Purple Haze: A Chopper Profile
Though first purchased by Michael Bailey in 1974, it was more than 20 years before his 1955 Harley-Davidson would get the chopper treatment. Instead of hiring the work out, he took on the task himself -- which resulted in a two-year build time for the Purple Haze chopper.
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A stretched Atlas hardtail frame was substituted for the original, providing a leaner look and more-radical profile. Girder forks replaced the heavy Hydra-Glide telescopics, and modern wheels and brakes were fitted at each end.
Displacement of the original Panhead V-twin remains at 74 cubic inches, but many parts have been replaced with modern, high-performance substitutes. The "Who's Who" list of internal hardware includes a Sifton cam, STD heads, S&S crank, and Wiseco pistons. A single SU carburetor tends the fuel mixture, which is lit by a Mallory ignition.
To complete his first project bike, Michael applied blue-to-red chameleon paint to every square inch of steel. A Harley-Davidson logo dresses the fuel tank, and a layer of chrome dresses the oil tank and forks. It may have taken two decades for Michael to convert his old Harley into a stunning chopper, but judging from the outcome, it was worth the wait.
Go to the next page for more details and pictures of this Harley-Davidson-powered chopper, the Purple Haze.
For more information on custom choppers and motorcycles, see:- Chopper Profiles
- How Choppers Work
- How Motorcycles Work
- Classic Motorcycle Profiles
- Year: 1996
- Builder: Michael Bailey
- Class: Special Construction
- Owner: Michael Bailey
- Model: Purple Haze
- Frame: Atlas, 6 up, 2 out
- Forks: Durfee girder, 15 inches over
- Rake: 43 degrees
- Rear susp.: Hardtail
- Front wheel: Kennedy, 21-inch
- Front brake: Performance Machine, dual disc
- Rear wheel: Performance Machine, 16-inch
- Rear tire: 160 mm
- Rear brake: Performance Machine, disc
- Engine: 74-cubic-inch Harley-Davidson
- Exhaust: Michael Bailey
- Trans.: Harley-Davidson, 4-speed
- Paint by: Gordon Sipes
Purple Haze Chopper Pictures
Purple Haze was originally a 1955 Harley-Davidson before owner Michael Bailey gave it the chopper treatment. See pictures and details of this powerful machine below.
The Purple Haze chopper sports a chrome-plated SU carburetor and custom pipes bent by the builder.
Old-style girder forks add an unusual look to the front end of the Purple Haze chopper.
An old-style Harley logo adds a vintage touch to the chopper's fuel tank.
For more information on custom choppers and motorcycles, see:- Chopper Profiles
- How Choppers Work
- How Motorcycles Work
- Classic Motorcycle Profiles