For anyone who reads custom motorcycle and hot rod magazines, or who regularly attends rallies or shows, the chances are pretty good that you have seen Cole Foster’s “Little Blue Chopper.” And before we get started telling you about it, we want to start with just one word, “Awesome!”

Cole and his dad, longtime hot-rodder Pat Foster, worked together to complete Cole’s design. At the Salinas Boys Customs, the shop that Cole runs and where the work on his bike was performed, we sat down to have a talk and to ask him about his inspiration for the bike. “The design basically came from reading Hot Rod Magazine,” and as Cole further explains that inspired his approach of wanting something that was in his own words, “light, little, and fast.” Cole also told us that he loves it when people ask him what is the year model of the bike so he can reply, “2002—It’s brand new!”

In regard to the bike itself, it has a lean and hungry look. With a 21” Avon up front and an 18” new old-stock MH racing slick on the back, there is no doubt that this “little blue dude” is ready to roll. Cole told us that while the engine is pretty much an 88 cubic inch RevTech stock package with a Mikuni carburetor, that it is plenty quick!. Then to get that power to the rear wheel, Cole told us why he used a half-width exposed primary, traditional chain drive, and four-speed gearbox: “It was an exercise to try to keep the bike as narrow as we could.” Even the old-time kick-starter is functional. “Our thought was, if we were going to go light, then why add a starter?” Another reason for the lean approach was that Cole went on to state that he believed that the trend in motorcycle styling had more recently followed trends in car design in being lower, wider, and with fatter tires. He also said that this bike was a culmination of all the styles that he loved such as flat track, drag racing, and speedway racing. Cole said that what he believes attracts people’s attention to the bike is its 7/8 scale design. “It’s the bare necessities,” added Cole. “It makes people think of their own old bikes that they could strip down and have fun with—even mini-bikes!” Finally, we asked Cole about his own philosophy of hot rods and he replied, “Form following function.” How clear and concise! And, that is just what Cole and Pat have put together in his “Little Blue Chopper.” Simplicity, style, and raw power: a winning combination!

If you would like to know more about the “Little Blue Chopper” and Salinas Boyz Customs, check them out on the web at www.salinasboys.com

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