Panhead Build Started by Accident

Unscathed Result

Getting hit while hauling your project bike home is an auspicious way to start a build. That was the 'accidental' case for Ray Hagee of West Chester, Pennsylvania. His pickup truck was mangled, but the bike came out unscathed. Far from its dubbed 'Ugly Bike' name, the result is eye-catching—especially so because it was Hagee's first chopper build.

Photos courtesy of DV8Sport.

Old Feature

Using the alternative school approach, Hagee hit up swap meets and shows to get parts, meet people and acquire the knowledge required. Once complete, the glittery metal-flake chopper was rolled out at the Old Skool Bike Show in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Impressing the crowd, 'Ugly Bike,' got its own feature in the May 2017 issue of Cycle Source Magazine.

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Fitted Process

Inspiration for Hagee's build came from an assortment of the usual suspects, most notably, 1960s biker movies and magazines. With a chopper vision in mind, the build process began by stripping the bike down to its component parts. An OEM Harley-Davidson springer front end received a four-inch stretch before it was fitted to an older Santee rigid frame.

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Perfect Condition

For a slightly slimmer look, Hagee swapped out the stock oil tank. The aftermarket horseshoe tank has an external filler spout, rather under the seat as found on early FLs. The gas tank and rear fender were painted over a decade ago by Jayme Schmidt at Blue Moon Kustoms, but were still in perfect condition for their age.

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Proper Scooter

Hagee swapped out the bars for a set of chrome mini apes, perched on six-inch risers. While at a local swap meet, he managed to locate an original Bates headlight. The light is something of a collector's item. These lights were first sold by Robert Owens Bates, who started Bates Motor Scooter Service in 1939. To ensure proper functionality, the bike was rewired.

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Shop Set

Acquiring the 1950 Panhead engine and transmission was a family affair. Once Hagee had worked out a deal with his uncle, the motor and four-speed were dropped off at Marty Helverson's shop in nearby Oaks, Pennsylvania. Tucked under the stock primary cover is a 1.5'' Primo belt drive. Hagee then built a set of traditional-looking custom foot controls.

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Wrapped Up

The Ugly Bike's stance and 1960s feel is bang on. To get the level, but low look, Hagee fitted a 21'' forty-spoke rim up front, and mounted a Firestone Classic ribbed tire. Not deviating from standard chopper guidelines, the rear was fitted with a 16'' rim, also forty-spoke, but clad in a Coker Classic Cycle tire.

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Name Case

Among other items, Hagee fabricated a stainless steel sissy bar that incorporated a brake light and license plate holder for a sleek look. When asked about his next modification, he stated, “nothing…I like it the way it is.” That was not the case for his wife. On first viewing, and hence the name, she exclaimed, “That is the ugliest bike I’ve ever seen.”

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For help with the service of your bike, check out the how-to section of HDForums.com.