First let me say Smoke-Out 19 was very different for me, instead of just being a spectator and a Bikernet Correspondent, I was a bike show judge. This comes with a great deal of responsibility. I could not believe when I got the call and was asked if I would like to be a judge in the show! I jumped at the chance and took my job very seriously.
Editor’s Note: Mike worked at several dealerships in the Charlotte area and at one time owned his own shop. He owns several custom Harleys, and doesn’t buy a bike without a customizing plan in mind.
I reported for duty at 1:00 pm and met with Jeff Najar, the Prince of bike shows all over the world. He was in charge of the bike show. We went over the details of the show, and I began to do my job, while wild SmokeOut action surrounded me. There were 60 bikes entered in the show. All were top shelf custom bikes.
At 3:00 pm I was still going over the bikes. I had narrowed my choice down to three. Backing up to when I started inspecting the bikes, a 1941 candy apple red Knucklehead jumped out at me. I told myself not to rush. I was going to check out all 60 bikes and take my time and I did just that.
At 3:30 pm I made my choice, yes sir the 1941 candy red knuckle was my choice. This classic beauty is owned by Randall Shaffer and the bike has a great father-and-son story behind it. After all it was Fathers day weekend.
Randall is a very quiet guy, very unassuming and laid back. I almost had to threaten him to get him to talk to me about his Knuck! Just kidding, Randall is a cool cat!
The story behind the Knuck goes like this: Randall’s dad owned the bike until 1984 when it was sold. In 2016 Randall and his dad tracked the owner down and bought the old girl back home, not assembled, but all the parts were accounted for. Before Randall’s dad passed away in 2016, he handled all the reconstruction welding and helped with the final assembly! As you can see they both did a GREAT job!
That ‘41 Knucklehead engine cradled in the Paughco frame was built by none other than Pete Hill. Yes, the famous Knucklehead drag racing Pete Hill! That engine is 98 inches strong! Everything on this bike says “CLASS!” From the Paughco springer front end to the hand built z-bars by Drew Cox to the S&S B carb! That gas tank is one bitchin’ piece on this bike!
One more classy touch on this bike is the gold bell riding between the down tubes on the frame. That bell is an urn with his dad’s ashes inside.
Check out the rear brake set up. That is an early, original Performance Machine set up! Check out the spec sheet for the rest of the goods!
Until next time, Ride!
–Stealth
Engine: 1941 Knucklehead
Displacement: 98 inches
Builder: Pete Hill
Cam: Leinweber
Carb: S&S B
Exhaust: Paughco
Tranny: H-D kick start 4-speed
Primary: 1 ½-inch BDL belt
Ignition: Points by Cycle Electrics
Frame: Rigid Paughco
Front end: Paughco Springer
Front Wheel : 21-inch
Rear wheel : 16-inch
Rear Fender : LowBrow
Front brake: None
Rear brake: PM
Seat: Biltwell
Oil tank: Drag Specialties
Headight : Drag Specialties
Tailight: LowBrow
Painter : John Snyder
Color: Candy Apple Red over gold base
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