If you’ve been around a while, you may remember the Honest Charley ads in Hot Rod magazine and other car mags back in the sixties. Back then, they were one of the premier speed parts suppliers. These days, “Honest Charley himself” as they used to say has passed on but the name and trademark was purchased by Coker Tire and they continue the tradition of old time speed, they are also renowned for selling flathead V8 Motorcycles.

This concept originated in Illinois USA and is the brainchild of Dale Olson who got V8 60 Ford Flathead V8 Engines and put them into a motorcycle of his design. Some of these motorcycles had springer front ends, some Honda Cycle parts but one thing for sure they were all very cool.

Dale marketed these bikes himself but eventually made a deal with Honest Charlie and they stocked them in their Hot Rod shop.

Here at Naked Racer Moto Co we have always been a fan of Dale’s work and our own Johnny Gee, who’s known Dale for many, many years was able to convince Dale one year at the Davenport Swap Meet in Iowa to sell his own personal  motorcycle and here it is on display.

In 2010 it was damaged by a fire in our workshop and it has undergone full restoration and has had some tasteful alterations done to personalise for John. This work was carried out by one of John’s close friends and master motorcycle craftsman, John Williams.

It is a real hoot to ride; it only has one gear. You let the clutch out and idle. It rides at walking pace and at full throttle it does over 100 MPH.

This bike has the engine from a 1937 Ford Pickup Truck and has Edlebrock alloy heads, Eddie Myer intake manifold and other secret engine mods to make it a real rocket.

Definitely one of our favourite rides here at Naked Racer Moto Co.