From Shelf to Frame in 74 Steps

Just let’s assume for a minute, someone would find a 1974 Shovel frame, with papers and all, and let’s further assume that said someone a back in the good old times used to terrorize the roads on his 1200 FX Superglide. Just assuming. And this someone now had the warehouse of W&W at his disposal, just had to pluck the stuff from the shelves and the catalog respectively. Well, this someone jes' might be forgiven to get the idea in his head to re-build himself that 74 of a long long time ago. Perhaps with some minor improvements on the way too.

For starters take the engine: if you’re not the type who likes to dig through heaps of old metal or the Internet this baby is first choice: the shovelheaded American made SH Power motor by S&S. A cool 93 cu.in. Add a 4-speed Baker gearbox, Performance machine brakes … the list goes on, on and on. Scroll down for details. If you spotted the swingarm and the foot shift assembly for absence, you get extra brownie points. As it happens, we had them lying around in a dark corner. The sexy curved fender struts (hot stuff in the eighties, and virtually unfindable these days) did our Swedish friend Mathias of LeBeef by the way.

Putting it all together in our heat proof Spanish dungeons star wrencher Garci of Custom Biker in Malgrad swung his magic adjustable wrench. The only thing he steered clear of was the electrics. For testing purposes we went to Norrtälje Custom show and the summit of all custom bike events, the Punta Bagna. Result: This FX rides like a modern motorcycle.

The similarity with recent Milwaukee produce extends to the price too. It’s up to you to decide between the blessings of The Company or a Harley like no other. Which you will have built all by your-shelf.