The small but perfectly formed vintage v-twin scene in the UK has thrown up another gem. This time it’s the work of Benny Thomas, who runs Boneshaker Choppers in the Midlands. Benny built this bike to customer order; the understated, monochrome look is nicely set off by a handtooled leather seat and matching grips, and those accented wheel rims. The motor is from a 2003 Harley Sportster, upgraded to 1200 cc with Wiseco pistons.
It sits in a Flyrite Choppers Smokin’ Gun rigid frame, powdercoated satin black like the tank, and hooked up to stock Sportster forks that have been lowered two inches. Benny fitted a new, one-off wiring loom and electronic ignition, and restored the engine cases and chrome with Scotch-Brite, of all things.
The distinctive wheels are Harley hubs laced to rims that have been powdercoated in an unusual but very apt shade of oatmeal, and fitted with chunky Firestone tires. It’s a good look, and not the first time Benny has done this: Knucklebuster has featured an earlier Boneshaker build, a lovely Zero-style panhead.