You never know when and how would you develop a thing for motorcycles. Some of us have it in our blood, others get on board once they get a taste of it. Something similar happened with Black Lanes Motorcycles whose owner, who teaches woodcraft at a school, loved skateboarding for the creativity and coolness of the sport. Later he realised that motorcycles, motor culture, and motorcycling shared many of the freedom aspects of skateboarding and it kind of becomes an extension to that love. Since then, he started building and riding bikes. It was this passion and love that led to the development of Chopper BL3 ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’.
Chopper BL3 is based on a 1992 Sportster XL 883. Of course, many changes have been implemented to make it the way it looks now. Black Lanes Motorcycles replaced the 883cc engine with a bigger and more powerful 1200cc because why not. It has also been glass blasted and is matte finished. To bear all that extra torques, the frame of the motorcycle has been replaced too.
Talking about the frame, it has been powder coated with a blue-grey matte finish. Also, various hoses and rubber have been replaced by grey ones to go with the new paint job. The saddle is handmade by Sandqvist. Under it, there’s a layer of birchwood stained with a grey shade.
Sitting on the saddle, you will hold on to a handmade handlebar copied from that of a 90s BMW handlebar. You will also spot a Motogadeget Motoscope mini speedo slapped on.
Perhaps, one of the most eye-catching features of the Chopper BL3 is its suspension setup. It is a springer fork which has been lifted off from a Harley-Davidson Softail Springer. Looks super cool and performs brilliantly too.
The side turn indicators at the front are from Kellerman and the rear unit is a single taillight with an indicator-brake-light combination. There’s also a USB charger.
Black Lanes Motorcycles’ lucky charm is a handmade little bird. It is on their every build. The Chopper BL3 has it too on its side stand.
