Buell Street Fighter: A Chopper Profile

by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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Buell Street Fighter: A Chopper Profile

Having seen his share of long-legged choppers, John Dawson decided to build a machine that was the polar opposite of the traditional custom. He wanted to put a torquey V-twin engine in a bike that handled as good as it looked. Thus, Buell Street Fighter was born.

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Buell Street Fighter is a custom chopper with a modified version of a Harley-Davidson Sportster engine. See more chopper pictures.

Eric Buell founded the company that bears his name in the late 1980s on very much the same idea. He took Harley-Davidson Sportster engines and mounted them in exotic sport-style chassis, which resulted in bikes that were decidedly different than anything then being offered.

Since that time, the Sportster engines Buell uses have been treated to significant changes that result in greatly increased power, but the chassis designs remain that of a high-riding "crotch rocket" sportbike.

So what John Dawson did was take a Buell motorcycle and swap its tall, sportbike chassis for a low-slung hardtail frame by MC Worx. The original Buell forks and brakes were refitted, and John adapted a host of new hardware to create a low-slung bullet. Chief among them is a small bikini fairing incorporating twin headlights.

The result is a machine that bridges the rather wide gap between sportbikes and choppers. But in simplicity of design and unique treatment, John just did Eric Buell one better.

Buell Street Fighter Chopper Specifications Year: 2004 Class: Pro Street Owner: John Dawson Builder: John Dawson Model: Buell Street Fighter Frame: MC Worx Forks: Buell, inverted Rake: 32 degrees Rear susp.: Hardtail Front wheel: PMSR, 18-inch Front brake: Buell, disc Rear wheel: PMSR, 18-inch Rear tire: 240 mm Rear brake: Buell, disc Engine: 74-cubic-inch Buell Exhaust: John Dawson Trans.: Buell, 5-speed Paint by: Greg Garcia

Go to the next page for more photos and details of this sporty chopper, Buell Street Fighter.

For more information on custom choppers and motorcycles, see:

• Chopper Profiles
• How Choppers Work
• How Motorcycles Work
• Classic Motorcycle Profiles

Buell Street Fighter Chopper

Buell Street Fighter is the opposite of conventional customs, with a powerful engine and sporty frame. Below are more pictures and details of this champion chopper.

The Buell Street Fighter's 1200-cc Buell V-twin is a hopped-up version of a Harley-Davidson Sportster engine and received numerous upgrades to enhance performance even more.

Short, “open” exhaust pipes delete the Buell Street Fighter’s muffler, cutting weight and back-pressure.

The MC Worx hardtail frame eliminates the Buell Street Fighter's complex rear suspension.