A near famous used car salesman once told me that in order to sell and get top price for a car, it had to have a story. Well, several urban myths do surround this particular 1960 Duo-Glide. Unfortunately, none could be substantiated. This lack of history forces us to view the machine from a different perspective. No celebrity owner, no master builder and no ultra rare factory model, just one kool-ass panhead.
When the owner first acquired the pan, it was in all of its accessorized glory. Chrome and paint sheet metal, color-matched bubble bags, dual trumpet exhaust, white fringed leather buddy seat and more than enough illumination to satisfy any 60’s light freak. It was at the top of its class, the epitome of a 60’s east coast dresser.
Then disaster struck!! A careless cager changed this panhead’s destiny. After the smoke cleared and reconstruction was under way, the pan received a new identity. You might say a more youthful appearance. Its style remained rooted in the 60’s and was still way at the top of its class Only now it was just in a totally different class. Gone were the lights, the buddy seat, the bubble bags and the buckhorn handlebars.
The machine now sported handmade apehangers decorated with ornamental iron work and a Bates style solo seat. Probably what any self-respecting juvenal’ delinquent would have done in the late sixties. Easyrider had just collided with the wild one and what a result, a smoking machine straight from koolsville.
by Trust in Rust
The 1960’s brought a lot changes to the American civilization such as the wider spread of Rock and Roll, the thought that “if it feels good do it” and Harley owners begin to change the way their motorcycles looked. Harley’s became the choice of motorcycle in which to modify, thus appeared what was known as the chopper.
The chopper was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which had the frame cut and re-welded to extend the front forks. These motorcycles were covered with as much chrome as the owner could afford and were always a works in the making. Few other motorcycles offered as much custom attraction and only Harley’s were know as true choppers.
