1966 Harley-Davidson Chopper: Born Free 6 Invited Builder Caleb Owens

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  • Опубликовано: 27 ноя 2024
  • Caleb Owens of Cro Customs near Los Angeles, California shows us his custom build named Uncle Sam that he built for the Born Free 6 show in 2014, which is based on a 1966 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead Electra Glide FLH. Riding video shot with the GoPro Hero 3+.

Комментарии • 418

  • @olddogcitypound5859
    @olddogcitypound5859 6 лет назад +160

    Been riding my Pan chopper almost 50 years now,glad to see some youngsters carrying on our lifestyle the way we really did it.😎

    • @tej1541
      @tej1541 5 лет назад +1

      who knew a 70 yr old man knew how to use youtube

    • @deathbyyamaha3834
      @deathbyyamaha3834 5 лет назад

      i ride a soft tail slim s now but im on the market for a pan to make a chopper out of! some of us are keeping the dream alive buddy. im 24

    • @jamesscherbenske9354
      @jamesscherbenske9354 4 года назад +1

      That's it IAM buying another sporty 1200 hopefully a 90s model or later. But yeah I miss my freedom and noise 💪💪💪💪

    • @mikeysmith3755
      @mikeysmith3755 4 года назад

      o

    • @magnetscoils4774
      @magnetscoils4774 4 года назад +2

      In Africa we need all this

  • @MrBluoct
    @MrBluoct 10 лет назад +49

    Big talent that made room to thank other friends, artists and craftsman that contributed to this sweet chopper.
    Thanks for the video..no gimmicks, no wacky over the top edits, or distracting music - just great detail mixed with a passion for the history and essence of choppers.

  • @albertlarroca1271
    @albertlarroca1271 6 лет назад +33

    One of the most honest clip about choppers in the web.A real cool guy , no a wanna be, "master builder" , love you talking ! Hugs !

  • @dabprod
    @dabprod 9 лет назад +36

    That's the real deal right there. No flash, nothing fancy, just cool to the bone. Old school shit, one of a kind......that's what I like. I started riding in 1958,and still at it. Thanks for posting man.

  • @brandonw675
    @brandonw675 7 лет назад +5

    I just picked up a shovelhead motor and I'm going to be starting my build, which will be the first bike I will have ever owned. Love watching this for inspiration and ideas.

  • @abrahamperez1797
    @abrahamperez1797 9 лет назад +103

    This is my favorite video on RUclips I watch it every once in a while to inspire myself to build bikes when I'm older I can truly say this is the most beautiful bike I've ever seen

    • @themotochannel
      @themotochannel  9 лет назад +15

      Abraham Perez Thanks Abraham. Glad you liked the video and we really appreciate the encouraging words. Caleb occasionally reads through these comments and he'll surely get a kick out of yours!

  • @treborif
    @treborif 5 лет назад +2

    .... really enjoyed this - I'm old and used to buy Chopper magazine from a wee shop in NZ, an electricians shop where they had 45's (records) and LP's - we all loved chops and would sit around talking about king & queen seats and V twins even tho we were kids and barely knew what we were talking about. Then we'd 'chop' our bicycles - kids would bring their bikes to me - chopping the forx in half and 'extending' them by bashing steam pipe on then bashing the fork end into that piece of pipe. My mum taught me upholstery and I'd recover our banana seats and sissy bars in purple vinyl. with maltese cross taillights (stolen) - years and years later I'm now an old amputee (purple CB750, lamppost, pain) with one leg and a whole lot of cool memories.

  • @hultajonas1234
    @hultajonas1234 4 года назад +6

    I just love Choppers and I love this video. The way Caleb Owens talks about his bike in general is just amazing. He´s just so laid back and confident. The way he explains RIDING the bike is even better. Probably one of the last inputs I needed to understand that I need a Chopper to. Got my rigid frame, springer front end Triumph pre-unit a while after I saw this. But I loved choppers since the late 70´s when I first saw them at roadracing events in Sweden. They were not racing but they were in the parking lot.

  • @jansirkia3809
    @jansirkia3809 5 лет назад +3

    A particulary fine example of a pure bred chopper with all the right parts! Amen! Great video!

  • @jonnysl6560
    @jonnysl6560 5 лет назад +2

    I have watched this video several times over time , I keep coming back because it's a Great show and this is where I want to be , a bike like Caleb's .
    I went out a week ago and bought a 81' WG just to get closer to my goal , I am a Life-long biker 60 years on bikes Saved the best for last

  • @dannydavis7332
    @dannydavis7332 7 лет назад +163

    Another sweet spot on the old rigid Pans was when it vibrated just right so the girl behind you would get all lathered up and want you to pull over and scratch that itch!
    And I knew exactly what speed that spot was!

  • @EMFish-gp8vn
    @EMFish-gp8vn 3 года назад +3

    I really enjoyed this video. Great to see an old style chopper like this.

  • @llewvirtue861
    @llewvirtue861 4 года назад +3

    Absolutely love your work, I am 63 been riding and building since I was thirteen.
    I have always told my son, I never want to ride a bike someone else has

  • @genekrafft948
    @genekrafft948 10 лет назад +35

    It is so great to see a scooter that doesn't have billet wheels and a 300 on the back. This is the way I did it in the beginning.

  • @thevelointhevale1132
    @thevelointhevale1132 4 года назад +7

    The Hughes Theatre door knob made my day ... THE single coolest part of the Bike.

  • @alexinfo100
    @alexinfo100 4 года назад +1

    Ah, those nicely paved flat roads... Sometimes I dream about having one bike like this, but roads where I live bring me back to reality ;)

  • @tylerdurden6335
    @tylerdurden6335 2 года назад

    I’m 66 and got my first Chopper when I was 16. A 54 Pan for about 900 bucks. I’ve ridden Choppers off an on all my life and currently have a 07 BigDog K9 which I love. In my opinion Choppers are the most fun of any bike to ride on the street. Sitting down low in the bike gives you a real sense of the road which I enjoy. The second most fun bike I’ve ever ridden was the V-Rod. Harley made a big mistake when they canceled this bike. CFL You are a true artist Sir. Love the bike.

  • @ferrelx
    @ferrelx 6 лет назад +24

    flat,knuck,pan,shovel and block heads..rode em all..but nothing compares to a boiled down raw shovel..the sound,the smell and just when you think shes about to shake apart...settles down and leans into the wind askin for more butterfly..while the pipes explode with approval...yeah...nothin like a shovel...

  • @TheZombiejohn75
    @TheZombiejohn75 6 лет назад +5

    I'm an artist/gearhead and I absolutely LOVE the colored pencil idea. That is something I can honestly say I've never seen on a bike, or any custom ever, it turned out magnificent and is a tremendous inspiration for me personally. Great video, want more from this unique and interesting guy.

  • @mississippidrifter5960
    @mississippidrifter5960 7 лет назад +7

    I hope the art of building these awesome rigids doesn't get lost with the younger generation

  • @captcharlescross8240
    @captcharlescross8240 4 года назад +5

    This video literally brings a tears to my eyes. I started riding in the mid 60's, and pretty much only chopped hogs. Started out with a chopped 47 knuckle. I've been coast to coast so many times I lost count years ago. Rigid frame, jockey shift, extended front end and open primary. I've been a horn dog, and a half, all my life, but I'd rather be on a hog cruising down the highway than I ever would sex, even with a whole covey of beautiful gals.
    This brings tears to my old eyes from lost and gone memories from before I had to quit riding. broken backs kinda tend to stop you from riding, especially rigid frames. SO badly missed!

  • @morals57
    @morals57 10 лет назад +2

    Caleb does some of the best choppers out there, I love everything about this bike! Very cool story behind it too.

  • @Silverback915
    @Silverback915 6 лет назад +2

    I enjoyed the whole back story. It's amazing what you can do. The creativity that comes alive when all these parts are put together. Great Bike & Story. You've inspired me to look into building my own.

  • @raymondram894
    @raymondram894 4 года назад

    That is the way it was done back in the day, and you did just about everything on it. Kicking it thru. I did like the mouse trap on my '53 pan. Miss those days and buds.

  • @SNDTEK1
    @SNDTEK1 6 лет назад +3

    Rode a rigid Shovel chop for 20 years..............bought a new softail in 98........really miss that ol shovel

  • @rafiqkatana
    @rafiqkatana 5 лет назад +2

    It's an old video so I hope you still have it. Power to you mate, it's a beautiful bike. Don't ever sell it, just pass it on to family that won't sell it. Thanks for sharing. Fuck I miss riding.

  • @flinkostememniakgrant1266
    @flinkostememniakgrant1266 4 года назад +1

    Drove my 58 pan rigid from Galveston to Boston at night to keep a low key, took my time. Started out 55mph granny lane, first night. Started warming up. Night 3 hammerlane 75mph. No issues. 14 over open primary, wide glide

  • @elijahbutterfield4869
    @elijahbutterfield4869 5 лет назад +1

    This bike is a perfect example of what a bike should be.
    Every part on your bike should have a story behind it.

  • @christianlipani8956
    @christianlipani8956 5 лет назад +1

    Very very nice bro. Wow I am impress with the all machine.
    So cool . Nice art work on your tank👍👍

  • @garydumbauld4212
    @garydumbauld4212 4 года назад +1

    Great work! I’ve always loved SU carbs. Used to run typewriter oil in the carb `dash pot’ up here in Colorado, going over trail ridge road, the temp can go from 75 degrees in Estes Park down to 20 degrees up top, then up to 60 in Grand Lake. Most of the 12,000 foot {or higher} passes are like that. Regular oil in the carb dashpot turns to thick jello in the altitude and low temp. The wife does lots of colored pencil portraits, but not on metal! I’ve never seen a front end narrowed like that. What a wonderful bike.

  • @Odessa45
    @Odessa45 7 лет назад

    Man, that's cool. Every inch of that thing - every fastener, every surface, has a perfect patina.

  • @petekosar8379
    @petekosar8379 3 года назад +2

    Nice!!! The stance is spot on, and balanced!!!

  • @dizzyrider3883
    @dizzyrider3883 4 года назад +5

    While you’re on that bike you’re living my dream. Apart from the crash.

  • @dapvettes
    @dapvettes 9 лет назад +9

    That's my favorite motorsickle video I have seen on youtube, even better than my own, lol. Awesome chopper and story.

  • @CDR1969
    @CDR1969 8 лет назад

    That was very interesting...cool walk-around of his chopper with all the personal touches.

  • @nicknickerson1912
    @nicknickerson1912 5 лет назад +2

    Hey man just saw your video on the 66 shovel . love old shovel chops
    I built a 1970 shovel chop on a amen savoir frame with the same gooseneck front. Gots 93 set of internals. Ten inch over hydrolic widegluide . She handles great. Nice job on your ride man. Nick.

  • @xcesar4impx666
    @xcesar4impx666 4 года назад +1

    what i love about chopper or hotrods or Kustom communities, is .....that there's no room for bullshitters or wannabes you have to learn a lot from the history to the tools to actually learning "HOW TO " and actually learning how to use them ,

  • @mickeyduke1910
    @mickeyduke1910 5 лет назад

    As a builder myself who obsesses over the small details only after it's mechanically bullet proof... the preserving of vintage parts, personalising with cool unique oddities and the stories behind them.. I truly enjoyed and appreciated this video. Well done my friend and right on! Love and appreciation from New York - Mickey

  • @ronmoore4547
    @ronmoore4547 5 лет назад +1

    Really enjoyed going over your shovel. Some of my best memories were on my 72 shovel; out to snake river canyon to watch evil "jump" . I love the handle bars.
    I might want to get ahold of you when I decide on which way I'm going on my 53 KK. My z bars need more structure. Anyway, love it man! Thanks!

  • @Miata822
    @Miata822 10 лет назад +5

    Nice shiftier and petcock. I have some cool old hardware from interesting places that I've collected over the years. If you come walking through my garage I'll be sure to hide it.

  • @onestepbeyond7240
    @onestepbeyond7240 6 лет назад +2

    Just the details like the door knob shifter, nickle, fuel shut - off..etc.. make it stand out.
    Well done.

  • @rb3166
    @rb3166 5 лет назад +1

    Fascinating bike story!!! GREAT BIKE! Love the door knob bit.

  • @mikeymike3240
    @mikeymike3240 6 лет назад

    Hi Caleb, my jaws are sooooo feckin soooore from smiling continously from start to finish of this video. I really really really feckin love this bike. 60s/70s choppers are my absolute favourite bikes, and this one is no exception, I love watching you go up and down the box, looks amazing and you, make it look soo easy man. WOW I'm still blown away. Awesome video. 😀 👍 👍 👍

  • @markseek5729
    @markseek5729 7 лет назад +1

    cheers for the clip hope to get to Born free in the next few years this is ART! Mark downunder nz

  • @badkatrising3918
    @badkatrising3918 9 лет назад +6

    I wrecked mine last year and miss it every day. Frame cracked at 50mph at the neck. Wild ride. lol. Starting all over.

  • @MrSlowestD16
    @MrSlowestD16 10 лет назад +1

    That's an awesome bike there - what a great idea having everybody pitch in kinda as to the origins of different components.
    Those jockey shifters are awesome - though in lane splitting traffic it looks like an utter nightmare!

  • @conqueso8396
    @conqueso8396 8 лет назад +1

    That must be one hell of a juggling trick when you're stopped at a traffic light, facing uphill, with a foot clutch and no front brake...Beautiful bike.

    • @conqueso8396
      @conqueso8396 8 лет назад

      I presume you have to leave it in first, right foot down, and just feather the clutch?

  • @sporsterini
    @sporsterini 6 лет назад

    This is what building real bikes is all about. Bikes that get ridden. Little things that make it personal. You see this bike and you know it's Caleb's.

  • @cristianruata8008
    @cristianruata8008 4 года назад +1

    Que hermosa moto...!!!! se que nunca voy a tener algo así .pero me pone feliz ver a gente que la disfruten...!!!😊 Saludos desde Argentina hermano..🇦🇷

  • @ravholly
    @ravholly 7 лет назад +1

    Absolutely beautiful bike! I had an ole 1969 XLCH Iron Head was my first bike almost 30yrs ago. That magneto was a complete pain lol

  • @kenuber4766
    @kenuber4766 4 года назад

    Classic!! Keep the dream alive. Thanks for your video and story.

  • @RogerJG21
    @RogerJG21 5 лет назад

    Man what a Beautiful Chopper, if I got that chopper I would not change a thing BAD ASS Chopper

  • @herbienbrian2
    @herbienbrian2 5 лет назад +3

    That foot clutch hand shift is so badass

  • @RuebenGSoto
    @RuebenGSoto 4 года назад

    My dad builded this real good looking chopper running a shovel pan head 1969 rigged frame. I always wanted it and just a few years ago I was able to put my hands on it. I’m just trying to say that the old school look is the way to go

  • @georgematteucci50
    @georgematteucci50 6 лет назад +6

    Beautiful beautiful chopper!! Love it!

  • @pskemster
    @pskemster 4 года назад +1

    The American Dream! Sweet build!

  • @Bhatti5855875
    @Bhatti5855875 9 лет назад

    Those handlebars and that front end is so sick! So want that on my bike!

  • @53Peterbilt
    @53Peterbilt 10 лет назад +5

    I really like this video. Nice little chopper ya got there, and none of the stupid antics....THANKYOU!! :D

    • @themotochannel
      @themotochannel  10 лет назад +1

      53Peterbilt Thanks for watching and glad you liked the video.

  • @jymebale5545
    @jymebale5545 6 лет назад +3

    Your bike looks fantastic, love the color pencils, thought you were going to say crayons, another friend used those on his bike, looked real good, his small kids told him to.

  • @jasonplant5432
    @jasonplant5432 4 года назад

    I've seen your bike in wrench magazine.
    And I was incarcerated during born free 1.
    Been in my bucket list for years now.
    I member you talking about using color pencils on the tank.good job man.
    I really dig your chop.
    I too am a sketch artist.

  • @raymondram894
    @raymondram894 5 лет назад

    This is the way it was done, rigid frame, pan head, wish bone, drag bars, tilson carb. Miss the old days.

  • @ChefPelle
    @ChefPelle 6 лет назад +1

    Very nicely done video! I ride a '48 bobber with a cone shovelhead myself.

  • @mikeymike3240
    @mikeymike3240 7 лет назад +2

    MAN, that's one feckin amazing ride, I really dig all you're individual touches, the bike as a whole is pure art, it deserves to be appreciated, and boyso I appreciate the shit out of it. it's almost my minds eye chopper, but that chop is the dogs dangly bits.
    this is a video for the archives to watch again and again. 😀 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

  • @KevinGlore
    @KevinGlore 4 года назад +1

    The art work I absolutely brilliant,the bike is beautiful to thank you for the presentation.

  • @CraftyOldGit
    @CraftyOldGit 4 года назад

    Great to hear the stories about the bike -- I'd love to see more videos with this much detail.

  • @weldthatiron3683
    @weldthatiron3683 5 лет назад +1

    Cool bike man love it good to see that style still rollin

  • @haraldalbrecht6133
    @haraldalbrecht6133 4 года назад +1

    So amazing , you're a very good guy! Live your and my dream! 👍💪🏻. Thanks and best regards from good ol' Germany 🇩🇪❤️

  • @miguelsalami
    @miguelsalami 4 года назад +1

    This Chopper is The Epitome of Custom. That door knob to his theatre was used about as many times as this bikes been shifted.
    Only in America 🇺🇸

  • @jras0522
    @jras0522 6 лет назад

    Door knob alone already makes it absolutely interesting. I love your bike! It's very inspiring.

  • @johnharris7353
    @johnharris7353 9 лет назад

    Dude, you are AWESOME! And I'm not a chopper guy. Really glad that you made it thru the accident and didn't leave us.

  • @toddclark332
    @toddclark332 4 года назад

    Dude you got me that is one sick mother bike thanks buddy Sharon stay safe Ride hard love your uncle sam

  • @dewelhelton8706
    @dewelhelton8706 5 лет назад

    Beautiful bike... I remember the 70's well.. Quite a few of these around then...

  • @troy7978
    @troy7978 5 лет назад

    Thank you so much for this awesome video. Caleb you got great style! Cheers from SF, CA everyone

  • @michaelsmith1094
    @michaelsmith1094 4 года назад +1

    I remember riding my 76 Sportster rigid all over the place, 5 bend bars high back king queen. I just leaned back like I was in my Lazy Boy recliner. I was a lot younger tho.

  • @Rif_Leman
    @Rif_Leman 10 лет назад +2

    "Can't leave well enough alone!" MAN, if that doesn't describe me in my shop, nothing does! I guarantee that if I were to somehow come into possession of the Crown Jewels of England that I would have them disassembled on my bike stand within 2 days.
    Well done man. Very well done.

  • @jsdhesmith2011
    @jsdhesmith2011 9 лет назад

    I love all the special stories that go along with the build of this bike, made it very interesting to watch and gives me a couple of ideas on my next project. Great rider/builder review!

  • @Anuskasv0
    @Anuskasv0 10 лет назад +8

    Damn what a cool chopper, the stance is perfect.

  • @missscreamwhore
    @missscreamwhore 5 лет назад

    Choppers are just so iconic. Love them and love the history and the spirit of that time.

  • @johnnywrench9669
    @johnnywrench9669 5 лет назад

    I watched the full video I had no idea how much detail you put in the bike... Absolutely serious, and I thought I had some baddass choppers

  • @lordrichardboon6609
    @lordrichardboon6609 7 лет назад +2

    Your ride is awesome i love how you have made use of the ratchet gear for the foot controls.Kickers rule

  • @jansirkia3809
    @jansirkia3809 6 лет назад

    One of the finest choppers I've ever seen. Great video!

  • @Sieist23Jahrealt
    @Sieist23Jahrealt 8 лет назад +1

    That Howard Hughs story was cool as shit man, I love that kind of stuff, and a good story. The bikes amazing, a lot of love in it, I can tell. I hope I get another bike soon. I feel like if I don't get on a motorcycle again sometime soon I'm gunna die.

  • @mcguire4162
    @mcguire4162 8 лет назад

    What a beauty! I would love to have one like that for myself but I'm in Florida, no one here doesn't custom work.

  • @CZrv4
    @CZrv4 6 лет назад

    I’m a big aviation fan and the thought that a door knob that has involvement with Howard Hughes is on your bike is cool

  • @TheNightmaro79
    @TheNightmaro79 5 лет назад

    Super cool bike and story! Thanks for sharing 👌😎

  • @Kralja1992
    @Kralja1992 7 лет назад +1

    I just found my favorite video on youtube! :D
    Really love the bike, story, video.. Every part!! Best regards from Croatia!

  • @xzqzq
    @xzqzq 5 лет назад

    Nice bike, excellent narrative. Especially love kickers.

  • @Ancientcaptain
    @Ancientcaptain 3 года назад +1

    At least it doesn't have a 10 inch wide back tire on it ,so glad to see those days gone

  • @reddsshaker3477
    @reddsshaker3477 5 лет назад +1

    The real deal. The fact that he called it an “oil tank”, and NOT an “oil bag”.....actual old school, not a wannabe.

    • @AsTheWheelsTurn
      @AsTheWheelsTurn 4 года назад

      I have never heard anyone call it an oil bag...

  • @pauliebots
    @pauliebots 4 года назад +1

    Whenever I hit that sweet spot I cant help but turn my head to the left then to the right and listen to that motor hummm.....Triumph. You can tell how tuned it is.

  • @JB-yn9hh
    @JB-yn9hh 5 лет назад +1

    Really good video, keep up the great work!

  • @jymebale5545
    @jymebale5545 6 лет назад

    A friend was telling me the other day that the sweet spot on his pan was around 100 mph, he just found it and didn't expect it to be so fast but he felt like he was floating on a cloud then he slowed down and really started feeling the vibrations, I told him I had the same thing happen in my Tundra truck, it was at 85 and on, he told me that was a little fast and I said look who's talkin mate, but I won't do that again as the truck is a 2006, it's old now but looks great and his pan was rebuilt and looks great, he's trying to get some pics but he rides it every where, the paint is all metal flake, blues and reds, really pretty.

  • @gallimead
    @gallimead 6 лет назад

    A humble guy, who knows his shit, and can back it up.

  • @kensmyth9650
    @kensmyth9650 10 лет назад +8

    this guys art work is genius

  • @craigmonteforte1478
    @craigmonteforte1478 4 года назад

    Awesome bike and video, thanks for sharing

  • @MrBdmfps9
    @MrBdmfps9 6 лет назад

    the history on this bike is bad ass!!!

  • @Vic-ng8if
    @Vic-ng8if 4 года назад

    Great video guys. That guys got talent.

  • @dicebagdaryl
    @dicebagdaryl 7 лет назад +2

    That Uncle Sam theme is absolutely fucking perfect. I might have to "take inspiration" from this bike. lol

  • @brandonw675
    @brandonw675 7 лет назад

    Man, I was really hoping he was gonna touch on that old tin primary. Killer bike.

  • @geoffreycarson2311
    @geoffreycarson2311 Год назад +1

    LOVE the Forks And the 1960s STYLE NOT OVERDONE !!!g