When Gypsy Charros was informed by the Discovery Channel that she had been selected to be the first female to compete in their Biker Build-Off, she was more than happy to help open the door for other women builders. Gypsy gave a lot of consideration to who would make up her team, and she started with Berry Wardlaw, the owner of Accurate Engineering. Berry is well known for the show-winning engines he has built for other build-off winners. She also decided to use Accurate Engineering as the home for the build, as it had almost everything needed in-house to complete the project (Okay, they don’t do chroming there, but pretty much every thing else). Next was Larry Curik a well-known builder from Lone Star Choppers in Waterloo, Illinois. Larry has built numerous show-winning bikes which have been featured in Easyriders. He is also the new products manager for Mid-USA … and I almost forgot to mention that he’s a top-notch welder, too. The paint was done by Robert Pradke of Eastford, Connecticut. Robert was the late Indian Larry’s painter and is a master in his field. Other support came from up and coming area builders as well as the staff of Accurate Engineering, like Jeff Byars (Wardlaw’s assistant ), Foy who runs the machine shop at Accurate, assisted by David McKnight and Big John Dady who is in charge of metal finishing and polishing. Larry Philips who owns JABA Rod & Cycles in Dothan assisted Larry Curik. Jay Haistings who owns Ground Floor Customs in Dothan assisted Pradke with the paint. Not to let the cat out of the bag before the show airs on October 2, but I gotta tell you, this is a winning team! — Rogue

ENGINE

The heart of Gypsy’s “Bitch Slap” Build-Off bike is an 80-inch Knucklehead with two rear heads built by Accurate Engineering’s Berry Wardlaw. He was also kind enough to let Houston-based Gypsy use his shop as the base of operations for the build, and it didn’t hurt Gypsy’s cause that Wardlaw has built the powerplants of a number of previous winners (not to mention being named Engine Builder Of The Year at the 2006 V-Twin Expo).

DRIVETRAIN

BAKER & PRIMO BELT DRIVES —

Putting the power to the pavement is a slick combination of a Baker Built five-speed, complete with a old-fashioned kick-start, mated to a modern-day Primo belt drive set-up for the best of both worlds. Looks great and works even better, according to bike-building maven Gypsy.

WHEELS & TIRES

CORY NESS & AVON —

The Cory Ness wheels look like they rolled right out of the turn of the century … except for the fact that they didn’t have state-of-the-art perimeter rotor disc brakes back then! Once again, this bike seamlessly blends antique styling with modern day functionality. Looking right at home in any era is Avon rubber front and rear as Avon’s 120/70 tires are utilized at both ends.

MISCELLANEOUS ANTIQUES & IRREPLACEABLE ITEMS—

When this episode airs, take a closer look at all the antique items that Gypsy incorporated into the build: a 1930s taillight, an authentic 1918 Brooks seat; 1928 Moto Guzzi springer forks; a 1950 Unity headlight (converted to a modern H-4 bulb); and more. But the thing that jumped out at me is the 1925 Pyrene fire extinguisher that she converted into an oil tank.