Josh Sheehan was originally scheduled to meet me in downtown San Francisco to shoot this feature, but when we crossed paths at the Hippy Killer Hoedown one week before my NorCal adventure we banged out this shoot to save Jaybird the trip. ChopCult readers are bananas for shovelheads, and Josh's bike has a lot to like. Thanks to Davey Beardo for introducing me to his riding buddy, and thanks to Josh for letting me get the goods on his machine before Von Franco awarded it "best bike" honors at Kutty's barnyard brodown.
The Leg Splitter
Owner: Josh "JayBird" Sheehan
Age: 32
Motor: '76 shovelhead
Frame: '54 wishbone rigid
Front end: Denver's 8-over springer by Mondo
Front wheel: 21" powdercoated Paughco
Rear wheel: 16" powdercoated Paughco
Custom bits:
• Custom radius Paughco fender
• Z bars and sissy bar by Jaybird Sheehan and Tony Tyrell at Lone Wolf Chop Rodz
• Paint by Jaybird
• Seat by Joe’s upholstery in Santa Cruz
• My son Reilly Jo's skateboard wheel hard mounted for a chain tensioner
• My dog Dela's chain as my foot clutch linkage
Favorite back story: After two and a half years of piecing the Leg splitter together I was able to ride to the 2012 Hippy Killer Hoedown with my friend Phil Ackley. I was flattered when Von Franco picked my chopper as his favorite bike at the event and presented me with a badass hand-painted trophy.
Thanks: I'd like to thank my homie Mondo Porras for his patience and guidance. Mondo was gracious enough to lend his shop and his time for this project. Mondo is the Godfather of choppers and I am grateful to be able to learn from the master. Thanks also to Tony Tyrell, Holly Anderson, and most importantly my drop-dead gorgeous fiancé Rachelle Nicole, and my beautiful mother Kathy.
Flatironmike
skr00ball
me
Kaveeks
I saw that bike at the HKH and fell in love with it!
OmegaRed