| Custom
MOTORCYCLES ARE INTENDED to make a statement, and the Cosmic
Warrior is no exception. Motorcycle industry veteran
Allan Jaggard commissioned the bike as a study in the
process of creating an aftermarket kit-bike and as an outlet
for his interest in the metaphysical realm.
Despite the obvious Harley-Davidson design origin of the
bike, only a minority of the components came from the
Milwaukee factory, showing it's easy to build a custom H-D
replica with no original parts at all.
The Paughco frame forms the basis of the
bike-in-a-box kit sold by his employer, Tucker Rocky/Biker's
Choice. Of the five designs available, Jaggard chose
the Warrior model with a Softail-style frame layout.
Assembly and fabrication chores were done by Stylemaster
Custom Motorcycle in Mississauga, Ont., which also handled
some of the paint work.
Its 1,640 cc engine is an S&S product,
and since these photos were taken has been replaced by
another with its cylinder fins milled in a hexagonal pattern
and polished. The carburetor is also by S&S
Harley supplied the nosecone/timing cover as well as side
and top covers for the Nempco transmission and a larger belt
pulley for the final drive. Not much else is of H-D
origin.
The kit's standard 21-inch front wheel
was changed for a 19-incher to enhance the low look and shod
with Dunlop tires. The original front fork was also
upgraded to a fully adjustable 46 mm Paioli.
The frame and tanks were moulded to
smooth all contours, and received base coats of a
light-sensitive PPG blue/black paint. The bodywork was
turned over to a pair of airbrush artists for the special
effects. Terry Collins applied the graphics depicting
the entire solar system, while Ron Gibbs was responsible for
the murals on the air-filter cover and the dash panel.
The figure depicted on the dash panel
is a yoga master named Sir George King, whose teachings
Jaggard studied for nearly 30 years until King's death in
1997. The painting is reproduced from a photograph
taken on a mountain top in Australia, while the solar-system
images were taken from Hubble telescope photos. "The
painters found it probably the most interesting experience
they'd had," Jaggard says. "It came out even better than I
thought it would." In keeping with the ethereal theme, a
personalized license plate now reads "COSMC."
Jaggard, whose background was in
motocross, also has a Silver Jubilee Triumph Bonneville for
shows and a Ducati 748 for track days. The Cosmic
Warrior is his first experience in the H-D milieu. "I
want to get deeper into it," he says. "I
can see how you can get caught up in this whole cruiser
thing.
"When I started riding it I thought it
was great. With the 1,600 cc thunder and power and
everything so low to the ground, why wouldn't you like it?" |
