Ironhead Ron's Born (Free) Again XLCH

This story is much like the tale of the mythical Phoenix and it's ability to be reborn from its own ashes.


Ron pays tribute to his new incentive. A fitting coincidence since the colors of the bike match the Born-Free logo.

Ironhead Ron built this '58 XLCH several years ago (in this basic form), but dumped it while goofing around off road. Later, he took it's heart, and around it built a rigid frame blaster that ended it's riding days in a much worst fate. The kind of episode in which one wakes up in a hospital with many months of rehabilitation to look forward to.

Not your typical Harley's set of bars. Ron has no qualms about borrowing from other sources.

Once well enough to turn a wrench, Ron returned to building 3 of his other bikes. He hated the reminder, so the wrecked '58 rigid sat at one side of the garage under a blanket for about 3 years. The original damaged swing arm roller sat at the other side.


Maybe we should call him Socket Head Ron. He definitely has a thing for Allen head bolts

Since three other projects were in the works, he figured one day he would throw the engine back into swinger and sell it to help fund the other projects. Then, two things happened. 1. Ron can't just throw a bike back together without a ton of additional mods. 2. Born-Free 4 became a great incentive to get it done.


It's hammer time!


Cool oil filter (pun intended). Did I mention Ron likes Socket Heads?


Ron likes to file, shave and detail every inch of his machines. Note the socket head axle and drilled axle spacer.


It's an easy bet scenes like this are taking place in numerous garages (in the wee hours of the night), right up to show time.


The Mythical Phoenix

For Ron, Born Free 4 represents a double rebirth. Sort of a coming out celebration of man and machine, since both haven't seen the wind for 3 years.

Chopping Then and Now

Lance sent this picture of his uncle from the glory days of chop 'in.

It's a really nice home grown chop and swing arm chops are harder to do. Note the lowered shock mount on the swing arm. All work including the paint was done by his Uncle. Lance says it from the late 60's but from the looks of several things (like the bobbed shirt), I d guess it's more likely from around 1970-72.


I guess it's in the family blood. Lance has his own plans and says he'll build a Buzzard/David Mann inspired bike with this recent find.

This Month's Header Born-Free 4

For many of us M/C types, the month of JUNE has come to mean one thing above all else, BORN-FREE!

Born-Free math: 2+2=4. Since 2 69'ers (1 stock and 1 chopped), are to be given away, this seemed appropriate.

If for some freaking reason you have no idea what I'm talking about, click here: http://bornfreeshow.blogspot.com

The reason for this latest of late all time headers: I was out of town the entire month of May and the first part of June. I kept the blog going by posting a few ready made drafts from a remote location but, could not create a new header for June until now.

Black Bear Now

Here's how Black Bear sits today. It's had various dodads added since the time Joe owned it. It really just needs some TLC and tweeks to get back on the road. Needs some of those dodads removed too.

Could use a better fitting seat.


That tank panel has to go!