Specifications
Background Info:
Owner: Frank Pedersen
Brand Name: Harley-Davidson
Model: Custom
Year: 1977
Fab/Assembly: Smith Brothers
and Fetrow (Donnie Smith)
Restoration: Smith Brothers and
Fetrow (Donnie Smith)
Chrome: Smith Brothers and
Fetrow (Donnie Smith)
Bodywork: Smith Brothers and
Fetrow (Donnie Smith)
Paint/Graphics: Smith Brothers
and Fetrow (Donnie Smith)
Engine Specs:
Manufacturer: Harley-Davidson
Model: Shovelhead
Displacement: Stroker
Heads: Harley-Davidson
Cylinders: Harley-Davidson
Fuel System: SU carburetor
Exhaust: Drag pipes
Transmission:
Manufacturer: Harley-Davidson
Case: Harley-Davidson
Gears: Harley-Davidson 4 speed
Kick Start
Frame:
Manufacturer: Smith Brothers and
Fetrow (Donnie Smith)
Style: Hardtail
Shocks: Nope
Sheet Metal:
Front Fender: Nope
Rear Fender: Smith Brothers and
Fetrow (Donnie Smith)
Fuel Tank: Smith Brothers and
Fetrow (Donnie Smith)
Oil Tank: Chrome
Front End:
Manufacturer: Smith Brothers and
Fetrow (Donnie Smith)
Style/Type: Girder
Wheels, Tires, & Brakes:
Wheel: Invader
Brake Caliper/Rotor: Nada
Wheel: Invader
Brake Caliper/Rotor: 2 piston
single disc
34 Wide Open
Story by Loney Wilcoxson
Photos by Frank Pedersen
All kinds of bikes win bike shows.
Sometimes the bike was built from the
ground up, sometimes it started with a
basket case, sometimes a brand new
scooter was torn down and reborn hard.
In some cases the owner did all or some
of the work. On occasion the bike was
dropped off with a builder and the owner
was involved in the build process start to
finish. Other instances occur where the
bike and a large check are left with a
builder. The builder is then given free rein
to build whatever his vision and skills
allow. On rare occasions the winning bike
is bought and entered in a show. I’m not
going to lie to you, this is one such occasion. The following is my opinion alone; I
don’t speak for Ralph or Wide Open. Typically a win like this pisses me off to no
end. I have written features in the past for
bikes that I am sure the owners couldn’t
even start if their life depended on it, let
alone give me the bike’s specs. This is not
the case this time.
The bike in question has connections to two well-known and highly respecte d builders. It is presently owned by
Frank Pedersen of Frankenstein Trikes and
was built by Donnie Smith. If you know
Frank at all, you would know he is a quiet
man who does not chase trophies. He
wins them and greatly appreciates them,
but believe me, he has plenty. What Frank
cares about is building quality bike components, be it his line of frames and the
bikes he has built under the MC WORX
banner or the trikes and trike kits he produces under the Frankenstein Trikes
name. Frank is known far beyond the confines of this continent for his high quality
craftsmanship and unparalleled customer
service. Donnie Smith is a legend in the
custom motorcycle world and was so
long before the current crop of “master
builders” had thrown their leg over their
first tricycle. Both of these men are legends in the riding community.
The story of the bike is interesting to
say the least. In its stock form, the 1977
Shovelhead was wrecked on the way to
the Sturgis Rally. The wrecked scooter
was taken to Smith Brothers and Fetrow,
the race shop / auto parts store that morphed into a full-time bike shop producing
bike frames and building custom bikes.
The scooter was customized and was
back on the road again. Eventually the
bike ended back up in Donnie’s possession. Frank had always wanted one of the
Smith Brothers and Fetrow bikes, and
when he spotted this one on a visit to
Donnie’s, he bought the bike immediately.
Frank brought the bike to our show
as a way to let the masses enjoy the machine as much as he does. It was displayed next to the Dave Mann Tribute
Bike, as both bikes speak to the same
era. Unbeknownst to Frank, one of his
employees actually entered the bike in
the show. Well, I’ll be damned if our
judging staff didn’t pick the little blue
scooter as one of our best of show winners. Why wouldn’t they? The sweet little hard tail carries the mildly stroked,
highly chromed original engine it rolled
off the assembly line with. Frank says this
shovel is one of the best running shovels he has ever ridden. Considering the
man has another ride with a blown
shovel engine, I’d say he knows what
he’s talking about.
You just know that engine sounds
great through its drag pipes. And, yes ,by
the way, that is an SU carburetor feeding
fuel to the machine. The original Motor
Company 4-speed kicker is still on the
bike, highly chromed of course. The
Smith Brothers and Fetrow frame and
girder front end roll on brightly chromed
Invader wheels, a personal favorite of
mine. Notice that sexy front wheel is not
blocked by any obtrusive brake system. If
you’ve never ridden a bike totally without
front brakes, you might be an old timer like
some of the rest of us. If you look closely,
you’ll notice the frame has been molded
everywhere, another sweet touch from
the past. When was the last time you saw
a wicked-looking prism fuel tank like this
one? The solid blue basecoat provides
the perfect backdrop for the tasteful pin
stripe trimmed gold leaf artwork. Leaf and
striping are a very delicate balance; too little is no good and too much is gaudy. This
bike is laid out perfectly.
All in all, this scooter speaks to many
of us old timers, and I think it was a perfect pick for our 3rd place Best of Show.
The bike, along with more of Frank’s
collection, as well as custom and vintage
bikes from the past, will be on display this
summer in Pleasanton, Kansas at the Carpenter’s Motorcycle Exhibit. The exhibit is
free of charge and runs Saturday noon3:00 p.m. from the first Saturday in May
until the last Saturday in September.
Hours may be expanded based on demand. Stay tuned for more information.