DEATH CO. CHOPPERS: RAD BIKES FOR RAD PEOPLE
Here at Death Co. we've been making shitty t-shirts for shitty people for a very long time; we decided it was time to make rad bikes for rad people. We specialize in 1986-2003 Harley Davidson Sportsters but also dabble in 1970-1999 Big Twins.
When the opportunity came up to start this latest endeavor for Death Co., only one parts company came to mind; Lowbrow Customs. Their parts have been used on almost every project we've done for the past 15 years, it only made sense to continue that relationship. Somewhat local to us here and top quality parts that can't be beat - as well as great customer service.
That stance.
The frames we've been using for all of our Sportster builds are the Gasbox 3" up full rigid frames. These things are a work of art and Jesse over there really has made life easy for builders with the frames accepting OEM spacing that is basically plug and play on the rear section.
Pair that with a flawless horseshoe oil tank, shorty sissy bar, rear fender, tidy battery tray (all by Gasbox) and you're in business. They really couldn't make it much easier for the DIY builder. Whether you've been doing this stuff for years or are just starting out, with a little creativity and attention to detail, your next build could look just like ours or even better. Check out all the parts from Lowbrow Customs that went into this 1987 Harley-Davidson Sportster Chopper #1 build.
Words by: Dan Dellostritto
Photos and Video by: Mikey Revolt
WATCH VIDEO ABOUT DEATH CO. CHOPPERS & SPORTSTER NO. 1
We took a quick trip down to Columbus, Ohio to visit our good friend Dan Dellostritto and hear all about his latest venture. We've been seeing some of his killer builds on social media since Death Co. Choppers was born a few months back.
Dan has long been known for Death Co., his t-shirt brand, but building bikes for others is a newer endeavor. Death Co. Choppers' sole purpose is to bust out killer, Midwest, tough-as-nails Sportster builds all while utilizing Lowbrow Customs as his main source for parts.
WHAT PARTS WERE USED TO BUILD THE DEATH CO. SPORTSTER NO. 1?
Love Dan's build, and want to know what parts he used to put together such a beautiful machine? Well, you made it to the EXACT right place :)
You can find all the parts used when building the Death Co. Sportster No. 1 right here. In addition, we also have a great line of Harley Davidson Sportsters Accessories for you to explore.
DEATH CO. SPORTSTER NO. 1 TECH SHEET & BUILD PHOTOS
General
Owner: Dan Dellostritto
Year/Make/Model:1987 HARLEY DAVIDSON
Fabrication: N/A
Build Time: 2 MONTHS
XLH 1100 topped off with some really nice pipes by The Gasbox.
Engine
Year/Type/Size: 1987 XLH1100
Carburetor: S&S Super E
Exhaust: The Gasbox Upswept Shotgun
Air Cleaner: Plumb Cycles
Gasbox 3" up full frame for 86-03 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
Frame
The Gasbox 86-03 Sportster 3" Up Rigid Full Frame
Year/Type: N/A
Rake/Stretch: 32 degree Rake, 3" Up - 4" Stretch, 2" Drop
4" over works really well with this 3" up frame.
Front End
Type / Brand: Harley 39mm Narrow Glide with 4" over fork tubes and shaved lowers
19" front 9 spoke mag wheel.
18" rear 9 spoke mag with Lowbrow Customs Chain Conversion Kit
Wheels
Front Size: 19" 9 spoke powder coated mag
Rear Size: 18" 9 spoke powder coated mag
Tank painted by Time Bomb Kustoms
Finish/Paint
Paint by: Trey Guidry - Bike / Gas Tank by Time Bomb Kustoms
Plating/Polishing: Powder coating:
Zylstra Cycle Bars and Pangea Speed Mirror
Accessories
Front Fender: Nope
Rear Fender: Cycle Standard 5 1/2" Smooth Radius
Gas Tank: Lowbrow Customs 1.6 Gallon Super Narrow Firsco Mount Sportster Tank
Handlebars: Zylstra Cycles
Grips: Cycle Standard HD Factory Style Grips
Mirrors: Pangea Speed
Hand Controls: OEM
Foot Controls: Trimed Down Drag Specialties Rubber Pegs
Headlight: OEM
Taillight: Jegs
Turn Signals: Nope
License Mount:
Seat: Custom B & C
Custom seat...
If looks could kill.
"Car, Game OFF!" - Waynes World.
1.6 Gallons will get ya somewhere.
One of the coolest Air Cleaners by Plumb Cycles.
Shortened pegs.
Lowbrow Customs Horseshoe Oil tank. Dan integrated a weather proof ignition switch in it as well.
Cycle Standard 5 1/2" smooth radius rear fender.
Lowbrow Customs 39mm Low Profile Fork Caps and 39mm Radius Steering Stem Bolt.
S&S carb.
Pumpkin spice and everything nice.
She's pretty damn skinny.
The Gasbox Coil relocation and top motor mount with Lowbrow Customs Spark plug wires.
Just a little classic HD branding.
The Gasbox Battery box housing an Antigravity 12 cell battery.
The man himself DeathcoDan....
Midwest tough.
Choppers man, choppers.
FAQs
Q: How do I evaluate whether a custom motorcycle builder is genuinely skilled versus someone who assembles parts kits?
A: Four indicators of real skill: examine their welds closely in photos or in person — quality welds are consistent, smooth, and show proper penetration without excess filler material; look at how they handle transitions between fabricated and stock parts (poor builders leave visible gaps or misalignment); ask to see bikes they built 5+ years ago and how they have held up; and evaluate whether their bikes have a coherent visual concept or look like random parts assembled. A builder who can explain their design decisions — why a particular tank, why that stance, what geometry they targeted — is thinking architecturally, not just bolting parts together.
Q: Does a professional build like Death Co.'s retain the original Sportster's title, or does using a Gasbox frame require a new title?
A: Using a completely new Gasbox frame requires a new title based on the Gasbox frame's serial number — the original Sportster frame's VIN is no longer the legal identity of the motorcycle. The Gasbox frame ships with a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO), which is submitted to the DMV along with documentation for the engine and other components. The original Sportster frame, separated from the drivetrain, typically gets scrapped or sold as a parts-only frame since it carries no VIN to transfer. The new title process varies by state but is a routine procedure for custom builders.
Q: Why do serious custom Sportster builders specifically target the 1986–2003 generation rather than newer models?
A: The 1986–2003 Evo Sportster has four key advantages for custom work: it uses a carbureted engine (simpler to tune and modify than EFI), the engine is rigidly mounted in the frame (cleaner for fabrication than the rubber-mount 2004+ generation), it has the strongest aftermarket support of any Sportster era, and these bikes are increasingly affordable as donors while still having proven mechanical reliability. The 2004+ rubber-mount Sportster's more complex frame and EFI system create additional challenges that most traditional chopper builders prefer to avoid.
Q: What is the significance of calling this build 'Number 1' and what does that tell us about Death Co.'s plans?
A: Calling the 1987 Sportster 'Number 1' signals that Death Co. Choppers intends to produce a series of documented builds — each numbered sequentially — rather than treating it as a one-off. This approach, common among respected custom builders, creates a documented portfolio that establishes the shop's identity and builds a collector following. Numbered builds also simplify the provenance trail for future buyers and demonstrate a commitment to consistent quality across multiple machines. For a shop transitioning from merchandise into motorcycle building, the numbering establishes a professional catalog from the first build.
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