Meticulous as a Swiss Watch: 1948 Panhead Bobber Build

Vintage Project

What do Swiss watches and this 1948 Harley-Davidson bobber have in common? They are both stunning precision timepieces. Starting off with the original wishbone frame and a pile of boxes, it took Albert 'Ash' Aeschlimann seven years to complete his project. From handmade parts to vintage finds, every part of this bike has some history.

Photos courtesy of Marc Schneider.

Time Past

As Ash tore into his many boxes, he realized that many of the items were beyond repair. He then set out to fabricate as many custom parts as possible. Well into the task, Ash took time out to build himself a new workshop. When he resumed work, his tastes had changed, so he started all over again — this time with an eye on the past.

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Notable Inspiration

Getting things right is part of Ash's day job as a technician at a major science museum in Switzerland. After-hours, he runs Ash Kustoms, specializing in one-off handmade parts for bikes and hotrods. Hooked on vintage motorcycles at an early age, Ash draws his inspiration from American builders, such as Indian Larry, Billy Lane, and a few notable Japanese builders.

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Slotted Look

Realizing that there were not enough Panhead parts to build a complete engine, Ash opted for a KN93 S&S motor. For a smooth ride, the 93 cubic-inch 'Knucklehead' was backed by a Baker Drivetrain 6 into 4 transmissions. Far from content with the drool-worthy setup, Ash replaced all the Allen head fasteners with hex or slotted bolts for a more authentic vintage look.

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Super Jewelery

Emblazoned on the hand-rolled gas tank is 'Bardahl,' the well-known and race-proven oil and gasoline additives company from Seattle, Washington — no mention of any sponsorship. For a more unified look, Ash proceeded to de-chrome all the shiny bits and dull the aluminum parts. He designed a brass insert for the Super E carburetor and had it cast by a jeweler.

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Genuine Drums

In keeping with the historical vibe, Ash retained the drum brakes. The front is from a vintage Honda racer, with a handmade air intake. Custom wheels are based on a set of Akront rims supplied by Special Wheel Company in Ditzingen, Germany. The front is an 18-inch rim, laced with thirty-six spokes, and the rear is 16 inches, with a genuine Harley-Davidson 40-spoke hub.

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Chronometric Theme

Purloined from a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is an aptly labeled 'kill' switch. The button is a nod to returning servicemen who built the early bobbers and hillclimbers after the Second World War. The handlebars are custom-made and incorporate the necessary switches taken from an old Vespa scooter. In keeping with the aircraft theme, the speedometer is an old Smith Chronometric unit.

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Ticking Time

Inspired by early hotrod builders, Ash cast the aluminum tank himself. Shown here in bare metal, the bike was painted with ten coats of black nitrocellulose lacquer by Autolackiererei René Sahli — one of the few restoration companies still permitted to use paint. The list of items that received meticulous attention is endless. No doubt this custom bobber will keep on ticking for quite some time.

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For maintenance and repair guides for your Harley, browse our technical How-to articles right here on HDForums.