Heavy - final result

And here we have the end result of this 1977 FLH. The motor was bumped up to 96", via 4 5/8" stroke, and 3 5/8" bore. Compression ratio of 10.2:1. Running an S&S Super E with an Andrews "C" grind cam. Crane lifters and pushrods. Everything that wasn't absolutely necessary as "motor-help" from Josh, Ernie & Kevin at Power Factory Custom Cycles. Pin-striping from Igor, and lots of parts from Fabricator Kevin. The flat black paint khkj;n,.mannot, the seat is actually comfortable. Good 50's style hot-rod flames, and a BDL open belt primary. This bike is very light and maneuverable, with plenty of horsepower. It sold to a really nice guy in Texas, David, who is really loving it. I don't know how many times I hear someone say that you can't make a 4 speed swingarm frame look cool.

Heavy - first build

Here's the final result, the first time.  More on that later.  I tried to use as many original parts as possible.  Frame, swing-arm, wheels, front end and sheetmetal, all original.  86" Stroker motor, with all S&S parts, rebuilt tranny stuffed with Andrews parts.  Metzler white walls, Works Performance shocks, and LePera seat.  Simple gloss black paint, with chrome everywhere.  20 inch ape-hangers, diamond plate floorboards and true dual fishtails to give some hotrod attitude.  GMA brakes, and a tombstone taillight.  Like I said, not a lot of fabrication involved, but a simple, clean, and in my opinion, tasteful machine.  The best part about it, was the bike didn't fit into any genre that was in style.  At the time, everyone was building and buying choppers, and bobbers were gaining momentum.  This bike was neither.  And it ran as well as it looked.  So what's the problem?  A customer, (and a friend) had an 81 FLT, and it was in need of some attention.  He liked the looks of this bike, and wanted our shop to make over his, taking some styling cues from old Heavy here.  So we did.  And that was all the motivation I need to change this bike around.  So after only a year and a half, (maybe longer), Heavy got another makeover.  Check out the next blog for the end result.  Thanks for reading!

Heavy - in the beginning

Here's a real looker, uh?  One of my favorite bikes, a 1977 FLH Shovelhead.  The first picture here, is the way it came to me.  Nothing like buying a bike you HAVE to pick up on a trailer.  This baby was in sad shape.  But when you look at a bike in this condition, you have to look at what it can be, not what it is.  I am very partial to shovels, I think because when I was little, those were the Harleys I saw people riding around.  I love the sound of this timeless motor, and the feel of these bikes.  And remarkably simple to work on.  I know what some of you are saying, AMF era bike, not a real HD.  That's ok.  I still love 'em.  So on with the story of "Heavy".  That's what we called it.  Fitting name for the FLH's.  Heavy had been sitting for a very long time, ignored, and pieces and parts missing off of it.  The seller did misrepresent the bike when selling it, but he made good on the final deal, with a price we could agree on, when it was all said and done.  When I picked up this bike, I was working on another fabrication-intense shovelhead project, (pictures of that one to come in another posting), so the goal here was to do use as many original parts as I could, do minimum fab work, and breathe some new life into this baby.  Of course, adding some ponies was also in order.  I guess the goal here was kind of a restoration with a hotrod flare.  

Welcome! Here it goes!

So it appears the first posting on my blog should be a kinda of "hi" and "welcome to my blog" type of thing.  That seems like a reasonable place to start.  A kind of introduction, if you will,  about what we will try to focus on here.  First off, Jason's Garage Inc. is a branch of Diva Customs, a custom motorcycle shop in Virginia Beach.  Most people, after seeing our shop, think of it as a "biker boutique".  When in fact, the service department is a well equipped, fully functional, get down to business motorcycle shop.  I am the Service Manager of the shop, so here on this blog we will focus on service, and the work we do in the back of the shop.  And what do we do in the back?  Everything!  We perform regular scheduled maintenance, service, and necessary repairs, (We will never be too proud to change the oil or replace your rubber), as well as full-on custom motorcycle builds from the ground up.  And don't forget everything in between.  Performance, functional, and cosmetic upgrades, to make YOUR bike fit YOUR body, and YOUR personality.  Cause let's face it, there is nothing better than someone seeing your bike in a parking lot, and saying, "I knew that was your bike!"

A few quick words about the format of the blog.  Comments and postings are encouraged, and very welcome, but please no bashing of people, parts (or their manufacturers), and certain genres of motorcycles.  The point of this blog is not to sling mud or slam people.  It is meant to be upbeat, interesting and enjoyable, and not a venue for venting your frustrations.

Enough said about that!

Lastly, I want to take a second and say thanks to a short list of people.  To guys like Donnie Smith and Eddie Boomhower for inspiration, just a conversation with one of these two is like a king size helping of motivation.  Guidance, advice and direction from Josh Stafford (Power Factory Custom Cycles), and Brian Klock (KlockWerks), two men who have my utmost trust and respect.  Kevin Kerwin, who has taught me way more than I will ever remember, Steve Kent, who puts up with working for me, and lastly my wife, Tami, who stayed on me about doing this blogspot.

That's it!  More to come...