’re learning how to ride a motorcycle. It can be complicated at first. Usually folks start out on an easy-to-ride beginner’s bike, but Andy Schwanbeck, a graphic design teacher from Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, dove in head first when he bought an old hardtail Triumph to learn on. Here’s his story. Andy’s father grew up as a dirtbike guy in the 1970s. Motorcycles were always around, but for whatever reason, it took Andy a while to develop a real interest in them. “I didn’t even know how to ride a motorcycle, let alone what a Triumph was at the time. I was just scouring the internet and became obsessed with these small bikes. I fell in love with the simple look of just an engine in a frame. There was nothing to them,” Andy said. “So my dad, Terry, and I started traveling around to bike shows together for a couple of years. One day at the Triumph National Rally, there was this bobber just sitting there for sale, and I knew right away that was it. I think I was twenty-three years old, and this was my first bike.“ The Triumph was a 1968 TR6 in a 1969 Bonneville frame that was purchased from White Rose Motorcycle Club, a local group who hosted the rally in Oley, Pennsylvania. The ‘For Sale’ sign had a note stating that it needed someone who knows bikes and isn’t afraid to wrench, which was comical considering it was Andy’s first motorcycle. After they hauled it back home, he spent some time in the backyard learning how to ride before making it his own. Working with this Triumph has been a great way for Andy and his dad to spend more time together, whether riding or just being in the garage. They started with some small stuff that needed work—rewiring the ignition, re-routing the oil lines, and just cleaning things up at first. Eventually, they ripped it all apart to paint it and have the engine rebuilt. A year after picking up the bike, Andy and his father rode 130+ miles back to where he bought it. The guys were pumped to see him riding it and all the work he put into it since. Andy mentioned that the process was “about finding the right parts and pieces to make it my own. It’s an ongoing project, and things change. It had a short exhaust and drag bars at first, but as I grew confident, I started doing more dramatic changes. I’ve had it for ten years now, and I’ve learned a lot about mechanics and how motorcycles work.” “This is my first bike and something I’ll never be able to part with. You go through all these moments of pure excitement, and then scare the shit out of yourself a few times. It’s one of those bikes that makes you feel like a reckless kid again,” he said. So, if you’re reading this and want to get into motorcycles, just know that it’s never too late to learn. Featured in Issue 005 1968 TRIUMPH TR6 Built by ANDY SCHWANBECK instagram Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

More Than A Motorcycle Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio Time is a tricky subject. No matter the preparation, the weight of time will often sneak up on us without warning. The less we have, the more important this measurement of moments becomes. Time can also alter the value of an object over an extended period, sometimes even in sentimental ways. This irreversible clock plays the most important role in the choices we make throughout our lives. With limited time during the summer of 2013, Barie Goetz took part in the quick restoration of this vintage BMW, a bike belonging to the eldest of his eight siblings, Jeff, who had unfortunately been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The story is heartbreaking, yet purposeful. Let’s start this journey in the year 1967, when Jeff Goetz purchased a 1966 BMW R69S from the widow of the previous owner. The beloved motorcycle became a primary source of transportation, with Jeff riding it while he was in the Navy stationed near the capital and later when working at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He even went on a cross-country camping trip through Canada with his wife. The memories piled up, but eventually the bike ended up in a dirt floor shed and sat there for nearly twenty-five years until his younger brother, Barie, convinced him to unearth the now legendary motorcycle. With plans to one day restore it, they disassembled the bike down to the crank, sorting the parts into boxes. The brothers had quite a passion for two wheels and spent a lot of time riding together on their various motorcycles. Barie retired in 2004, and Jeff followed in 2006. The last big ride the two did together was straight off of Jeff’s bucket list, the four corners of the lower 48 states. With their Honda ST1100s, Barie and Jeff rode the entire thing without trailering, camping out along the way. They started by riding to the Barber Vintage Festival in Birmingham, Alabama, then continued down to Key West, the southernmost point. The following year, they rode north to the easternmost point in Maine. In the summer of 2010, they made the excursion to Washington state, the westernmost and toughest point, before finishing it off in Wisconsin’s northernmost point. After falling and breaking his arm in 2013, Jeff received news that nobody ever wants to hear. X-rays showed that cancer was everywhere, and time was very limited. Tommy, who was the second oldest of the siblings and lived in California, wanted to do something special for Jeff and suggested restoring the R69S. In October of that year, Barie and their other brother, Jack, got the project rolling, with Tommy providing $15,000 towards the work. All of the boxes from Jeff’s house in Maryland had to be moved to Barie’s shop in Pennsylvania. Jack tackled the wiring while Barie focused on the assembly. Because of the time crunch, they transported the engine and transmission to Max BMW in Connecticut, a shop with a great reputation that specializes in vintage BMW motorcycles. As they were rebuilding the engine, assembly continued back home. Jeff had previously sandblasted and powder coated the frame, but the rest of the bike needed attention. In addition to ordering parts, Barie was tasked with sorting, cleaning, sandblasting, and painting most of the other original pieces. Greg at Custom Hot Rod & Cycle Shop in Butler, Pennsylvania, painted the fuel tank, fenders, headlight bucket, shock covers, and more. As with most old fuel tanks, water had rusted the inside and caused a hole. Greg fixed the setback by removing the side bracket for the pad, welding the pinhole leak in the tank, then welding the bracket back on. Once all of the parts were ready, a rolling chassis was pieced together and hauled 400 miles back to Max BMW so they could install the engine and transmission. Barie and Jack wrapped things up with a final assembly when returning home, and the bike was finished. The motorcycle was restored not as a factory model, but as Jeff’s bike. There were some flaws that were left in place, like a dent in the front generator cover and some scratches under the cylinder heads from when Jeff had laid the bike down in traffic. The painted pinstripes on the tank and fenders were not factory correct when Jeff had it repainted in the past, and they were kept this way after the restoration. “We wanted it to be HIS bike,” explained Barie. The restoration was completed in only 71 days and presented to Jeff on December 7, 2013. It fired up after only two kicks, and although physically unable to ride, he was able to spend a meaningful moment sitting on the bike with his wife. Big smiles were all around. The gas was then drained, and the twin-cylinder boxer was left in the family room for him to enjoy. Jeff passed away in March of 2014, less than a year after being diagnosed. He had always wanted to restore his R69S, and thanks to the dedicated work put in by Barie, Jack, and those involved, he was able to see his beloved bike exactly how he remembered it. Three years later, Barie bought the bike off of Jeff’s widow, repeating history from fifty years earlier when a widow first sold it to Jeff. Time is unavoidable, but life should be a celebration. As cliche as it sounds, the only option we have is making the most of what we’re given. Let this story inspire you to do the things you’ve always dreamed of doing. Spend time with the people you love. Get the motorcycle you’ve had your eye on. Ride across the country and back, then do it again and again. Barie Goetz with the 1966 BMW R69S Jeff Goetz and his wife on the restored BMW Featured in Issue 005 1966 BMW R69S Restored by BARIE GOETZ With help from JACK GOETZPHIL CHENEY of MAX BMW Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

’51 PANHEAD & ’65 BONNEVILLE Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio There seems to be a commonality throughout issue Number 005, in that most of the stories involve a father’s passion for motorcycles being passed down, inspiring the bikes that are shown within these pages. This feature about Joe and Adam Pratt (father and son, respectively) isn’t much different, but let’s double up this time around with two different bikes from two different manufacturers—Harley and Triumph. Things got started at a little chopper shop in Rochester, Pennsylvania during the 1970s, where Joe’s friend bought a 1951 Harley-Davidson FL. It ended up being stored at Joe’s place for a long time before he finally bought it in 1990. As Joe puts it, “The guy that originally had it was a big time biker. The Harley was made of all parts he had laying around. It had a ’51 engine, a ’52 transmission, a ’58 frame, and a ’49 front end. When I bought it, the bike was in pieces and had to be put back together.” Joe’s son, Adam, started learning how to work on bikes because of this old panhead. The engine was rebuilt a number of times, eventually being bumped up to a 96ci bore. Over the years, they added a new electronic distributor, S&S carburetor, a RevTech transmission, and more. Almost every year the two would tear it apart and redo the bike in a different way. As Adam got older, he took on the role of painter. “I would keep what I was doing a secret from my dad. If I told him then he wouldn’t let me do it,” he recalled. “So, I would show up with my crazy paint schemes. One of his rules when passing the bike on to me was no goofy paint jobs.” The moment Adam first rode it was something he won’t forget. “I was a kid into dirt bikes when my dad had the panhead. His deal was that if I could start it, then I could ride it,” he recalled. “I could never get it started. Then one day in high school I pulled it out of the garage to wash it and finally got it. I rode it down the street and back but never told my dad about it. Later on, once he saw me riding jockey shift on the Triumph, he finally let me ride the Harley.” That brings us to the second bike featured here, a 1965 Triumph Bonneville T120 bobber. Adam explained the backstory, “It was about nine years ago, and I couldn’t afford a Harley. So, I figured a Triumph would work. I came up with what money I could and found this in boxes at Youngstown Cycle Supply. After I brought it all home, it took me about two and a half months to put together.” To keep the old school look when building it, Adam worked with dated 1970s tools and a drill press from his grandfather. He also made the battery box from his grandfather’s World War II first aid kit, an item that was given to him as a child. There’s a lot of little details throughout the bike, including a tail light from a 1935 Chevrolet and a rear fender cut from a Harley front fender they didn’t use on the panhead. The color theme of his other grandfather’s 1984 Cadillac Eldorado was used as inspiration when painting the fuel tank. Instead of buying an aftermarket brass knuckle kicker pedal, Adam took another piece from the second World War, machining a military trench knife to fit. The Harley and Triumph have been through many changes since both starting as complicated box projects. Joe handed over the panhead keys to Adam this past year, but the two continue to shift attention back and forth between both bikes, changing things up or simply putting in the necessary effort to keep them running. Quite some time was spent on both machines, but there’s a lot of meaning behind the work and no shortage of great memories either. Featured in Issue 005 1951 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FL 1965 TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE T120 Built by ADAM & JOE PRATT facebook.com/ADZ-Designz Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

Number Nine Words by Michael Hyjurick — Photos by Tom Macconnell Steel City Mods vs Rockers is now in its ninth year and set up in new digs! The event moved to Zone 28 in Harmarville to better accommodate the masses. The night before the event, a group ride was held on the historic Route 66 highway. The ride was led by Ton Up Pittsburgh’s Tom Fury and boasted over forty riders. The event is geared to show off all of the beautiful vintage motorcycles and scooters in the Pittsburgh area, and this year did not disappoint. There were over 60 bikes entered for judging. Categories were Best British, Best American, Best European, Best Japanese, Best Scooter, People’s Choice and Best in Show. The bikes are judged by the other entrants and attendees of the show. The laser cut, steel plate trophies were hand made by Steve Simqu. On the FlySpace stage this year were local surf rock legends, Vertigogo and punk powerhouse, Killer of Sheep. Yetter’s Candies and Jester’s Court Tattoo provided the prizes for the lovely Pin-Up Contest winners. Taking the sash and crown this year was the radiant Miss Dana Von Dangerously. She went home with $200 worth of tattoo work from Jester’s Court and a gift basket provided by Yetter's Candies of Millvale. Runners-up also received Yetters baskets. Vendors included Greymist Jewelry, Identity Crisis Design, Couch Brewery, and Snyder’s Riders. Also, the event supported some nonprofit organizations: Ride for the Kids, which benefits children with brain tumors; The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, which benefits men’s prostate cancer research and mental health; and Hello Bully, which benefits local pit bull charities. Gatto Harley-Davidson was on hand showing off Royal Enfield, Honda, and Harley-Davidson models. The headlining sponsor for the event, Mosites Motorsports, was showing the latest lineups from Triumph, Kawasaki, and Ducati. They also gave free demo rides on all of their bikes. Three Biltwell helmets were raffled off thanks to Biltwell Inc. and local BMX legend, Chris Doyle. There were also over fifty other raffle prizes from Jester’s Court Tattoo, M&M Leathers, Lowbrow Customs, Mothership Moto, and much more. Steel City Mods vs. Rockers would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the sponsors, vendors, and attendees. In addition, we’d like to thank Ton Up Pittsburgh and Steel City Rockers clubs for volunteering to work the event. Saturday, August 10, 2019 is the date for Steel City Mods vs. Rockers #10. The event will be held in the parking lot of Bicycle Heaven in the North Side of Pittsburgh. The tenth will also be the last, as they’re looking to rename the event and are asking the attendees to help decide on the new identity. Keep an eye on the Steel City Mods vs. Rockers, Ton Up Pittsburgh, and Steel City Rockers social media outlets for more details. Featured in Issue 005 2018 STEEL CITY MODS & ROCKERS HARMARVILLE, PA www.steelcitymodsvsrockers.com Ton Up Pittsburgh facebook  |  instagram Words by MICHAEL HYJURICK Photos by TOM MACCONNELL

Dual Sport Words by Ryan Zapko — Photos by Alexa Diserio For those of us old enough to recall his athletic exceptionalism, Bo Jackson remains the only person to achieve “dual sport” All-Star status in both professional baseball and professional football. We remember his uncanny ability because the idea of dominating multiple and often unrelated skillsets is such an incredible rarity. This too goes for our motorcycling community where the term “dual sport” would not typically conjure ideas of excellence in any specific task, and surely not an “All-Star” on either the pavement or the dirt. Wikipedia defines dual sport as “a type of street-legal motorcycle that is designed for both on and off-road use,” but the seasoned motorcyclist recognizes the tongue-in-cheek hypocrisy and challenges in such a lofty label. Dual sport bikes often specialize more in compromise than excellence in any number of advertised parameters. The idea of executing numerous antithetical tasks at an exceptional level is frequently a goal but seldom accomplished in man or machine. In those uncommonly rare times, legendary status is achieved by challenging conventional thought and excelling in multiple genres. One local fan of dual sport motorcycles also happens to be an accomplished and exceptionally talented “dual sport” of his own. Meet Dr. Nick Surra, owner of Nice Bikes Motorcycle Co. in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Surra’s first “sport” is working as an experienced emergency room physician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, but he earned true “dual sport” status as an avid motorcyclist, mechanic, and successful shop owner. In 2016, Nick purchased a meager building in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh. His vision of the shop led to pouring new concrete floors, installing a glass garage door entryway, and designing a hoist system to lower bikes into the basement for additional workspace. The culmination of his effort is realized in a uniquely industrial yet warmly inviting space where guests are invited to mingle among the shop bikes and projects. But guests and potential clients are surely drawn to Nice Bikes by the quality of workmanship and humble, welcoming attitude of Nick himself. While Nick has accepted a multitude of makes and models for work in the shop, he has historically been more involved with older Japanese motorcycles. This is changing though, as Nick is quick to point out that his “day job” permits the incredible freedom to pick and choose projects of creativity and design that push him out of his typical comfort zone. He has built relationships with other local motorcycle shops, and is happy to refer work when time is a concern. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes with Dr. Surra to understand his strength as a people person. Nick will often halt the build process to spend hours openly conversing with window shoppers and foot traffic who are intrigued by the array of motorcycles behind the glass store front. This open approach to both the seasoned and uneducated motorcycling community is a refreshing counterpoint to the single make, one track, know-it-all, no-time-for-you motorcycle shops of the past. Nick is genuinely interested in building the motorcycling community in spite of what brand or genre one prefers. In fact, when asked about the future, Nick lights up at the thought of hosting regular motorcycle enthusiast gatherings and continuing to build the community in addition to bikes. While the metaphor of “dual sport” surely applies to Nick’s mastery of multiple disciplines in medicine and motos, in reality he is adept at a myriad of skills, most importantly in helping and connecting people. A dual sport All-Star for sure. Featured in Issue 005 NICE BIKES MOTORCYCLE CO. 4202.5 MAIN STREET PITTSBURGH, PA 15224 www.nicebikesmoto.com instagram Words by RYAN ZAPKO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

Humility on Two Wheels Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio I often get asked questions from folks wanting to get into motorcycles. They’re mostly just basic inquiries about which starter bike might be right for them or simply tips on riding in the city. You know what nobody ever tells them though? Motorcycles will absolutely humiliate you. Motorcycles will cause you great stress. If you want to get into bikes, especially vintage stuff, then you better have thick skin and the ability to laugh at yourself. Things will happen that put you in ridiculous scenarios, often very aggravating, and sometimes surrounded by crowds of people who don’t understand bikes. My 1987 Harley-Davidson Sportster chopper shown here is a great example. To help avoid embarrassment, here’s a few obvious tips that I’ve apparently spent my entire life ignoring. TIP NUMBER ONESpend a little more cash to get something that’s in good shape. I’ve made this mistake many times in the past but never learned my lesson. This chopper was another “good deal” that ended up being a massive pain in my ass. Tasks like replacing the charging system, installing a new clutch, and fixing an oil leak escalating far beyond expectations. There’s very little time throughout the week for me to spend in the garage, so it took over a year to get it running semi-properly before I even got to the fun stuff. With the help of my father, Paul, we were able to finally get all of the issues figured out. TIP NUMBER TWONever get too confident, and expect the worst. I was kidding in the previous paragraph about getting all of the issues figured out. The day we finished the chopper, I rode it to the grocery store around 10pm in the dark to pick up whatever would fit into my small backpack. It ran great on the way there, but wouldn’t start when I tried to leave. Anyone that rides a chopper knows that this isn’t anything new, so I began checking over the bike for what felt like a hundred times. It was closing time at this point, and nothing seemed to do the trick. The employees and intoxicated customers were coming out of the store making comments and asking irritating questions, so I pushed the bike to the side of the building and sat there like an idiot for an hour until help arrived with a trailer. In the end, it was luckily just a loose wire behind a cover that I couldn’t access without tools. TIP NUMBER THREECarry some tools. You don’t need much for short rides, even just a few wrenches and some tape is helpful. I once had the springer front end of this bike explode apart on a highway during a long, two-day ride. The nuts and springs went in all directions, so I slid off the road and waited for openings in traffic to anxiously gather the pieces and put it back together with a single crescent wrench and a bunch of zip ties. It was a temporary fix that worked in the moment. I thought I really lucked out until a blanket of rain dropped on me shortly after. TIP NUMBER FOURAlways be prepared for volatile weather. It’s Pittsburgh. It will randomly rain or hail out of nowhere, then be completely clear a couple hundred yards down the road. That’s a big downside to living in this region, but you already know this. So, the quicker you’re able to mentally accept the misery of being drenched, the easier it becomes to power through it. Besides, there’s no greater feeling than dumping a river out of your boots after a long ride. I’ve been stuck far from home many times in the rain on this unpredictable machine and even endured a nasty thunderstorm that lasted from 2am to 7am during a camping trip. Luckily, I had a couple garbage bags to cover my bike up with, and the only things that were ruined was everything else. Hopefully these tips help you out. At worst, the awkward moments of owning a bike might help you overcome any insecurities you may have. This little chopper has taught me a lot about patience and preparation. It was great to get my father involved, mostly because it brought back our old motocross memories and allowed us to make some cool shit together like the sissy bar and other small pieces. Painting the tank was refreshing and something I hope to do more of. Other than powder coating, the only thing we didn’t do in our shop was the seat foam and cover, which was the work of Counter Balance Cycles in Rhode Island. There’s still more that needs to be fixed or replaced on this bike, like a couple of broken welds and a new carburetor, but I’m looking forward to another year of both excitement and humiliation. Featured in Issue 005 1987 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200 CHOPPER Built by KURT & PAUL DISERIO instagram.com/kurtdiserio Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO