Scrolling through the ole' Instagrams I stumbled across Riley's beautiful Big Twin Evo Chop. I immediately recognized The Gasbox Big Twin Rigid Full Frame and how clean and classy the bike was over all put together. A proper chopper built by what I could only assume was a customer. So, I reached out to Riley and he was super friendly, and extremely stoked to help us with this blog feature on his latest build. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
-Mikey Revolt
1987 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Chop built by Riley Hansen.
CHOPPERS: A REFLECTION OF INDIVIDUALITY
My name is Riley Hansen, and I’m a 25-year-old chopper builder. Choppers have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, thanks to my dad. He’s the reason I fell in love with motorcycles, and over the years he passed down not only his knowledge and skills, but also the passion that drives me to build and ride today.
Just a great stance, and a killer look.
I’ve been building bikes for a few years now, but this project is special. It’s my first Big Twin build and my first motorcycle built completely from the frame up. Like any true custom build, it has come with its fair share of challenges.
Along the way, I’ve had to fabricate many of my own parts to bring my vision to life, including a custom sissy bar, foot pegs, a master cylinder relocation bracket, exhaust mounts, and a modified rear fender for chain clearance. I also built my own seat pan from scratch.
King Queen seat upholstered by Riley's dad Joe Hansen.
One of the most meaningful parts of this build is the seat itself. My dad is an incredibly talented upholsterer, and he helped me create a one-of-a-kind custom seat for the bike.
Working alongside him on that part of the build is something I’ll always be grateful for. His guidance, craftsmanship, and support have played a huge role in shaping both this motorcycle and the builder I’ve become.
"Not all those who wander are lost" - J.R.R Tolkien
Building and riding choppers isn’t just a hobby for me. It’s a way of life. If I could spend the rest of my life building bikes and exploring the country on two wheels, I’d do it without hesitation. Most people see choppers as uncomfortable, impractical, or even dangerous. I see them as freedom.
There’s a unique kind of peace that comes from cruising down a deserted highway on a stripped-down machine you built with your own hands, carrying nothing but a bag of tools, some camping gear, and a destination you haven’t discovered yet.
10 over front end on a Gasbox 3" up full frame looks pretty rad!
To me, that’s what choppers are all about. They’re more than motorcycles. They’re a reflection of individuality, craftsmanship, adventure, and the freedom to carve your own path.
Words by Riley Hansen @mama._tried
Photos by: Pinky Pancake @pinkypancake
B-side - 2" BDL Belt Drive
WHAT PARTS WERE USED TO BUILD THIS '87 EVO CHOPPER?
Dig this bike, and want to know just what parts were used to build it? You are at the right place, click here to see the parts Riley used to build this bike!
Gasbox Big Twin Full Frame, Lowbrow Frisco Sportster Tank, Stingray Fender, Narrow Rabbit Ears, 10" over 39mm fork tubes and so much more. Lots of great stuff on this build!
RILEY'S 1987 HARLEY BIG TWIN EVO CHOPPER BUILD SPECS
GENERAL:
Owner: Riley Hansen
Year: 1987
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: Evolution Big Twin
Fabrication Time: Riley Hansen - 4 months
S&S 96" Evo Motor
ENGINE:
Year: 1987
Type: S&S case, 96” heads
Size: 96”
Primary: BDL 2” belt drive
Exhaust: Upsweeps - with some “unknown” cocktail shakers found at a swap meet.
Carburetor: CV-40
Air cleaner: Gasbox 007 stainless air cleaner
Gasbox 3" Up Big Twin Rigid Full Frame.
FRAME:
Gasbox 3" Up Big Twin Rigid Full Frame - Frisco Mount, 5 speed version
Rake/ stretch: 32 Degree - 3" up
39mm - 10 over front end.
FRONT END:
39mm narrow triple trees with 10 over fork tubes and shaved fork lowers.
Front Wheel: 21" MidUSA wheel with Avon Speed Master Tire.
Rear Wheel: 16" MidUSA wheel with Shinko Super Classic 270 Tire.
WHEELS:
MID-USA 21” front Sportster Spoked Wheel with an Avon Speed Master 21" Tire
Mid-USA 16” rear Spoked Wheel with a Shinko Super Classic 270 tire 5.00-16 72H
Classy Flame Job on the tins by Paul Nieminen
FINSHED PAINT:
Painted by: Paul Nieminen @paulywoood “fender, oil bag, gas tank “
Powder Coat: Cory Harrison @garage_powder, powder coated “ sissy bar “
Polishing: myself
A look through the sissy bar to find, Narrow rabbit ears, Classic grips and a Pangea Speed 851 Mirror.
ACCESSORIES:
Rear fender- Lowbrow Customs - Stingray 6" ribbed fender
Gas tank- Lowbrow Customs - 2.1 Gallon Frisco Sportster gas tank
Handlebars- Lowbrow Customs - Narrow Rabbit Ears Smooth
Grips- Lowbrow Customs - Classic grips
Mirror- Pangea Speed 851 mirror chrome
Hand controls- Kustom Tech - Classic 1" Clutch lever
Foot controls- Prism Supply - Slingshot Hydraulic Brake Pedal Kit
Shifter setup - Sancho Cycles custom mid shifter assembly
Headlight- Internet special motorcycle triangle LED headlight
Taillight- Cycle Standard - Cat Eye tail light
License mount- made myself
Seat - seat pan made myself, upholstered by my father “Joe Hansen”
Highway bar with modified highway pegs.
Custom parts I made- sissy bar, seat pan, highway bar, license plate mount, “fabricated tabs to make Dyna foot pegs work
MORE PHOTOS OF RILEY'S 1987 EVO BIG TWIN CHOPPER
Riley with his 1987 Harley-Davidson Chop
Little bling never hurt no body.
Gasbox 007 air cleaner.
Assuming Riley's Dad, Joe wanted to model next to his upholstery work.
2" belt drive, and check out that shift linkage.
Bikes got that good lean to it.
Fuel Filter, Coil, Orange plug wires, Gasbox Strong Arm Top Motor Mount.
Good lookin' front end.
These cocktail shakers from the swap meet really makes these pipes pop.
Cat eye tail light with some desert flowers.
Gasbox CV choke knob relocation bracket.
96 Cubic Inches of glory!
B-side motor shot.
LED
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