There are 3 types of builders, the pros building for clients, the semi-pros building for friends and all the individuals building for themselves with no other purpose than riding what they created with their hands, although some outside help is always welcomed… Jack Deagazio belongs to this last category. I have known him for many years, even sharing lodging with him during big rallies. Always riding the hell out of his bikes with wife Lynn in the back, never missing a piece of the action, obsessively inspecting new parts from vendors all day long, visiting swap meets, just taking one day off to judge custom bikes in Rat’s Hole Shows where he is a Chief Judge, and at night hanging out with some pro builders… and telling me about the evolution of his new project.
Two years that I hear about “Evil Or Sacred”, a project that required so much time on the lift because Jack has very little spare time available, being most of the week traveling as a Project Superintendent for a large bridge contractor. Also because cool parts at bargain prices can take time to be discovered. Although this project started as a 50’s Bobber intended to be painted black with gold accents, it turned progressively into the 70’s style Chopper you see here. The reason was not only a mood change, but an old Biltwell helmet painted in matt copper with gold leaf pinstriping that his wife offered him. Jack loved so much this helmet that Tom Feher of Syracuse Customs, already chosen to provide some fabrication help and the final paint job, agreed that it had to inspire the build. A case of a bike built to match the helmet… instead of the opposite! Why not?
“Evil Or Sacred” uses as main components a Paughco Wishbone rigid frame with a 30-rake, a fully rebuilt 1974 Harley Shovelhead 80″ engine, a RevTech 4-speed tranyy, a narrow 2″ Tech Cycle primary drive, a genuine Harley Springer front end and a pair of 18″ spoke wheels. After basic mockup and driveline alignment, Jack holding 2 DOT welding certifications and a AWS D1.1 D1.5, had no difficulty getting the fabrication job started and correctly done. Tom Feher provided support in making an oil tank from 2 old fire extinguishers that he had laying around his shop, then bent all rigid fuel and oil lines to be later brass plated. Gabe from After Hours Choppers was called to make the gas and oil caps from solid brass. Steve Weinstock from Lillian Rose Choppers chiseled some metal tattoos on the air cleaner. Most of the custom parts have been chosen from vendors belonging to the Limpnickie Lot , a cooperative of Builders (see tech sheet.) Brian O’Hara of B-Man Stripping applied all pinstriping and gold leaf. (photography copyright Lydia Johnson, Johnson Camera, courtesy to Cyril Huze)
Tech Sheet.
Owner/Design: Jack Deagazio. City: East Syracuse NY. Assembly: Tom Feher , Jack Deagazio. Engine: 1974. Model: Shovelhead. Builder: Jack Deagazio. Ignition: Points. Displacement: 80 CI. Cams: Crane. Carburetor: SS-Super E. Air Cleaner: After Hours Choppers. Pipes: Paughco. Primary: 2″ Tech Cycle. Transmission: 2009 RevTech 4-Speed. Frame: Paughco Wishbone. Rake: 30 degree, no stretch. Front End: HD Springer. Wheels: Front Wheel, Size: 130-18 inch. Tire: Soho. Brakes: HD Mechanical. Rear Wheel, Size: 130-18 inch. Brake: HD Mechanical. Painter: Tom Feher Syracuse Customs. Color: Matt Copper. Type: PPG. Brass Plating: Palm Beach Plating. Handlebars: Nash. Handlebar Controls: Kustom Tech. Risers: Paughco. Head Light: HD. Taillight: Crime scene Choppers. Gas Tank: Tom Feher. Rear Fender: Led Sled. Seat: Duane Ballard. Oil Tank; Tom Feher. Pegs: Courthouse Customs. Mirror: Spitfire Customs. Grips: New York City Choppers. Oil Cap-Gas Cap: After Hours Choppers. Seat Pan: Fab Kevin. Special Parts: Low Brow Customs. Metal Tattooing: Steve Weinstock-Lillian Rose Choppers. Molding: Tom Feher Syracuse Customs. Graphics: Brian Ohara, B-Man Stripping.
Special thanks to Anita and Peter Penz of Penz Customs in Austria for the levers and throttle body. To Harley John and Al at AI’s Cycle. To my wife Lynn who put up with me during this build and bought me a lot of the parts…
Very nice almost every day ride.
These throttle, clutch, front brake lines are going to flap a lot in the wind. Deserving internal wiring.
THAT’S what it’s all about. Excellent work! Great design. Everything on the bike seems like it was meant to be together. I love seeing the ‘regular guy’ bikes. The level of ‘hidden talent’ in this country is incredible.
Just enough, not too much to make it rideable.
I predict the Steam Punk look will continue to influence design in a lot of areas for at least the next year or so. Not that I am complaining. This is a beautiful bike!
Looks good Jack!! Cant wait to see it in the spring.
how can you find anything wrong with that .very nice build .love it
simplicity into complex art .dig it
Sweet very Sweet
Thanks cyril, Alot more credit has to be given to Tom Feher of syracuse custom. Tom is a very talented street rod builder and even knowing that this was his first bike i knew he was the person for this project. Tom can be reached at 315-396-9354
Good work. peace
Super clean and classy bike! The style is great and everything flows nicely. The best part is that Jack will be riding the machine he built!
I have known Jack for a long time. He is a person that does things well.Beautiful bike Jack keep up the good work. Tony
Nice rider.
Hard to not like that! Clean lines…well thought out paint. Would prefer a set of Flanders flat track bars but it aint mine. Kudos!
Good looking machine, I have always been a sucker for brass & black
…..only thing I would have done additionally is spray that ugly starter black
Beauty! I love that style!
What can you say? That’s it. My dream ride. Awesome.
Jack you have created a thing of beauty my friend. I would say the nicest ride I have seen on this blog to date.
That’s one of the finest lookin bikes i’ve seen.Rubber grips,blackwalls and a little more seat and i’d call it perfect…………
That is one bad ass looking sled. VERY COOL.
Thank’s Willie, I plan on putting in your show in march
Great work by an individual who rides and built a bike to be ridden. Thanks Cyril for honoring the little guy.
It’s the one I want…in silver, copper and black.
It look s great, I cant wait to see it. Nice job Jack.
Its cool to see a real chopper, I like the Orange, black and yellow colors they blend really nicely. What else is great is all the small details like the airbox, the gold and brass on the motor and all of the gold parts.
I can’t stop looking at this bike!