Back in January 1971, when a copy of the magazine was 75 cents, Street Chopper rang in the new year with a comfortable yet quirky maternal element, starting with the cover. Abandoning the confines of a helmet and sporting a beehive hairdo, this issue's cover model showed us that the Sportster she so gingerly straddled was no longer your father's bike - it was an image only a mother could love and appreciate.
Continuing with this warm and fuzzy feeling, "Embryo Sportster" introduced readers to Mickey Gagliano's baby, a modified '58 model XLCH. A shining example of the type of machines he turned out at his shop, Chopper Specialties in Stanton, California, this bike featured crescent-shaped rockers and an ultra-narrow square 16-inch-over stock AEE custom springer. Maintaining the slim shape of his project, Mickey narrowed the peanut tank by removing a section of the middle and welding the halves together, and secured a super-skinny 17-inch wheel assembly into place in the rear. Final touches included the addition of a Maltese mirror and an AEE King and Queen seat.
In "The Rebirth of the 'Big Twin,'" readers witnessed the miraculous transformation of AEE's Big Twin trike, "Molly," just in time for the 1970 Oakland Roadster Show. In an effort to hurriedly correct a paintjob gone awry, the Big Twin was stripped of all color. After new silver metalflake and purple paint was applied and a few upgrades were added, AEE was ready to roll this machine - complete with reclining seats - out for the public to see.
Moving on to other innovative creations, Tom Yurasick of Sedalia, Missouri, showcased the fruit of his labor in "Patriotic Panhead." Modeled after Peter Fonda's bike in Easy Rider, this project started with a '48 Harley FL Panhead that Tom purchased for 50 bucks. He rebuilt the 61ci Twin as well as the Linkert carburetor, while the other small accessories were chrome plated before installation. As soon as modifications were complete, the bike was given a star-spangled finish - an expression of Tom's patriotism and a salute to his favorite movie.
That just about sums up the highlights of this black-and-white vintage issue of Street Chopper. Thank you for sticking with us throughout the years. Welcome to 2005! We'll see you next month for another glimpse of what it was like back in the day.