Although assembled using a lot of Harley-Davidson components, the Mississippi Queen was never a complete Harley to begin with. For one thing, the builder wanted certain features the Milwaukee company never offered to the public.
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Primary among the desired features were the front and rear suspension systems. Hardtail frames were the traditional choice, but they were uncomfortable over bumps.
So a Jammer frame was chosen that incorporated a plunger-type rear suspension -- similar to that used on old Indian motorcycles -- providing a bit of cushioned wheel travel. In front, girder forks have a one-piece design, but move up and down on pivoting links.
Harley-Davidson did, however, supply the drivetrain: a 74-cubic-inch "Shovel-
head" V-twin and 4-speed transmission.
A two-into-one header from Cycle Shack helps the old engine breathe. Power routes to a stock Harley spoke wheel with drum brake; in front, a Hallcraft 21-inch spoke wheel with disc brake was chosen for more of a "chopper" look.
The fuel tank is set back on the frame's top tube, allowing space for a graphics panel carrying the bike's Mississippi Queen moniker. A set of nearly flat drag bars in tandem with a deeply contoured "King and Queen" seat add an appropriate look to a bike built in the Early Chopper style -- which was something never offered by the folks from Milwaukee.
Go to the next page for more photos and details of this Harley-Davidson-powered chopper, the Mississippi Queen.For more information on custom choppers and motorcycles, see:
- Chopper Profiles
- How Choppers Work
- How Motorcycles Work
- Classic Motorcycle Profiles
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