If you are planning to be at the upcoming annual Sturgis Motorcycle rally, make a point of zooming to the East end of Sturgis to Guy Edward’s Caddy’s Whiskey Bar. Get a close look at this Sturgis Rat Harley-Davidson XL Chopper in person, and sit and sip a cold one of whatever it is you drink, while watching the steady stream bikes go by.
Caddy’s is the perfect place for people and motorcycle watching given the amount of two- wheeled traffic dismounting Interstate 90 on the West bound off ramp. The food here is damn good too, and most days it’s not quite as crowded as downtown eateries.
Does the little XL start-up and run…hell yeah! It starts instantly and runs like a sewing machine. No spitting, back popping, or snorting. One button push (it is electric start) and she’s ready to ride.
“Guys Chopper is truly a piece of Chopper Americana,” Buck Lovell says so. See ya in Sturgis.
Editor’s Note: I say this is not a Rat bike. We need your opinion on this subject, as part of the Bikernet Editorial Investigative Team. My contention is that this is a classic original-paint Sportster Chopper, Paughco style, with a classic Paughco rigid frame, and extended stock springer.
In the volumes of data reflected in the Bikernet Dictionary of classic Chopper Lingo a Rat Bike cannot contain polish-able chrome. That immediately eliminates it from the Rat Bike Ranks. Feel free to send us your vote.
Is it a Rat or ain’t it?
–Wilburn Roach
