It takes a pretty bold person to try to unite three distinctive elements of custom motorcycle construction, but for Chica of Chica Custom Cycles, a couple of those elements comes very naturally. One element is the minimalist, functional styling of Japanese bikes-hell, he is the guy who helped popularize that particular style here in the U.S. when he moved from Japan across the Pacific to Huntington Beach, California. The second design element that Chica is familiar with is the American V-Twin drivetrain that he has been working with in one configuration or another during his entire career as a bike builder. But the third styling element would be where the real challenge would lie: building a bike where too much of a Japanese or American influence could be noticed-for Chica's to be happy with the finished product, the bike would have to have a distinct British style.
Chica laid a solid foundation for this build with a Santee/Chica rigid frame with 38-degrees of rake and a 3-1/2-inch stretch, a Chica Springer, an 88 cubic inch S&S generator shovelhead engine, a Baker 6-into-4 transmission, 1-1/2 inch beltdrive primary, and High Tech Products clutch. And let's face it, that combination of parts would be a great start to any style of chopper. But that's the easy part; it is picking the right wheels, sheetmetal and accessories that makes this bike look like it should have a Union Jack painted on the tank. The combination of the tubular tail section that mounts the Chica-built rear fender to the frame, the Saddleman seat that rolls up into the rear fender, the custom fuel tank and the 18-inch wheel and tire combination definitely have a British feel. As does the side-mounted oil bag and the prominent front and rear brakes.
Other custom touches like the Chica Custom Cycles handlebars, foot controls, license plate mount and exhaust all contribute to that Limey look that Chica was shooting for. The finned air cleaner and oil cooler from Crime Scene Choppers, mirrors, taillight, turn signals and risers from Custom Chrome, Grimeca hand controls, and a Tedd Cycle headlight finish off the sizable list of very carefully selected accessories to keep this bike on track.
After the bike was initially bolted together, Chica stood back and took a good hard look at it before deciding on a very simple two-tone blue paint scheme. Buck Wild was contacted to apply the two shades of blue and Bob Iverson came in to apply the pinstripes and the J.A.B. logo to the tanks. After the paint cured, the painted parts were reunited with the freshly powdercoated and chrome-plated parts for reassembly. Chica will freely admit that it took a long time for this bike to come together, but it had to be difficult to stray so far from a style bike that he is accustomed to building. But he pulled it off flawlessly as you can see by the photos.
...
>>next page