A low rumble of Harley-engined motorcycles fills the air adding to the distinctive thunder of V-8 motors that make the tarmac shake. Greased Bikers, sitting atop their Triumphs, Norton’s and Beezer`s, stand guard outside, cigarette coolly angled in the mouth - and this isn’t a Hollywood movie! Fact is: It's September 2006 and reality. At the Ace Café in London, one of the most scenic and historic Biker Cafés ever -thus the perfect location to present the latest creation of Austrian Custom-Pro Penz Custombikes: The „Eric Clapton Tribute“ Bike. Already in the afternoon, the Ace is crowded with more bikers than ever were shown in the movie „Easy Rider“. For the press photo shooting of the Chopper, even the very last seat was occupied. The stage of the Ace is acting as the studio-location - here, pop-music legends such as Graham Fenton and his band Matchbox, former F-1 driver Damon Hill and
others performed „live“ on stage. What more can you want for a cool presentation?

Ready for the Party
The jukebox is hammering the chords and riffs of Gene Vincent, the Stray Cats and - of course - Eric Clapton, when the new owner of the bike entered the Ace. It was really hard to convince him not to peek under the cover - patience is not a major quality of the „One-percenter“ for sure. But somehow Peter and Anita do the job. It's 8 p.m. - and the Ace crowded beyond imagination, with 200+ Harleys parked outside along the former North Circular Road. Time to lift the secret. Future owner Martin, who usually does not drink any alcohol, was calmed down with a few pints - and the presentation was ready to rock! Listening to the Rock-classics of Eric Clapton, a model anced around the bike, uncovering more and more of the long legged Chopper creation, painted all over with images of Eric Clapton's career - which was the moment that the otherwise cool and controlled owner lost composure, sinking down from 2 meters height to his knees to check out his new „baby“! But the surprises weren't all over yet: As the crowd split, there were some old friends from Austria and even his parents joining in, necessitating the use of sunglasses! The scene was beyond description - everybody wanted a first glimpse of the chopper and a picture with bike and model. The stage was packed! Just as Martin, who has saved money for his ride for no less than 3 years, was handed over the key by Peter Penzenstadler, the stage was
cleared again and order was reinstated. With one push at the button, the engine fired immediately and the BSL-Penz exhaust system announced it with a roar that made any '76 Punkrock Band sound like Cat Stevens! Even Marc Wilsmore, owner of the ACE and himself a living legend already, took the time to attend the presentation, adding a thoughtful nod and the
ultimate canonisation: „It is real Rock`n Roll“! Thank's to Britain’s laws, it's still „last call“ at 11 p.m. but almost midnight when everybody cleared the Ace. Back in the good ol' days, it would've
been time for some illegal race activity...

The Day after
Next morning, as the sun rises into the London sky, the time is just right to get a British breakfast at the ACE - and Martin can take a look onto his future ride in daylight: The machine, for which he had worked the last 3 years, has finally materialised as a rolling artwork in metal, paint and chrome. The dedicated, if not fanatic, fan of Eric Clapton, who hardly misses a concert remembers his first telephone call to Austria, when he asked Anita for the specifications and details on building an original Penz Chopper, followed by a first visit to meet the Penz team.
During the construction of frame and bodywork, he would have placed his sleeping bag beside the workbench, if Peter would have allowed it. Now - his view clear again after several good Ale`s yesterday, he checks out his ride to the very last detail: The 8 Inch higher 3 Inch stretched „Evil Spirit“ frame, holding a long stretched 24-Inch-over SJP fork. Metal-made tank and fenders feature Marcus Pfeil's almost photo-realistic airbrush-art. The image looks like „Old
Slowhand“ himself had posed for the 2-dimensional masterpiece. A lot of small details like clef's on the frame and Clapton's record titles on the open belt drive are just a few „extras“ that make the bike to what it is: A real tribute to Eric Clapton.

Ready to ride
Once again encircled by a crowd, Martin turns the key and pushes the button: The 1.550cc Twin Cam engine rumbles to life! Gripping the chromed CCE controls, the clutch disconnects the open BDL „Top Fuel Street Drive“ primary drive, originally developed for the Drag-scene. His biker-boots step onto the black SJP forward controls, kicking in the first of 6 gears Baker Right Side Drive gearbox. Sunglasses adjusted, one last look to the Ace - and the huge 300 rubber, rotating on a 10,5”x18'' Speed-point wheel gets his first spin on English tarmac. Time for a test ride on the „wrong side of the road“. A wide grin on his face, the first roundabout is mastered with ease, leaving behind a stunned crowd that just couldn't believe that a bike that long can handle with such ease! Despite the relaxed attitude of the London coppers, it's not long before
Martin got stopped: But it wasn't for the Austrian „test ride“ license plate, the Bobby just wanted to inspect the bike for himself: „Damn, what a nice Bike“, is his comment - and Martin is back on the road. Spring and Summer 2007 we will see Martin more often on the road. Even after the first 100 k's he admires the ride ability: „This ain't a trailer queen or Hollywood cruiser - this ride really ROCKS! Just like
„Old Slowhand“...

Text & Photos: Frank Sander/Horst Rösler
Special thanks to the Ace Cafe, keep on rocking!
And thanks to Eric Clapton fort he inspiration!

www.clapton.de
www.penz-custombikes.com


Technical datas of the « Eric Clapton Tribute » Bike enclosed:

Frames & Motorcycles made in Austria
Technische Daten/Technical data/Spécifications/Technische Specificaties/Formulario Dati Tecnici/Ficha Técnica
Allgemeines/General/Generalitè/Algemeen/Generalita:
Name/Bezeichnung/Name/Nom de la moto/Naam van de motorfiets/Nome della Moto:
ERIC CLAPTON TRIBUTE BIKE
Besitzer/Owner/Propriétaire/Eigenaar/Proprietario:
Martin "Mad Max"
Ort/Location/Ville/Stad/Citta/Ciudad:
Austria
Auf- Umgebaut von/Assembly/Refait par/op en ongebbouwed door/Costruttore:
Penz Custombikes
Baujahr/Year/Année/bouwjaar/Anno:
2006
Bauzeit/Time/Terminé/bouwtijd/Periodo di lavorazione:
5 Monate
Fertigstellung/Finishing date/Finissage/afbouwdatum/Dati di completare:
October 2006
Modell/Model/Modèle d`origine/model/Marca e Modello:
EVIL-SPIRIT CHOPPER
Wert/Value/prix/waarde/valore:
on request
Sonstiges/Other/Autres/ovenig/Altro/Otros:

Motor/Engine/Moteur/Motorblok/Motore:
Baujahr/Year/Année/bouwjaar/Anno:
2005
Block/Lower end/Bas moteur/onder blok/Blocco Motore:
Harley-Davidson TwinCam B
Kurbelwelle/Crankshaft/Vilebrequin/Ceruleas/Albero motore/Cigüenal:
Harley-Davidson TwinCam B
Zylinder/Cylinder/Cylindrée/cilinderse/Cilindri/Cilindros:
Harley-Davidson TwinCam B
Kolben/Pistons/Pistons/zuigers/Pistoni/Pistones:
Harley-Davidson TwinCam B
Hubraum/Displacement/Cylindrée/cilinderinhoud/cilindrata:
1550 ccm
Pleuel/Con Rod/Bielle/dryfstangen/Biella/Bielas:
Harley-Davidson TwinCam B
Zylinderköpfe/Heads/haute Cylindrée/cilinderkop/testata/Culatas:
Harley-Davidson TwinCam B
Ventile/Valves/soupapes/kleppen/Valvole/Válvulas:
Harley-Davidson TwinCam B
Stößel/Pushrods/Tiges de poussoir/klepstoters/regolabili:
Harley-Davidson TwinCam B
Nockenwelle/Camshaft/Cames/nokhenas/klepstoters:
Harley-Davidson TwinCam B
Vergaser/Carburator/Carburateur/carburateur/Carburatore:
Mikuni HSR 42 polished
Luftfilter/Air cleaner/Filtre à air/luchtfilter/Filtro Aria/Filtro de aire:
Forcewinder black/Chrome
Zündung/Ignition/Allumage/ontsteking/Accenzione/Encendido:
Altmann
Krümmer/Pipes/Pipes d` échappement/uitlaten/scarichi:
Bike Shop Linz "Groove", 2:2, low exit, polished
Endtöpfe/Mufflers/Silencieux/demper/silenziatore/Escape:
Bike Shop Linz "Groove", 2:2, low exit, polished
Leistung (PS)/Horsepower (hp)/Chevaux/vermogen/Cavallo vapore:

Sonstige Bemerkungen/Other/Autres/ovenige bejzonderheeden/Altro/Otros:

Übersetzung/Getriebe/Transmision/Transmission/Versnellungsbak/Cambio/Trasmisión
Baujahr/Year/Année/bouwjaar/Anno:
2005
Typ/Type/Type/type/Typ:
Baker 6-speed, black/Chrome
Gänge/Gears/Vitesse/aantal versnellingen/rapporti/Velocidades:
6-speed
Schaltung/Shifting/changement de vitesse/schaledwijze/azionamento:
Cable
Primärantrieb/Primary Transmission/Transmission primaire/primaire overbrenging/trasmiss. Primaria:
BDL "Top Fuel Street Drive" open primary, 3 3/8"
Kupplung/Clutch/Disques d` embrayage/frizione:
Cable
Sekundärantrieb/Secondary transmission/Transmission secondaire/sekundaire overbrenging/trasmiss. secondaria:
Belt 133t
Sonstige Bemerkungen/Other/Autres/ovenige bejzonderheeden/Altro/Otros:

Fahrwerk/Frame/Cadre/frame/Telaio:
Rahmen/Frame/Cadre/frame/Telaio/Basculante:
Penz Custombikes "EVIL-SPIRIT" CHOPPER
Baujahr/Year/Année/bouwjaar/Anno:
2005
Lenkkopfneigung/Rake/Chasse/balhoofdshael/inclinazione/Angulo de dirección:
45°
Verlängerung (Verkürzung)/Stretch (Shortage)/Allongement (Abréviation)/verlenging (inhoulang)/allungamento (riduzione):
+ 8" down tube / + 3" top tube
Sonstige Umbauten/Other/Autres/andere wegrigingen/Altro:
Single-down tube curved, right-side drive, seat position extra deep

Schwinge/Swinging arm/Bras oscillant/achtenbrug/Forcellone oscillante:
Penz Custombikes "Marlin"
Stoßdämpfer/Shock absorbers/Amortisseurs/schokdempers/ammortizzatori/Amortiguadores:
Airtail Progressive Suspension, Chrome
Gabel/Fork/Fourche/vork/Forcella anteriore/Horquilla:
SJP, Retro Glide polished
Hersteller/Type/Construsteur/merk/Marca:
SJP
Verlängerung/Stretch/Extension/verlenginging/allungamento:
24" over / 6° tree rake
Sonstiges/Other/Autres/ovenig/Altro/Otros:

Räder/Wheels/Roues/wielen/Ruota:
Vorne/Front/avant/voor/anteriore/delantero:
Größe/Size/Dimensions/maat/dimensione:
Speed-point, 3,5" x 21", polished
Nabe/Hub/Moyeu/naaf/rotore:
single flange
Speichen/Spokes/rayons/spaken/raggi:
3 spoke cutted
Reifen/Tyre/Pneu/banden/pneumatico/Neumático:
AVON 80/90-21TL48H
Hinten/Rear/arriere/achter/posteriore/trasero:
Größe/Size/Dimensions/maat/dimensione:
Speed-point, 10,5" x 18", polished
Nabe/Hub/Moyeu/naaf/rotore:
single flange, right-side-drive, 1" axle
Speichen/Spokes/rayons/spaken/raggi:
3 spoke cutted
Reifen/Tyre/Pneu/banden/pneumatico/Neumático:
AVON 300/35 R18 88H
Bremsen/Brakes/Freins/remmen/Freni:
Vorne/Front/avant/voor/anteriore/delantero:
Bremsscheibe(n)/Disk(s)/Disque(s)/remschiguen/Disco de freno:
Speed-point, 11,5" stainless steel polished
Bremszange(n)/Caliper(s)/Bloc(s)/remklaumen/Pinza de freno:
PM, 4-piston, Chrome
Hinten/Rear/arriere/achter/posteriore/trasero:
Bremsscheibe/Disk/Disque/remschiguen/Disco de freno:
Speed-point, 11,5" stainless steel polished
Bremszange/Caliper/Bloc/remklaumen/Pinza de freno:
Speed-point, Pulley Brake System with 4-piston RST, polished
Sonstige Bemerkungen/Other/Autres/ovenige bejzonderheeden/Altro:

Accessoires:
Riser/Torres:
V-Team polished
Lenker/Bars/Guidon/stuur/Manubrio/Manillar:
V-Team with Penz grips "Speed Ball", black
Spiegel/Mirrors/Rétroviseur/spiegel/Specchietto/Espejos:
CCE, Iron Cross, Chrome
Armatruen/Griffe/Grips/Poignées/handgreepen/manopole/Punos:
CCE, Chrome
Fußrasten/Pegs/Repose-pieds/voetsteunen/Pedaliera:
Vorne/Front/avant/voor/anteriore/delantero:
SJP, 2" extended, Alu black
Hinten/Rear/arriere/achter/posteriore/trasero:
SJP
Tank/Gas Tank/Réservoir d`essence/tank/Serbatoio/Depósito gasolina:
Penz Custombikes, Chopper super stretch
Sitzbank/Seat/Selle/zadel/Sella/Asiento:
Penz Custombikes
Öltank/Oil-tank/Réservoir d`huile/olie tank/Serbatoio olio/Depósito aceite:
Penz Custombikes
Schutzblech/Fenders/Garde-boue/spatborden/Parafango/Guardabaros:
Vorne/Front/avant/voor/anteriore/delantero:
Penz Custombikes "Slim Snake"
Hinten/Rear/arriere/achter/posteriore/trasero:
Penz Custombikes
Sonstiges/Other/Autres/ovenig/Altro/Otros:

Elektrik/Electrics/Electricité/electrciteit/Elettrico:
Lampe vorne/Headlight/Phares/koplamp/Faro/Foco:
Drag Specialties, "Mariah Concours", Chrome
Rücklicht/Taillight/Feux arrière/achterlicht/Luce posteriore
LED
Blinker/Indicators/Clignotantes/richtingaanweijzers/Lampeggiatore/Intermitentes:
Kellermann polished, Kellermann micro black
Kabelbaum/Wireing/System électrique/kabelboom/lmp. elettrico:
Penz Custombikes
Sonstiges/Other/Autres/ovenig/Altro/Otros:

Lackierung/Painting/Peinture/spuitwerk/Verniciature:
Idee/Idea/Idée/idee/Idea:
Mad Max & Marcus Pfeil
Ausführung/Painter/Peintre/spuiter/Autore/Pintor:
Marcus Pfeil
Basislack/Base laquer/Laque basique/basiskleur (soort)/Colore base:
Black
Farbe/Colour/Couleur/kleuren/Colore:
House of Kolor
Airbrush-Gemälde/Design/Airbrush Art/Design/Peinture speciale/ontwerp/Aerografie:
Eric Clapton images
Sonstige Bemerkungen/Other/Autres/ovenige bejzonderheeden/Altro/Otros:

Penz Custombikes
Mühlheimer Str. 41
A-4950 Altheim
Tel: 0043 (0)7723-44690
Fax: 0043 (0)7723-44691
e-mail: info@penz-custombikes.com
www.penz-custombikes.com