David Covington's 103-inch Pan engine built by Berry
Wardlow.
The motorcycle show circuit has always been very competitive and
it continues to be hot to the touch. The top builders in the country
continue to show their new creations and young builders are building
names for themselves. But we're not rowing that boat currently.
We're hear to discuss engines, hot, wild radical engines built by
Berry Wardlow from Accurate Engineering.
More and more show builders are using engines by Berry, in
Dothan, Alabama. In many cases these engines added reliability and
the wild custom edge to win. Each hand-crafted engines are as exotic
as the motorcycles, they run hard and are dependable. Big Inch
Knuckleheads, Panheads and Shovelheads on the same tough, strong
bottom ends, No Problem. Blowers, Turbos, Multiple Carburetors you
name it they do it.
They build stock to hot street, big bore or stroker engines
in numerous styles, sizes and finishes at very reasonable prices.
Berry is not a new kid on the block. I met him in 1988, when I
was returning from Phil Peterson's Miami to Key West Poker Run and
stopped at the Overseas Lounge to attend a benefit for a lady rider
friend, named STAR, who was killed riding back from Daytona earlier
in the year.
I was riding my Turbocharged Shovelhead and of course we got into
a conversation about it. He moved to West Melbourne Florida in 1989
and went to work at Harley Motor Works where I was employed. We rode
and partied together along with his dog WENDY who rode with him
everywhere. He went to Sturgis for the 50th anniversary, then to
Flagstaff and in 1991 Alaska all the time working in motorcycle
shops.
In 1996 he ended up in Dothan, Alabama and opened Accurate
Engineering. He had some contacts and a good reputation, and the
business grew. He got a little ink in some publications and
eventually supplied all the Panhead engines for Panzer, an
aftermarket motorcycle manufacturer.
We have stayed friends through the years and also worked on some
special engine projects together so I know how good he really is.
His attention to quality and detail is matched by none. He likes
making combinations of parts, not commonly used, come together into
one of a kind engines. They run and look good. He considers all of
his engines his babies and treats 'em like jewels.
Top builders in the motorcycle industry know of Berry, and many
of us have used his hot shoe engines in our personal rides.
Barry and Billy Lane.
One of the builders who regularly uses Accurate engines is Billy
Lane of Choppers Inc. here in Melbourne, Florida. I was at Billy's
shop shooting some photos for him while he worked on the Camel Bike.
It is the one that has the hubless rear wheel.
Barry tuning the Choppers Inc. hubless creation.
I just returned to Florida from Berry's shop and Billy and I
discussed the Camel project. Billy previously owned engines by
Berry, and he mentioned that one of the Accurate engines would
guarantee the Camel Bike to be a winner. I dialed up Berry quick,
explained to him what was going on and put Billy on the phone. They
worked out the details and deadlines.
Berry, and some of his crew, came to Melbourne. They crashed at
my place and on the weekend, and we rode over to Chopper Inc. to
install the engine and got it running. All the while the Discovery
Channel filmed the process.
The motorcycle was such a success and the engine so popular, that
Billy continued to use Accurate engines in various other projects.
As a matter of fact when Bill and Indian Larry had their competition
the both sported Accurate Engines in their bikes.
Since then numerous other builders search out Berry's hot
reliable engines for projects. Look for the Accurate gang at various
up-coming shows around the country.
YEAH, I AM PREJUDICE
I like Berry, but I also like his work so much I have his engines
in all my bikes, except the 2004 Harley Electric Glide. We've both
been to busy to fuck with it.
Yes, you can have an Accurate Engineering Engine too. He's good
people and will build engines for anyone, even the Famous Builders
and Celebrities. Contact Accurate Engineering at 334-702-1993 or
visit their web site at http://www.accurate-engineering.com. I do
believe that he even has a couple of complete motorcycles with his
engines in them For Sale.
--ROGUE
Accurate Engine Specs
Here's an example of an Accurate built engine, the components
and details:
David Covington's engine. 103 cu. in Panhead, 4.5-inch stroke,
3-13/16-inch Accurate Engineering cylinders with Accurate
Engineering, step-studs and 12-point hardware. STD full polished
stock style '63-'65 Panheads with 3-bolt exhaust flanges. Accurate
Engineering stainless steel overhead oil line. Accurate Engineering
braided oil return lines.
Kibblewhite valves, Rowe guides, Kibblewhite springs, K-Line
seals and Accurate Engineering rocker arm bearings. Billet finned
Pan covers with Accurate Engineering "Leak Proof" gaskets. Ross
pistons, Hastings rings, Teflon buttons. A .540 lift cam. Accurate
Engineering intake manifold, linkage, etc. Dual 1937 Stromberg '97
carbs reworked by Accurate Engineering and topped off with
"Bonneville" style velocity stacks. Porcelain toilet handle for carb
from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
Pinstripping by Henry Haynes. STD polished crankcases, S&S
flywheels, shafts and rods. S&S oil pump, Accurate Engineering oil
filter adaptor. Jim's lifter and Accurate Engineering pushrods.
Mallory ignition system, Dyna coil, Autolite spark plugs and Taylor
wires. 32 amp Cycle Electrics charging system.
All welding, machining, assembly and testing performed in-house
by Accurate Engineering. Plating by Chromemasters. Polishing by
Steve's Polishing and Accurate Engineering. Paint work by Accurate
Engineering.
This motorcycle competed at the Lone Star Biker Bash at
the Texas Motor Speedway, in September. If we're lucky Rigid Frame
Richard took a shot of it. |