Several years back, Bandit bought this hunk of shit bike from Arlen Ness with the hopes of turning the pile of shit into a decent running bike. Having been friends with guys like Rick Fairless can help in times when a guy needs a kick ass custom built. Bandit turned the hunk-a-shit over to Rick’s crew at Strokers Dallas, and this little gem is what they turned out.
The first time I saw this bike was in a story in AIM a few years back. To tell you the truth, I thought it was crazy considering nobody was building bikes like this. The bike’s a cross between chopper/ bobber/ racer. Nowadays it seems everyone has started to scale back on their builds, so you are starting to see bikes built around a simpler, mor realistic platform. It’s almost as if Bandit and the Stroker’s crew started a trend 4 years ago.
I had to once again bribe the girls to stand next to the bike so we could get you some good shots. Hef was calling from the mansion on my cell, so we had to run. It seems one of his 3 hotties was having a birthday celebration and we were late for the party.
We arrived at the shoot just as Bandit had gotten back from his trip up the coast with Billy Lane and Tattoo John. He was bubbling with excitement from the trip causing me to wonder if he had started experimenting with mescaline again. Oh well, to each his own, right? Bandit’s always been a big junkie for one thing or another, women, bikes, cars, women, weed, red-heads, women…ya get the picture.
While the girls were being photographed, I sat by my bike watching life drive by me in Long Beach. I am amazed how similar Long Beach is to my own home in Texas. An industrial wasteland overgrown with warehouses, factories, dockworkers, longshoreman, and bikers, the place was just like home to me. I could hear the girls giggling inside, so I knew Bandit was working the charm. I had to smile as I decided to grab a burrito from the taquiera across the street.
I remember watching my dad ride his shovelhead away from the house countless times as a kid. No matter the weather, he would take that shovel to work, riding the bike like a madman. At night, no matter how late he worked, he would be in the garage either cleaning or repairing the bike. Bandit is of the same cloth as my father. I could see them riding together, my dad on his bike while Bandit screams down the street on his shovel Sturgis chop.
Just as I finished the burrito, and as my mind slipped through memory lane, the girls erupted from the door of the studio bursting with laughter. Bandit walked just behind with that half grin he sports when he has just said something clever. I was sure I was the butt of the joke, but I didn’t mind.
DEAL OF THE WEEK–We are selling this Bikernet Project bike for just $19,000. It's all fresh and originated as a bike owned by Arlen Ness, then the driveline was completely rebuilt by JIMS Machine. The TV crew of Rick Fairless' Strokers Dallas built the bike based on a design by Keith R. Ball or Bandit. The bike we call our 1928 Shovelhead, has now been in the Bikernet collection for four years. If interest give us a call at (310) 830-0630. For a very reasonable price, you can have her! I am talking about the bike. If you’re interested, just contact Keith Ball!
As I mounted my bike, I noticed Bandit whispering into the girl’s ears. I am sure it was an invitation to come back later…the horny bastard. Just like that, we were screaming away from the Cantina, splitting lanes and heading for the land of the stars, Hollyweird. I am not sure what happened during the photoshoot, but the girls smiled the entire ride to Hef’s mansion.
