People's Champ Contestant - Nate Kell

What have you done?
I went through and made the exhaust. I still need to send it off to chrome. I mounted the tank and did a little work on the fender. started work on the front end which will be a Harley 35mm bsa style. I tore down and polished and rebuilt the transmission. And have the motor completely apart to sand blast everything and rebuild her. I have been contemplating polishing the cases but I’m undecided. I laced a new 19” rear wheel which is paired with a juice drum.

What do you have left to do?
Currently, I’m waiting on getting the frame back from paint to finalize the rear wheel offset (should have done that before I sent it off). Then I will complete the front end. Once I have my roller together l will start assembly of the bike. motor needs put back together and I’m debating on oil tanks and what I’d like to make or if I want to keep it simple. There are little trinkets and touches to make like the taillight, foot pegs, Air cleaner. A lot of decisions I have been in able to make until I see the vibe of the bike with paint

Any problems so far?
Just two issues so far. The first issue was when I got the frame back from sandblasting it was more molested than I initially thought. I spent days just plugging holes and doing body work. It’s a 1950 frame so it was anticipated but worse than I thought. The next issue was in the cam chest of the motor. After I split the cases, I did a look over. I realized the distributor cam gear was eating into the case ear not a super large issue I still need to cut the ear down and shim it which should fix the issue.

Favorite part of the bike so far?
Probably the exhaust and front end. For the bikes I like to build and ride I need two things. I need it to flow and I need it to feel simple/true to form. I wanted the exhaust and front end to be the first things that catch your eye and more importantly that they flow well. So I made sure that the exhaust followed the lines at the bottom of the frame and that the downturns at the end of the exhaust followed the front end angle.

With the front end I’ve always liked early English front ends. From their throttles, risers, to their forks primitive nature. So I want a English/bsa style front end but fuck me if it won’t actually be a Harley Davidson part just cosplaying as English. So the front end is still a work in progress but I’m sure you guys can see the vision

Favorite part of the competition?
Probably that it doesn’t actually feel like a competition. We’re all supporting and rooting for each other. I’d be glad to lose to any one of them

Want to give any shout outs?
Big shout out to Buddy Boyer and Shawn Allen for taking care of paint. Stoked for you guys to see what they get done