1998 Sportster 1200 Chopper
Building a chopper is as much about the bike as it is about the experience. Dan Ford, a local Pittsburgh musician, was surrounded by motorcycles in his youth but only recently finished the custom XL1200 you see here. With the help of Uptahn Metalworks, the bike started to take shape and was finished just in time for Glory Daze last year. If you picture a classic Sportster chopper build, this is something that might come to mind. The flame tank, custom sissy bar, springer front end, and overall silhouette work perfectly for a first-time chopper build. The black and yellow colors scream Pittsburgh, so we met up with Dan at The Highline on East Carson to capture a fitting background for the Steel City build.
What fueled your interest in bikes?
Dan Ford: When I was younger, my Dad rode but had a bad accident. My family tried to discourage me for years and years, but there were a lot of people in my life who rode motorcycles or were in clubs. I was always around the lifestyle, I guess. When I was a little kid, all of my shirts were Harley shirts. I worked at gas stations where guys would come in and fuel up for their runs. It was always a dream.
Dan Ford: When I was younger, my Dad rode but had a bad accident. My family tried to discourage me for years and years, but there were a lot of people in my life who rode motorcycles or were in clubs. I was always around the lifestyle, I guess. When I was a little kid, all of my shirts were Harley shirts. I worked at gas stations where guys would come in and fuel up for their runs. It was always a dream.
Why a chopper?
DF: It was a style I liked. I grew up looking over my dad’s shoulder reading EasyRider in the 1970s. Those are the bikes I love. They’re expensive and not as fun if you’re just going to buy one. I like being a little more hands-on.
DF: It was a style I liked. I grew up looking over my dad’s shoulder reading EasyRider in the 1970s. Those are the bikes I love. They’re expensive and not as fun if you’re just going to buy one. I like being a little more hands-on.
How did the build process go, and who helped with what?
DF: I found a good deal on a Sportster and chopped the frame. I kept the engine and primary, but everything else has been changed. Almost all of the components are either TC Bros or Moto Iron parts. The headlight was a cheap internet find. The springer front end is Moto Iron. The hardtail kit, fuel tank, and oil tank are from TC Bros. I started with a king and queen seat but felt a little too confined, so I went with this one. It was swapped from a belt drive to a chain drive.
Uptahn Metalworks did all of the fabrication work, including the hardtail, custom sissy bar, and more. There was some minor work done to the rear fender and oil tank. I wanted the oil tank as far back as possible to see more of the engine, so it was notched to clear the chain.
Tyler Elliott of TE Customs did the paint job and fuel cap. The frame itself is powder-coated. I wanted a little more durability, and from experience with the rock chips all over my other bike, I figured what the hell. It’ll be black anyway.
A deal I had with my wife to do this project was that I have turn signals. So, I got these small ones that you can barely notice. The stainless steel M pieces on the oil tank are for the bike nickname, Melissa.
DF: I found a good deal on a Sportster and chopped the frame. I kept the engine and primary, but everything else has been changed. Almost all of the components are either TC Bros or Moto Iron parts. The headlight was a cheap internet find. The springer front end is Moto Iron. The hardtail kit, fuel tank, and oil tank are from TC Bros. I started with a king and queen seat but felt a little too confined, so I went with this one. It was swapped from a belt drive to a chain drive.
Uptahn Metalworks did all of the fabrication work, including the hardtail, custom sissy bar, and more. There was some minor work done to the rear fender and oil tank. I wanted the oil tank as far back as possible to see more of the engine, so it was notched to clear the chain.
Tyler Elliott of TE Customs did the paint job and fuel cap. The frame itself is powder-coated. I wanted a little more durability, and from experience with the rock chips all over my other bike, I figured what the hell. It’ll be black anyway.
A deal I had with my wife to do this project was that I have turn signals. So, I got these small ones that you can barely notice. The stainless steel M pieces on the oil tank are for the bike nickname, Melissa.
What was the timeline?
DF: I think I started it in August 2021 and had it finished in September 2022 with time on and off. I tried to keep the project moving so I didn’t lose interest. I’d give Josh at Uptahn a lot of bits at one time while I did something else.
DF: I think I started it in August 2021 and had it finished in September 2022 with time on and off. I tried to keep the project moving so I didn’t lose interest. I’d give Josh at Uptahn a lot of bits at one time while I did something else.
Why the nickname?
DF: The theme ties in with one of my favorite bands, Mercyful Fate. Melissa was the name of one of their records.
DF: The theme ties in with one of my favorite bands, Mercyful Fate. Melissa was the name of one of their records.
You’re also in a band?
DF: I’ve played in Pittsburgh bands for roughly thirty-two years. My current band is a grindcore project called Barbaros.
DF: I’ve played in Pittsburgh bands for roughly thirty-two years. My current band is a grindcore project called Barbaros.
Do you have a favorite road or ride to do in Pittsburgh?
DF: I like riding from the South Hills through Bethel Park into the West Mifflin or McKeesport area before looping back around to the South Side on River Road. To me, that’s a fun ride.
DF: I like riding from the South Hills through Bethel Park into the West Mifflin or McKeesport area before looping back around to the South Side on River Road. To me, that’s a fun ride.
Any advice for the younger guys getting into it?
DF: Seek out local shops that are reputable. Know what you’re getting into dollar-wise. Just buying the bike to start with is the beginning of the iceberg. Do your research. You’ll end up doing things to your bike that you don’t like, but don’t be afraid to try something else. Don’t worry about what’s in style, just do what makes you happy and have fun.
DF: Seek out local shops that are reputable. Know what you’re getting into dollar-wise. Just buying the bike to start with is the beginning of the iceberg. Do your research. You’ll end up doing things to your bike that you don’t like, but don’t be afraid to try something else. Don’t worry about what’s in style, just do what makes you happy and have fun.
