American Idle: March 2010
21. Jan, 2010 
36 Comments
The IronWorks Readers’ Rides section is now called “American Idle” and along with showing four different readers’ bikes in each issue, we’re giving additional information and photos about them here. This is also the place where you can cast your vote for your favorite.
Vote for your favorite American Idle below!
Tim Mills
Charlotte, North Carolina
1989 Springer Softail
We received this email from Tim Mills’ daughter, Tiffany:
“These are pics of my dad, Big Tim, and my uncle Mike. My dad is on the right with his 89′Springer Softail. His “baby” was a total mess when he got it. Two years later it rides like its brand new! My Uncle Mike rides his 06′ Roadking a lot since retiring from the military. My dad’s an avid reader of your magazine and he would love to see his pictures in an article.”
That was a good start, but we need to know exactly what mods Tim made to the Softail, so we went direct to the source. Said Tim:
“Here is what we’ve done to make our baby look brand new! There’s a brand new Springer front end with a new clutch box. Rework has been done on the top end motor and bigger pistons have been added (thanks to Cooper Cycles of Charlotte, NC). We have new chrome back axle covers, chrome inner primary cover, and python pipes from JB Cycles. The dash and seat came from a swap meet in the Charlotte area. My saddlebags came from Ebay. “Big Steve” from Charlotte Harley-Davidson completely rebuilt the transmission several years ago. My son, Thomas, bought and installed a new stater and starter over a year ago and the voltage regulator has been replaced. We have 2006 Road King mirrors from Harley-Davidson. My awesome metallic cherry red paint job was done by Willie Higgins of Charlotte. I also want to thank my loving and understanding wife, Becky, during all the renovations!”
So now we all know. Good job, Tim and Company.
Kevin Henry
Cylde, Pennsylvania
1983 XLS
This bike is a testament to the longevity of the relationship between man and machine. Kevin Henry bought the 1983 XL roadster when it was brand new. “I have just finished rebuilding it, doing most of the work myself,” he said. “I also did the paint job on it.” Kevin admits that the bike has been through a variety of transitions over the years, “but I feel I finally have it the way I want it.”
Jim Gomez
Montpelier, Vermont
1973 XLCH
Here’s another bike and rider with some traction. Jim Gomez has been riding since 1973. Coincidentally, that’s the vintage of this classy XLCH. The 1000CC engine and transmission are mostly stock, though Jim tweaked and cleaned up the whole thing. It’s resting in a rigid Paughco frame with 38-degree rake and has a handmade exhaust and wide glide 20-over front end. Mike at Americanrides painted the tank and Jim pained the fenders.
Jim has owner this bike since 1976 but the funny thing is that bike and rider almost missed each other completely. Explains Jim: “I first saw this at the dealer here but someone else bought it before me. Two years later I saw a Sporty advertised for sale in the local newspaper, so I went and checked it out. To my surprise it was the same bike that was in the dealership two years earlier! I bought it and have owned it since.”
That’s a good story, Jim, and a nice bike, too.
The winner will be seen again in The Works section of a future issue, receive a pair of riding glasses compliments of EyeRide Motorwear, and a set of Fix My Hog DVDs. To get your bike in the running, e-mail 5 high-resolution digital photos plus as much information on the details of your bike to: mstemp@ironworksmag.com
SINISTER IS AWESOME..SHOULD BE THE WINNER
rich avallone, sinister should win
I agree Rich The winner is Sinister by far. Awesome looking bike
Nope, it’s the Sportster that has my eye!
From the blacked out tranny case to the hard tail frame…the bobbed rear fender, the 21″ Chromed front wheel.
The spring loaded solo seat has me grinning..
Is the rear hub blacked out to match the frame and cases?
Also, I am thinking the jugs look like they too are blacked out…I like this bike…it’s just how I would rebuild this special lady….she’s hot.
Sinister is a good name for this machine. The blacked out engine, tranny and air cleaner give this a “don’t mess with me” look. Nice job on the paint. Two-tone lines up from panel to panel, front to rear. Nice to see for a change!! Someone took the time to measure, tape assemble, check and disassemble before painting.
“Sinister” is the winner here!!
Well I cant help but pipe up a bit – I am a sucker for long term relationships and am really digging Kevin Henry’s Sporty… especially that rear fender and the manner in which it sweeps the tire… the fender struts… really a nice ride and a colored frame makes it clear he has had this machine apart to the bone during it’s life!
tell the truth, I like them all this month!!
Rich Avallone is the winner in my book. Cool bike, love the black out treatments, and the Halloween colors/
I think sinister should be the winner. Nice looking bike.
my vote goes to the sinister one…rich avalone all the way.
I vote for SINISTER!! Nice job, Rich
The 73 xlch should win hands down. Come on its a chop not a pickup
Not to rain on any ones parade but Stephen I have had my ironhead way longer Kevin!not wanting to take away anything from him,, An yes Chessie It is blacked out!! There are also some one off hand made parts on it too, Like the bio says the only thing that i didnt do is the art work on the tank,, Thanks
Beautiful bike Rich!Hope you win!!
Rich Avallone
West Palm Beach, Florida
2007 Electraglide
Is My choice.
Sinister is awesome. Richard gets my vote.
“Sinister” has got my vote for sure!!! love it! Very well done…and not gaudy at all! I approve!
Sinister is definitely the right name for the right bike – It’s a keeper! Nice work Rich.
SINISTER is the winner, hands down!
I’m not surprised “Sinister” gets the vote. But darn it all folks…don’t you ever get tired of the big bucks taking the grade?
I like the ’73 cuz it’s a home job. I wish the photo was a closer shot of the one off parts you’re talking about Jim…it would help to emphasize just how great this build of yours is.
I get what Stephen was talking about with the other Sportster. the owner of that bike has torn it down and even painted the frame to match the paint on the tin and fenders. And if I was looking for a “pretender” then my vote would go to the Sportster with the fat bob tanks and the over-sized sweep back fender.
I just can’t vote “YEA” to a Sportster pretending to be a “big twin”. Not with an honest Sportster in the line up.
Now, that said…it’s a personal choice, reflecting how I was brought up as well as the time period of my fondest memories of motorcycles (the early ’70s). In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small matter.
Chessie Thanks Like someone said its a chop not a pickup,, An there are no “big bucks” involved in it But hey everyone has there own taste so so be it,,,Its down an dirty lol Thats why we call it Rude an Crude!! Besides its not that I win (would be nice though!!) Its how much fun you have watching!!
Love your bike, Rich.
Your bike rules Jim! I want one just like it. Can I copy yours?
Luv, luv, luv this ride Jim!
awesome ride Jim- old school- just the way it should be!
Jim’s Ironhead is beautiful piece of art.Nothing better then a sporty ridged. Yea com on.
I’ve never been a big fan of “contests” that pit bikes against each other. Seems wrong in some ways – when really, they are all winners… there is plenty of cool already baked in most anything that is VTwin powered.. the idea is to not get in it’s way
guess , the beauty of a machine depends on the lens that you are looking through at that moment…i know my tastes have changed over the years, as have the values and criteria by which I “judge” a bike.
There’s nothing that compares to a bike that’s chopped for speed, just enough essential parts for form and function…..Great work on achieving that Jim.
Steve, bravo…Your words are right…
There is no doubt they are all winners in their own right! Every eye that witnesses these bikes sees something that appeals to them and strikes them at that instant as the bike they wish to admire.
I’ve judged bike shows…and every bike is judged for it’s merits under its own class. Each judging competition has it’s own criteria. Every one of these bikes would/could win in a judging situation meant just for their class…
for me this is about helping a friend’s business..My bike is Hot, I don’t need a contest to prove that..But if we win, we get a feature, which helps his business..So enough said..your right all bikes are cool..ok back to the promotion..lol
Stephen an Chessie your both right !! but no one here is in their own class so,,, Ha maybe we should all win an get it over with!1 Great thought or what!
Little girl go for it if you want ,, But use a newer sporty these ironheads will eat you out of house an home!!
That little stripped Sporty at the bottom is THE $#!+. All the rest look like posers to me. Don’t get mad…. it’s just my opinion.
There aint nothing tougher than an old CH Sportster, and this one kicks ass! no contest, Ya cant buy or bolt on CLASS. and even if they were all Cushman powered, the rigid Iron head still has the best lines.
Sinister rocks!
Who did your bike in Charlotte, NC is it Willie Sr or Jr.? I know they both used to do nice airbrushing work. Do they have a shop or can you tell me how to get in touch? I have a car I want some detailing on please :) TY Alley