Featured in Jammin', Spring 1981
Fan Dancer
One of a Kind Honda
PG 1
If custom bikes are your thing, this beauty will definitely give you
goose bumps as Tom Summers, the creator and builder of "Fan Dancer," surely
intended.
Tom is the owner of Lowriders by Summers, in Minneapolis, and also the
sole operator and main creative force of the shop which has business hours
from afternoon until late in the evenings. Tom's days are spent as manager
of a local body shop and his creativity and expertise with body work is
clearly evident in his custom two wheelers.
"Fan Dancer," originally a stock '76 750 Honda, received the first stage
of customizing when Tom trashed just about everything except the engine
and electrical works. The next step to follow was stripping the engine
and all visible components were then sent to Custom Metal Finishing and
Brown's Plating for chrome and gold plating.
Tom Summers and Mark Swanberg commenced working on what in the beginning
was a rigid frame from SB&F. Initially the rake was increased to a
full 60 degrees before Mark handmade the drop top tube. Also at that time
Mark fabricated the unique tank. The fuel tank rides below the seat in
place of the stock oil bag. You are probably saying to yourself, "under
the seat," well then what is where the fuel tank normally would be? Well,
in place of the gas tank we find a one of a kind custom dash panel with
a tach built in. This unique dash panel was built by Alan Speer.
Okay, so where's the oil hiding? It's in an aluminum spoiler, fabricated
by Ross Noard for Tom, ahead of the engine. A modified Ness fender was
installed and molded in to finish the chassis off.
PG 2
Below the rear fender is mounted an 18" alloy rim to the stock Honda
hub, which was machined and plated. The rear brake assembly was also machined
prior to plating. On the front end mounted between the legs of a 6" extended
Honda set-up are rims and disc brake assemblies from Hallcraft. The bars
and mirror mount come from none other than Ness. Note the engraving work
by L.R. Fliger on the machined legs. The added touch of suspension was
given the forks with air conversion.
Mounted on the completed chassis is the beefy 836cc power plant, which
was completely gone through by Bill Hoh. Big jugs were installed along
with an ARD magneto, and Barnett clutch. For an added touch, the cylinder
and head were hexed. The gold plating work was masterfully done by the
folks at Brown's Plating in Kentucky. Once the engine was in place, a slightly
modified set of Santee headers were connected. At the hands of its creator
the multi layered coats of green, yellow, blue and green candy lacquer
were applied. The lettering is the handiwork from DJ Eckel.
A shop makes a great name for itself when fine work like "Fan Dancer"
is produced, and no doubt that "Lowriders by Summers" is attaining that
plateau. For any other futher information regarding "Fan Dancer" or any
of the accessories used on it, don't hesitate to contact: Lowriders by
Summers, 628 E. Lake St., Dept. J, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407. |