1977 "DIGGER"

This project is what I call a Tribute Bike. These "Digger" style bikes were mainly built in the late 70's and early 80's by Arlen Ness, Donnie Smith, Dave Perewitz and Barry Cooney. I never did one of my own back then but decided to build one now as a tribute to the original builders and style. I started out with a set of original American Racing/ Performance Machine wheels as these were the wheel of choice back in the day. The "Rocket" gas tank came from Donnie who had gotten it from Arlen who had it fabricated by Bob Monroe. Donnie also supplied the Smith Brothers & Fetrow Spring Struts and a NOS rear fender which used a Drag Specialties Knight tail light. I got the  NOS Ness Springer from an old shop in California. Paughco sold most of the custom pipes back then and they supplied me with a set for this project. Danny Gray did most of the seats for these "Diggers" so I made a seat pan and sent it to him for upholstery, done in the old style stitching and buttons. I modified the frame in the same style as Arlen did most of his using a forward stretch and dropped neck. Andy Anderson from Nashville has been painting since the 60's and was one who mastered the Gold Leaf and hand stripping style of paint back when it was popular. He will be doing the Leaf and Stripping work over my base which will be a pearl orange. I fabricated the oil tank with a hidden battery compartment in the Ness Style. The engine covers and various components will be engraved in the "Perewitz Style". Many of the other parts and accessories will be original period correct pieces