For those of you who don't know (or maybe didn't get the memo), Texas is one big state. About the only thing larger than the state itself is the size of a Texan's pride. They like big steaks, big hats, and, as the rally scene in Texas can attest to, big-time bikes. Each year, bike rallies in Texas draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to see the latest and greatest the Lone Star state has to offer.
Kent Weeks, aka "The Devil," owner of Lucky Devil Custom Cycles as well as Lucky Devil Metal Works, located in balmy Houston, loves the challenge of the grand stage Texans have come to expect. He makes and builds just about anything made of metal for all varieties of American bikes, as well as classic British iron. His love for the art of metal and motorcycles and the state he calls home can be seen in the fine one-off custom pictured here.
Dubbed the "Texas Fireball," clad in oh-so-devilish red metalflake paint, this bike was assembled in a mere three and a half weeks. Why such a short schedule? For a bike show, of course. The Devil was invited to participate in the Lone Star Biker Bash with other industry notables, going head to head in the Pro One-Off motorcycle class. He had to get the bike rolling fast, so he started with a frame that he built from scratch. The long and spacious rigid cradles the 96-inch S&S motor while allowing lots of light to pass through the open spaces. The area behind the seatpost, where the EVO-style transmission is contained, is nearly as large as the motor compartment. All of this space allows components such as the round oil tank to be positioned low and uncluttered. The space also aids in lowering the seat height, as there's nothing necessitating it being perched high above the backbone. Combined with the 45-degree neck rake and the 16-inch-over extended forks, this is one long and mean machine. The gas tank is molded to the frame and contains a tunnel for the throttle cable to pass through before entering the S&S carb.
As a salute to the state he loves, the Devil created shapes resembling the outline of Texas all over the bike. The single downtube of the frame contains waterjetted "Texas" shapes, with numerous other parts of the bike also containing the Lone Star motif. Highlights of this include the grips, footpegs, and foot controls, as well as the sprocket, brake rotors, and seat.
All in all, Texas Fireball received rave reviews from the attendees at the show, garnering much attention for all of the proud Texas symbols contained on the bike. Unfortunately, the Devil didn't win this particular show, but we know he'll be back with a vengeance.