![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSULzrYV2x8Vz-s9nVPL6A3oyuy_5WXtFnkmbUk0IUcXVUFaMmJp7rAy8RXl4pnKTjBSlKHk_1aRp7b6uhmY1UlvhK4vLTEiVBcvPQTiL3x2t7NcJPnjjOefcJ6ltabOqTKdYTnrlH5D2/s400/Bad+Banana+1-MCart.jpg)
Keeping it simple and classic. You really can't build a nicer bike than this. This color shot is printed on the page preceding the feature.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKLEG2wdxTzWHGUPvAgvQriEFFx_068_OYdpJtIOLCM4j6ZIV5npUxkmMPC4T7INm4tuwDsnKMbVcLBzUKkjeBlknLnx3swmwHVEo1qdNcU5hPoPYBXvQsmPICF36Pgh3ZHfun0Ha-Tv2/s400/BB-2.jpg)
1969 and already considered as done like "the good old days".
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57b1p2XwdDboYqWmonYmCM-L8ij9tTzu6DivGx7BcXTu_4MsK_-KHho4Rk_CabKYH_zsDcXfV9EPebmIF25jvLmijxD4wT0Ere-6CslO5LHNtmI8zBl_mrz3h8D9CIVkOP3_AxDsri0RN/s400/BB-3.jpg)
Nice shot/stance. Note that the copy states, styled as a perfect "1960" chopper. The term bobber was not, and really should not be used for bikes like this. Some might prefer a side mounted light and plate and although the caption implies otherwise, side mounts were run well before 1960.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHvq0Hj_ar_wbiDB4cDlQCgUuml6hE0700CRpfRyNnZgiVLFbELERld7Mthik7qlTlGcxU5-HY7CQYQc5RnUxxil6osLNPBBKe-ABO4zfOYvwk_TZySYrkYdkdllZ-IjLwNDAVgUwzkAw/s400/BB-4.jpg)
The copy shouldn't say "74" in regards to the "XA" springer. My guess, they're referring to it as having a 1" stem thus fitting a "74" . Back then "74" was commonly used to mean big twin. Interesting how XA forks were considered rare even back then. It was a lot tougher to find parts before the internet. Hell, in 69 there probably wasn't a decent MC swap meet anywhere.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaPhfbLEtk33RPjosCI9d8AXo2rjSBM5d24k2njFMiLwEvYtUKacASze_EHnqTVMfevHjUlikPHAmy-qV1ANwJ8bPBJU8V38uODGmYP7AR-RpzKoZREGDiM-XrZ46mE7TLgHd1Cxl_eKM/s400/BB-5.jpg)
Do you really think you could do better? That's a 20" wheel up front. I've only heard mention of one since then, and I think it was on the Born Loser blog.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JuIQetpLU1mB3cZwSfG3MfRVJCDIPeZmmnfW-Jgzu95PztFq6Q26I6GpkUBIlJqjKVh8E2lPUQYo8QXu3JqOublq28bsxa8U0NK-REOSymV0b9tJ7C8_6je8sFPArZh4D4NW3mEereTf/s400/BB-6.jpg)
Check how nicely the tanks have been axed to fit.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiO_yjg-t89yAnqWpsO6CdmSIi8wNppBhwCES20eo5-JFa1Rgp1gnGLfVq0AzZ0A8t8AkXTboUlTsqzTV6tPNS4qn8oLJ6ZF22ymGQK_avSiwshZRSeWlcp2Pjkhc8qZXzziNKZo2Ydlfl/s400/BB-7.jpg)
The copy mentions the dilemma of the 20" tire. (Note: a 21" is not mentioned as a replacement as they were beginning to be considered a bit "out" in '69). The bike is so well balanced that a 19" might be too small and a 21" too big. That said, I'd probably opt for the 21". It's hard to think that $1,700 was considered a lot of bread.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOrPlHfiME-RAth4wulotKY2sCgp-wB8LUZTI4Djb6wzLP_1TelG3cIV55Q41-Ya9XYSGJXcsvrZRT4965mG5ktUiZOcwZAnD-uW3B0k-aHGZIWe_aKVeIz76GXjFNH8UE2764NbHQotA/s400/Bad-Banana-Chop-fest.jpg)
From the David Mann Chopper Fest of several years ago. I see several differences, so I'd say it was inspired by, but not the same bike. Behind the bike there appears to be framed pages from a magazine feature. Anybody know the story on this bike?