Reece Zylstra’s 1955 FL Shovel/Pan
When we last left our hero Reece Zylstra, a lead from a meth head at a garage sale led to a shady doublewide occupied by an old troll hawking a `92 Softail which Reece parleyed into a rigid Evo chopper. For as much as that sounds like a season of True Detective, it didn’t end like one; as far as we know everyone involved is still alive and well.
Rather than just spewing back the technical aspects of this cool rigid chopper at you, I’m going to let you read what Reece’s friend Dustin “Thommy” Themm has to say about Zylstra and this bike.
His next adventure in chopping is this 1955 FL shovel/pan.
Photos: Nick Amrhein
Reece has been a good friend of mine for over a decade now and his outlook on things is one that’s always been fascinating. I’ve been on several motorcycle trips with him over the course of our friendship, most of which are the ones I consider to be the most memorable and fun. His carefree “no bullshit” view of things spills over into every corner of his being. I’ve ridden next to him under the beautiful fall sun, torrential downpours, tornado winds, and the ever-occasional dim lit night skies. No matter the circumstance it’s always the same unbothered mentality with him.
Man & machine.
Photos: Nick Amrhein
When Reece was younger he did a spell traveling around the country via train cars and experienced a lot within the various corners of the USA. I believe from that he took away a lot of things that he still holds a good amount of value in today, making him the person that he is.
Boris Vallejo art on the tank
Photos: Nick Amrhein
The breezy tone that surrounds him also gives way to the types of bike I’ve always seen him build. The main focus on each one has always been on performance, yet still holding on to nice, clean, and functional design aspects throughout the bike. This chopper holds true to all of the above. When you can look at a bike and it simply emits speed, that’s always a good thing. The motorcycle seen here looks like a blast to ride and it surely doesn’t shy away from holding its own to the constant flogging it sees. Reece hit the nail on the head with this one and he used a big f**king sledge hammer to do so.
New Church Moto’s seat wizardry
Photos: Nick Amrhein
At 95 cubic inches and chock full o’ S&S parts, it’s a tad more powerful than when the original motor(s) rolled out of the factory circa back in the day.
Photos: Nick Amrhein
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Reece Zylstra |
| Shop | Zylstra Choppers (ZC) |
| Shop Phone | (616) 780-0340IG |
| Website | @reece.zylstra |
| Year/Make/Model | 1955 Harley-Davidson FL |
| Fabrication | ZC |
| Build Time | 8 months |
| Engine | |
| Year/Type/Size | 1955 Shovelhead 95 cu in |
| Builder | Reece Zylstra/Rudy Plant |
| Cases | Delkron |
| Carb | Lectron |
| Exhaust | Zylstra Choppers Drags |
| Transmission | |
| Year/Type | 1958 H-D/Andrews |
| Clutch | Barnett |
| Frame | |
| Year/Type | 2014 Zylstra Choppers Single Loop |
| Rake/Stretch | 30°/None |
| Suspension | |
| Front End | 39mm |
| Length | 6 inches over |
| Triple Trees | 6 inches over courtesy of Forking by Frank |
| Wheels, Tires, and Brakes | |
| Front | |
| Builder/Size | ZC 21-inch |
| Tire/Size | Avon Speedmaster 21-inch |
| Calipers | None |
| Rear | |
| Builder/Size | Sunn 18-inch |
| Tire/Size | Avon 18-inch |
| Caliper | Performance Machine |
| Finish/Paint | |
| Colors | Black |
| Paint/Graphics | JP Rodman/Boris Vallejo |
| Powdercoating | SW Sandblasting |
| Accessories | |
| Front Fender | None |
| Rear Fender | Cooper |
| Gas Tank | ZC |
| Handlebars | ZC |
| Hand Controls | Unknown |
| Foot Controls | Maindrive/Zylstra Choppers |
| Pegs | H-D |
| Headlight | ZC |
| Taillight | After Hours Choppers |
| License Mount | After Hours Choppers |
| Seat | New Church Moto |
