People's Champ Contestant - Eric Simonson

Who are you, where are you from, what is your day job?
My name is Eric Simonson, I am from Southern California, I am the western region sales manager for Eleiko, a strength training equipment company, the best in the world! I also run Esoteric Speed and Design which is a fabrication shop with a focus on classic cars, offroad vehicles and motorcycles.

Point out some of your favorite details:
The overall stance and profile of the bike. Nothing is stock geometry from the frame which is a single downtube cobbled together from BSA, Harley Davidson and handmade parts. The handmade Girder front end which takes inspiration from a BSA M20. It's all tied together with the 23" Front wheel laced with an Akront high shoulder rim to a BSA A10 hub and drum, and the 19" high shoulder rear also laced to a BSA hub

What were some of your biggest struggles building the bike?
Knowing when to stop. Many parts were fabricated multiple times due to an incessant want to change as my interest and design standards evolved. Since the decision was made to chrome the frame, the level of finish had to get bumped up a notch from where the bike started when I first built the frame 15 years ago

Did you learn any new skills building the bike?
Of course, every day you learn something new working on these bikes. Or you're and ignorant ass and stay stuck in your ways. As mentioned before, my metal finishing skills improved, I tore the engine down the bare cases along with the trans so I have a good baseline level of knowledge on Harley mechanics now. I painted the bike myself which is an endless learning curve. Every damn day, I learn something new.

How does it ride?
It rides amazingly well for something that geometrically is completely pulled from thin air. The trail and rake make it feel super stable at high speeds, It corners great, is super narrow and tight so lane splitting is a joy. The engine is an 84 cu in so it pulls well and the Cal Products trans shifts great.

Anyone you want to thank?
This is a long list, and I apologize if anybody skips my mind. My wife Kioki, because she's badass. My father Roy for horse trading the project back and forth over the last decade, Kyosuke Koruda for being my Harley sensei, Alex Kirkpatrick for his pursuit of perfection and pushing me to the next level along with being a good friend, John Salzetti for being a great BPC competitor and friend, Austin Pusker for answering my endless questions, The boys at Sugarbaby for the help with the pushrods and mechanical guidance. Everyone I've met or chatted with since starting this project, overall, the community has been an immense help as I ask for guidance, take inspiration or simply shoot the shit. Of course, I have to thank everyone at Biltwell, this is an amazing opportunity, and It's been a pleasure to work them. Josh and Geoff are great guys, and I encourage anyone to throw your hat in the ring next year. it's a great company and overall experience.