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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
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ENGINE
ACCURATE ENGINEERING —
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).
For more
info: Accurate Engineering, 410
Southgate Road, Dothan, AL 36301;
(334)
702-1993;
www.accurate-engineering.com
CIRCLE 289
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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.
For more
info: Baker Drivetrain, 9804 E.
Saginaw, Haslett, MI 48840;
(877)
640-2004;
www.bakerdrivetrain.com
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For more
info: Rivera-Primo, Inc., 12450
Whittier Blvd., Whittier, CA 90602;
(562)
907-2600;
www.primobeltdrives.com
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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.
For more
info: Arlen Ness Enterprises, 6050
Dublin Blvd., Dublin, CA 94568;
(925)
479-6350;
www.arlenness.com
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For more
info: Avon Tyres, P.O. Box 5112,
Lynnwood, WA 98036;
(425)
771-2115;
www.avonmotorcycle.com
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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.
For more
info: Accurate Engineering, 410
Southgate Road, Dothan, AL 36301;
(334)
702-1993;
www.accurate-engineering.com
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This
article is
from Motorcycle Product News Essentials section October 2006 an www.mpnmag.com
magazine.
Photography by Rogue.
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