Bare Naked Chopper

Very representative of the custom chopper style that Paul Wideman at Bare Knuckle Choppers is building for his clients, “Incognegro” is as naked as possible, re-employing the best of Harley-Davidson of the mid-sixties, then using proprietary parts from the shop, a few from the best in the business, and assembling them around a one-off bodywork. Except the tires from Metzeler (German) all parts made in the USA, because like Paul will tell you “If you want cheap & foreign, go somewhere else”. Tech sheet after the jump. (photography copyright Onno Wieringa for AMD World Championship, courtesy to Cyril Huze) 

Business: Bare Knuckle Choppers
Hawk Point, MO. USA
Bike Name Incognegro
Builders Name Paul Wideman
Owner Russ Niedwick
Year / Model 1966
Engine Make / Size HD 84″
Frame Make / Type Bare Knuckle Choppers Hell Climber
Frame Geometry: 30-degree rake, no stretch.
Front End: Bare Knuckle Choppers NOS Springer
Drivetrain: Baker 4-speed, Rivera Pro, Bare Knuckle Suicide Chain
Wheel (Front): Bare Knuckle Choppers/Warren JR spool 21″
Wheel (Rear]: Bare Knuckle Choppers 18″
Tire (Front): Metzeler
Tyres [Rear] Metzeler
Brakes [Front] n/a
Brakes [Rear] HD Drum
Painter Robert Pradke
Chroming / Plating Here and there
Additional Info:
One-off Bare Knuckle Choppers tank, stainless steel exhaust pipes, mid controls, 1145 rocker boxes, Deth Star oil tank, 12 gauge fender, mid controls. Lock Baker Seat, Stripped Down Cycles built fully polished 84″ motor. Huge thanks to Russ Niedwick for the build, Robert Pradke for the top notch paint work, Grimey for the bulletproof engine.

28 Responses to “Bare Naked Chopper”


  1. 1 Ray Dec 24th, 2012 at 10:05 am

    Awesome. Except the color…

  2. 2 Trail Boss Dec 24th, 2012 at 11:55 am

    I must say that Bare Knuckle Choppers’ bikes have to be my personal favorite and this one is no exception!

  3. 3 max frisson Dec 24th, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    So what are you going to do with a nearly brakeless, excessively noisy and unstreetable in most jurisdictions bike? One fine looking paperweight.

  4. 4 Brescia Dec 24th, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    Max. Go for a ride with your HOG chapter.

  5. 5 Shifter Dec 24th, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    Like it.

  6. 6 P. Henry Dec 24th, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    Great details all over.

  7. 7 James Guerini Dec 24th, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    Now, Paul Wideman needs to renew somewhat his style because there are too many chops like that.

  8. 8 BC in SoCal Dec 24th, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    Nice bike! I wonder if any of these new old school builders even know what a jockey lid is much less how to ride one? But would not advise it on this bike with an open (chain) primary, still very cool bike

  9. 9 Eric Maurer Dec 24th, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    beautiful….. and who cares about noise, jurisdictions, etc…. that is what choppers are all about. Build it, ride it, smile, repeat. When you get pulled over, odds are the cop is going spend more time checking out the bike then looking for a ticket to write.

  10. 10 Roadside Marty Dec 24th, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Hey BC in SoCal,if there’s one so called “new old school builder” who really knows older bikes and parts it’s Paul Wideman!

  11. 11 chaos cycle Dec 24th, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    and there i was thinking that no ass clown could possibly come up with something negative about this bike, i guess i uderestimated how many ra-tards there are out there. sweet ass bike, my only surprise is why has it taken this long to be showcased here.

  12. 12 TodT Dec 24th, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    There is no question that this is a thing of beauty………..

  13. 13 JC Dec 24th, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Please park this paper weight in my garage so I can ride the shit out of chasing that piece of paper blowing down the street. Great job Paul.
    JC

  14. 14 BadMonkeyMW Dec 24th, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    Max, there is an old ladies bridge club just dying for you to become a member of. You don’t get it pal.

    This bike, just like the rest Paul builds, is top shelf.

  15. 15 ItsMePaul Dec 24th, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    Artwork.
    Not practical.
    Wish you would start featuring real bike builds.
    You know the bikes you actaully ride and cool looking at the same time.
    That’s unless your going into this direction. In which case I’ll get tired clicking to this site
    and move on.

  16. 16 ROGUE Dec 25th, 2012 at 9:21 am

    A Ass For Every Seat. If this motorcycle style fits you fine and if not that is okay too. That is the reason there are so many different style motorcycles.
    More important is the Quality Parts and Workmanship that has gone into this motorcycle. It was built for a customer and I am sure he is happy with it and That Is All That Counts.
    The customer can rest assured that it was built by Craftsmen using the best parts and the fact that all of them except the tires were built in the USA which says much for all involved.
    My personal opinion is that Paul and Bare Knuckle Choppers are one of the Great Companies building this style of motorcycle.
    Nice Job and please keep them coming.
    ROGUE

  17. 17 Dennis P Farley Dec 25th, 2012 at 9:27 am

    There seem to be quite a lot of “Builders” putting these “Retro-Choppers” hardtails together, so I guess someone is buying them. I just think it wouldn’t be my choice of a ride, especially if you actually go anywhere more than about five miles from home. I rarely see these kind of bikes on the street, only at shows.

  18. 18 Tom Keefer/Franklin Church Choppers Dec 25th, 2012 at 9:51 am

    Great bike from a great builder, I build and ride the shit out of this style of bike, for all you negatives out there stay on your bagger glide and keep paying your Hog Chapter dues!

  19. 19 Chessie Dec 25th, 2012 at 10:53 am

    No one can say it any better Rogue.
    It’s the craftsmanship of the entire unit that is up for admiration. Quality and pride is highly evident in this AMERICAN designed and built machine. From the Chrome shop to the machine-shop, to the VERY caring guy turning the wrenches on this beauty (I must not forget to mention the concept designer), it screams out it’s worth for admiration, built for a demanding client, and should be accepted as a first class machine built with pride.

  20. 20 ROGUE Dec 25th, 2012 at 12:57 pm

    I do not know where some of the people that are commenting are from, how much they ride or their choice of motorcycles.
    But just for the record I do see a lot of these motorcycles and have ridden many miles with people riding them.
    NUFF SAID!

  21. 21 Jeff Cochran/SPEEDKING Dec 25th, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    I think sometimes it makes people feel better about there thing they have going if they are negative about yours. Kinda sad when you think about it. Great job Paul hope you have a great safe holidays.

  22. 22 Dan Udy Dec 25th, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    The amount of fabrication on this bike unbelievable, some people don’t realize true craftmanship when they see it. Awesome bike Paul!

  23. 23 BobS Dec 25th, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    I think some of you guys misunderstand the criticism. The bike looks awesome. If you want to ride a hard tail that has exhaust pipes getting blocked by your own ass cheeks more power to ya. A least what I think the criticism is about is there are a lot out there that love the look, we want the craftsmanship and build quality and the style, but isn’t there a builder out there who can do it with a suspension and decent exhaust? (Rhetorical question, I already know there is.)

  24. 24 Zipper Dec 25th, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    Bet it stops and handles well. ..Z

  25. 25 Dan C Dec 26th, 2012 at 2:34 am

    Anyone notice the unique single down tube that runs all the way back to the riser… Beautiful piece of iron art that I’d ride till the wheels fell off. Great job Paul.

  26. 26 Paul Dec 26th, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    Thanks to Cyril for the write up! And thanks to all those that get it.

    For the rest, well, have your opinion. I didn’t build that bike for you, so your opinion matters not. I’m no artist, and never claimed nor aspired to be. I build what I like, and if I’m lucky enough to get a customer or two every year, I am more than pleased. I am thankful for those that get it and come to us. I’m not going to rag on what you guys think is a cool bike. We ride the piss out of our bikes. Ask Gary from Evil Engineering or Bill from Bling’s or Chris from Cycle Source how easy it is to keep up with my 60+ year old bike. They’ll tell you it’s no paperweight.

    Again, thanks to Cyril and the folks that appreciate our craft.

  27. 27 Russ Dec 26th, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    To each their own, quit your bitching and go ride!
    You all sound like a bunch of women discussing the color of the new neighbors shoes!
    FTW hahahahaha

  28. 28 burnout Dec 27th, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    If one has never built or set up a bike frame then the amount of skill and work involved is lost on you. Paul I beg to differ when you state you are not a artist. The stance on this bike is perfect. THAT is harder to get right than most people can ever understand. The lines of this bike are indeed art. I would ride the wheels off this thing. NICE RIDE! peace

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Cyril Huze