Choppers Only Best of Show Bobber

Adam's Bike Riding Front View

Here's a bike feature that tells itself, which is often the best kind. The owner actually spelled out his lurid story from a school teacher and chopper enthusiast to ultimately, in his future, a bike builder. His bike recently won best of show at the second annual Choppers Only Show on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Here's the catch. It was actually a used Shovelhead bought from Sucker Punch Sally's in Fairfield, Ohio and shipped to the islands. The rest of the story is right here from the owner:

Adam's Bike Right profile

Over 5 years ago my love for choppers started, old and new. I built a rep for bringing new and different bikes, or parts, to the islands. I bought and shippedthe first American Iron Horse Texas Chopper motorcycle to the center of the Pacific. It wasa one-off that the factory built to my specs. After that bike arrivedwe changed about 5K worth of stuff on it. After changing it and receiving over30 calls about it, I knew that whatever I was doingreally started, or followed, trends from the mainland. I got callsfrom Alaska, all the way to Florida about Paint colors, Seats, One offsuicide shifters, plus many more parts. After selling four bikes to other peoplearound the US I decide to become an indirect dealer for AIH. During thattime I met tons of people. All who loved new and interesting things.

Adam's Bike Riding Left

I then knew I wanted something more old school, so I contacted asmall and very distrustful company in NC. After working with the owner andhaving the bike built, I received the bike. It had many old and used parts. I had paid for new parts. That left me very upset.

I was told by mybuddy Tom Herzog, of the now semi-famous Mobile Cycle Company, said, “Just run it till it dies. It looks great but there's a lot ofwork to be done.”

After riding the old school Shovelhead, I polished it upand placed it in another island chopper show. It was rather large with Cory and ArlenNess finishing their Biker Build-off at the show here on Oahu. Everyonethought the bike was a Choppers Inc. Production bike because of the styling.Everyone at the show loved it, but I was still very disappointed. I ended upwinning the old school category with it. Don't get me wrong, it had sometrick shit like a shotgun barrel suicide shifter and internal billet gripsthat worked for shit but it was still really cool to look at.

Adam's Seat top view

After theshow I placed it on ebay where I proceeded to sell it after it was featured in the HORSE many months earlier. After that bike was sold I decidedto give my buds at Sucker Punch Sally's a call. I 'd been talking with them for a while andthey too were interested in launching their Frisco Style Chopper in Hawaii. My main goalwas to have them build a kick ass bobber with all the style of aIndian Larry bike. But Tom called me about an excellent Sucker Punch example posted on their site for sale. I calledthem to purchase it and within three weeks I was riding it.

Adams bike decoration

When the bikearrived, of course being in hog heaven, I changed a few parts, adding the Fantazy in Iron teardrop Air Cleaner, and switching thecool retro SPS seat for a Paul Cox custom. I called/begged Paul, in NY, to build me one ofhis killer hand sewn seats. After bothering him for a couple of weeks heagreed. I told him of my idea to use a Coop devil on the seat. I made sureto call Coop and ask permission to use his art. They said as long as you didn't call it a Coop bike, I was cool.

“We've seen tons of pics of Coop art on bikes that look like crap,” They told me.

After telling them who was hand fabricating the seat, they said if Paul etched the art, it would be included in the next Coop art book. The wheels werefinally turning and I couldn't wait.

Unfortunately, I decided to find outwhat it would be like to hit a chain link fence going 25 mph. Itwas like I expected, over 4K worth of damage with 10 stitches and a bruisedback. Playing sometimes can really hurt you and your wallet. Tom and I proceeded to put my baby back together. I had the front end replaced with custom made springs and had it painted byDennis M. over at Cosmic Airbrush. TheChica exhaust tips were made for this application. The shifter wasreplaced from the original. I also made acustom set of bars and used the orig guts with internal throttle. I alsoinstalled a Yost power tube and added a Tiki for that islandflair. After the rebuild, I then proceeded to show my daily rider at shows, both times winning bestof show.

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The recent Choppers Only Show win was one of best since I not only wonthe old school category, but I also won best of show against over 100 bikes.This is where Bandit came in.. During the show Mondo from Denver's and TomPrewitt from Damon's keep coming by and talking to me about the color,style, details, etc. I'll tell ya, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Allthese people who I had admired for many years told me how great my bike was.

After winning, I took a vacation and visited Hank youngin Georgia, another great guy, and yes there is a BIG BIG BIG HUGE CHICKENnear his place. I showed pics of it to him and he also loved it.

Adam's Bike front Right

Rightthen and there I knew Sucker Punch did something right. So after getting back to the island andstarting my real full-time job, of teaching 5th grade,

I decided to buildanother killer bike that would make myself, Mondo, Larry, Paul, Hank, BillyTom P, My best friends Tom and Dennis over at Cosmic Airbrush proud.

I'm nowin the process of building my very first, one-off, old school Accurate Pan.It uses the same Sucker Punch frame, '93 or maybe 100 cubic inch Pan with same tire configuration,different fender and tank, but same old school styling. It seems that new orold some things never go out of style.I can't wait.

Adam's Bike rear Right

That's his story and he's stickin' with it. There's a couple of elements to this Frisco Style Chop that sings more than a tribute tune. This style of bike is a natural for the islands with few freeways, winding coastal roads and tourist congestion. These are light, easy handling bikes, sorta like my Milwaukee Iron built Knucklehead. They are classic choppers and they're cheap to build, so the price tag won't choke a horse whether you have Sucker Punch build the bike from the ground up, supply you with a rolling chassis or you buy the individual components from them or Mr. Lucky and build your own.

Adams bike Left  Getting on

I will guarantee that when you're done, especially if you put some thought into a sprung seat and rubber filled grips and pegs, that it will be a bike you'll have a blast on for years to come. Watch, in the near future as we feature a Sucker Punch bike come together from the ground up. And my new chopper may give you some ideas. So if you're interested in a old school chopper, watch Bikernet for future reports.

–Bandit

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Adam sitting on bike right
The owner, Adam, sitting on his old school dream.

Tech Sheet

Owner: Adam Gelbard
Home: Oahu, Hawaii
Builder: Sucker Punch Sally's (SPS) with Adam's Touch
Year/ model: 2004 SPS Rigid Shovel
Time to build: 4 months
Painter: Donny Loos, Dennis Mathewson
Color: HOK Special Blend

Adam motor right shot

Engine / Transmission

Model/ Year: 2004 SPS Rigid Shovel
Builder: SPS, Adam Gelbard & Tom Herzog
Displacement: 1400cc
Horsepower: 80
Cases: S&S
Flywheel: S&S
Cylinders: S&S
Pistons: S&S
Heads: Harley
Cam: Sifton

Adam's Bike  motor close up

Card: S&S Super E
Air Cleaner: Goodson
Exhaust: Custom Built
Ignition: Stock
Oil Pump: S&S
Transmission: 5 speed w/ Kicker
Gears: S&S
Clutch: BDL
Primary drive: 3-inch Belt
Final drive: Chain

Adam's Bike riding low front view

Chassis

Frame: SPS Rigid
Rake: 34 degrees
Front Fork: Old school springer
Front Wheel: 21-spoked with Avon
Rear Wheel: 16-inch spoked with Avon
Fender Struts: Custom built

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Adam's bike close up shift handle

Accessories

Headlight: Springer Style
Taillight: Cateye Modified
Fuel Tank: AMF sporty
Oil Tank: Moon eyes
Handlebars: CCI
Seat: Paul Cox
Speedo: No need
License bracket: Cateye
Foot Controls: Custom Made w/ SPS Jockey Shift
Hand Controls: Internal Throttle

Yep, It's For Sale
Adam Gelbard: 808-561-5987

SUCKER PUNCH SALLY'S
http://www.sinwear.us/
jason@suckerpunchsallys.com
Or Donnie at Choprbldr@aol.com
SPS 513-353-2803
Fairfield, Ohio

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