2025 People's Champ Contestant - Zach Gosteli

What have you done? I’ve collected a whole big pile of old crusty junk parts from the 40s, 50s and 60s, cleaned them up as much and nice as I can to put my spin on a 1960s era Frisco Chopper. Every bike build is unique and fun but this one is something more special than anything I’ve done before. Every single piece of this bike has been gathered, or found, bought and swapped from friends across the country over the last couple of years. The 1957 straight leg frame, early ratchet top transmission, 19/21” star hub wheels, rear drum, Lee pedal and backing plate, chrome knuckle oil bag and primary, are all harley original parts each with their own story and close friend they originated from. The motor (not pictured here) was gathered up piece by piece in original chrome (sometimes flakey or rusty) chrome that predates a generation or two before us. 1946 Cases, FHP heads & cylinders, Rocker boxes, pushrods, tappet blocks, magneto and Linkert carburetor, all shining in old chrome. Beyond being a knuckhead alone, this will be the most special thing I’ve put together. Aside from being a sentimental nerd, this bike is coming together and has the silhouette of what to be expected from my tried and true recipe. High and tight, a fast fun, stripped down Chopper. Tall Tbars, high foot controls, Narrowed everything. Frisco’d Sportster tank, cut and narrowed K model fender, one piece skinny strut, offset springer and Fugle style narrowed seat pan make up the rolling bones.

What do you have left to do? My motor still has to come together this winter. (Knuckle pictured is on loan and for sale. Vote and I’ll put you in contact ;) I’ll be doing a High and tight shotgun exhaust, tall mechanical brake pedal, seat still have to covered. Most importantly I’ll be doing all my own paint. The part that everyone else is excited to hand off is my favorite part. If you know me, you’ll know what to expect. If it ain’t broke….. paint flames on it.

Any problems so far? Time, money, and not enough hours in the day. Making old parts that didn’t ne belong together work together and those ones that were available at the swap were probably available for a reason. 50hrs/wk at a job, 40hrs/at the shop. More motorcycles more problems. But we’re having fun.

Favorite part of the bike so far? I sound like a broken record, but I can’t say enough how incredible it is that everyone that I looked up to 5 years ago through all the bike shows and the internet are now close friends and I’m privileged enough to have a part out of their private stash contributed to this forever bike. No matter what this summer I’ll be riding this knuck by the beach with my friends and that’s the best thing in the whole world.

Favorite part of the competition? I’m on a very short list of people who have gotten the chance to do people’s champ for a second time. So I’m sincere when I say the best two things about people’s champ is first that it pushes you to work harder longer and to a higher standard and on a faster deadline that you probably would have on your own. If you’re on the stage and people are watching what you’re doing you’ve got to live up to whatever you hold yourself accountable for. If you’re going to cut corners, you better metal finish them a little nicer. Second is the cliche but the people. The only ones who really get all the hours and all the work are the ones you’re doing it with and the ones who have done the big shows before. Endless hours in the shop, cutting grinding welding painting to make deadline and show up with something you’re proud of.

Want to give any shout outs? First and foremost, my best friend and smoking hot Ol Lady Sarah, who supports all of this chaos. Team Haints, Roadside Marty, Olive Street Mike, Florida RöadDäwgs, Zach Scott, Long Beach Swap Meet In&Out Team, and all the friends along the way. Jerimiah Smith for shooting these photos and the Choppers Mag cover (Go get one!) Anyone and everyone who has helped me anytime along the way, taught me anything in the past 10 years, let me use their shop or worked on bikes broke down in the middle of nowhere. Anyone that’s been cool at a show or a gas station along the way, Sent a nice message or bought a shirt. I can’t say enough good things about choppers and the people who ride them.