People's Champ Contestant - Ryder Leavitt

What have you done?
I started this project with just a frame that I eventually cut in half and re did, a springer, and a front wheel. So pretty much everything else you see has been done during the last 5 months. Between traveling for work and this being my first full bike build. Im super stoked with where the bike is sitting in the time i’ve had.

What do you have left to do?
Main thing is finish welding and start polishing everything. The gas tank and fender are pretty much ready for body/paint. Everything else has a ways to go before it’s ready for chrome. Once the tins are painted and the rest is sent to chrome I need to finish getting the drive train polished up and the way I want.

Any problems so far?
Can’t be a proper chopper without having to work through some problems. Taking a Paughco frame and then cutting it in half to make the stretch and rear width i wanted was much more difficult than I thought it was going to be. I sat and stared at the cut up frame for days messing with different things to get it the way i wanted. In the end I’m very happy with it.

Favorite part of the bike so far?
I’m stoked with the stance. It came out exactly how i had drawn up and am excited to see how it rides!

Favorite part of the competition?
The people and community. I have been able to interact with and meet so many cool people through this competition. It has been sick to see all the unique styles and personalities that each contestant has brought out with their bikes.

Want to give any shout outs?
Too many people! The man in charge for sure, Josh with Biltwell has been a bunch of help throughout these past couple months. My family and family for hanging out with me in the shop all day and night. The boys from Supply and Demand for starting this all and getting me into bikes a while back and always giving me some advice!