Kiss My American Ass!

The American way is the only way when it comes to motorcycles in July, and John Marshall’s custom home made shovelhead is as American as they come.

This bike screams American biker, and reflects the attitude of its owner.

“I call it Kiss My American Ass,” Marshall said. “I got that from a Special Forces tattoo, and it really fits my attitude.”

John feels so strongly that he even found a decal with the saying and put it on the bike. It’s the only color other than chrome & black on this beauty.

The bike is centered around a 1966 Shovelhead motor that has been updated with S & S parts, featuring an alternator with left side case. It sits in a customized Paughco frame and uses a baker six-speed tranny to get things moving. The final drive is chain, and sends this old school classic down the road comfortably. The rear tire is a 180, Marshall has no use for anything bigger, and the front is 120/21”, making the front a little wider.

The bike features both kick and electric start and outlaw forward controls. A Dennis Goodson gun bag and air cleaner set off the engine cylinders and Mustang tank nicely. He real eye catching part of the bike, aside from being as clean a ride as you’ll find anywhere, is the Springer front end. It’s a replica 1948 Springer from Holland, and simply makes the look of this bike.

Building this scooter was an act of determination. Marshall started the build with the late Phil Howell just before Phil’s death. It took a while to get everything together after that, but then he got on it, using Larry Ortiz and John Bordas to do the motor work, Randal Nelson customized the frame and sheet metal, Brian at UlteriorMotive did the paint, and the whole thing was put together by bike builder Mike Martin.

The whole thing took nearly a year, and a lot of patience.

“I really wanted this bike,” Marshall said. “Being patient and keeping on it paid off though. It’s a sweet ride. It reflects my attitude.”

Something else that was worth waiting for is our girl Tabitha. We drug this cutie to the top of Berthoud Pass, had her put on her best all American clothes perch herself on the bike, all while that chilly 11,000-foot wind was blowing. It paid off. Tabitha absolutely brings this bike to life, and looks like the All-American Girl she is doing it.