Wrought Iron: Classic ‘72 Harley Ironhead

Ironhead Raffle

Jesse Bassett, the owner of the Cleveland-based motorcycle shop, The GasBox, built his 1972 Ironhead from a pile of parts. Originally slated to be sold to the highest bidder, Basset decided instead to donate the Ironhead to the 2018 Fuel Cleveland Show. Basset said, “After finishing the bike we were probably just going to eBay it, but then we thought, why not raffle it off?”

Photos courtesy of Mikey Arnold

Wrench Cred

Bassett started The GasBox motorcycle shop in 2009. With an impressive build roster of classic American and British bikes. There is no doubt that Bassett knows his way around a set of tools. Basset's fabrication prowess has been acknowledged by invites to the Brooklyn Invitational, the Quail Motorcycle Gathering, and features in just about every major motorcycle publication —print and online. 

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Parts Bin Special

Now dubbed Wrought Iron, the bobber languished in the corner of Bassett's shop. “This bike was an ongoing shop project that sat in the corner for a few years,” remembers Basset. “Every time some parts came up that seemed to fit, we added them to the pile.” The stock frame has been chopped in the rear making room for a weld-on hardtail, with what appears to be a two-inch stretch. 

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Stock Custom

Out front, Basset used a set of stock Harley-Davidson 35mm Narrow Glide triple-trees to hold the OEM fork tubes. Keeping the road grime down is a custom-made shorty front fender. The handlebars are also factory-stock, with sleek Kustomtech controls for rider input. The lifted peanut tank keeps the lines flowing and complements the overall stance of the Ironhead.

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All Business

A GasBox own chrome mount does the job of securing the mini-speedometer. Rounding off the minimal instrument panel is a stock Harley-Davidson Narrow Glide headlight and shroud that holds the standard, but vital, oil pressure and generator lights. The horizontally-mounted speedometer and uncluttered front end match the no-nonsense presentation of this Ironhead.  

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Bowling For Mags

The wheels are original AMF mags clad in Avon Speedmaster rubber. The Ironhead's stance is just right with an 18” wheel in back, and a 19” in front. Basset's choice was all about style, “Because I really like the look of mags on a rigid.” The rear fender and sissy bar are handmade. The hardtail frame and oil tank are from another shop project that got shuffled onto the Ironhead's parts pile. 

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Traded Horsepower

Basset explained the Ironhead's engine circuitous origins. “The ’72 engine came from...multiple rounds of horse trading.” Another builder had “numerous projects going on...but when his customer lost steam on the rest of the restoration project, GasBox ended up with the engine. To keep it simple, we painted it glossy black and did some basic chrome and polish.” 

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Dialed Iron

The Ironhead's engine was meticulously rebuilt by Delzani’s Cycle. Basset stated, “They took the time to find all the right NOS replacement parts for the rebuild, and it really shows when you are shifting through the gears.” The exhaust pipes are a set of ceramic-coated GasBox replica XLR pipes. Fresh gas is supplied by a Mikuni CV carburetor topped with a GasBox air cleaner. 

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Support Cleveland

Wrought Iron is a product of its environment. As a tough-looking, no-nonsense machine, it was built with the same work ethic embodied by the industrial history of Cleveland. If Wrought Iron's exterior is the cold facade of a parts bin special, then its heart is a warm gesture of support for Fuel Cleveland —a show that brings Ohio's artists and builders together as a community. 

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