All It Takes Is The Right Set Of Wheels To Attract The Chicks.
At least, that's what Technical Editor Bob Clark wrote in the STC feature "The Sex Machine" back in August of '76. We think the 24-inch-over Springer frontend from Chrome Horse of La Habra, California, hooked up to a very clean Richard Silva frame also helped the bike's powers of attraction. Getting anyone to swing a leg over the custom seat, however, was up to the talents of the owner.
The van was definitely rockin' in the cover feature, "Bad Blood," but that was due to the frenzied building of owner Jim Defew and crew to finish the custom before Daytona. Every year Jim's Custom Bike Shop unveiled its latest creation during Motorcycle Speed Week at Daytona Beach, Florida. According to the article, Jim's shop was famous for the rainbow style of paintwork. Pop on the matching custom helmet, and you'd definitely catch looks.
It's true what they say about the '70s and vans-they went hand in hand. Vini Bergeman of Anaheim, California, spent all of his time building custom vans until he caught the two-wheel bug. He happened "to bag a wrecked Sportster through one of those van deals." Vini resurrected the wreck with a rigid frame from Denver's, a 10-over girder from Durfee, and California Super Spokes.
Do we detect a note of street snobbery? Maybe just a little, but it didn't stop STREET CHOPPER from running a feature on this fine-looking custom from Denver's Customs in the feature "Kim's Pearl." The author did feel it necessary to point out the bike was "what you might call a store-bought chopper, since all of the parts (except for the tires and Bates headlamp) came from Denver's Choppers." Hey, back in '76 "street" meant what you accomplished in your garage, your living room, or even the back of your van.
This issue had more than just good looks and van references; it also had a dog and a man pumping iron. In the article "Meet David Bell, the Man Behind Jock E. Shift," Steve Stillwell took a more in-depth look at STC cartoonist David Bell. Dave's first "Jock E. Shift" was published in the December '70 issue of STREET CHOPPER and was in full swing in Dave's basement in '76. Along with writing, Dave also squeezed in a little bench pressing and hanging out with the only real character in his comics, the dog "Baron Herman Von Knucklehead of Pismo," aka "Herman of Minneapolis."
STC also took a tour of Drag Specialties. What started out as a small high-performance bike shop in '68 had already grown into a multi-million corporation by '76, and we all know where that ambition led. Anyone not familiar with Drag Specialties these days?
The August issue wasn't without helpful tech, either. The STC Sportster rat motor the magazine had been working on was almost ready to put together-all 89 cubic inches' worth. You could pick up some helpful tips on wood graining in the tech article "Wood Graining, Put a Little Tree in Your Paint." Or you could check out the latest in custom fenders in the Bay Area, courtesy of Bay Area Custom Cycle.
So in August of '76 a man was measured by his chopper and what he could accomplish in the back of his van. The powers of attraction were held in the curve of a wheel, and the only real-life character in our comic "Jock E. Shift" was the dog. As they say, "May you live in interesting times."