If you want a custom builder who keeps it looking very simple and work very, very hard at it – because it’s the most challenging task to be accomplished – Bill Dodge name from Bling’s Cycles is evidently in your top list. If you love as much as him Knuckles, Pans and Shovels turned into choppers, he will talk to you. And if you become one of his friends, he will build yours as he does one of his personal bikes: among other things, clean, solid, with no performance compromise.
As an introduction to his new creation, Bill told me that his client Luis Rodriguez – known as Wicho from Wicho Films – and that he calls affectionately “The Redneck Puerto Rican”, is one of his best buddies with who he shares the same passion for life. And that for this reason this project was a pretty easy one all along the sometime fastidious process.
Wicho is an excellent photographer/videographer based in Ormond Beach, FL who prides himself in providing work with the highest level of expertise and of details. Same for Dodge. Pushing each other to their best, with respect, and never interfering with their respective personal technical qualifications is always the recipe for a great collaboration. In this case, the result is this beautiful 1950 Panhead chopper.
Each time I interview Bill Dodge about one of his new creations, I know that the tech sheet I am going to publish is going to be very short…because too long of parts he created himself, cut, hammered, massaged, welded and even polished. Way too many pieces to list. Just look attentively to the pictures. So, it’s much easier for me to mention the few parts he didn’t make, some basic parts where he got help and a few dimensions for those inclined to get inspiration.
The venerable 1950 Harley Panhead motor and 4-speed tranny were rebuilt by DC Choppers in Austin, Texas (Dan “Bacon” Carr). They are cradled in a Bling’s Cycles rigid frame. Motor is now fitted with a Dual Mikuni carburetor. In the front Bling’s Cycles 6-degree rake triple tree. Front Fork legs were modified. Bling’s Cycles spoke wheels, 21 x 1.60” front wrapped in Speedmaster rubber. Dodge’s biggest headache on this built was to modify and fit the rear Sportster wheel. Seat by Bare Bones Choppers. Molding and paint by Chad Chambers and Willie.
Bill Dodge wished that I mention that he started this project just after his friend New Jersey artist Richie Pan (Richard Panarra) and a friend were killed walking, hit by a car, while attending a “Smoke Out” motorcycle event.
Richie was on Bill’s mind all along the build, and it’s the reason of the logo PAN painted under the rear fender. Bling’s Cycles. (photography Horst Roesler for Cyril Huze)
As always, great job by Dodge.
Not a fan of purple painted motorcycles, but great work.
Very Dodge!
I want it in silver or black.
B. Dodge likes to ride with one hand. Well built Pan.
Dino. The other hand is shifting.
Great bike.
Another AWESOME build from BC, Daytona Beach – Build by a very special guy for a very
special guy! See you soon!
100% cooler than the goofy looking 30″ wheeled bag-wagons and wide-tire tired “customs” that are usually propped up on this site
Nice, super clean with great lines. I’m a sucker for a color-matched frame. Is that a pull-chain of some sort dangling from the left side of the oil tank by the chain?
That’s my boy. I’m so proud of him..love you baby boy
Not a great name for a custom bike, but a great bike.
I like everything except the 2 pipes so far away from each other.
Maybe I’ve just not noticed before…mixing the cast wheel with the spoked wheel seems odd.
Very clean, very well detailed. But I wonder about the throttle cable hanging so loose. Flapping in the wind at high speed?
So awesome. Bill Dodge always builds great bikes.
Fantastic bike. I think the swoopy throttle cable is a fashion thing. Are those really 6 degree trees? The fork tubes and frame neck appear to be perfectly in line with each other.
WOW what a surprise! The best part of this bike is that I will ride it with Bill’s soul and spirit on it for the rest of my life and I’m so humbly happy to be one of his brothers. Bill is the best in taking someones personality ans convert that to metal that rides just perfect! This motorcycle is my metal twin,, is me 100% and the name is just perfect. I will never forget when he came to tell me he wanted go with duel carbs and i loved the idea and then he said ” well Wicho my brother we need to cut the heads,” and wow in my opinion the best engineering work configuration i ever ride on a Pan head with straight fuel feed to the pistons, no intake manifold ! All I got to said is much respect and love for Bill Dodge.
I am a little bit bothered by the rear wheel not matching the front. Pb of budget? So it’s only a 9.5 out of 10. Lol.
I would like to see what Bill Dodge would do with a Harley Bagger. Convince me and I will give you one to custom build.
Funny, mixed rims are usually huge “yuck” thing with me, but I was so busy ogling the rest of the bike that I never even noticed until it was pointed out in the comments. Probably why so many 70’s & 80’s budget builds used Comstar wheels.
Yeah, if ya go with a spoked front, it prolly needs a spoked rear.
PURPLE PAN – luv it.
Good to see a ducktail hardtail for a change – not the ubiquitous tail-way-up stance on a FL type frame.
Great lookin’ run around bike !!!
Well Done !!
This bike is perfection. Period! Why? Because it was tailor built for Wicho. The details are unbelievable and this bike was a labor of true brotherhood and friendship. Both of these gentlemen are at the top of my list of people I love and feel honored to call my brothers. Congrats Wicho on an awesome machine with more soul than most could ever hope to have or appreciate. Bill D your work is ALWAYS BADASS and you are at the top of your game congrats on another masterpiece!
L&R
R.LLANES
Outstanding!!
Nils and Ray Llanes,, wow this is just an amazing felling to read this post and how especial u all make me feel , Bill is a genuine badass man and we all are connected on our souls like brothers! cant wait to see u all and go ride with Bill Thanks
Purple is a hard color to nail and applied to the right bike. 100% spot on here. Refreshing.
-Yes- Throttle cable “in the breeze” was how many of the handle bar conversion ended up. Not really problem except when parking in close quarters…. 🙂
-nicker-
Long live Richie PAN ….my heart still aches ….
There was a time when the question “is that you?” meant “is that a reflection of your skill & capabilities?”…….
-nicker-
impressive work on heads to turn intake manifolds 90 degrees
I saw this bike at the Tropical Tattoo Bike Show during Biketoberfest and it was GREAT
Just WOW!
I get the look….he may miss that front brake on sudden stops…
Beautiful Tribute Bike.
I like it and the owner, Wicho, likes it and surely Bill likes it. All my builds (I doubt anyone here will ever see them) are done as a memorial/tribute to someone in my life. Past or present. I ‘GET’ it Mr Dodge and congrats on a super cool build!! This bike was well thought out. peace
Mack- we all miss richie. and we always will. kudos to bill and wicho for including the Pan tribute.
Awesome and inspired work!
Woody’s that is the ON / OFF switch , and burnout for me is the perfect bike!!! Thanks