Mark Shell of Bonneville Customs Wins the K&N Award at the Long Beach IMS

29 Nov 2017

Mark Shell's Cherry Bomb custom chopper side view at the Long Beach IMS

Mark Shell's Cherry Bomb custom sits long and low at the Long Beach IMS

Mark Shell, the owner of Bonneville Customs, has the distinction of winning the first K&N builder’s award of the new season of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS). The Idaho Falls-based builder took the prize at the Long Beach, California, stop of the biggest traveling motorcycle show in the nation.

Shell’s 2015 Harley-Davidson custom is more than worthy of the prestigious specialty award given to one talented builder by K&N. This is the second straight year in which K&N will be a vital part of the J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show at each stop of the IMS.

“This bike was completely handmade,” said Shell. “Every part, down to the brass washers.” With that remarkable fact in mind, here is a closer look at Bonneville Custom’s awesome chopper aptly named Cherry Bomb.

Mark Shell's Cherry Bomb custom chopper engine view at the Long Beach IMS

A mix of metals on the engine and bodywork make the custom chopper gleam

Engine and Drive

Shell’s chopper is built around a 96 inch Harley-Davidson Shovel V-twin that breathes through twin velocity stacks and features a full stainless exhaust. That engine powers through a six-speed transmission with a hand shift and a hand clutch. It spins a 2-inch open primary and there is a chain final drive spinning the rear wheel.

The artful bends of the fluid supply lines deserve special mention. While visually intricate, this is one of the cleanest powerplants you will see.

Frame and Wheels

The stretched and raked goose-neck frame is a hardtail out back and displays a custom springer front end. The spoked front and rear wheels carry disk brakes that are both actuated from floor controls. The retro rubber spooned on the rims fits the motif perfectly.

Mark Shell's Cherry Bomb custom chopper rear view at the Long Beach IMS

The Bonneville Customs chopper is fully hand-built down to the smallest detail

The low, drag handlebars and forward foot controls make for a stretched out aggressive riding position.

Bodywork

The candy red paint, artfully applied by Creative Auto to the minimalist but perfectly crafted tank and fender, give Cherry Bomb her name. Nickel plated, aluminum, and brass parts abound on the build. The brass and stainless steel laminated seat may be low on comfort, but it is certainly high on style.

K&N is proud to be a sponsor of the 2017-2018 J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show as the Progressive International Motorcycle Show makes its way across the country. Mark Shell’s Cherry Bomb build has set the bar very high for other builders looking to claim the coveted K&N prize.