Green with Envy Cool Custom
Rohan’s idea was to build a custom bike to add to his collection of hot rods and so the project was born.
ROHAN, WHO runs a radiator workshop down Mornington way, has a passion for hot rods, particularly Chevs, and has been restoring and customising a variety of old cars in his spare time for a number of years. However, he had the idea he wanted to build himself a custom bike, and although he had never attempted this before, he thought it would be a great challenge.
“I set myself the task of building this bike and did most of the work on it myself,” Rohan explains. “I started with a 1979 FX Shovel frame and this was sent off to Bob Martin Engineering who modified the frame to fit a 1995 Fat Boy Evo engine.”
A trip to the States to source out the necessary items was the next step.
“The gearbox, primary belt drive, Arlen Ness indicators, mirrors, hand grips and footpegs, plus various other bits and pieces, were bought back in my hand luggage.
“Back home I set about fitting the bike with an S&S carby and a Crane Highball fully programmable ignition. It also has a mild cam with a bit of headwork done.
“I converted the wide-arse section myself with the kit. There are billet four-spot calipers fitted front and rear, and there’s an extra nine-degrees rake up front.
“Next came a five-speed in a four-speed case, RevTech gearbox, with a BDL belt drive.
“C&C Cycles in Dandenong supplied me with the extra parts I needed; and the boys at A&J Paint and Panel in Frankson looked after my custom paint job.
“This bike took me 18 months to build and was only finished a few months back. I’ve since clocked up more than 1000 clicks and I’m very happy with how it’s turned out!”
It’s certainly a head turner and Rohan is enjoying cruising the coast to show off his dream bike and, hey, it certainly doesn’t look out of place sitting next to his 1963 customised Pontiac Parisian and his 1963 Cadillac Convertible!
words & pics by Julie Hough
