The good Doctor Hamster was in a jam recently. We were building a Panhead basket case with a modified stock Knucklehead frame. We had it straightened and fixed by the local master Dr. John. We still weren’t happy and decided to search for a stock Panhead frame. Hell, it was the only way to go. You can read the Pandemic build stories here: https://www.bikernet.com/pages/pandemic_2020.aspx
Mike Stevenson ran into Kelly Dube at a local event. Kelly worked with Edlund frames, from Sweden and hooked us up with a re-pop stock Panhead Edlund frame. The price was reasonable and the quality exceptional. We were good to go with our project. No more hassles. Kelly is the distributor in the U.S. and later in the article we will mention the exclusive dealer in Arizona.
Here’s the Edlund story:
Better than the original
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Four generations of blacksmiths. Carl Edlunds great-grandfather founded a forging shop in Älta, Sweden, back in 1935. Then his father took over and made the family name known all around the world. Now it’s Carl himself continuing the legacy of the company known for making, ”The World’s Greatest Replica Frames.”
Frames from Edlund, are almost mythical to a lot of bikers, especially to the veterans. The story started in the suburbs of Stockholm.
Micke Edlund began to build frames in the early 1980s, back then the company was called “Mickes Ramar” and was located in Jönköping. The frames quickly got a good reputation for their excellent quality, especially their cast parts. They were considered to be top world-class according to many bikers.
The frames where so good that demand came from all over the world and Micke decided to meet the market where it was. Sweden was too small, even though he sold 400 frames a year. So, he moved to Los Angeles. At the company’s peak, he sold really well. Even though bike frames were his main business he also built some Drag-Race frames.
An Early Introduction
Carl Edlund, Micke’s son, was introduced to the shop at an early age. “I used to run around dad’s workshop when I was a kid,” said Carl. “I did my first welding joint when I was about four or five years old. It might not have been the best looking one.”
The Biker-bug got Carl at an early age and has never let him go. Although he has developed other interest along the way Carl enjoys riding almost everything with an engine. At this moment he has two bike projects running at the same time, one Chopper and one Bobber. He’s been building bike frames since he was 14 years old.
Original Molds
To this day, Carl uses his dad’s old frame jigs and original molds. “I thought it was possible to make better casting than the original, so I made my own molds in the late eighties,” said Micke. “The price tag for that project was about $70.000 back then. But they turned out really good.” They are still in the shop, and they are the ones Carl uses today, so they have really paid off.”
.
“We send down the molds to a foundry in Vetlanda in Sweden,” Explained Carl.
“We´ve used the same foundry since day-one and they do a great job. When they are done, they send back the molds to us. The molds are mine and I hold on to them tightly. I have to order a batch of 50 parts for it to pay off, and the lead-time is 4-7 weeks. That’s what most people forget when they want a frame; if we do not have any of the cast parts at home we have to cast 50 of them. Then it’s the finishing and that also takes a lot of time. I only want to deliver the absolute best.”
What about the price?
A frame costs around $2400-3500. It varies a bit depending on what you want, but that’s about what they usually cost.
They are available in the United States from two sources, but they currently have only one retail outlet with Highway Choppers in Glendale, AZ. Dave at Highway Choppers is the only full-service US dealer at this time. Edlund chose Highway because of the history (42 years) and Edlunds father sold his first frames to Highway over 30 years ago. What a story to tell.
Tech Questions
1. What engines fit in your frames? (Obviously Pan and Shovel but what else)
“We do “Orginal frames straightleg and bentleg for Evolution engine, said Carl.
2. Do you make Custom Frames
“Yes we do. We do all kinds of custom frames. We make frames for front ends up to 24 inches over,” said Carl.
What’s the rake variety for cast necks?
Knuckle 28,29 and 30 degree necks are available. Original is 30 degrees.
Special necks for custom bike are cast with 34,39,42 and 45 degree necks.
3. Knuckle Frames? (I have enclosed the Highway Choppers order Form)
“Yes, we do the weld frames with 3 different necks,” said Carl
4. VL Frames? Do you make single loop frames?
Not anymore
5. Swing arm frames? Yes or no or maybe?
“Maybe! We made a lot of Edlund swing arm frames back in the days. No one asking anymore. Maybe people don’t know the story,” said Carl.
6. Please let Bikernet readers know some history on your cad/cam ability(s) and your Haas CNC machine. The precision of your components NOW compared to in the past are 2nd to none.
“All the parts for the frames I machine in the workshop, so bought a brand new Haas Umc 750 milling machine,” said Carl.
“It’s a 5-axis machine. I mill all parts for the frames by myself with this thing. I run a 3D program (Mastercam 2020), fantastic result and really small tolerance difference.”
For dealers contact:
EDLUND FRAMES, USA
Carl Edlund
PO BOX 642205, Los Angeles, CA 90064
310 770 4133
Abc123edr@gmail.com
Retail Customers contact:
Dave
Highway Choppers
6723 Glendale Ave
Glendale AZ 85303
180dave@gmail.com
FRAME-Straight LegWish Bone
ENGINE-PanheadShovelheadEVO
NECK-StockDegrees
SIDE CAR LOOPS-YesNo
TOOL BOX MOUNT-YesNo(Welded in place- Yes or No)
Special Request(s):
Zerk Fitting-Size, threads, Location(s), etc- Please be as detailed as possible!
Seat Post Bung (Bottom, etc)
Please sign and date and send to abc123edr@gmail.com
$ Per Frame (Edlund Quote)
xHighway ChoppersDate
Please use this order form for “1 Frame Only!” 5 Frames = 5 order forms
EDLUND FRAMES, USA
Carl Edlund
PO BOX 642205, Los Angeles, CA 90064
310 770 4133
Abc123edr@gmail.com
KNUCKLE FRAME- *Please make your choice(s) regarding a knuckle frame below!
NECK DEGREES-282930(25 NOT AVAIL)
Please circle your choice(s) below.
ENGINE-Knuckle Head
SIDE CAR LOOPS-YesNo
TOOL BOX MOUNT-YesNo(Welded in place- Yes or No)
Special Request(s):
Zerk Fitting-Size, threads, Location(s), etc- Please be as detailed as possible!
Seat Post Bung (Bottom, etc)
Please sign and date and send to abc123edr@gmail.com
$ Per Frame (Edlund Quote)
XDate
Highway Choppers
Please use this order form for “1 Frame Only!” 5 Frames = 5 order forms
Med vänlig hälsning
Carl Edlund
Edlund Smide AB
Trosta 165
195 93 Märsta
08-6448428
070-4445203
www.edlundsmide.se
www.facebook.com/Edlundsmide
