This is a 1985 1000cc Ironhead Sportster called Tribute, a tribute to Indian Larry. Its not a replica, its merely my interpretation of the great mans work.
This bike has been a life long dream, could never afford to go to US to meet Indian Larry or have him build me a bike.
The original bike was purchased from Craig at Street Customs circa 4 years ago (I am the resident painter) . It sat in a storage container till mid summer 2022 when I finally decided I had time and enough parts that I had collected to build it.
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Unfortunately I was admitted to hospital and almost died. My rehabilitation from illness was to drag the bike into my dinning room and make a plan. Many months of slow work due to health restrictions saw the frame hardtailed , painted and ready for assembly.
Tank is hand dished ( old skool ) , no cutting or welding, all heated and hand hammered.
Bars fabricated and welded to top yolk of replics late 40’s springer front end.
Motor has pan style cam chest and sprocket cover ( to try and replicate Larry’s passion for mixing motor styles, pan/ shovel ).
16 inch 80 spoke shovel star hub rear wheel, 21 in front with polished and chromed hub.
S&S Super e shorty carb , pan style kindney tool box ( to hid electrics) , hand made seatpan with bobby springs.
Simple electrical system to keep bike clean and simple, all brackets hand made to fit West Coast choppers oil tank.
All planning/ fabrication/ painting / building by me. Electrics by Street Customs.
Charlie Russell
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