Lock Baker's "Speed Fetus"

My inspiration for the Speed Fetus came from the Japanese. I have been a fan of Japanese bike builders for some time, and this is my attempt at making an exageration out of their style which I feel is essentially an exageration of ours. I wanted to mix as many old motorcycle components as possible, without it looking confused or out of place. The copper plating and acid treating was to help achieve an antique look, to match the antique parts. The tank design is what I would consider an extremely exagerated Sportster tank. The throttle assembly is the third version. I have been experimenting with this concept for a while now and think that this is the best so far. The name "Speed Fetus" came from the fact that the bike is very fast for a knuckle, and because it has a frail, under-developed look to it.

Hardly an art bike, Lock's machine is a rider, and one most people either love or hate. That's just fine with him. Regardless of your personal take on this motorcycle, the craftsmanship and clever thinking can not be ignored, nor should it. While the handmade tank is clearly Lock's focal point, the truly magnificent details are in its small bits and pieces. Take the grips and bird deflector, for instance. No bolt-on CNC stuff here, nor cast alloy, for that matter. These grips may look like carved wood, but they are actually made of laminated and shaved leather. Who does this kind of stuff? Lock Backer does, and he does it well.

With the leverage that usually gets applied to apes, everyone knows they can slip in the risers. Lock solved that problem, too. Enjoy the third mounting point on the center of the bars, complete with an adjuster for putting them in just the right spot. Clearly, original and clever engineering is the central theme here, not just freaking out the squares with a funky tank and calling it "Japstyle" or whatever buzzword might fit.

Engine: Composite knucklehead motor, replica cases and heads, original '47 flywheels, rods, pistons, cylinders, cam cover and tappet blocks. 61-inch displacement. Flywheels shaved down to approximately half stock weight and staic balanced at 55%. S&S B carb, Spyke coil and factory ignition

Frame: Hybrid eFab/'78 Harley. Neck, down tubes, frame rails, swingarm pivot area are H-D; top tube, support bar, seat tube and seat area are eFab. Panhead swingarm modified for Ohlins monoshock. Entire bike is copper plated and etched with acid

Trans: Kiwi Indian Chief, late style, 4-speed

Primary: Indian chain, clutch assembly. Front pulley is Indian adapted to H-D sprocket shaft. eFab tensioner and oiler system

Sheetmetal: All eFab, steel, hand formed

Fork: Moto Guzzi Ambasador, lowered 2 inches; eFab top tree; Triumph Bonneville drum brake with eFab axle

Other eFab parts: rear wheel, bars, throttle assembly, seat/tail section, plumbing, grips, footpegs, exhaust, oil tank, battery box, tailight housing, shift knob, risers, foot controls, all cast bronze parts

You can see more of Lock Baker's amazing work at his Eastern Fabrications website.