THE STORY BEHIND ALEX PI'S RATIONAL SPORTSTER CHOPPER
I’ve always wanted to build a chopper by myself, not a show bike, but a motorcycle I could ride. I've always been fascinated by the culture and music of the west coast 60s, but when I started thinking about my project I realized the bike had also to be rational and smart. And these feelings belong to Japan.
So I followed the path of simplicity, without exceeding trying to walk between psychedelia and efficiency. But being Italian, I couldn't resist and had to contaminate the recipe: I grew up in Venice where glass is a timeless art.
I thought that somehow this bike should have a bit of my personal history and I managed to create some details with a very special glass effect. Plus my old dad’s bicycle controls.
Photos by: @flashblesst
1997 XL Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster
ALEX PI'S '97 SPORTSTER CHOPPER TECH SHEET
General
Owner: Alex Pi
Year/Make/Model: XL 1200s 1997
Fabrication: Harley Davidson
Build Time: 600 Hours / 2 years
b-side - You could eat of this motor.
Engine
Year/Type/Size: 1200cc heavily tuned - 116 BHP
Carburetor: Mikuni HSR 42
Exhaust: Handmade pipes
Air Cleaner: Handmade velocity stack from solid epoxy (glass effect)
Custom full frame.
Frame
Year/Type: handmade 2021
Rake/Stretch: 32 degrees rake
2 over front end with shaved lowers.
Front End
Type / Brand: HD sportster standard 1999 +2”
21" front wheel. 
Yamaha XS650 drum brake done beautifully.
16" rear wheel.
Wheels
Front Size: 21”
Rear Size: 16”
Those flames doh.
Finish/Paint
Paint by: Alex Pi
Plating/Polishing: full hand polishing and chrome
Powdercoating: n/a
Accessories
Front Fender: none
Rear Fender: handmade
Gas Tank: handmade
Handlebars: Pangea Speed
Grips: Three Miles
Mirrors: Lowbrows
Hand Controls: Ripper Custom
Foot Controls: STD
Headlight: Electroline 54 original
Taillight: Ford Glide
Turn Signals: none
License Mount: custom
Seat: handmade
Pangea Rabbit Ear Handlebars and Lowbrow Customs Mirror.
Custom & Special Details or Accessories:
Vintage Italian bicycle controls to pull air choke and starting motor.
Sandblasted flames on fuel tank under chrome.
Epoxy velocity stack and its mounting both handmade.
Yamaha 1969 XS 650 Front drum brake.
Full aluminum polishing.
Custom Velocity stack and points cover.
MORE PHOTOS AND DETAIL SHOTS
Extremely clean Sportster Chopper. 
Another angle of that custom velocity stack.
"I think everybody should like everybody" - Andy Warhol 
Custom gas cap matches the points and velocity stack.
Pingle Petcock keeping that high flow.
Really neat custom shifter knob.
Moons primary cover.
Sissybar to the sky!
Electroline headlight.
Open plug wires for that classy but shocky vibe.
Gas tank has a killer shape.
B-side looking just as good as the A-side.
Shiny oil tank!
Got Gas?
Choke on, ignition on, lets ride.
stylin...
1997 Sporty Chop.
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