Paul Stewart was aware of the proper ingredients that make a killer chopper. All he needed was somebody to help him create his dream in the form of a tangible bike. Paul would only accept the highest quality for the bike, and he needed an expert to help him build it.
Paul was living in Las Vegas but had spent a large portion of his life in England where he knew a guy, Dave Kennell, who had put together some amazing custom bikes and in the process started Planet Engineering, his own motorcycle company. Well known throughout Great Britain, P.E. emphasizes meticulous attention to detail and premium one-of-a-kind parts. If anyone could craft a dream bike, it would be Dave and P.E. So Paul made a few phone calls to blustery old England to ensure that his image of beauty, in the form of a chopper, would materialize.
After laying down all the groundwork for what kind of bike Paul wanted, his first major decision was the type of frame. Dave suggested a P.E. rigid frame that he had been saving for his own, but thought that it would be more appropriate for Paul's bike. It features 2 inches of backbone stretch with a mild rake. Every part attached to the frame was custom-fit for precise positioning; there are no extra tabs or brackets anywhere. To provide a bit of cushioning for Paul's hindquarters during longer rides, there are chromed springs under the seat. The only other suspension piece is the beautifully chromed, Springer frontend by Paughco, perfectly matched with P.E. ape hangers and risers.
The next major ingredient needed to make a wild chopper is the powerplant. Both Paul and Dave knew of the many different engines to choose from, and they decided on a '73 shovelhead that was lying around the P.E. shop. The shovel would add just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting, thanks to an Andrews cam, an S&S Super E carburetor, and a one-off, crazy, stainless steel exhaust system from P.E. In order to deliver all that vintage power to the rear wheel, a '73 H-D four-speed kicker and clutch was introduced to the 74ci V-Twin.
Paul liked the styling paths that P.E. had traveled with his bike so far, but he had to adorn his iron steed with some of his own personal touches. It was high time that his custom received some wheels. He knew that he wanted something a bit flashier than regular old 40-spokes, but he wasn't sure how to accomplish his goal. Paul started his search by looking through a stack of bike magazines. Finally, after much research, he figured out where to get great-looking wheels without P.E.'s help - the American Wire Wheel Company. He ordered a set of twisted, 80-spoke wheels in 16- and 21-inch diameters. The twisted spokes add that much more sparkle to the rich luster of the chrome wheels. To keep the chopper on the ground, Paul opted for road-stomping Avon rubber, back and front. Matching the high-end looks of the wheels is a chrome P.M. caliper coupled with a Chica Custom Cycle rotor. Paul decided to keep the rear wheel as uncluttered on the right side as possible with a Tolle drive-side sprocket and rotor setup.
Another major element Paul had to deal with was the sheetmetal and the paint. After many more long-distance hours on the phone, Dave had convinced Paul to allow him to prove the excellence of P.E. metalworking. Dave had a pretty good idea what Paul wanted: simple, sanitary, and exclusive. Dave immediately set out to fabricate the coolest one-of-a-kind rear fender and gas tank that he could. What he came up with is absolutely flawless.
The rear fender flows out from under the seat with a single hidden strut. The gas tank is another completely custom piece, with lines that match the bike flawlessly. To protect and complement all the seamless bodywork, it was agreed that the chopper would be painted a deep black. The paint shop that took the job was Ace Spray, and they did exceptional work. The gorgeous black has a sheen that makes the paint appear wet from every angle.