When master builder Denny Berg suggests laying an eyeball on someone else's handiwork, chances are better than average that said handiwork is worth more than a quick peep. Case in point, this tasty bob-job built by Berg's former protg Paul Spradlin of Underground Cycles.
Back in 2002 Paul built a retro-custom based on a Honda Spirit 750, which he called the "Voodoo Doll." While it pains me to say so, the Doll was featured prominently in the pages of Cycle World magazine, where it attracted a ton of well-deserved attention, including that of Kenny Bucholz, the reputed skateboard baron of central Ohio. Bucholz, who also plays the squeeze box in a "metal-country" rock band called "Cotton Jackson" when he's not busting moves on his board, was knocked out by the Voodoo Doll and decided it, or something very close to it, was exactly what he needed to give his life meaning.
Since he already had a '98 Shadow 750 in his garage Bucholz figured he was at least halfway to Voodoo-Ville. Consequently, he gave Spradlin a ring to see what he'd need to complete the trip. Unfortunately the ticket was a little more than Bucholz had bargained for so the project was shelved, but not forgotten. One year later Spradlin got a call: "Remember me?" or words to that effect were how it began. "We've got a deal," was how it ended.
Going in, Spradlin had only one condition-while he'd be happy to build Bucholz a bike reminiscent of the Doll, he wouldn't build an exact replica. That was fine by Bucholz-he wanted a bike that had a certain look and he wanted it to run, well, like a scalded cat. Other than that, Spradlin had free rein.
Shortly thereafter, a crate containing one sorry-looking Shadow arrived at Underground Cycles. Best described as a "baroque custom," the 45-inch A.C.E. had clearly seen better days. But what the bike was isn't important. It's what it would become, that's the story.
As you'd expect the bike was stripped to its last nut and bolt. The frame was then relieved of extraneous brackets, tabs and welding spatter before being smoothed and repainted. Since this bike was going to be a bobber as opposed to a chopper, the stock frame's geometry and swingarm were left intact, the only chassis modification being the installation of a pair of 11-inch Progressive Suspension shocks.
The triple clamps were next to feel the kiss of the grinder-once they were smooth as a baby's butt they were powder-coated a gloss black. The top clamp was also drilled to accept the neutral, turn signal and high beam indicator lights-a very neat detail that really cleans up the front end. The fork length was kept stock; after all, like its ancestral predecessors this bike was meant to run hard. An extreme rake or extended front end not only would have looked out of place, it would have jeopardized handling. That didn't mean the legs couldn't be shaved and chromed though, and to help keep everything under control Spradlin finished off the forks with a set of Progressive Suspension springs.
The 750 A.C.E. comes from the factory with a 120/90-17 front tire and 170/80-15 rear rubber. For Spadlin's purposes these left a lot to be desired. Part of the problem was that they were low and squat, which compromised handling and ground clearance. The other side of the coin was stylistic, in that they gave the bike a heavy look. Accordingly the rims and spokes were separated from the hubs, and the former binned.