1938 Knucklehead Case
For 3 years now I have been searching for an original left side knuckle case with papers. This is for many, the most challenging step to kick off a rare and radical chopper or restoration and here's the story of how I found it.
I had been combing Craigslist posts, forums, Chopcult's classified ads and Ebay sales for far too long, I nearly gave in and purchased a re-pop Taiwanese piece of crap a couple times. Then one evening I went to a bike night in the outskirts of Chicago where I met and befriended another vintage bike nut who calls himself the Top Wop, Big Dick, Joey Dicks. A little long in the tooth, but a hell of a name. We admired each other's bikes and began talkin shit. I told him I had my eye out there for a set of knuckle cases.
He replied, "I might actually know someone that may be able to help you. His name is Knucklehead Ted." The Top Wop and I drank down a few more brews that night and made plans to meet up the following week. I didn't hear from Joey Dick's the next week nor the one after that. I had nearly lost all faith by this time.
Then one morning leaving work after night shift at the Sugar Shack, I get the call. I see on the caller ID, Top Wop, Big Dick, Joey Dicks. I answered within the first ring. "Hey Jim, it's Joey, listen man I finally got in touch with Knucklehead Ted." Apparently Ted's health wasn't the greatest. He had slipped from his roof replacing some shingles. At his age recovery was looking grim. I guessed he was all busted up.
Ted said he would be willing to let go of some knucklehead parts for the right price. We met up and Joey and I headed out to an undisclosed location in the unincorporated Chicagoland suburbs. Although the vibe was good; conversation in the van was nil. Excited and nervous at the same time I felt like I was going to meet a Kingpin in the Mexico City drug Cartel.
When we arrived at Knucklehead Ted's home, I looked across his property, it appeared as though his lawn mower hadn't been running for at least the last couple summers, and his home's most recent paintjob was around the time Milli Vanilli started their singing careers. That shit's funny, if you're not laughing; Fuck you.
We approached Ted's front door but before we could knock the door began to open. Knucklehead Ted doesn't appear immediately instead he lets his drooling Bullmastiff answer the door. Joey and I fall back on our heels a little bit, not quite expecting this type of introduction nor did we wanna get our Nike's wet. The little bit of doorway we can see is dark. Then he appears.
Knucklehead Ted definitely living up to the mental picture I had fabricated in my mind. An older gentlemen not of great size but great style, rockin a distinguished beard that would make jolly ole Saint Nick envious and wearing worn-out overalls and a red flannel shirt.
"What the fuck do you want?" Ted says. Joey and I stammered; Joey then replied. " It's me Ted, Joey. Remember how I said I had a guy interested in some knucklehead parts?" He then acknowledges Joey, opening the door further leading us into the house. Ted turns around with no warning and says "you better have brought cash, cause I don't take checks, Sport." "Yeah, no problem, I brought cash." I said.
Downstairs of his split level home is a Harley pickers paradise. Parts are spread out all over the place, you can hardly move around once you leave the staircase. "What is it you need?" Ted asked. "I'm looking to get a knucklehead case with a title, if possible." "Yeah, I got one," he points to a box against the wall near the back of the room." It's in that box, grab it and bring it over here. Lets see if it's still in there."
I'm barely able to, due to the immense clutter many would refer to as hoarding. I get it though and place it on one of the steps where Ted is standing. He opened it up and began digging around with one hand. His entire arm is deep into the bottom of the box. "Yep, here it is." He said.
Ted pulls it out and places it in my hands. I can't believe it. I try and show my poker face but, he's got me and he knows it. "How much cash you got with you," Ted asked. I looked at him and smiled and said. "Well... hopefully just enough."
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