On last month's Philo Beddo Family Reunion everyone kept talking about "Phil's Ironhead." I didn't know Phil when he met us on that ride, but judging by the shit-eating grin on his face and the shiny Sportster beneath him, I knew he had to be the dude people were talking about. You see, Phil's been hacking away at this bike for years. Being a full-time tanker pilot in the Air Force keeps a guy busy, but when all the other butter bars are jacking off at the "O" club Phil busts his knuckles on this old ironhead.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Sometimes it takes one to build a righteous motorcycle. Luckily, Phil has a group of friends he can count on to mentor him when the need arises. Here's to you and your crew, Phil. Thanks for serving our country, and we hope you get lots of miles on your new beast.

I moved to Sacramento mid '07 and brought along my trusty but tired ironhead. She needed a makeover so some friends and I got to work. With deployments and life in general getting in the way, the going was a bit slow. But I have to say the end result was worth it. Her maiden voyage was the Philo event and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Owner: Phil Austin

Location: I’ve been just North of Sacramento for about three years now. The way things are going, I think Uncle Sam let me stay here for a long time

Engine, year and make, model, mods: 1974 ironhead, kick only; 1000cc bored .040 over, 10:1 compression. Put together by me and George  

Frame: Paugho   

Fork: Springer   

Chassis mods: Not much. A few tabs and holes here and there 

Tires: 16 in the back, 21 in the front   

Favorite thing about this bike: The fact that I honed my fab and welding skills by making and modifying the tank, fender, bars, battery box and rebuilding the motor  

Next modification will be: Some more engraving by Steve on the brass gas cap   

Other stuff, accessories, cool parts, etc: The Tit Mouse tail light and brass gas cap from Afterhours Choppers, and the brass knuckle kicker and oil bag plug from Lillian Rose Choppers  

Thanks: Huge thanks to Steve at Lillian Rose Choppers. Steve lets me have free reign of his shop and helps me out where he can. Dirty at Dirty D’s Chop Shop gave me great pointers that helped my TIG skills a ton. Brianne McLean at Cycle Cosmetics in Reno stamped the leather for the seat and George did a great job on wiring it up. Heston Duran from Pueblo, CO, sprayed the sick metal flake paint. Once again, thanks to everyone who supported and helped me out along the way

Steve: www.lillianrosechoppers.com  916-663-9714

Gabe: www.afterhourschoppers.com  916-761-3606

Dirty: www.myspace.com/dirtydschopshop

Brianne: www.cyclecosmetics.com

Heston: rtstuner02@aol.com