BUILDING A HEAD-TURNING, BIG TWIN EVO CHOPPER OUT OF A 1984 HARLEY SOFTAIL
Back at it again, Son Mai from LNSPLTBLVD picked up a 1984 Harley-Davidson Softail, intent on building a Big Twin Evo chopper using a Gasbox Big Twin Full Frame as the base.
We were happy to be involved with his build and supply him with all the parts he needed for this drastic transformation! As usual, not only does Son make a ton of killer videos showcasing choppers and the surrounding culture, he also builds super clean bikes and does it FAST!
WHAT PARTS WERE USED TO BUILD THIS BIKE?
Son's goal was to utilize everything he could off our website to make a killer Big Twin Evo chopper. Do you think he was successful? We do! You can find all the parts used to build his 1984 Harley Softail Big Twin chopper right here.
LNSPLTBLVD BIG TWIN EVO 9-EPISODE VIDEO BUILD SERIES
You can check out the LNSPLTBLVD Big Twin Evo Chopper YouTube playlist here or watch each of the nine episodes below!
WATCH EPISODE 0
WATCH EPISODE 1
WATCH EPISODE 2
WATCH EPISODE 3
WATCH EPISODE 4
WATCH EPISODE 5
WATCH EPISODE 6
WATCH EPISODE 7
WATCH EPISODE 8
STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE: SON MAI'S EVO BIG TWIN BUILD STORY
Hey everyone, my name is Son Mai, and I’m excited to share my latest creation, a 1984 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Evo chopper.
After parting ways with my last Sportster build, I spent every day scouring Facebook Marketplace for my next project. I knew I wanted to build another Big Twin Evo, but this time, I wanted to go beyond my previous build, which was a simple, black rigid with a 5-speed tranny and upsweep pipes.
My first Harley-Davidson Evo build.
For this new build, I wanted something more eye-catching, and packed with classic 60s-70s chopper vibes, topped off with a springer front end.
I think it took me over a month to find this bike. I'm pretty particular when it comes to buying bikes because, for me, it's always better to start clean and end clean.
The day I picked it up.
A lot of people ask, “Why not just buy a motor and tranny instead of a whole bike if that’s all you’re going to use?” The simple answer is cost and reliability. It’s hard to trust someone when they say, “Ran when parked” or “Ran when I had it on a bike.” I’d rather see the bike as a whole, test-ride it, and make sure everything checks out before buying.
Financially, it also makes way more sense. Anything I don’t use, I sell to recoup my costs. For example, I bought this bike for $3,500, and after selling off everything except the motor and transmission, my total cost came down to just $2,000.
Stock, stock and more stock
I don’t see it as destroying a bike, I’m keeping its heart and soul while also helping other bikes get back on the road with the parts I sell. To me, it’s a win-win.
I found the bike in Livermore, about 30 miles from where I live. The previous owner was preparing to move to Texas and couldn’t take it with him. The electric start wasn’t working, so we had to rely on the kickstart, and after about 20 kicks, it came to life. After giving it a thorough once-over, I handed him the cash and brought it home.
Pretty damn clean, but I'm not feeling bad about chopping it up.
I always make sure to take before photos of every bike I own—it’s always satisfying to look back and see the transformation unfold.
For this build, I’m teaming up with Lowbrow Customs and Gasbox. Jesse from Gasbox recently released their newest Big Twin rigid frames, and I’ll be using one for this project. I went with the standard specs version, keeping things classic.
Gasbox full Frame Standard neck height Frisco Mount 4 Speed Transmission
Before long, parts started rolling in, it felt like Christmas every time the delivery guy showed up.
Mid-usa Antique Springer, 21" Lowbrow Spool Hub Wheel and HardDrive 18"
One of my favorite stages in a build is mocking up the parts, it’s when your vision starts taking shape. If something doesn’t look right, you can tweak and modify it before moving forward.
Mock up stage.
For example, the sissy bar on this build was too short, so I extended it by 14 inches and added a few custom design touches to make it my own.
New sissy bar fabbed up.
Choosing a color for a build is always a stressful process for me. It needs to stand out without overpowering the design or taking attention away from the details.
I spent about three days debating my options, diving into magazines and online forums to make sure the color I had in mind would flow well with the bike. In the end, I went with a custom-mixed gold by my friend Mikey (@bandits_mikey)—and it was the perfect choice.
GOLD!
Mikey nailed the bodywork—clean, smooth, and exactly how I envisioned it.
Beautiful rich color.
This color changes in the light.
As soon as Mikey dropped off the tins and frame, I spent the entire next day assembling everything, I just couldn’t wait to see it all come together.
Really excited how its coming together.
There’s still a solid to-do list before it’s road-worthy, but the goal is to have it finished in the next two weeks. Once it’s alive and roaring, I’ll drop an updated video, stay tuned!
Big thanks to Lowbrow Customs and Gasbox for making this build possible, I appreciate you!
B-side, of the progress on the build.
Words, Photos, and Video by: Son Mai
LNSPLTBLVD'S 1984 HARLEY-DAVIDSON EVO TECH SHEET
Getting ever closer to being complete.
General:
Owner: Son Mai
Year/Make/Model: 1984 Harley Davidson Softail
Fabrication: Myself
Build Time: 5 months
First year of the EVO - 1984
Engine:
Year/Type/Size: 1984 Big Twin 1340cc (82 cubic inch)
Carburetor: S&S Super E
Exhaust: V-Factor DIY 1 3/4” Builder Exhaust Kit
Air Cleaner: Oldstf Bee Blocker
Gasbox Full Frame. Standard Height, 4 speed Transmission, Frisco mounted options.
Frame:
Year/Type: The Gasbox Big Twin Rigid Frame
Rake/Stretch: 32 Degrees, Standard 1” neck rise
4 over Mid-USA Antique Springer
Front End:
Type / Brand: Mid-USA Springer +4 inch over length
18" rear / 21" Front
Wheels:
Front Size: Lowbrow Customs 21” x 1.85” ribbed spool hub wheel
Rear Size: HardDrive 18” x 3.5” 40 spokes with 3/4” bearings.
Such a nice color contrast.
Finish/Paint:
Paint by: Mikey @bandits_mikey
Plating/Polishing: N/A
Powdercoating: N/A
BDL Belt Drive / open primary.
Accessories:
Front Fender: N/A
Rear Fender: Cycle Standard Ribbed 5” width
Gas Tank: Lowbrow Customs King P-Nut 2.4 Gallon Gas Tank
Handlebars: Prism Supply Hurricane bars 10”
Grips: LNSPLT Seigaiha Grips
Mirrors: N/A
Hand Controls: Kustom Tech Deluxe 1” Clutch Lever, Biltwell Whiskey Throttle
Foot Controls: LNSPLT High Mid Foot controls
Headlight: Cycle standard 4.5” Headlight
Taillight: Prism Supply Box Chopper Tail light
Turn Signals: N/A
License Mount: Prism Supply Weld on License Plate
Seat: Sully’s Customs Solo Seat, Horizontal Pleat for rigid frame
LNSPLTBLVD
Related Products
