Thunderbike was founded in 1985 by Andreas Bergerforth as a Suzuki dealer in western Germany. Then, Thunderbike became an official Harley-Davidson dealer and in 2003 started to customize Harleys and to create self-produced frames, custom-wheels and other parts.
It is today one of the most successful European customizers. Last August 1st, to celebrate the business 30th anniversary, the shop organized a bike party (Jokerfest) and introduced their new creation, a 1950 Pan Chopper.
Andreas & his team decided to build it, not to restore a survivor. Of course, magneto, Linkert magneto, kick pedal, spoke wheels and drum brakes belong to the 30th anniversary Pan. But most of the other parts are designed, CNC machined and fabled at the shop.
From frame to the 2-piece gas tank and oil tank, to the sissy bar, to the ape angers and everything between. An absolutely flawless chopper in a red flake paint job with gold leaf by Ingo Kruse.
Like! Like! Like!
For me, the way a chopper should look. Great work.
Not easy to ride in traffic, but a beautiful Chop.
Ah, good memories! Nice lines, looks great. Only kind of bike that looks good with a big, skinny front tire 😉
Looks a little bit short. Great sissy bar & gas tank. Very nice work.
Designing a “proper” seat for my CB750;
http://my.execpc.com/~gwoods/.photos/MiscStuff/03280003.jpg
Nice!! The real deal.
Saw it briefly in Hamminkeln (short hop from where I am based in the Netherlands). FAAAAAARKING GORGEOUS! The photos do not remotely do it justice. These guys are absolutely a top shop. If you are ever in the area, drop in, you are bound to see something special.
When all of the current eyesore bike fads are gone this will still be here. Thank G- d.
I wonder if Blogs existed in 1950 what the responses to a bike like this would have been? I’m a couple decades away from the era, so the question is purely inquisitive. Would the folks of the time have revered this style as the timeless classic it has become? I wonder what the purists would have said about the handlebars? How about the tiny tank? I wonder what the opinions of the seat and sissy bar might have been? Upswept pipes? Somebody had to believe those were a bad idea. The bike is so lean and clean, somebody must have assuredly declared that it was too fragile to survive.
To those who were around, please share.
As a younger guy (relatively) I see a minimalist machine that looks like a hoot to ride and one that would attract attention because of the level of craftsmanship and the regard for the details.
Would this have been relegated to the pile of unrideable trash that so many of today’s customs are declared to be, or would it have been appreciated then as much as it is now?
Will a clean big-wheel bagger be appreciated and admired in 2080 the way this bike is appreciated today?
This is awesome Andreas, doesn’t get any finer.
Nice, tight and clean!
You could lane split in a parking lot with that!!
Very nice. I’m old enough to have done all my jockey shifting in the late 60’s and early ’70’s but I’m not the customer.
RE:
“…To those who were around, please share…”
That pan head may have been from the 50’s but the chop style pictured here was out of the 60’s.
The ape hangers would have been wider and the typical wheel combo would have been 16 & 21 spool hub…..
-nicker-
I LOVE IT! So much better than the big wheels baggers. I would like to see a throttle cable looped around to the Carb.
This is a chopper! Those “motorcycles” (notice the quotes around the word motorcycle) with the tires wider than a hood rat’s ass and come across as a 2 wheeled version of a clown car are NOT choppers. I had to double check what website I was on when I saw this bike. This is what a chopper should be! I just hope this style doesn’t catch on with the 30″ bagger/ 360 rear tire clown car crowd…. I would have to shoot myself in the face at that point.
God! That is a thing of beauty but what nicker said to be more period correct.
If you have never ridden one of these, then don’t comment on the handling etc… No, it’s not made for canyon carving but it got the job done and we actually RODE them to Daytona etc…. Anyone remember the “Run to the Sun” meet in Valdosta? Guys riding in from Michigan, Missouri, NJ and all points beyond on choppers, baggers and big motor’ed Sporties and Shovel diggers, heads up racing on the Service Road down to the KOA camp, sun burned and skinny, blah blah blah…
@ Chris, no, folks were more respectful in the past. You used to see chops and baggers riding together. It was just plain different then -not so commercial, categorized and striated. None of this heavy-browed cynicism that is so prevalent -least that was my experience. You want to really see bikes and Runs, review some old EasyRider magazines, circa early 70’s; maybe not totally representational but you will (hopefully) get the point.
Nonetheless, that is a fantastic looking Pan and they actually got the seat correct !!!
Best, Later Jay
Very Nice Ol’ School Chop
Does take me back !!!!