Steve Dietzman Wins the J&P Custom Show's Modified Retro Class at the Chicago IMS

Steve Dietzman's 1968 Triumph chopper at the Chicago, Illinois IMS

Steve Dietzman's Triumph chopper sits on the IMS red carpet in Chicago

There is something special about the 60s era Triumphs. It’s not just the Bonneville Salt Flats records or the Isle of Man TT race wins that Triumphs amassed in the decade of free love and tie dye. The Triumph mystique is rooted firmly in that iconic British parallel twin engine.

No doubt, Steve Dietzman understood the magical qualities of that thumping 650 twin when he used it as the polished centerpiece of his ultra-cool 1968 Triumph chopper. Dietsman’s custom won the Modified Retro Class in the last installment of the of the 2017 J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show.

Steve Dietzman's 1968 Triumph chopper engine at the Chicago, Illinois IMS

The iconic 650 Triumph twin is the heart of the custom chopper

In the final stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS) in Chicago, Illinois, Dietzman was presented the trophy and the check in the K&N-sponsored category. As the IMS made its way across the country, the Retro Mod competition proved to be one of the most competitive and most popular with fans.

Like any great chopper, Dietzman’s clean and minimalist custom highlights the wheels. The Triumph sports a 21-inch front rim laced to a JR’s Cycle Products spool hub. Out back, the 18-inch rim is laced to a chromed Triumph hub. Fittingly retro bias-ply Firestone tires are spooned on those hoops.

That rear wheel is bolted to a rigid tail frame. Of course, no traditional chopper build is complete without a great sissy bar. Dietzman hand bent the piece for his Triumph and it is chromed to perfection. The sissy bar also serves as the mount for the bike’s rear fender.

The solo saddle is spring mounted and sits at just about the same level of the engine heads. You don’t get much lower than that. Dietzman went with a Lowbrow Customs P-Nut gas tank that matches the vintage motif perfectly. On top of the chromed forks sit cool mid-rise handlebars.

Steve Dietzman's 1968 Triumph chopper side view

Clean, low lines define Dietzman's Triumph chopper (photo ChopCult)

The minimal bodywork and the frame are coated in a candy red metal flake paintjob with gold pin striping. That paint and touches of chrome and polished aluminum make for a beautifully subtle build.

Back to that iconic 650 twin. Dietzman’s attention to detail is evident in every polished and painted part of the engine. The kick-start twin breathes through velocity stacks and wears simple low-mount chromed, pea-shooter exhaust pipes.

K&N is proud to have sponsored the Modified Retro Class of the J&P competition at each stop of the IMS. We congratulate Steve Dietzman on his win and his great Triumph chopper build.

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