Five Floors of History Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio Without visiting the place and seeing it with your own eyes, there is no way to accurately explain Cycle Warehouse in Butler, Pennsylvania. No matter how over-the-top I make it sound, you will still be blown away by the sea of parts and history throughout the five floors of the 85,000 square foot building. Whatever part you need is probably there somewhere. We met up with owner Chris Gatto, who was kind enough to show us around while briefly talking about how Cycle Warehouse came to be. Chris worked in a bicycle shop when he was around fourteen years old doing repairs, then got into motorcycles when the industry went absolutely crazy in the early 90s. He explained, “I bought my first panhead for $1,650, and it came with extra wheels, seats, and even a sidecar.” Over time he ended up with more and more. One knucklehead he purchased even came with a Hummer SUV. “I didn’t know what to do with all of this stuff, so I started hanging the parts around the shop. There were gas tanks in windows—just pieces everywhere. People started coming up and asking for parts, so I opened it up as a business.” Chris was going all over the country to find motorcycles—Florida, Missouri, Washington, police auctions, government auctions, and so on. On top of that, he would even buy out the inventory of other shops that were closing or purchase trade-in or wrecked bikes from dealers. “We started to fill the building up, and I just got carried away. I’ve been out of room for years. I bought another building across the street and gutted it because I wanted to make it a showroom. The city was giving me trouble, so I just started filling it with more bikes and parts.” While we were there, people were dropping off truckloads of items. “I have people that need to get rid of things, so I make them an offer. They often come here and unload it. It happens all the time. I’ve been dealing with some of the same customers for over thirty years,” he said. “Sometimes I end up with bikes that need more work than expected, so I’ll just tear them apart and piece it out. I try to have an outlet for each avenue of it.” The most impressive part to me was that while there’s an endless, overwhelming amount of parts, Chris and the crew do a great job of keeping everything organized. That comes in handy now that the majority of the sales are online. With inventory growing daily, it takes dedication and knowledge to run something this complex. A joke was made while Alexa and I explored all five levels that they should offer tours. Although not all floors are accessible to the public, it’s actually a great idea considering there are so many incredible motorcycles that it could be its own vintage museum. On top of all of the classic Harley-Davidson models, we saw some very rare bikes and custom pieces, including an original Ed Roth sissy bar and a black 1976 Suzuki RE5 Rotary, one of only three-hundred made. This might seem like a crazy operation, but as Chris explains, “I’ve had a lot of friends who were in the motorcycle business leave and get other jobs making more money, but they weren’t happy. You need to do what you love.” If you love motorcycles, you will most definitely want to make the trip to Cycle Warehouse and see it for yourself. Featured in Issue 006 CYCLE WAREHOUSE 200 S MAIN STREET BUTLER, PA 16001 www.cyclewarehouseonline.com instagram Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

From BMX Racing to Choppers Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio One day before leaving on an epic chopper road trip around the country last year, Tyler Valentik was kind enough to meet up at South Park’s county park for a feature on his 1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster, a motorcycle that he originally purchased for a measly five hundred dollars. As you can easily tell from the photos, the bike didn’t stop there. Before we jump directly into the bike, we need to first discuss the South Park BMX track located next to the skatepark on East Park Drive. The track played a big part in Tyler’s life and is loosely responsible for the development of his interest in motorcycles. Constructed in the year 1978 by Bob Tedesco of the National Bicycle League, it was the first BMX track built in Allegheny County and became somewhat of a blueprint for other tracks throughout the globe. The location is quite popular nationwide, even being voted as a top track in the country and sometimes the world by leading BMX publications. Numerous televised events were shown at South Park BMX, including both national and international races and jumping contests. If you weren’t previously familiar, it’s a pretty big deal and something for us to be proud of. “I was raised in South Park and raced at this track since I was around five or six years old,” Tyler told us. “My dad, Bob, also did BMX racing when he was younger. We traveled a lot for events; he would take me all over the place to race.” While his interests shifted for a couple years towards other sports, Tyler eventually got back into BMX after more parks started popping up around the Pittsburgh area. “Growing up, my dad had a motorcycle, so I’ve always been around them. I think it was fitting that it was the next thing I got into. When I slowed down on the BMX, I started riding motorcycles more. I got the same joy out of motorcycles as I did from racing,” he said before mentioning that his first motorcycle was a Suzuki GS500, and when riding BMX, he would strap his bicycle to the back of it and head to the track. Tyler now works at Steel City Harley-Davidson in Washington, Pennsylvania, where he had a few of the technicians help out when he got started on the Sportster chopper. It was his first true build. With limited knowledge he learned quite a lot from those around him. The only thing used on the bike after he bought it was the motor with an updated cam, the rest of the bike was parted out. He went with an extended Paughco frame built with a thirty-five degree rake, a Paughco exhaust system, and a Mick’s Chop Shop 18-over springer front end. He said of the build, “BMX bikes are so basic and simple, and I needed that look for this chopper. I always liked really narrow bikes and wanted an 18 inch rear wheel, so I took the stock hub and had it laced to an 18 inch hoop. The sissy bar, handlebars, and top motor mount were custom made. The goal wasn’t a show bike. I wanted to build something I could ride all the time.” Tyler credited his friend Josh Berklovich for helping out tremendously on the chopper, along with Kevin and Adam from the Steel City Harley crew. He explains, “Josh helped me a ton with all the fabrication work—handlebars, sissy bar, motor mounts, and mock up. Kevin made me a battery box and then Adam showed me how to rebuild the motor and wire the whole thing up.” Tyler Elliott from TE Customs did the paint work. Nick Leone wrapped the seat pan in leather. Conveniently, he knew both Nick and Tyler from their days riding BMX together. There’s a lot of commonalities between building custom motorcycles and BMX, especially in Tyler’s case. The South Park track was only the beginning. It brought together friends and helped mold his interest in two wheels, whether it’s a twenty-five pound bicycle or a five-hundred pound chopper. As far as the road trip, Tyler left the next day for Tennessee, then headed further south to Texas, and eventually made his way to the California coast. Although there was some snags along the way, an unpredictable chopper adventure to different parts of the country is a great way to really know your bike and a trip he’ll never forget. Featured in Issue 006 1998 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER XL1200 Built by TYLER VALENTIK With help from JOSH BERKLOVICH KEVIN & ADAM instagram Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

Let's Get Groovy Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio In September of 2018, I had worked out what it would take to start an annual custom and vintage motorcycle show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After running around the city trying to find a venue, I landed on the only option that would work⁠—Carrie Blast Furnaces. The national historic landmark was originally built in 1907 and is known primarily for its pre-World War II iron-making technology. Towering ninety-two feet over the nearby Monongahela River, the location was perfect for a motorcycle show. It was gritty, rough, and had a lot of character. The history of the site paired up well with vintage bikes and the theme I was going for. Plus, it was the only spot I found that had enough parking and indoor space to easily fit over 100 bikes. It took quite a lot of work by the folks at Rivers of Steel to get the site to pass occupancy inspection, but after the permit was granted in late April of 2019, the show was officially set. Honda CB350 Cafe Racer by Andrew Frederick Sportster Chopper by Chris Callen and Mark Persichetti Fast forward to the day of the show, Saturday, September 21. Pittsburgh was blessed with great end-of-summer weather, and the turnout was absolutely incredible. Every invitee was given a custom plaque to set next to each bike that was purposely placed to give attendees enough room to comfortably wander around. The venue filled up quickly, with our first batch of 2,000 entry wristbands selling out within an hour and a half and never slowing down throughout the day. The indoor invitational took place in what is called the Powerhouse building, while a grassy outdoor area right outside called the Courtyard was reserved for bike-only parking that created somewhat of a secondary show. In addition to featuring many local builders, the show was scattered with bikes from the likes of Austin Andrella, Joe Marshall, Christian Newman, Marty Helverson, Johnny Humphrey, Matt Pontano, Jesse Srpan, and many more. On top of that, the show included a helmet art show called The Trippy Ten, where ten custom painters from around the country were sent a Bell Helmets Custom 500 lid to make their own. Everyone enjoyed the cold Iron City Beer. Alex and Anna Lee Rindskopf with their 1976 shovelhead chopper. At the end of the day, Glory Daze was a huge success and something that I personally hope sparks a fire in those who attended to get more involved with motorcycles. The interest in custom bikes has been growing in the Pittsburgh region, and I feel this event provides a platform for builders to showcase their craft to those who might not have had the chance to travel to other great shows around the country. I’d like to give a big thanks to presenting partners Pittsburgh Moto and Iron City Beer, as well as sponsors Bell Powersports, Jamboozie Customs, Lowbrow Customs, TC Bros, Coker Tire, and ChopCult. Also, thanks to all of the invitees and vendors who hauled their bikes and displays to the show, both local and from across the US and Canada. Without you and your passion for two wheels, events like this would never happen. Glory Daze will most definitely be back in 2020, so please follow along on our social accounts for updates and exact dates. Our small team learned quite a lot this first time around, and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year! - Kurt Diserio, event organizer Tintype photography by Sarah VanTassell and Joseph Wyman. Tattoos by Black Dog Tattoo Tour. Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Phillip Williams / Bridge City Paint. Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Rodino Bautista / RWD. Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Brandon McCoy / Gooch Freehand Pinstriping. Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Jeff Drew / Pelican Studios. Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Paulie & Brittney Thomas / Bombshell Deluxe. Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Tyler Elliott / TE Customs. Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Nick Perricellia. Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Jason Mattox / Timebomb Kustoms. Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Steve Hennis / FlameThrower Customs. Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Christopher Galley / Devil Chicken Design. GLORY DAZE MOTORCYCLE SHOW 2019 Presented by PITTSBURGH MOTO IRON CITY BEER Sponsored by BELL POWERSPORTS JAMBOOZIE CUSTOMS LOWBROW CUSTOMS TC BROS COKER TIRE CO. CHOP CULT website  |  facebook  |  instagram Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

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