Yesterday I did an article about Jesse Jame's Sturgis Special which was one of the 2 bikes that got me into choppers. The other bike I that got me into Choppers is the late great Indian Larry's Daddy O! Like many I first saw this Bike on Biker Build Off and I fell in love it at first sight.
Overall I think Indian Larry's Daddy O is the best chopper I have ever seen! Its a bike built to perfection. I like how it has the appearance of a hot rod, which The bike was built as a tribute to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth. All the small details on the bike are amazing, their is so much detail on Daddy O that I notice something different everytime I look at.
One of the reasons for this is Larry loved detail and liked to do most of the work himself and make his own parts. He made just about every part from the frame, to the fender, to the gas tank to even spoking his own wheels! He actually said this while building this bike “Y'know I like a bike to look like a hunting watch, when you open up the back you look in there and its all mechanical and gizmos going on and movement going on, you see a lot of little parts in there. Its more of an art than a science building a spoked wheel. To me it says just elegance. ”
The Frame of Daddy O (and all of Larry's choppers) had to be made perfectly. By Perfectly I mean, when it comes to the geometry of the frame it had to be exactly right so Larry could stand up and balance while cruising.
One of the best features of Daddy O is, the rear Fender. The Fender is actually made out of a Boat Carrier fender! Larry and his crew took a boat carrier fender, cut in half, at a small piece of sheet metal, cut more of it and rear shaped it into the rear fender!
The other main detail you will notice is the mustang gas tank made by Paco. This gas tank's shape fits the 60s stripped down shape of the bike Indian Larry was going for.
Of course the other big Detail of Daddy O is its wild Paint job! Ed “Big Daddy” Roth was a crazy artist who pretty much invented air brushing and also invented a lot of crazy characters like Rat Fink who was created because Big Daddy hated Mickey Mouse.
The Paint Job is done by Robert Pradke of Custom Auto Design. Robert wanted to make it look as 60s as possible so the base coat of the paint is Gold Metal Flake. Metal Flake paint was very popular among hot rods in the 60s, so it fits the theme. The Paint also includes the Gasoline Alley Logo and Indian Larry's name done in gold and silver leaf on the rear fender and true to Ed Roth's style his Character Rat Fink was airbrushed onto the gas tank.
Even though I have said it several times before, I will say it again Indian Larry's Daddy O is the best Chopper ever made! I don't think any chopper come close to the hard work, craftsmanship, attention to detail and art that was put into this bike. It really is a one of a kind motorcycle and I don't think that we will ever see another like it.
Tech Sheet
Year Built: 2003
Builders: Indian Larry, Gasoline Alley Crew (now Indian Larry Motorcycles)
Engine: 88 ci Pandemonium Motor
Frame: Indian Larry Wishbone Rigid
Front End: Indian Larry Twisted Springer
Wheels: Hand Spoked Wheels
Paint: Gold Metal Flake by Robert Pradke of Custom Auto Design
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