Things have been going really good for the whole HighSchool chopper building idea I started over five yearsago. Many new school have been able to getsimilar programs going, which makes all my struggle doubly worthwhile. There are schools across the country nowimplementing the bike building projects and classesall over the country and even in Canada.
My dream,when I started this, was to try and get at least oneschool going from every state and hopefully somedayhaving all the project bikes on display at a big event likeSturgis. With the way things have been progressingthat dream may become a reality before I retire! Ialso have been donating custom made cnc cut parts frommy own business Baas Metal Craftwww.baasmetalcraft.com to new schools that need help.
The High School builds also presented me with theopportunity to write a book with Wolfgang Publicationson the style of bike we build. “How to build an OldSkool Bobber” is now available through Wolfgangpublications.com, or you can contact me for a signedcopy. This book walks you through many aspects ofputting together a vintage styled scoot and also highlights three of our class builds from start to finish.
This year my school class is building two build-off bikes, one to compete at the Donnie SmithInvitational this March in the High School ChopperChallenge with St Francis, and the other with Mazz inCanada to be displayed at a, yet-to-be-determinedevent. Our builds consist of a Sucker Punch Sallyfoundation for one and a vintage Harley Panhead buildfor the other. For the Sucker Punch build we got aMeathook 250 rear tire frame as our foundation with asoon to be completed Pearson Customs springer.
Spartan Frameworks donated a copper oil bag,Dumbassbiker.com donated a 5-speed tranny, and othervarious parts. Kendall Johnson gave us a starter andignition, Milwaukee Iron and Twisted Choppers donatedfender and tank blanks so the kids can create thereown sheet metal for the project as well asAnokapowerhammer.com donating a English wheel andpower hammer so the kids can make the gas tank fromscratch. No catalog off the shelf tinhere! We are still in serious need of finding a motorand open belt primary..any help please let me know, asthis may bring the project to a halt! I can bereached at 952-681-5224 or through e-mail atkbaas@yahoo.com.
For the second Panhead build this one I am fundingcompletely and consists of a 1957 straight leg rigidframe which we are cleaning up and bringing all thestock pieces back that were chopped off in the past(sidecar loops, toolbox mount etc.) The picture alsoshows that my wife and I recently welcomed our thirdson to our family on Sep 15th, which has made thingsmore hectc around here. The motor is a 1958 FLH withS&S stroker 4.5 inch flywheels to get the ole girl to84 inches.
We will heavilymodify a Wassell tank and use it with an original inlinespringer with 16-inch front and rear tires and wheels. The bike will shift by hand and include a rocker clutchset up with original floorboards. The rear fender isa polished aluminum ribbed fender from Jammer, and theseat is one of my custom pans covered by Gremlin withFab Kevin mounts.
This bike will be a tribute to myfather as well, who has been riding a bobbed Panheadsince before I was born. The picture of my dad on thePanhead from over 38 years ago is similar to the styleI want this bike to look like.
Any sponsor interestedin helping out with the Sucker Punch Build please letme know. It is only because of the support we get fromthe industry that this program stays alive.
–Kevin “TEACH” Baas
