1979 FXE Chopper Ran When Parked
Hardtail build is a mix-and-match of OEM parts and cool ideas.
Crusty Deal
Experienced bike buyers know that “ran when parked,” usually means there is work ahead. That was the case for Nick Miller, when he went to look at a 1979 FXE. Stored under a porch, and exposed to the elements, the crusty old Shovelhead had seen better days. Surprisingly, it fired up on the first kick, and the deal was sealed.
Photos courtesy of Alexa Diserio.
Decision Turn
With his classic Harley-Davidson safely home and off the trailer, Miller tried to start it again. The FXE would not go, no matter how hard he tried. This really was a case of “ran when last parked.” In need of a motor rebuild and wiring, Miller made the decision to go all the way and turn the languishing Super Glide into a chopper.
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Siren Cover
With an eye for detail and a few other projects completed, Miller got to work. The 74 cubic-inch motor was rebuilt to running condition and the transmission was overhauled. The air cleaner is of special note. Once a factory-built police siren fitted to early-1940s Harley-Davidsons, it has been repurposed as an air cleaner cover for the shiny Shovelhead motor.
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Second Style
Meticulous is not an overstatement when it comes to Miller's approach. As an example, the hardtail frame section was reworked until it was perfect. He explained in a Pittsburgh Moto interview how he was dissatisfied with the initial results. “The axle plates were too plain...the second time, we used Harley-Davidson style cast axle plates to look more proper.”
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Mouse Trap
Attention to detail and retro-chopper styling abounds on the cut-up Super Glide. The primary case was removed and a trouser-threatening belt was installed for smoother high-speed operations. A clutch booster is located behind the vertical, finned cover. Known as a 'mousetrap,' the vintage, factory-installed spring mechanism was added to late 1950s Harley-Davidsons to reduce the clutch pull effort.
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Axed Filler
Miller's FXE chopper is a mix-and-match of OEM parts and cool ideas. He explained that the gas tank was the most intricate part of the build. Sometimes referred to as an 'axed' tank, the style originated in the 1970s, when chopper builders welded together the halves of Big Twin tanks. These tanks often retained both filler caps.
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Matched Contour
Miller elaborated, “A lot of those types of gas tanks have both a gas cap and a dummy gas cap. I had the idea to take the dummy cap out and mount the ignition switch in its place like a Harley Hummer.” The finishing touch was 1961 Panhead badges—one of his favorite designs and “because they matched the contour of the tank pretty well.”
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Soul Start
The sissy bar holds a nasty surprise. Miller said, “It has a removable bayonet that I’m told is Russian from World War II.” On the less menacing side, the color was inspired by a Kia Soul with a metallic brown paint job. The result is a great blend of grit and elegance, and one bike that will definitely start after being parked!
>>Join the conversation about this 1979 Shovelhead chopper right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
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