Building of the Purple Queen The idea for the Purple Queen is a vision of Peter Ström who wanted to show that he could build a good looking Bobber from a stock Sportster. With the help from his friend “Kenta” ( www.aceperformance.se/ ) who helped Peter with fabrication, then built in the home garage. . Meet 49 years old Peter Ström, who lives in a suburb of Stockholm, called Södertälje. I have always changed and rebuilt bicycles, mopeds, boats, cars and motorcycles, has been difficult to have something that everyone else has, I have to put my own style on it. We have three Harley Davidson’s in the family now. The first one I built was a FXR Trike for my wife, she has a muscle disease, so she can not run a standard motorcycle. Then I built a Sportster chopper for myself. (published by many magazines in the United States, England, Germany, Spain, France, Austria and Sweden, a truly visional work of art) and last year my wife's daughter wanted to ride with us, so I built her a Sportster for this season. Her name is Janine Nikula and she is 22 years old. She is studying music, singing, drama and dance. She started to ride a bike late last summer and she got her driving license this summer (2012). She is quite "girly" so when I started to build this bike for her, her only wish was that it should be purple and she wanted a crown somewhere on the bike. And that’s where the name "Purple Queen" became the theme. The ideas started when I saw Moons Sportster and thought the style was awesome. I met engraver, Andrea Gallinaro from Italy (on internet), who does 70s style engravings and I like flake paint and gold, so I made a mix from Sportster bobber and 70s chopper. I started with an original Sportster that I tore down completely. I cut away the rear bracket for the stock fenders and welded new mounts for turn signals, raised the mounting point for gas tank, cut out and reinforced the frame in front to make a cleaner look. Bracket for the ignition switch was moved and welded to the battery box, bracket for the new rear fender was made. Brackets for solo saddle was welded after that the frame was powder satin black. The wheels I tore down, hubs powder coated satin black, then I built up the wheels with twisted spokes and brass nipples and mounted old style tires. I tore down the forks and all the brackets were cut away from the triple trees, then I sent all the parts from the fork and all engine covers to Andrea in Italy for engraving and polishing. The engine is almost untouched, what’s done is engraving on all covers, cylinders are powder coated, special bracket in polished stainless steel with integrated speedometer to the upper engine mount, all bolts have brass covers. Brass point cover from Indian Larry. The handlebar is Biltwells Frisco I welded risers for a cleaner look. Internal throttle installed and electricity was drawn to two mini switches, one in the side of the grip for high /low light and horn and the brass mount from Kustom Tech Italy a mini switch for turn lights. All electricity is newly drawn, mini turn signals in front and Kellermann Micro 1000 for the rear. Registration plate was moved down to the left side with a new bracket and powder coated steel and Brass. I have tried to find as much brass parts as possible, I think it has been a good combination. The exhaust system is made by my friend Kent, Ace Performance and I have rebuilt the mufflers with brass trumpets. Paint was next, and the mini flake paint and text were painted by air brush artist Daniel at his studio in Stockholm. Janine has always liked to ride with us and now with her own license and bike, she has been joining us on the road. and shows the bike a lot. Janine appreciates her bike and thinks it is nice and smooth to drive. "It's really a nice sidekick from the daily life"....Janine
The Purple Queen Builder: Peter Ström - Photographer: Peter Ström Owner : Janine Nikula - 1995 Sportster 883 Fabrication Peter Ström / Kenta Falkered www.aceperformance.se Assembly Peter Ström - Build Time 6 Months, Frame: Stock ’95 Sportster, that I cut off the rear fender moutnts and made brackets for turning lights, made new and higher mounting for the gastank Engine: HD 883, Brass screw covers on all bolts. Powder coated cylinders black, custom made motor mounts with Motoscope Mini gauges. Carb: CV brass dome from Lowbrow Customs, choke knob 8 ball from Joker Machine. Pipes: Peter Ström / Ace Performance with trumpet exhaust tips in brass from Lowbrow Customs. Air Cleaner: Stage 1 “Big Sucker” - Forks Stock 39 mm and modified stock triple trees that's been Engraved. Fork length - Burly Lowering Kits -1 ¼” Front wheel Stock 19 - Rear wheel Stock 16 “ both with twisted spokes and brass nipples by Peter Ström - Front & Rear Tires Avon Speed Master MK2 - Shocks Burly “Slammer” -2” - Front & Rear Brake Crome Bolt-on - Stock Sportster Fuel & Oil Tank with brass cap from Speed Dealer Customs “Ribbed” Steel fenders Handlebar by Biltwell “Frisco Bars” with welded risers and powder coated black - Headlight is Bates Style 5 ¾” - Taillight The Stop Turnsignals Kellermann Micro 1000 with Rubber Mount Triangular tabs brass from Lowbrow Customs - Hand Controls Kustom Tech Delux polished/brass - Grips by Biltwell “Kung Fu” grip - Foot Controls HD Mid controls - Hippy killer Cast brass foot pegs and shifter - Electrical Kenta Falkered www.aceperformance.se/ - Purple paint miniflakes, Graphics, Pinstriping and text by painter Daniel Fahlström www.airbrushstudio.se Special Thanks to: Andrea Gallinaro, Italy for the engravings on the engine and fork, www.decorcustom.jimdo.com - Kenta Falkered at Ace Performance for his bike building skills, www.aceperformance.se - Roffe Johansson at The Partsstop for getting all the right parts www.thepartsstop.com