Custom Built Motorcycle
Click on Thumbnail to View Enlarged Image
Gone, but not forgotten...
Twenty six years ago, a man drove into a very small town in North Mississippi, not knowing what an impact he would have on this small town of about 3,000. He was a big guy, about 6'8", 250 pounds, with a face that would scare the hell out of you. When asked what happened that rearranged his nose on his face, he would reply, "Had a run in with a cage."
I had no idea that at the time I met him, he would have such an impact on my life. He would change the way I looked at a lot of things in my life before he would lose his.
I was a twenty-two year old smart ass, riding a 750 Honda, who thought he knew it all, now there's a laugh. I never will forget how much it hurt him to work on that Honda, but he did it anyway. Not without a lot of ribbing, but he would do it. It didn't take him long though before he had me saving money, selling the Honda, and searching the old sheds for my first Harley, a Sportster. It was nothing but a bunch of boxes, but he could look at all those parts and tell whether they were all there or not. I guess that is why they called him "Wizard". He was the first man I ever knew that had a stroker. We graduated to 74 cubic inches, he went to an 88.
Not to drag this out, but several years ago he was shot and killed in a senseless shooting, that I guess I'll never understand. But, he lives on in all the lives he touched and his children.
In saying that, I thought it only fitting that the first stroker I had built, 26 years later, should be dedicated to him.
Here's to you Wizard, for the role you played in my life, the friendship you always gave me, and the time we spend riding together. I miss you. I love you, and you will always ride with me.
This bike was built on a 2001 Daytec frame with 38 degrees or rake and was streched 2 inchs. It sports an 8 1/2 inch rear wheel and a 2 1/2 inch front which are made by Carriage Works. It also has Carriage Works pullies and rotors. It rides on Avon Venom tires front and rear with a 200 series on the rear for that wide stance.
The motor is a 121 cubic inch stage two Merch performance engine. It runs a Baker six speed tranny and has BDL sprockets and primary chain unit. This motor was taken from the box, assembled, and put on the bike. After break in, it made 117 horse power and 121 foot pounds of torque. The engine was fitted with a 45 mm Mukuni carb and is fired by Pro One electronics.
It has Performance Machine controls, pegs, and brakes. The front end is a Pro One unit with built in turn signals and is 4 inches over stock. It also has a Pro One tail light with built in turn signals for that clean look. Oil tank and rear fender are from Daytec and the front fender is stock wide glide. The gauges are VDO and the dash is Custom Chrome. Mirrors and grips are Kuryakyn. The seat is by Danny Gray.
The frame was powder coated by Valley Racks.
The entire bike was assembled by Terry Jackson at American Cycle as was the rest of the powder coating.
All paint work was done by Ronnie Boatman of Boatman paint and body.
This bike has run a 12.17 at 108 miles an hour and that was being easy with it. Not leaving hard or spinning the tire. That was also only using four gears, and I should have used five as I put it into the rev limiter a good ways before the finish line. It should run a good bit faster with a little work.
This winter, I am going to tear it down, diamond cut the cylinders and jugs, port and flow the heads, maybe change the cams, and exhaust. I would like to get 130 to 135 horsepower from this engine with out using nitrious.
I have been amazed at the interest this bike has drawn. I got an e-mail the other day from a girl in FL that knew Wizard and saw the web site and the bike. That's one thing I always loved about Wizard. He could always draw a attention, even in death.
Click Here to View More Photos of this Custom Built Motorcycle
Copyright © 2002-2004 Motorcycles Etc All Rights Reserved
