Murray Baxter does his own thing his own way, and his motorcycle proves it. When shovelheads with no front brake, a Bates seat and metal flake paint were are all the rage, Murray built a softail S&S Evo with no rear stoppers and a flat Van Halen paintjob. Original thinking like that is why Murray's bike looks so good despite having a parts list that sounds less than desirable. If you go to events in California you've undoubtedly seen this dirty slut (the bike, not Murray!) hanging out as far away from the bike show as possible.
I asked Murray to explain why he chose a softy and what he's done to run that fender and sissy bar combo like that. Here's what he had to say:
Hey Bill, here we go... my little metal worker wife and I made the sissy & strut combo. the tall bar can be taken on and off super easy without removing the fender strap. Fender is welded to the triangle swingarm and moves with the wheel. Whole set up only gets about 1/2" or less of travel because i cranked it down and lowered it quite a bit. Have always ran a rigid mounted seat so the bike rides very close to a rigid frame bike. Let's face it Softails are not something you seek out and build. I'm building another motorcycle right now that has a rigid frame. lighter weight, simpler looking and cheap. This is a motorcycle I've had since 2003. Started as a Big Mike's Chopper that i got a screaming deal on new. first day i went in the garage and sanded off the glossy flame paint job and rattled it black. the only thing left from that original thing is the front section of the frame. I replaced the motor, tranny, wheels, front end, switched to chain drive, belt clutch, suicide shifter, brake, mid controls, seat, fender, gastank, pipes, lights, everything over the years.
I wanted to see if I could make a Softail 'good lookin.' I think I achieved it. That's why I call her the Slutty Softail. She's HOT, but a little rough around the edges, and I admit slightly out of style. but i don't give a fuck. Typical rock & roll groupie slut ya know. she rides great despite all the claims of bad handling. Of course if my goal was an awesome handling bike I would have Ducati touring sport motorcycle or something. I don't subscribe to trends with anything. Never have and never will, including my motorcycle dreams. Don't get me wrong I love old Iron and the history and the real worn in neat stuff. I certainly do believe the way the Japanese have stereo-typically modified the old American motorcycles is the raddest looking shit to me. All dingey and detailed in the most wacky ways. Not period correct or styled like the actual old vintage choppers. plus they ride em all the fuck over the place. obsessed i think. ha
My little metal worker wife and I made the sissy and strut combo. The tall bar can be taken on and off super easy without removing the fender strap. The rear fender is welded to the triangle swingarm and moves with the wheel. The whole set-up only gets about a half-inch of travel because I cranked it down and lowered it quite a bit. I have always run a rigid-mounted seat so the bike feels like a rigid. Let's face it: Softails are not something you seek out and build. I'm building another motorcycle right now that has a rigid frame. Lighter, simpler looking and cheap. This is a motorcycle I've had since 2003. It started as a Big Mike's Chopper that I got a screaming deal on new. On the first day I went in the garage and sanded off the glossy flame paint job and rattled it black. The only thing left from that original thing is the front section of the frame. Over the years I've replaced everything: the motor, tranny, wheels, front end, switched to chain drive, belt clutch, suicide shifter, brake, mid controls, seat, fender, gastank, pipes, lights, you name it.
I wanted to see if I could make a Softail look good. I think I achieved it. I don't subscribe to trends with anything. Never have and never will, including my motorcycle dreams. Don't get me wrong—I love old iron and the history and the real worn-in neat stuff. That's why I call her the Slutty Softail. She's hot, but a little rough around the edges, and I admit slightly out of style. But I don't give a fuck. She rides great despite all the claims of bad handling. Of course if my goal was an awesome handling bike I would have a Ducati touring sport motorcycle or something.
Owner: Murray Baxter
Location: Costa Mesa, CA
Bike name: VH2: The Slutty Softail
Engine: '03 S&S 113 c.i.
Frame: BMC
Fork: Narrowglide. I shaved her legs. The bushy hair never grew back. It's amazing!
Tire/wheel size and style: Shinkos: 5.00/16 Classic & 3.00/21 Trials
Favorite thing about this bike: She runs killer
Other mods, accessories, cool parts, etc: Original German WWII dress bayonet. AfterHours Titmouse taillight, Benchmark Evo breathers, FMA velo stack, La Briola suicide, Baxter grips, Baxter clamp, custom old seat, custom sissy bar/fender strut combo, custom bars, custom mids
Any building or riding story or info: Cross Country in seven 400-mile days consecutively in the rain
Thanks to:
Biltwellinc.com
Lowbrowcustoms.com
AfterHoursChoppers.com
LicksCycles.com
Rouserworks.blogspot.com
LillianRoseChoppers.com
Old-Stf.com
Dicemagazine.com
CroCustoms.com
StreetChopperWeb.com
www.baxtermotorcycle.com
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Topher
C
dertyD
FerrumDiscipulus
NHMike
rouser
BillyJones
Seems like every used bike I buy has worn out rear brakes and like new front brakes. That tells me its previous rider didn't know much about stopping. Rear brakes will hurt you far quicker than front brakes-- especially on a chopper.
stangeralf
cro
One of the few that ventures north from the Orange current, and we love him for that.
rustrocket84
backwoods
kingdeadbeat
ironlance
artkrhymes
davidabl
Except at very slow speeds.
OTOH, I don't have anything with as much rake as this bike..
irish6x
ironpusher
me
OneWayKris
Lbfam730
TroubleLeather1
Bret
OldGoldGarageCo
Baxter
Hi Dan.
PapaG
inxs
AfterHours
Tyler
SocialMisfit
gdolan80
artkrhymes
bikerman14