Source: Bike Bound
[[{“value”:”As Seen at The One Moto: Harley Quad by Ed Brink…
For the first time in the history of The One Moto Show, one of our very favorite builds didn’t have just two wheels, or even three… It was the 1980 Harley-Davidson XL1000 Ironhead Sportster quad by our new friend Ed Brink (@Shopnerd66), a veteran auto body technician who’s been riding, modifying, and building motorcycles and classic cars for just about forever.
“My first street bike was a rigid frame right-hand-shift ’67 Triumph which I still own. My dad bought it for me for my 18th birthday — it was a whopping $50. It was a basket case when I got it and it was my first build.”
Ed has several other builds beneath his belt, including a chopper with a stretched 1950 frame and 113-inch Evo engine that he assembled in his living room more than 20 years ago!
“I have always been a builder. I like to put my own stamp on things. I don’t like things completely original, that comes from the custom vintage car life.”
Ed actually got the idea for this Harley quad way back in the 90s when he and some friends were dirt bike camping (and swilling beers) — always a good way to come up with build ideas! However, using his preferred powerplant, an Evo V-twin, didn’t fit his budget at the time.
It was years before he got his hands on the engine that would become the heart of the build: an Ironhead V-twin from a 1980 XL1000 Sportster a friend was selling for a good price. Later, from his local salvage yard, Ed picked up the rolling chassis from a Suzuki LT230 Quadsport — one of the first “sport” quads, launched back in 1985.
Though he used some of the suspension parts from the Quadsport, he had to fabricate the frame to fit the much taller Ironhead V-twin — an engine known to put out 57 horsepower and 60 pound-feet of torque from the factory. Most everything on this V-twin four-wheeler is custom made: the cafe-style seat, oil tank, battery cover, exhaust pipes, you name it.
“I originally wanted something to woods ride with but as time went on it became more of a showpiece.”
Ed’s dad stitched the seat cover, Vitaly Globak laid down the black paint, and Ed’s friend Chris Depuy lettered the Sportster tank. This “Psychobilly Quad” is so well executed that folks at the One Moto Show kept doing double-takes, wondering if it was some rare kit or refugee from an alternate reality where Harley-Davidson produced such a four-wheeled mutant machine.
At a show crafted to “celebrate the weird, rare, and unconventional bikes we all love,” Ed’s Harley quad was right at home. Few machines elicited as many smiles, photos, and wishes for a ride around the block (or back 40). We asked Ed himself what the riding experience is like:
“So far, I’ve only ridden it in my neighborhood but it’s a blast. I’m glad my neighbors like me. Haha.”
Ed, thank you for sharing this wild machine with us. We love it, and we hope you, your old man, and your friends have many years of fun with this one.
Below is our full uncut interview with Ed for those who want to delve deeper into the backstory, and credit for the One Moto photos goes to our man on the ground, Fouad “Moh” Mohiadeen (@astronaut_bear). Enjoy!
Harley Quad: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
Ed Brink, 57. Auto body technician for 46 years. I’m into classic cars and do my own work there too. I’ve been riding motorcycles from the age of 7, including dirt bikes. I’m a total gearhead. My first street bike was a rigid frame right-hand-shift ’67 Triumph which I still own. My dad bought it for me for my 18th birthday — it was a whopping $50. It was a basket case when I got it and it was my first build.
Ed’s Triumph…owned since he was 18!
I hung out with a bunch of motorcycle guys, and they all owned Harleys but had started on Triumphs. I also grew up with a ’49 Panhead that my dad owned…it started my love of Harleys. I own the Panhead now too.
I bought my first new Harley in ’96 — it was a springer softtail and I proceeded to modify that. I have always been a builder. I like to put my own stamp on things. I don’t like things completely original, that comes from the custom vintage car life.
I built a rigid chopper, it’s another thing that I started out with a ’50 frame, stretched and deraked, Sportster tank mounted on top. 113-inch competition package EVO engine, had a Revtech 4-speed, open 3-inch belt primary, stock length late model wide glide front end, a ’50 Panhead front fender turned around and used as a rear fender — it was a hell of a ride.
Over 20 years ago on his Evo-powered chop
After that I built a ’70 FL Shovelhead, which I still own. I bought a rolling chassis from a friend, basically it’s a custom FL. I’ve change it multiple times. I get bored and things get makeovers.
As for the shops, I built that rigid chopper at work but assembled it in my living room at home. I’ve always been lucky to be able to use my work as a backup, as well as my dad’s shop until I had my own shop. Mostly it’s been garages and I finally built my first shop in 2003, but we recently moved and I was lucky enough to find a spot with a shop already built. So I work from home, work, and my dad’s…not much has changed there.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
A buddy at work hooked me up with his friend who was selling his 1980 Sportster XL1000 that fit my budget. I then found a rolling LT230 quad chassis at a local bike salvage yard that I could use suspension parts from.
• Why was this bike built?
Back in the early 90s when we were dirt bike camping (drinking beers too) I thought it would be cool to have a quad with a Harley motor in it since I love old Harleys. I wanted to use an Evo motor but at the time I couldn’t afford one. I didn’t start the project till 2003.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I originally wanted something to woods ride with but as time went on it became more of a showpiece.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
I used some suspension parts from the donor quad but built the frame to fit the motor. I had a Sportster gas tank that I made work with the shape of the frame. The seat pan, oil tank, battery cover, exhaust pipes front steering cover, etc. are all custom pieces.
I built the cafe-style seat pan and my dad stitched a great seat cover for it. The frame, swingarm, wheels, and a few small parts are powder-coated. The painted parts, I did all the body and prep and had our painter Vitaly Globak pull the trigger on the black. I wanted some cool Harley script on the tank and my friend Chris Depuy did some awesome lettering for me.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Originally I didn’t but Psychobilly Quad keeps coming to mind.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
So far, I’ve only ridden it in my neighborhood but it’s a blast. I’m glad my neighbors like me. Haha.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
That’s a tough one. I guess just the overall design is all I can really think of. I’m very happy with the work that my friends did for me.
Follow the Builder
Instagram: @Shopnerd66
Follow the Photographer
Instagram: @astronaut_bear
Facebook: @bearnaut
Follow the Show
Web: www.the1moto.com
Facebook: @theOneMotorcycleShow
Instagram: @the1moto”}]]
