People's Champ Contestant - Weston Baughman

What have you done?
Well our plan was to build a classic 50’s-60’s show quality Tom fugel style chopper. No crazy machinery, just like they would do it in the garage back in the day. We started with blending the factory welds on the frame and removed the tabs we weren’t going to use. Cut around the front tanks mount, and left the factory casting. Cut out the Speedo hole, rear tanks tabs, lower tank support & tool box mount.

Then we cut & shaped the spikes on the backbone. We made a template for the spikes, and traced it on. Then scribed the outline with the angle grinder. Then started removing material and shaping the spikes. Mirrored them on both sides.

Then made some wheel spacers for the VL springer, stepped & turned down the axel to run the Mullins star hub, with the early style rockers.

Then we started on the tank. We narrowed and reshaped a lowbrow wassel tank shell. To look like a narrowed hop jones tank. We cut out a half in out of the center of the tank and flattened the top with ball-peen hammers, and anvil‘s. To look more like the original hop jones. Then welded and blended the seem. Shaped the tunnel, then welded in the gas filler and pet cock.

Next was the Mark Drew’s inspired scoops on the tank. All the measurements on this bike were done by eye, no fancy machinery. We cut the round stock and welded it together. Then bent them in the vice. Then cut the welds tapered both sides so it gradually blends into the tank. Tacked each side down. Then cut the sheet metal to fit the contour of the tank. So it blended evenly with the radius.

Then we started on the sissy bar, We did a Tom Fugle inspired sissy bar that we heated and twisted with the acetylene torch. We made a jig out of wood to get the correct bends we wanted. Then cut and mirrored the sharp edge on the back. Leaving the straight edge on the front. Then twisted it 45 degrees.

Next up was the scoops on the fender. Bent up the round stock shaped it to blend into the rib eventually on both sides. Tacked it on. Then cut and started shaping the sheet metal for the scoops. Welded and blended after.

I got these exhaust pipes at a swapmeet but they had some ugly bends. They’re short 90 degree upsweeps, they’re sick but needed some love. So we chopped em and re-did the bends to flow with the frame rails. By cutting up old exhaust pipes and piecing it together. They sit about 4 1/2 inches from each other. High and tight.

What do you have left to do?
A little more metal finishing before body work and paint, polishing and chrome. The plan is if I make it to the next round. To disassemble the motor to polish the cases, chrome the smalls & VL springer. I still need to weld on the sissy bar strap, mount fender, wire and old lines, drop in magneto, front tanks mounts, might change the brake to a Lee style. Shifter/clutch setup, internal throttle, head light/tail lights, lace back wheel, and make a top motor mount.

Any problems so far?
We kept running out of beer, I got fired from my job cuz I’ve been staying up till 5:00am working on this fucking bike. Measuring things is not my strong suit so it takes me a while. Loid has a headache from all my stupid questions.

Favorite part of the bike so far?
Definitely the Mark Drew’s style scoops on the tank and the fender, but the sissy bar came out sick. Also the 90* degree upsweeps are PYST

Favorite part of the competition?
Fuck I’m stoked on it all, Im honored to be a part of for this competition and for the opportunity to build a sick bike that hopefully people will be hyped on. Also to be able to learn new metal finishing techniques. I think I’m mostly just excited to ride my bike down to Born Free from San Francisco with all the homies if I make the top six.

Want to give any shout outs?

Big thanks to Loid Cleveland Hill Top Chop Shop for guiding me through this process and teaching me the traditional ways of metal fabrication and finishing. Also the endless nights we stayed up working on this bike I owe you my life.

Burrito Rick for hooking me up with the NOS VL springer.

Yama 947 Works for helping me make an itemized parts/hardware list, and letting me use the V-twin account. Filming media and help with assembly.

And of course my lovely girlfriend Riglee for putting up with me staying up all night in the garage and going to bed when she’s getting up for work.

Everyone at biltwell, all the homies and everybody that’s shown love to me, thank you