People's Champ Contestant - Ken Clay

What have you done?
I started with cutting the frame apart to repair the backbone & country bar & get it back to stock rake. I also notched at the downtube & frame rail to accommodate the divorced 1969 XLH (cleared the frame rail for oil pump access & the downtube for rear rocker clearance). I also divorced (cut off) the transmission from the engine. Had a factory type rear mount welded to the rear of the cases to allow it to set into the frame. I offset the motor pulley to allow an open belt primary with a big twin, Jockey lid, short shaft transmission that I assembled. I split a King sporty tank & frisco mounted it into two tanks with “69” molded around the gas caps. I made my own tank shift, mid pegs, sissy bar, dogbone risers, a bitching hybrid I beam springer 4” over. I built the hubs, laced the wheels & am running a flipped Sporty rear drum. I welded an internal throttle for my bars, made all the mounts & linkages so far. I have pushed myself fabricating on this project more than anything I’ve ever done.

What do you have left to do?
Some small fab stuff, brake pedal & linkage, make my own rocker clutch, probably do a smaller tail light. Then it’s blow it apart for bondo/moulding & paint, chrome & polishing.

Any problems so far?
$$$ hahahaha..Steel has gone up! The main hurdles were figuring out the front end & the engine mounting set up. Second guessing every decision, re making the sissy bar several times to get it right. Trying to keep the pipes at the same level on each side. Same with the split tanks. Trying to build a tough, classy chopper with details but not over done.

Favorite part of the bike so far?
Ooh man…..that’s hard! I fucking love this bike so far. Guess I would say the front end. But I love my dogbones & tanks too!

Favorite part of the competition?
Pushing myself, having people that I respect & admire tell me it’s sick. Seeing my friends be stoked on it.

Want to give any shout outs?
Duane for the selling me the frame & exhaust pipe welding. Moon for engine welding. Garrett for Spinger R&D & welding. Jay from Solvent Division for bondo & paint. Pace from Pace leather north america will build my seat. Nick for opinions & parts. Danger Dan for having me on the podcast. Biltwell for keeping this going & giving me this opportunity. Lastly all of the Haints, the best & baddest to do it.