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Way back when, during the second golden age of choppers, everyone wanted a long rigid chop with one of Jesse James’ CFL frames. You couldn’t turn around in Sturgis or Daytona during a rally without running into one back in Ye Olde Days circa 1998 to 2005. It was a far cry from the performance baggers enjoying the spotlight now. Nowadays, CFL builds aren’t nearly as common.  

And ones from Germany are even rarer. That’s what makes this Knuckle-powered impressive build by Germany’s MBC. As shop owner Martin Becker puts it, “I bought the West Coast CFL frame with German license like I always do when there is a CFL frame available in Germany. They are very rare over here. You have to pay around 10,000 € here. For the last three years, I’ve always had at least one CFL in the make.” 

When asked about the main goal when building this project, he replied, “For my client Sirko Usath, who always wants the best, I tried to do something special which is usable and mean at the same time. He already has six bikes from MBC. Right now two more bikes are in the make for him.” It doesn’t get much meaner than a CFL rigid, 93-inch Knuckle, and black paint. 

Having secured the bones, Martin got down to fleshing out Sirko’s chop. On the power side of the equation, that meant the addition of 93-inch S&S Cycle Knucklehead motor. The 2-into-1 exhaust was made by Martin in-house, giving it a look more about performance than classic style. However, the 2-inch open belt drive from Performance Machine packs the classic chopper cred a bike like this deserves.  

It’s part of the old school chopper look that’s carried through with the spoked wheels from TTS Germany. In true chopper fashion, the wheels measure in with an 18-incher up front and a 21-inch at the rear. The same can’t be said for the brakes, which are modern Lyndalls all around. “Making the brackets and fitments for the brake system was the biggest challenge,” Martin says. “However, the most rewarding part of the build was for sure the brake system.” 

For Martin, that’s just one of the many rewards that come with a motorcycle build. Still, if you check out the scoots on his website, you’ll see a wide variety but with an underlying commitment to great craftsmanship. We asked what inspired the style or direction of this project, and Martin replied, “I can’t tell you. It always grows in my mind step by step. I always build my bikes in my style – as clean and functional as possible.” 

Finally, we were curious about what MBC is currently working on, and he tells us, “Right now I build two more CFLs and a longfork Swedishchopp.” 

WORDS: Mark Masker PHOTOS: Riderseyes