| Owner: Mike's Bikes |
City: Canoga Park, CA |
| General |
Frame |
| Fabrication by: Michael's
M/C Works |
Builder: HD |
| Year and Make: 1962 HD |
Type: Early swing-arm |
| Model: FLH |
Rake: None |
| Assembly: Michael Gatt |
Accessories |
| Time: 1 year |
Bars: Yes |
| Chrome by: Brown's Plating |
Risers: HD |
| Engine |
Fender(s): HD |
| Year: 1962 |
Headlight: HD |
| Model: FLH |
Taillight: HD |
| Rebuilder: Michael Gatt |
Rear Pegs: None |
| Ignition: Dual point stock |
Electrics: Michael Gatt |
| Displacement: 74" |
Gas Tank: HD |
| Cases: HD |
Oil Tank:: Paughco |
| Heads: HD |
Oil System: Michael Gatt |
| Cam: FLH |
Seat: HD |
| Lifters: Hydraulic |
Forks |
| Carb(s): Likert |
Type: Hydra-Glide |
| Air Cleaner: HD |
Extension: None |
| Exhaust: HD |
Builder: Michael Gatt |
| Transmission |
Special Features: 100% stock |
| Year: 1962 |
Wheels |
| Modifications: Stock |
Front: Tire: Carlisle
Brake: HD |
| Rebuilder: Michael Gatt |
Size: 16
Hub HD Rim Width: 3.5 |
| Shifting: Stock foot shift |
Back: Tire: Carlisle
Brake: HD |
| Painting |
Size: 16
Hub HD Rim Width: 3.5 |
| Molding: None |
|
| Painter: Jim the Jerk |
|
| Color: Red-Ass Blue and
White |
|
| Special Paint: Two-tone |
|
| Pinstriping: The Unknown
Striper |
|
| Other special modifications:
Putting up with the owner. |
|
About
Us Events Repair
& Maintenance Parts Store
Home Page
Michael's Motorcycle
Works
108.
E. Hwy 24
Woodland Park, CO
80863
719-687-3567
info@michaelsmotorcycleworks.com |
Built
on Faith
Blind Faith, that's
what it takes when some dude who's new to biking comes into your shop and
delivers a disassembled Harley in milk crates and says "Here, build me
a bike."
But Michael Gatt had a lot
more than blind faith to see the potential in those milk crates. That,
and tons of imagination to create a great motorcycle for the owner. The
result is pure Harley.
It took a better part of
a year to assemble it, with a lot of frustrating obstacles. One was the
owner wanted to paint it crap brown. After arguing with him for weeks,
Michael managed to convince him to go with this stunning two-tone blue
and white paint job.
With the midnight oil in
one hand and the Harley manual in the other, Mike did what most bikers
wouldn't even attempt to do.
Once the project was started,
his family had to visit him at the shop in the evenings just to get a glimpse
of him. He had to hunt down good and useable parts, and this can be difficult
cause some of them date back to the 60's.
He held fast to Harley specs;
down to flat washer for flat washer, lock washer for lock washer, no exceptions.
He even used a set of stock 1958 gas tanks, and all the parts, such as
chain guard, tail light, spotlight mounts, are strictly factory.
Michael took a great deal
of care not knowing if the owner would even appreciate it. He bent the
rear hydraulic brake line by hand so it would clear in the right spots
and not be affected by vibration. Some guys have a tendency to over chrome
their bikes, too much of a good thing. Michael chose instead to use black,
highly polishes aluminum and stainless steel to give the gloss effect and
cadmium plating on the inside of the shocks.
He gave the owner a fabulous
bike, stunning by every standard, even though the guy fought him every
inch of the way. Michael's talent and creativity won out.
Custom Built Bikes:
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