A Tennessee Love Affair Meets the Road By Bandit with photos by Jack McIntyre I remembered the bike, the wild stretched monster. It spoke of choppers from the past, long sleek sexy beasts. I didn’t recognize aspects of this bike until I spoke to Tim Dixon and he started to tell me about his past and how he started a chop shop 18 years ago on the family’s dairy farm, purchased in 1944. I checked my notes from my conversation with Tim, who I suspect is a very solid builder, and started to write his story. It’s a good one, full of romance and intrigue. Tim and his older brother, Mike, grew up on the family dairy farm. Their dad passed when Tim was in second grade and they were forced to step up and learn the ropes. While in his teens, a friend and drag racing enthusiast contacted Tim and they built a 650 Class 1971 Vega in 1988. Click To Read Rest of Article  

This is an interesting one. It’s like a test. Last week, a full moon rocked the earth, like an evil spell. Girlfriends ran off, businesses folded, evil transactions unfolded, and there was general mayhem on the planet for a few days. That’s when Angie Dixon reached out to me.

“Are you going to feature our bike?” she asked. “It won the Bikernet Editor’s Choice award at the Las Vegas Bike Fest in September.”

I remembered the bike, the wild stretched monster. It spoke of choppers from the past, long sleek sexy beasts. I didn’t recognize aspects of this bike until I spoke to Tim Dixon and he started to tell me about his past and how he started a chop shop 18 years ago on the family’s dairy farm, purchased in 1944.

I’ll tell you a code about full moons and evil spirits. It could save your life. If you’re smart and you see signs of pure evil, or even disjointed actions, don’t over-react. Take a step back, drink a glass of Jack, or smoke a joint and listen to some heartfelt tunes for a couple of days. More often than not, things will sort themselves out. It’s like road rage. You could kill the sonuvabitch who cut you off and go to jail for the rest of your life, or pull into Betty’s apartment complex and let her take your mind far, far away. The next day, you’ll be able to go for a ride, see a fantastic sunset, and drink with your riding partners. No problem.

With that mantra in mind, I checked my notes from my conversation with Tim, who I suspect is a very solid builder, and started to write his story. It’s a good one, full of romance and intrigue.

Tim and his older brother, Mike, grew up on the family dairy farm. Their dad passed when Tim was in second grade and they were forced to step up and learn the ropes. While in his teens, a friend and drag racing enthusiast contacted Tim and they built a 650 Class 1971 Vega in 1988.

“I discovered I enjoyed building more than the racing side,” Tim said.

Tim learned welding in high school and followed it in trade school.

“My brother did the same and attended Vocational College,” Tim said. “I took metal shaping classes in Charlotte.”

At one point, Tim made the trek to California to watch some television builders and learn. It was the time of the build-offs and he followed the TV action.

Tim’s home shop takes on car restoration projects, racecars, rat rods, and bikes “when they are hot,” Tim said. He and his brother, his mom and uncle live outside of Ten Mile, Tennessee.

Tim had the bug for action, hot cars, bikes, and flash. He watched the shows and followed the blogs. One day while checking some chopper shots on a Facebook page, he perused through the comments and one intrigued him. Clicking on a link, it took him to another blog belonging to a Canadian girl from Vancouver Island, who was a financial services manager and wore high heels and business suits daily.

“I’m not a computer guy,” Tim said. “I don’t know how I got there, but I had to know more about this girl.”

He cajoled computer savvy friend to follow and reach out to Angie, and they started to correspond after weeks of deleted messages.

“They wrote in yawls,” Angie said. “I didn’t know what to make of them for a while.”

A year of e-mails and four-hour long phone conversations led to a one-week trip for Angie to fly to Nashville and meet Tim.

“I wasn’t afraid when I stepped off the plane,” Angie said. “I knew him.”

Over the next year she returned several time, and once for six months, during which time Tim proposed.

“Vancouver Island is made up of polite and soft people,” Angie said. “Tennessee is big boobs, blondes, and in your face. Besides, it’s hot as hell.”

“She won the Canadian Lottery,” Tim said, “and I was the prize.” They were married September 8th, 2012 in Rock-a-Billy style.

“Everyday is still new to me,” Angie said.

The two brothers have a day job off site, rebuilding hydraulic cylinders for bulldozers, backhoes, compactors, any heavy equipment, plus manufacturing cylinder sleeves and hydraulic pistons. Their facility is 10 minutes away from home in Athens, Tennessee, and it houses seven CNC lathes and five CNC mills. They manufacture every piece themselves. Of course, these capabilities go along way to help with custom builds.

Tim’s home shop may not be quite as well equipped, but they can always shoot over to the day job facility for some detailed machining. All his talents came into play with this parody on a television build, the Gold Digger Bike. He wanted his version of it to be bigger, badder, and better. He took the time to venture to the Wheels Through Time museum, so he could study an old Harmon girder. He made the girder work better than stock with bronze-filled Teflon bushings. They machined their own trees and built the frame.

He did it all, and the stretch and handling of the 10-foot, 9-inch axle-to-axle sex machine fits his 5-foot, 10-inch frame perfectly. Tim built all the major components and many accessories, including the bars, the pipes, air cleaner, kicker, and seat pan. Angie handled the leather upholstery.

He recently won second place in the Charlotte Ultimate Builder Bike Show, and showed at the Easyriders Nashville show, and won the Bikernet Editor’s Choice Award at the Vegas Artistry in Iron. “I’m going to build a whole new show-stopper for the Artistry in Iron competition next year in Vegas,” Tim said.

I can’t wait to meet this couple in person. Tim is determined to build the best of the best, and Angie is determined to build his business. They turned down an opportunity to compete in the new Biker Build-off show, but watch for Tim’s work to be featured in his own TV Series.

Regular Stuff

Owner: Tim and Angie Dixon
Bike Name: Suga Daddy
City/State: Ten Mile, Tennessee
Builder: Gas Axe Chop Shop
City/state: Ten Mile, Tennessee

Company Info: Build custom cars and bikes, metal fabrication, machining, and welding
Address: 203 Upper Concord Road, Ten Mile, Tennessee 37880
Phone: 423-507-2693
Web site: www.facebook.com/gasaxechopshop
E-mail: info@gasaxechopshop.com or mrsangiedixon@gmail.com
Fabrication: Gas Axe Chop Shop
Welding: all types
Machining: cnc milling, lathes and also manual lathe and mill

Engine

Year: 2012
Make: S&S
Model: Shovelhead
Displacement: 93 c.i.
Builder or Rebuilder: S&S
Cases: S&S
Case: S&S
finish: polished
Barrels: S&S
Pistons: S&S Forged
Barrel finish: black
Heads: S&S
Head finish: polished
Cams: S&S 585
Carburetion: S&S super E
Air cleaner: old school
Exhaust: Gas Axe custom
Mufflers: None

Transmission

Year: 2012
Make: Baker
Gear configuration: 4 speed
Primary: chain drive
Kicker: old school, custom Gas Axe offset kicker arm mount

Frame

Year: 2012
Builder: Gas Axe Chop Shop
Style or Model: Custom
Modifications: Got more curves than Marilyn Monroe

FrontEnd

Make: Gas Axe custom
Model: Harman style internally sprung girder
Year: 2012
Length: 26 inches over stock

Sheet metal

Tanks: modified Mustang
Fenders: Gas Axe modified blank
Oil tank: Gas Axe custom

Paint

Graphics or art: Flamin’ Freddy Smith
Special effects: Flames everywhere
Pinstriping: Flamin’ Freddy Smith

Wheels

Front

Make: SMT
Size: 26″ x 3.75″
Brake calipers: Hurst Airheart
Brake rotor(s): Gas Axe custom
Tire: Avon

Rear

Make: SMT
Size: 20″ x 10″
Brake calipers: KC International
Brake rotor: KC International
Tire: Avon

Controls

Foot controls: Steve Dameron
Finish: Polished
Master cylinder: Jaybrake
Brake lines: Gas Axe
Handlebar controls: Jaybrake
Finish: Polished

Electrical

Ignition: Morris Mag
Headlight: Old school painted
Taillight: old school cool

What¹s Left

Seat: Gax Axe custom pan, upholstery by Angie Dixon
Gas caps: Moon Eyes
Handlebars: Gas Axe custom
Pegs: Steve Dameron

Credits: Atlantic Coast Plating (chrome) Flamin’ Freddy Smith (paint) Gas Axe Chop Shop crew (fabrication) Angie Dixon (seat)

We peeled out to Saddlemen’s family-operated dream factory recently to see what was new, and maybe test a new bag on a 250 ATK cruiser. We worked with Saddlemen’s team on several occasions, building a totally custom seat for the Mudflap Girl FXR, creating seats for Bonneville Racers, you name it.

The Saddlemen group is constantly on the hunt for new, more comfortable seat technology, and gear to make any ride more user-friendly. Kyle the official Bikernet electrician just came across his first new motorcycle, a 250 cc ATK V-twin cruiser, and he’s taken to it. But he was looking for some way to peel to small jobs and carry the necessary tools.

Here’s the company info on the line:

It’s the latest group of motorcycle luggage from Saddlemen – The FTB line features a bold, sporty look with an array of vital features bundled with suburb construction and class-leading value pricing. No other line of bags look as sharp on your motorcycle, so be prepared to acknowledge complements about them at each gas stop.

Sissy bar bag mounting is simple and quick using Saddlemen’s adjustable backrest sleeve that conforms to the width of your sissybar or pad, and its shape or taper. Mounting is secure, when using a Sissybar or just a rack or seat, with the four hold-down straps included with each bag. The trunk and rack bag mounts in moments without fuss using rugged nylon straps and clips attached directly to the body of the bag.

If the weather gets wet, use the supplied high-visibility, light-reflective rain cover to protect the bag and its contents. And if you need to carry your Sissybar bag with you when you park your bike, use the included, padded backpack straps to tote your gear with you.

The Sport Sissybar Bags (FTB1000 and FTB 1500) are shaped to present a trim line on your motorcycle, but open up to hold an impressive amount of cargo for their size. The main cargo compartment flap opens fully with solid tethered sides for easy loading. Internal mesh storage compartments secure smaller items while keeping them visible so you can locate your stuff fast. Integrated, side-mount beverage holders adjust to the bottle’s size and then fold down smooth when not in use.

The Sport Trunk & Rack Bag (FTB3300) brings never-before-seen style to the top of your touring bike’s trunk, trunk-rack or large rear rack. Semi-rigid walls, specially contoured for style and load capacity, hold their shape regardless of your cargo. Gull-wing top flaps have perimeter zippers that open large for easy loading and unpacking. It’s simply the new standard in trunk-rack bags.

The Sport Sissybar & Combo Bags (FTB2500 and FTB3600) are the large siblings in the FTB clan. They have the same, knife-sharp styling and organizing features as the smaller bags but with more capacity. Mid-size side compartments easily hold extra cargo and double up as beverage holders. Each bag also includes a specialized top storage bag that clips on and off in seconds. Equipped with the same highly-functional gull-wing style access flaps as our Sport Trunk & Rack Bag, these top bags expand your cargo capacity by a huge margin. Need to get at rain gear fast, but keep it away from your other stuff? These auxiliary storage bags fit the bill.

FTB3600Sport Sissybar & Combo Bag DRAG #3515-0142 $169.95

First, Buster introduced us to a nifty saddle capable of slipping under any seat and allowing almost any bag to be strapped securely to almost any passenger seat. That puppy was amazing.

Then we tried on a couple of new FTB bags, and came up with one capable of doing any job for Kyle. The bag industry is amazing and capable of almost anything, with pockets, slots, fixtures, lids, map windows, you name it.

Saddlemen also has the most popular product on the planet for riders. It’s a tank bag for your cell phone or GPS. This puppy is amazing. There’s that word again. The magnet won’t mar your paint, and won’t leave at any speed.

Buster took care of Kyle, introduced us to several FTB products, and made the kid’s day. No matter what bike you have, custom or stock, Saddlemen has just what you need, and if not, they are designing one right now.

With the saddle in place this system comes with fully adjustable clip-on straps. After they are thoroughly tested, they can be cut and heated to prevent unraveling.

They also come with rain protective covers for on the road or while parked in the elements.

 Plus, the super logo on the back is reflective at night.

We will keep you posted of any new Saddlemen developments.

Indian Motorcycle will be showing its 2014 models at the International Motorcycle Shows in Long Beach, Calif. and New York, NY which run respectively from Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 8 at the Long Beach Convention Center and Friday, December 13 through Sunday, December 15 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The shows mark the debut of the new Indian Motorcycle exhibit which offers attendees multiple ways to interact with and experience the volume and awesome power of the Indian Motorcycle brand and its new 2014 lineup.

Long Beach & New York: Experience Indian Motorcycles – Past and Present

Stop by the all-new exhibit to check out the entire line of 2014 Indian Chief models including the Indian Chief Classic, the Indian Chief Vintage and the Indian Chieftain. Indian Motorcycle will feature a host of historically significant motorcycles including the ‘Spirit of Munro’ Streamliner, a one-of-a-kind custom vehicle built by Indian to pay homage to Burt Munro who famously rode into the history books on an Indian in 1962 at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Attendees will also enjoy “Springfield Row,” a line of fully restored pre-1953 era Indian bikes including a 1935 Indian Chief originally featured on HISTORY® Channel’s ‘American Pickers’ series, a 1948 Vintage Indian Chief, and more. In Long Beach, heritage vehicles will be on loan from the personal collection of Paul Greenstein, an Indian Motorcycle collector and LA’s top neon artist and restoration specialist. In New York, heritage bikes including a 1926 Scout are on loan through Michael Baer of Easthampton, MA in conjunction with the Wood Museum of Springfield History in Springfield, MA, which houses an extensive Indian Motorcycle collection.

Long Beach & New York: Hear the Roar of the Thunder Stroke 111 Engine

Throughout the event, Indian Motorcycle will highlight the inspiring design and power of the new Thunder Stroke 111 engine, the heartbeat of the 2014 Indian Chiefs. The exhibit will feature a cut-away version of the new engine to demonstrate the engineering prowess behind the new power plant, and attendees will hear the roar of the new engine through the accessory Stage 1 exhaust available for all 2014 Indian Chiefs.

Long Beach & New York: Explore the 2014 Lineup of Indian Motorcycle Apparel and Accessories

Selections from the new 2014 Indian Motorcycle apparel line will be available for purchase, including casual wear, hats and holiday gifts. Fully accessorized bikes will also be on display highlighting the array of accessories for the 2014 Chiefs.

Long Beach Only: Unveiling the ‘Jack Daniel’s Operation Ride Home’ Custom Bike to Benefit the U.S. Military

On Friday, December 6 Indian Motorcycle will reveal a one-of-a-kind custom bike it has created to benefit U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families. In support of Jack Daniel’s ‘Operation Ride Home’ program, the company pulled the ‘No. 7’ serial number Indian Chief Vintage out of the first 1901 numbered motorcycles from its assembly line and partnered with the talented artists at Klock Werks in Mitchell, SD to create a special motorcycle. The bike will be on-hand throughout the Long Beach and New York City shows before it heads to the Scottsdale, AZ Barrett-Jackson auction in January in support of Operation Ride Home and U.S. military families. The low ‘No. 7’ serial number will be a desirable collector’s motorcycle, which Indian expects will benefit the Operation Ride Home project with a strong donation. At the Long Beach and New York IMS shows, attendees who wish to contribute to Operation Ride Home may donate in a special Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrel inside the Indian Motorcycle display.

Long Beach Only: Get up Close and Personal:  Take a Demo Ride on the all-new 2014 Indian Chiefs

Licensed motorcyclists at Long Beach are invited to experience motorcycling’s most exciting new bikes with a demo ride on an all-new 2014 Indian Chief. Demos are offered Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Riders must be 18 years of age and must provide proof of endorsement along with a helmet and appropriate riding attire.

New York Only: See the Brand-New Custom Indian Chief Classic

Attendees at the New York IMS show will be treated to a special new bike: A custom 2014 Chief Classic designed by the Indian Motorcycle Industrial Design team led by Greg Brew. Incorporating a number of accessories currently available for the Chiefs as well as a custom paint scheme and several unique features, this bike is sure to inspire the custom builder in everyone. The bike will be unveiled before the press on Friday, December 13 at the Javits Center, and will be on display for the balance of the IMS tour.

New York Only: Stars & Stripes Saturday sponsored by Indian Motorcycle, Saturday, December 14

In recognition of the dedicated men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, Indian Motorcycle is offering free admission to the New York IMS show for any individual with a valid military ID on Saturday, December 14. Military personnel simply show their ID at the Javits Center box office for complimentary admission courtesy of Indian Motorcycle. In addition, trumpet player Dr. Jesse McGuire will play rousing renditions of patriotic-inspired music throughout the day in the Indian Motorcycle display.

2014 International Motorcycle Shows

Indian Motorcycle will take part in the remaining 2014 International Motorcycle Shows, including Novi, MI (January 3-5), Washington, D.C. (January 10-12), Minneapolis, MN (January 17-19), Phoenix, AZ (demo only – January 24-26), Cleveland, OH (January 31-February 2), Chicago, IL (February 7-9) and Seattle, WA (February 14-16). All shows will feature the Indian Motorcycle display, with the exception of Phoenix where attendees may take advantage of free demo rides. For more information please visit www.motorcycleshows.com.

For more information please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/indianmotocycle, and Like Us at www.facebook.com/indianmotorcycle. For more information on the Operation Ride Home program, log on to www.jdoperationridehome.com.

For over 3 decades, The Sturgis Buffalo Chip has been a staple institution of the Sturgis Rally. Year after year, over 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts come to the small town in South Dakota for 10 full days of riding and attending world-class events at “The Chip” including a music festival headlined by some of the biggest names in music.

Continuing its commitment to provide premium entertainment, The Sturgis Buffalo Chip has added a brand new event to its calendar starting in 2014. TORC: The Off-Road Championship and ‘The Chip’ have entered a multi-year agreement to bring the high-energy action of TORC Racing to the grounds in Sturgis. To prepare for this, a new race track for the Series will be built within The Buffalo Chip Powersports Complex for the purpose of showcasing the true capabilities of 900 horsepower race trucks, known to jump over 200 feet in the air, racing side-by-side at speeds of over 100mph.

“Thanks to Rod, Daymon and the team at The Chip, this announcement elevates the TORC Series to an entirely new level and is a game changer for our sport, sponsors, teams and drivers,“ said BJ Birtwell, President of the TORC Series. “Considering the hundreds of thousands of Sturgis attendees who love the open road and horsepower, adding The Chip to our schedule exponentially increases TORC’s attendance footprint providing a much broader reach for our Series and a greater return on investment for all those involved in TORC.”

“TORC’s vision and approach to the sport of off road racing is of the highest caliber,” says Rod Woodruff, President at Sturgis Buffalo Chip. “For over 30 years, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip has been committed to providing our fans with the best entertainment, and we are thrilled to add TORC Racing into our schedule of events.”

The Powersports Complex sits on a hillside that provides incredible spectator viewing as well as elevation changes which will make for an exciting and unique track design certain to entertain fans and challenge racers.

Official 2014 Race dates at The Chip will be announced shortly and can be anticipated for early August.

For the latest news and information on the TORC Series, visit www.torcseries.com or join TORC on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/torc and on Twitter using @torcoffroad.

Mikuni American’s popular HSR42, HSR45 and HSR48mm Smoothbore Carburetor Kits are known world-wide as the best performing carburetors for American V-Twins. The popular Mikuni HSR42 Carb Kit is already an industry performance standard for Sportsers, Buells and stock Big Twins by offering a 25% increase in power and torque when used with an aftermarket exhaust system.

More mildly modified Big Twin engines with aftermarket cams and big bore kits can benefit from the extra induction flow provided by the large bore Mikuni HSR45 Carburetor Kit.

The all-out racing carburetor for American Big Twin monster motors is Mikuni’s HSR48 Easy Carburetor Kit. This huge 48mm smoothbore carburetor offers the highest air flow possible while providing highly accurate fuel metering, more power, and Mikuni’s renowned precision throttle response. A new extended main jet and larger fuel valve assure ample fuel supply for very powerful engines.

All Mikuni HSR 42/45/48 smoothbore carburetor offers the highest air flow possible while providing highly accurate fuel metering, more power, and Mikuni’s renowned precision throttle response. Carburetors are designed with an 8-roller bearing flat throttle slide assembly that allows an unobstructed venturi at full throttle to flow more air, while it mixes more precisely at all throttle settings. Mikuni’s roller bearing throttle slide offers smoother throttle control and allows the use of a lighter throttle return spring for reduced throttle effort. And the Mikuni adjustable accelerator pump provides instant throttle response in any riding or performance application. While a high capacity float bowl prevents fuel starvation even under full throttle applications.

Mikuni Replacement and Aftermarket Performance Carburetors, Fuels Pumps, Genuine Rebuild Kits, and all their Parts and Accessories are available from Mikuni American Distributors or through your favorite dealer. You can look up all the available Kits, Carburetors and Parts, along with Mikuni Distributors on the www.MikuniPower.com website.

Don’t have space to mount a GPS, phone or other device on your handlebar or brake/clutch reservoir? Ever want to mount it up higher, or closer to eye level, so you can see/read it more easily? The new Leader Windshield bracket does just that – and it couldn’t be simpler.

The Leader Windshield bracket works with almost any windshield, but is ideal for those with a brace or strut. Simply remove one of the studs on the brace and thread the bracket onto your windshield. Our patented U-shaped slot-and-lug design accommodates a variety of devices, including: GPS, Phone, iPod, Satellite Radio, Camera, Clock, Drink Holder

The Leader Windshield bracket is made of machined aluminum, then show-chrome plated – all here in the USA!

Hit the banner below to visit the Leader website.

 

 

The Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is rolling into SOCAL this weekend.

 

We will award $7,000 in cash and $1,000+ in prizes.

 

The bikes are positioned on the SILVER CARPET at each of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show.

 

Enter your bike at CustomBikeShows.com.

 

Jeff Najar, Biker Pros

Cell: 919-450-5060

Jeff@bikerpros.com

 

Set on building a ground-up custom bagger that would turn heads while still being rideable, Dave called on the guys at Bad Dad to get his 2007 Road Glide done right.

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Aeromach USA, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers an “Engine Dress Up Kit” for model year 2014 Indian Motorcycles.  Paul Aiken, managing partner of Aeromach, said “This kit allows proud new Indian owners to make their bikes even more attractive.”  The Engine Dress Up Kit includes chrome and black bolt covers for the engine, transmission, primary cover, belt drive cover, horn cover, turn signals and more. The covers slip over the raw steel fasteners giving the motorcycle a more refined and finished look.

In addition, Aeromach released a Chrome Bolt Kit that replaces the raw steel fasteners on the air cleaner, hand controls, headlight/handlebar cover, brake pedal cover and more.  A billet license plate finished in chrome with chrome bolt covers is also available.

Click here to see these items on the Earomach website.