Spacing the rear wheels and Exile sprocket/brake proved to be a handful. WCC has a hidden axle that looks very cool, but you have to be pretty accurate to make the right spacers, since the axle will not be able to bring the ends closer for a tighter fit. The Exile sprocket runs pretty close to the brake bracket so a minimal spacer had to be made. Hours were burned measuring and re-measuring the fender and bungs position before tack welding. We guessed that the chain would have clearance problems with the fender and we were right.

Full mockup: The motor and tranny aligned pretty well with a stock H-D primary, but were hell to align with a BDL open primary. The motor sat very firmly and no shims had to be used, but there was a small gap between the plate and the cases. We left everything loose and forced the plate in. I think the tranny plate is to blame. A front regulator/oil filter plate was canned after grinding a half moon notch to fit into the frame down tubes. That's when I came up with the idea to hide the regulator on the open belt plate. The filter stayed in factory position.

Here enters the new owner. He saw the Jesse James video (like millions of people on this planet) and went to check out the mocked-up bike. He liked it and a deal was made. Before this, the bike was for the showroom and was being built at our pace. Now a deadline was set and all hell broke loose. By the way, I want to thank my girlfriend, Yoly, for understanding my overnighters and lending a hand.

We worked all night, every day to put this bike together before Sturgis. When all was welded in place and molded, the frame and rear fender went to the paint booth. The tank had to be worked on, moving the bung to a lower location in order to get more gas. Panic struck when I arrived at the shop and saw the color. Our guys have the good sense to always spray a sample before actually doing the parts. I had hoped to have the bike ready for the Jack Daniel's BBQ. Boy was I cocky.

The new owner pretty much left me alone (which was great), only coming by the shop to see photos of the bike being put together and asking for some parts that he would like.

The paint was my idea -- tangerine with metal flake flames. As luck had it, we found a quart of paint in stock and got the project going once more. What you might see in the latest photos was done in five hours. Fitting all the parts two and three times makes life much simpler. Some stuff was still giving us a hard time, however. Yes, the chain rubs the fender a bit, the primary was still a pain in the ass to align and the spacers are not totally right, but that's easy stuff.

One thing that's great is the WCC oil tank, which fitted right in and saved us a lot of welding and measuring time. I expected more from WCC, fitting wise. A fender made for a frame should go "like butta,” as well as other little details. On the other hand, it's a bike that needs "thought" and experience to put together, which is anti-Bozo builders. In short, it makes you be creative.

By the time you read this, the electrics and front end (I hope!) will be in place, the front brake and perches from PM are on the way (we know they fit) and that's about it. Maybe I'll have it in time for Sturgis…I have no choice.

A really important part of every build; Nothing can get accomplished by one person. There's a team of people always helping, even the guy who fetches the Cokes is worth his weight in gold. Thanks once more to all of you (in our shop and anyone's), you know who you are.

Frame - WCC Dragon Choppers For Life rigid
Motor - H-D 80 cubic inch Evo, triple 80, 80 cubes, 80 horse, 80 torque
Tranny - H-D 5-speed
Wheels - CCI chrome, stainless spokes, 21 front, 18 by 5.75 rear
Tires - Avon 21 front; Avon 200-18 rear
Primary/ clutch - BDL open
Rear fender - WCC Two-eight (heavily modified)
Gas Tank - WCC CFL (CCI King Sporty tank)
Paint - Tangerine House of Kolor Kandy, with metalflake flames
Forward controls - Pro One chrome chipped
Triple Trees - Arlen Ness wide glide chrome chipped
Grips - Pro One chrome chipped
Electrical - Caribbean (by Guti the Guru)
Sprocket/ brake - Exile Cycles
Front brake - PM 4 piston
Perches - PM "old style"
Pipes - WCC Hellbent (2 months back order)
Carb - S&S
Ignition/Cam - Caribbean secret