Motorcycles are nothing more than meaningless machines to most people, but if you are reading this article then I am willing to bet you love those machines as much as life itself. Most of us would love to work in an industry where we could be around motorcycles as our profession, but sometimes life just doesn’t work in our favor.

Sam Andrews is proof that motorcycles can be a part of one’s everyday life. He is the Service Manager for one of the largest Harley Davidson dealers in the Dallas, Texas area by day and, like many of us, a blood crazed chopper enthusiast by night.

The chopper craze started for Sam about 4 years ago when he picked up a stock 1971 Ironhead that had seen better days. He rode the hell out of the bike for the first summer until the transmission locked up. His chopper dreams were put on hold. That would be the end of the original version of the bike. Over the next few years, the bike has gone through several changes to get the bike exactly the way Sam wanted it.

Sam turned to his friend, Dean Holmes, to work out the transmission issues and, while the motor was out of the bike, he decided to do a few modifications to the frame. Sam turned to his longtime friend and mentor, Jamie Gessling, to assist with hardtailing and smoothing out the frame. The next item on the agenda was to have BA Abston, at BA’s powder coating, shoot gloss black on the frame and rear fender for a fresh clean look. Sam then had Jamie do a one-off custom paint job using a Roth Mind Splitter Flake with candy green lace patterns.

Sam got the bike all back together and rode it like that for a good while until he and Jamie decided to do a small rebuild of the bike. It was the beginning of 2014 and the plan started to develop, but things took a turn for the worse and Sam lost Jamie. He got a call one morning and was told that Jamie had passed away. The bike was the last of his worries. Sam had lost his best friend and mentor and it shattered his world. He didn’t even want to look at the bike much less finish it, so the bike was left alone for a few months.

It took some time, but Sam decided to finish the bike in honor of his lost brother and moved forward. He pulled off the front end and had buddy Rob Taylor turn the lower legs while Sam and his father Greg smoothed out the triple trees and lastly, had them chromed. Sam finished the modifications on the bike by adding an 18” rear wheel, a new set of H bars from Biltwell and some new rubber. Sam will always treasure this bike as it is a constant reminder of his lost friend. Sam and Jamie had plans on attending Born Free 6, so Sam kept his promise and made it out to California with his buddy in spirit.

Sam would like to thank everyone who has helped with the bike along the way. He would especially like to thank his wife, Ashley, and his father, Greg, for the ongoing support. He thanks Dean Holmes, BA Abston, Rob Taylor and, of course, his dear late friend Jamie Gessling. Jamie will forever be remembered for teaching Sam so much and for introducing him to the madness of choppers. Lastly, he thanks Chop Cult for giving him the opportunity to feature his bike.

Owner name, location: Sam Andrews ,Denison, Texas

Engine, year and make, model, modifications: 1971 Ironhead Andrews Y Cams, Wiseco Pistons, Mild Head Work and CV Carb

Frame: Hardtailed Stock Frame

Fork: Stock 33.4 mm Shaved, smoothed and chromed trees and lower legs

Chassis mods: Powdercoated Gloss Black Heavily Modified Santee Hardtail

Tire/wheel size and style: Front 21" Spool & Avon Speedmaster, Rear 18" Sportster Wheel & Firestone Deluxe Champion

Favorite thing about this bike: The Paint. The tank was done by my best friend Jamie Geesling. It's by far one of my most treasured possessions.

Next modification will be: Replacing the fuel tank so I can hang this one on the wall.

Be sure to follow Sam on Instagram.

Thanks,

Jason