Jamboozie Customs 1955 HD Panhead
Hello there! First off, I wanted to thank you for taking a second to help us complete this little question and answer portion of the blog story regarding the Greasy Dozen Run panhead build. It's important that people know how much hard work you guys put into this so we really want to highlight that. Let's get right into it.
First off, we would love for you guys to introduce yourselves and get a little backstory on where and how Jamboozie Customs started out and where your current stomping grounds are?
I (Harmony Don) started my first shop in 1986 and have been building customs since forever. From 86 to 93 I did only restorations mostly all Harleys. Some British, some old Indians but mostly Harleys from 1969 down, I would only work on generator models. Nothing 70 and up. That was in my first 7 years in business. But I am an artist and you can’t get very creative with antique builds. I’ve always rode choppers so I decided to break away from antique restorations and really build what I wanna build. I met Paul Vandergraft about 5-6 years ago and after only a short time we decided to form Jamboozie Customs. JC started off with a build we were doing and wanted some good vintage bars for. After we searched hi and low paul said fuck it lets build our own. That morphed into other parts and the chopper guys started to dig what we were building and that’s what got the wheels turning. We both are from the Harmony, Pa. area and currently have 2 shops and at any time we work at one or the other.
I (Paul) have a background in Aluminum and steel fabrication. Have been around bikes all my life and built my first bike in the mid 90’s with help from some old grey beards. Fast forward to 2006 after a nasty divorce bought a used ironhead and never looked back.
How long have you guys been in the custom motorcycle business?
Don Forever Paul 20 plus years.
When you were chosen to participate in this years Greasy Dozen builder collective, did you know right away that this was going to be the final vision for the build or did it evolve along the way?
We knew we were going to use the 55 Panhead motor. In an original style frame we knew the stance, the wheels and the forks. (Tank style, seat and pipes all evolved along the way). We also knew that we were going to us using our Holey Bars, Pan Rocker oil tank and an air cleaner on this build.
What year, make and model is the bike and are there any special things you want to point out about the motor, frame, etc?
Ron Finch was the inspiration in this build. (his bike built in 1970 ODIN’S AXEL) See attached photos.
1955 Panhead motor Searched for original 1955 heads with the 6 bolt rocker boxes (1 year only). Found those, and updated the oil pump to S&S. Cut frame neck and raked it to 55 degrees, welded and molded a Led Sled fender into frame. Then built the king and queen style seat into the fender. We liked Ron Finch styling Completely re-worked the 1970s NOS denver’s springer. Added heavier rockers and added 1” neck stem. Drilled out? throttle cable, added an exile twist throttle to our holey bars. We fabricated our brake pedal and foot peg mounts and our top motor mount all from Harley connecting rods. And put a shit ton of work into the Holey sissy bar. Holey triple headlamp mount and the criss cross one off pipes. Heavy 70s styling with gobs of molding.
Being this is the second year that we've had the opportunity to ride alongside you guys on the Greasy Dozen Run we've definitely admired that you guys chose to ride soley vintage bikes. Did you know all along you were going to be using an old Panhead motor for the build or did you ever entertain any other ideas when it came to the motor?
Yes a Knucklehead…….. That will be next years ride at the GD run!!
Who all had a hand in making this project come together?
Don “Harmony Don” Chriest
Paul “Panhead Paul” Vandergraft
Vincent Chriest
Greg “Magnum” Dunford
Paul’s Chrome Evans City, Pa.
Unique Machine (Marty Rubio) McKees Rocks, Pa.
Legendry Engine builder (Andy Nolas)
As fellow builders ourselves we know that sometimes the music that helps you hone in your concentration during a build can be an important part of inspiring the project. What were some of your favorite songs/bands that got you through this build?
Don is all over the place with music. From rock to country to contemporary Christian. I listen to anything. If I’m driving or masking for paint layout I really like SADE. I could listen to her voice all day. Like an angel. Helps me focus, keeps me calm. Just good background, non-intrusive. Paul is mostly metal or rock.
Aside from the incredible detail put into all the mounts and hardware on this bike one thing that really stood out to us as we saw the bike for the first time was the amazing molding, body work and paint. Who was responsible for rounding out this aspect of the build and what were some of the challenges you faced in getting it the way you wanted?
(Don is responsible or should I say irresponsible fella there….)
I would say the molded in king and queen seat and the area around the pan rocker box oil tank. I ran 4 ribs down the front of the rear fender and changed the seat post to look to rectangular shape. All to showcase the (Our Pan oil bag). A ton of welding and fitment of the seat into the king and queen fender. And the weird assed way I molded only the rear of the fuel tank into the frame.
The cam cover and molded exhaust are two things that really stand as some painstaking tasks to get to the final stage, what was the catalyst for doing both of these the way you did and how much time did you have wrapped up in each?
My catalyst is (Different to do something different). Exhaust was a ridiculous task with a shit to of welding and off and on, a million times. Always checking fitment then a lot of smoothing out the welds with silver solder. Have about 40 hours into the pipes. I’ve always dug the look of the 1939 down no rib cam covers on the big twin fatheads and the knucks. I cut into the cam cover ribs to remove just enough rib to retain the fact it’s a stock 60’s 4 rib cover and achieve the smooth style. It took a lot of re shaping. 7 hours labor. Then I took every other rib out of the “Jammer” ribbed kicker cover and shaved them down to only 4 ribs to match. All by hand, no fancy tools.
Being that this was an Old Bike Barn Greasy Dozen build project, what were some of the most helpful parts that you were able to utilize from the items you received as part of the build collective?
S&S for sure. I love the look of a stock oil pump but you can’t beat the conversion to S&S pump. Led Sled for rear fender and wheels. Very nice wheels so close to original invaders. And all the little odds and ends from the others really helped out!
Is there anyone you would like to thank now that the bike is in its finished state?
All of us spent countless hours to make this bike a reality!!!!!
Don “Harmony Don” Chriest
Paul “Panhead Paul” Vandergraft
Vincent Chriest
Greg “Magnum” Dunford
Paul’s Chrome Evans City, Pa.
Unique Machine (Marty Rubio) McKees Rocks, Pa.
Legendry Engine builder (Andy Nolas)
Thank you so much for all your hard work participating in this years build collective and thank you again for taking some time today to help us shine some light on this great bike!
Story+photos by Mike V.