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The Chopp Shop Flexes Its FLHX Muscle
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t always helps to carry a little extra insurance, be it house, car, boat or bike, especially the later when you’re looking for some “premium” paintwork to heighten the custom experience. Fortunately Jason Cox runs an insurance agency in his hometown of Hickory, North Carolina, and had a buddy who is in the business of supplying quality paints to local area body shops. “About ten years ago I started out with a Harley Fat Boy, then I saw all the cool bagger stuff becoming available,” Jason tells us. “I wanted to wait a bit so that I could come up with something a bit different.” It turns out his buddy was supplying Shannon Davidson at The Chopp Shop with the PPG paint products he used. After seeing their bikes and the artwork Shannon created, Jason knew that is where he wanted to go for the dream bagger he had in mind.
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The FLHX seen here already had some work done to it, but Jason wanted a major makeover. “My goals for the bike included adding the big wheel up front, having it all raked out and with stretched bags,” he says. “I also wanted the lower front spoiler and the scoop behind the rear cylinder to fill up the space under the seat.” Paint-wise, Jason went for a base white since you didn’t see it much. He also wanted to stay with some of the traditional HarleyDavidson colors and add the classic Harley #1 logo, so a theme developed. “I made up these kinda silly
Shannon Davidson (seated) with Jason Cox.
drawings of what I had in mind and brought them to Shannon and started talking away. Shannon, just leaned back at his desk and kept his eyes closed the whole time. It seemed a pretty strange conversation, but then I realized he was imagining what I had in mind and putting his spin on it, like deliberately keeping the paint scheme off balance from back to front for an unusual look.” The effect also helps give the bike a fluid and low stance, the profile further enhanced by a 16inch rear MetalSport wheel, a lowering block and an Arnott air ride system. ROAD IRON
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Cruisin’ music is provided by a Hog Tunes sound system with speakers incorporated into the fairing, but the bags are fully usable. They’re also fit with custom orange bag liners with the inside of the lids painted to match the rest of the bike. “Bling-N,” as Jason calls the bagger, made its debut at the Easyriders Charlotte Bike Show and later at the Columbus Invitational, and has earned some trophies, but for the most part Jason built it to enjoy riding through the North Carolina mountain scenery with his buddies. —Paul Garson Owner: Jason Cox City: Hickory, North Carolina General Designer: Shannon Davidson Fabrication: The Chopp Shop Year/make: 2006 H-D Model: FLHX Assembly: The Chopp Shop Time: 6 weeks Chrome: Chrome Masters Engine Year/make: 2006 H-D
Displacement: 88 cubic inches Cam: Andrews Ignition: H-D Pistons: H-D Heads: H-D Lifters: H-D Carb(s): FI Air cleaner: H-D Pipes: Vance & Hines Transmission Year/make: 2006 H-D Shifting: foot Painting Painter: The Chopp Shop
Type/color: PPG/White Pearl Special paint: Shannon Davidson Frame Year/make: 2006 H-D Type: Road Glide Rake: H-D Stretch: none Shocks: Arnott Accessories Bars: Yaffe Handlebar controls: H-D Fenders: The Chopp Shop Headlight: H-D
Taillight: Bad Dad Speedo: H-D Dash: H-D Floorboards: Wicked Image Electrics: The Chopp Shop Gas tank: The Chopp Shop Oil tank: H-D Oil system: H-D Seat: High Rollers Grips: PM Forks Type: Ness Extension: plus 4 inches Builder: Ness,
The Chopp Shop Wheels Size: 26-inch front, 16-inch rear Wheels: Metal Sport Tires: Vee Rubber front, Avon rear Brakes: PM 4-piston Photos: Michael Lichter Contact: Shannon Davidson The Chopp Shop 828-635-1189
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