On the way to a motorcycle photo shoot starring his recently award-winning bike build; a funny thing happened to Pat “Mongo” Kelly. He was aboard his daily ride, or should we say a road-ripping terror that passes for a street bike. In truth, it is a highly modified 2005 Harley-Davidson Dyna FXDXI Super Glide Sport. He could chase a few demons right out of hell with this rig.
Fresh in his mind that morning was first the shock and then the pleasure of knowing his bike had recently picked up the prestigious Limpnickie Collective award at the Sacramento Easyriders show. Booya! Now it was off for some photos and well-deserved publicity. Sweet.
Headed for our photography studio, he was shrouded in a bank of the infamous fog that descends in winter on our little riverbank community. Then, without much warning, Mongo had a close encounter of the potentially worst kind. No, not a tank-slapping, metal-to-road smack down; he’d already had one of those way back when this bike was in stock form (it’s interesting how many custom builds begin with a crash). But what he was experiencing just then was something altogether different.
Drifting south where the river road snakes along the levee top, he had to continually wipe his helmet visor clear of moisture. And, Mongo being, well, Mongo and a former motorcycle racer, he really wasn’t going along at a speed anyone would call “slow” (if you get my drift).
It was just after flinging off some excess moisture from his gloved fingertip that he noticed the unmistakable red, white, and blue flashing lights of Johnny Law right behind him. He doesn’t recall if he said, “Oh fuck” out loud inside his helmet or just in his brain. He’s pretty sure he was, however, mentally running through his bank balances to see if he had enough for a big fine and maybe even bail.
It appeared to be fight or flight time. Just pulling over didn’t seem like such a swell idea. A few days before, standing in front of the stage during the awards at the Easyriders Bike show in California’s capital city, this wasn’t how he or any of us saw the future (but more about that a little later).
Watching the river flow
Maybe it’s the endless miles of ribbon-like back roads that beg for two-wheel traffic. Or it could be the many small and often quirky little saloons and eateries that pop up in colorful old towns along the way. There is even gourmet fare, if one considers a liver feed, festival of spam, or boiled crawdads haut cuisine. Bikers and boaters and locals mix easily here in a kind of bayou brotherhood.
It could be the history of Gold Rush steamboats plowing upstream toward a perceived El Dorado. Maybe it’s the huge flights of geese and other wildlife that patrol the skies. Orchards, vineyards, and groomed fields of row crops stretch to the horizon. Catfish, bass, and pre-historic sturgeon lurk in the waterways. It could be the sunsets. Perhaps it’s all of that and more but, if you don’t have the good fortune to reside here in Northern California’s Delta region, then you’re probably unaware that this is a kind of wonderland.
Intuitively, motorcyclists seem to know it is also a bike-riding paradise. Many runs begin or end here. Weekends, even when there is no organized rider event, the area is crossed by the two-wheel crowd. It shouldn’t be surprising then to learn that among the levees, snuggled in various nooks and crannies where the rivers bend and sloughs curl back on themselves, are the digs of some pretty damn fine motorcycle builders.
True, these masters of the English Wheel, titans of the TIG welder, conquistadors of cam lobes and compression probably don’t have their own television shows; and they never will. Most are far from household names. Hell, many don’t even have a shop with their name over the door.
But in barns, private garages, old warehouses and such there is an informal fraternity of builders who more than know their way around a machine shop. Occasionally, their work turns up in this or that bike magazine. So it stands to reason that, when a big deal like the annual NorCal stop on the Easyriders Bike Show circuit comes to town, these virtually unknown shops and metal maestros can produce more than their share of tasty custom bike-build treats.
Under the big top
Such was the case this year when the Easyriders circus set up under the big top of the Sacramento Convention Center, just a couple of blocks from the glittery gold dome of the state capitol. River Rat was there to take her usual bevy of beautiful photos and I was on hand to – truth be told, it wasn’t totally clear just what my job should be over the course of a couple of days.
The Sacramento stop on the annual Easyriders Bike Show tour in the capital city provides welcome relief for the winter blahs. It’s a chance to drool over some great builds and pound a few brews with buds one may not have seen in awhile. Most importantly, it’s proof spring and more riding are just ahead.
Saturday morning a line of would-be attendees wrapped around the block. Once inside, some 250 custom bikes in two classes – spectator and judged — were spread across the Convention Center floor. By early afternoon, the joint was crammed. Among the more grizzled, tattooed and leather-up attendees, there were plenty of baby strollers and wee folk clutching the hand of mom, dad, or a grandparent. The Purrfect Angelz dance troop took the stage and celebrities like Michael Ballard of the so-called reality biker show “Full Throttle Saloon” filmed in Sturgis, SD, was on hand to sign autographs. The Styx tribute band “Renegade” provide some musical background noise. Master of Ceremonies, Bruce Henderson, kept the Easyriders' ball rolling along.
But the real draw is still the bikes. Amid the many, many show bikes were items like Denis Manning’s BUB 7 Streamliner (AKA the world’s fastest motorcycle), a land rocket that clocked a world record of just over 367mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats last year. Another salt warrior, Chris Rivas of Fresno, was there too with his “World’s Fastest Bagger,” a titled garnered last fall at Bonneville. But, by late afternoon, the air went right out of the Easyriders Bike Show party balloon and folks trickled off to wherever they go when they need a nap. From 8pm on the place was a morgue.
Where’s Mongo?
Overnight, rain had soaked the Capital City region and that no doubt contributed to Sunday’s light turnout. Most of the day was spent waiting for the afternoon award’s ceremonies to start on stage. When it did, River Rat and I were both on hand in the front row. Amidst much hooting, applause and whistles, the trophies disappeared one-by-one from the stage. As various builders and owners were called up, their demeanor ranged from semi-shock to fist-pumping self-congratulation.
Mike Chase, Easyriders well-known photographer from Santa Rosa, picked out what he considered an exceptional bike and offered the owner a private shoot in his studio as an award. Go to www.mikechasephoto.com to view his excellent work.Todd Perisich, a local firefighter/EMT, was among the other winners. He appeared to be walking on air as he made his way to the stage to accept his first place award for the 1946 Knucklehead. Awhile back, the bike was on the sales block. Now Todd looked pretty happy that he’d hung onto the Knuck.
Satya Kraus of Kraus Motor Co. from Cazadero was invited to attend the invitational show in Columbus, OH this month. His custom build garnered the Editors Choice award. A surprised Carl Brouhard from Grass Valley was called to the stage to accept his trophy for the Best of Show award (one of three in the Judged class) given his sleek 2010 Rigid Board Track in an 8-Ball chassis with six-speed tranny.
But no one was more surprised to hear (or, in this case, not hear) his name called than our friend Mongo. In fact, when the photo of his heavily modified 2005 HD FXDX was flashed on screen and his name shouted out, Mongo was nowhere to be found. Entering the show for the first-time, he was to take home the very cool Limpnickie Collective award. There was only one hitch: Mongo was nowhere to be found.
Limp what?
Maybe too, part of the confusion was over just what award the hot Dyna had received. Scott McCool of Easyriders tried his best to explain Limpnickie Collective trophy. It was being awarded at each stop, while being sponsored by Cycle Source magazine. McCool said the Limpnickie Collective is a loose confederation of bike and hot rod builders, parts makers, clothing makers, and others promoting an approach to building and the lifestyle that both tips its hat to old traditions and is looks ahead to a new generation. Hardtails, hard partying, and an emphasis on doing it yourself prevails. The Limpnickie Builder Manual the group publishes is worth picking up. (Go to www.limpnickielot.com for complete information about the Limpnickie Collective.)
Before the distinctive LLC award – a slab of unpainted metal from which words and design elements had been cut – could be awarded at the Sacramento Easyriders Bike Show, someone had to find Mongo. The mystery was solved quickly when he was located in vendor booth in search of show keepsake. He finally made his way to stage where, a little in awe; he took possession of his Limpnickie trophy. Now he has a real keepsake.
No chrome home
Awhile back, that hardly seemed a likely fate for the 05 Dyna. Mongo, a former Marine and motorcycle racer, is known locally as a more-than-competent bike mechanic who has done stints in several local shops and H-D dealerships. But he is also a hard-charging rider on the street. When a foot peg came off while he was attacking a steep road in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the Dyna hit the blacktop and slipped down an embankment.
Later, back home at Mongo Werks, he rebuilt and reinvented his bike. It certainly is no longer stock, either inside or out. First off, there is no chrome on the whole bike: surfaces are either painted, powdercoated or anodized. Zero Chrome is an appropriate name. Scott Hulquist at Riff Raff Customs in Danville, CA did the paint and graphics. Fifty percent of the bike is orange and the other black, with contrasting graphics.
Stock, the Dyna had a Twin Cam 88-inch engine with EFI and claimed 85 ft. lbs of torque at 3,000 rpm. The power plant now displaces at 1750 cc (or 106 cubic inches) and the dyno numbers are off the chart. Making that happen is a compilation of S&S goodies, including a stroker lower end, forged flat top pistons, as well as the rods and lifters. The pushrods are Crane Fatties and cams are Woods Nightprowler 6WG. A K&N air filter is fitted behind a stock H-D cover cut away to scavenge more air. The exhaust is a highly modified Suppertrapp 2-into-1 system. The bike sports a speedo that tops out at 170 mph which, Mongo claims, the bike will come close to pegging.
Zero Chrome conjures up images of the legendary HD XR 750 dirt champ bike. Features like the modified tank (donated by an 05 Dyna Wide Glide); dash, chopped fenders, and 17-inch rims with Bridgestone Battlax tires front and back enhanced the build's badass attitude. The frame is the basic H-D item from the donor FXDXI, with True-Track stabilizers front and rear. There are mid-mount Sportster pegs, HD floating rotors, and front Brembro brakes.
Mongo reports having plenty of help from his friends on this build. Principal among them are Paul Jones at Specialized Exhaust, Willie’s Tube and Tin, Roger and Eddy at Geiger Manufacturing, Riff Raff Customs, and JP at My Evil Twin Choppers.
And what about his close encounter of the potentially worst kind? It turns out that the officer in question is a personal friend. All he wanted to do was congratulate Mongo on his big win at the Sacramento show. Oh, and remind him to slow down a bit as well. One place Mongo won’t have to temper his need for speed is the Bonneville Salt Flats. He hopes to take a bike to the speed trails in the fall and really let er rip. Until then, he can be contacted by email at MongoWerks@hotmail.com).
Bikernet.com Extreme Zero Chrome Tech Chart
Regular Stuff
Owner: Pat “Mongo” Kelly
Bike Name: Zero Chrome
City/State: Thornton, CA
Builder: Mongo Werks
City/state: Thornton, CA
E-mail: MongoWerks@hotmail.com
Engine
Year: 2005
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: Twin Cam A
Displacement: 1750 cc or 106 ci
Builder or Rebuilder: Mongo
Cases: Stock H-D
Case finish: Stock H-D
Barrels: Stock H-D
Bore: 3 7/8 inch
Pistons: S & S forged flat tops
Barrel finish: Stock H-D
Lower end: S & S stroker 106 ci
Stroke: 4.5 inch
Rods: S & S
Heads: H-D 2006
Valves and springs: H-D 2006 larger valves with Bee Hive springs
Pushrods: Crane Fattys
Cams: Woods Nightprowler 6WG
Lifters: S & S SLT
Air cleaner: K & N
Exhaust: Supertrapp 2 into 1 (mods: shortened 2 inches, end cut a 90-degree angle, 1.5-inch hole punched in endcap, upsweep added)
Transmission
Year: 2005
Make: H-D
Clutch: H-D Heavyduty Spring
Frame
Year: 2005
Make: H-D
Style or Model: Dyna FXDXI Super Glide Sport
Modifications: True-Track stabilizers front and rear
Front End
Make: H-D
Model: Dyna FXDXI Super Glide Sport
Year: 2005
Mods: Fork mounts removed, trees and lower legs anodized black
Sheet metal
Tanks: Sourced from 2005 Dyna Wide Glide. Fuel gauge is welded over, all welds ground and filled. Dash is custom made and removable to access fuel pump. Custom gas cap is vented.
Fenders: Front fender trimmed and rolled back, mounts removed and holes plugged; custom mounts welded to crossbrace. Rear fender is shortened 2.5 inches with custom license plate bracket built in. Tail light is low profile Kuryakyn.
Other: All stock bolts were either powdercoated black or replaced with black industrials.
Paint
Sheet metal: Done by Scott Hulquist of Riff Raff Customs of Danville, CA. Paint is black on left and orange on right with white highlights.
Graphics: Done by Scott Hulquist of Riff Raff Customs of Danville, CA.
Frame: Black
Graphics or art: Sprecial chreckered “1400 SS” on tank.
Special effects: Reflects the look of H-D XR750 dirt track bike.
Pinstriping: Done by Scott Hulquist of Riff Raff Customs of Danville, CA.
Wheels
Front
Make: Sun aluminum rim laced to black anodized H-D hub with heary duty Buchanan stainless steel spokes.
Size: 17-inch
Brake calipers: H-D/Brembo from 2008 FLHX
Brake rotor(s): H-D floating rotors
Tire: Bridestone Battlax 120/60/17
Rear
Make: Sun aluminum rim laced to black anodized HD hub with heary duty Buchanan stainless steel spokes.
Size: 17-inch
Brake calipers: H-D
Brake rotor: H-D floating rotors
Tire: Bridestone Battlax 126/60/17
Controls
Foot controls: H-D
Finish: Black powdercoat on gear shifter, shift link, brake rod. Brake pedal black anodized.
Master cylinder: Rear stock H-D, front is from 2008 FLHX HD/Brembro
Brake lines: Front is Magnam Black Pearl
Handlebar controls: 2008 H-D FLHX
Finish: Anodized black
Clutch Cable: Magnam Black Pearl
Electrical
Ignition: stock
Taillight: Kuryakyn
What’s Left
Seat: Modified H-D
Mirror(s): H-D accessory
Gas caps: Custom made
Grips: Performance Machine
Pegs: 2008 H-D Sportster
Throttle cables: Magnam Black Pearl
Fasteners: All black
Specialty items: 170 MPH speedo
Comments:Unless otherwise noted, all items are stock H-D. I couldn’t have done this without the help of my friends.
Credits:For help with fabrication and body mods: Paul Jones at Specalized Exhaust, Willie at Willie’s Tube and Tin, Roger and Eddy at Geiger Manufacturing. For encouraging me and giving me a good deal on parts: JP at My Evil Twin Choppers.
