WHEN I FIRST ENCOUNTERED IAN Henderson’s stunning BSA Bobber, I imagined I was being whisked back in time to the 1970s, to the living, breathing era of easyriders – be it the iconic film or the trendsetting American magazine for wannabe Hell’s Angels. I was simply spellbound by Ian’s Low-Rider/Black Bobber... it looked so period perfect, so very well executed, and just made for Dennis Hopper!
As I poured over his fabulous all-black custom, I wrongly assumed it was spawned from the leftovers of an A10 Golden Flash. In fact, it was a cooking-model 1960 Super Rocket import from California, USA. Ian found it online, for sale from its Aberdeen-based importer. Although the BSA had been semi-chopped by the previous American owner, Ian said the bike was nothing more than a rolling chassis with a grotty frame, engine and gearbox, with rusted wheels and a box of scruffy cycle parts.
What Ian turned it into is nothing short of amazing!
Ugly ducklings
“I bought the BSA and a similarly hacked-about old Triumph. Initially, I had no idea what I would do with it!” said Ian. “I’m not into concours restorations. In any case, many parts were missing and the frame had been crudely customised, so there and then I decided it would be an interesting project to continue with its customisation. The bike appeared to have spent much time in San Francisco, so I dare say it got the shock of its life when it landed in Fife!
“In the 1970s, discarded
