1:8 Super X Deadwood Special – 3D Scratch Build
In the Spring of 2000 I was working in the styling department for Excelsior-Henderson in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. The company had plans to unveil a hydraulic front (non-springer) end version of the Super X at the Sturgis Bike Rally in August of that year. While the design work had been completed, it was clear that the tooling costs and the handwriting on the wall of the financial future of E-H wouldn't accommodate full production of a new model. Enter the Deadwood Special.
I was tasked with designing as many “special edition” concepts as I could. The idea being to change the less expensive pats of a standard Super X providing a salable factory custom. These ranged from a model with factory saddle bags, windshield, and highway bars to the hot rod cruiser that became the “Deadwood Special.”
Why the name? While the bike rally primarily occupies the city of Sturgis, SD, Excelsior-Henderson setup camp in Deadwood, SD. That became the hook for the name. And while I fought hard to put aces and eights (Wild Bill Hickok's famous deadman's hand) on the front fender, the final decision was to adorn the machine with factory flames. Other features included: chrome rigid front fork, black accent front end elements, blackout engine pieces, drag style handlebars, and a one-piece seat.
A tradition on the E-H assembly line was to paint names of special bikes on the frames as they were built. These names were on the top frame member under the gas tank. When the time came to build the first two Deadwood's for promotional purposes we christened them Jake & Elwood, after the Blues Brothers. I shepherded both down the assembly line and drove Elwood out the factory doors. It was a very special day for me.
The Build
Some of you are familiar with my WIP as I designed and printed my previous [Super X Build] (https://imodeler.com/2024/02/18-excelsior-henderson-super-x-3d-scratch-built/). The Deadwood, is the second in the trilogy of Super X builds I'm planning. Like the first, this is 100% designed and printed by me from factory blueprints and parts catalog references. I modified some of the parts to aid in easier assembly. For example now the front fender “clicks” into place on the front forks vs. the original pressure fit method. I also took the time and modeled the correct Dunlop Elite II tires. Sorry, I wasn't brave enough to attempt the raised white lettering.
The biggest “win” was the switch to Alcald paint for the chrome. Iw as singing the praises of AK Super Chrome on my first build, but it just doesn't hold up to handling like the Alclad an it looks closer to real chrome. I'm a convert for sure.
Thats all folks. Comment away and keep building.
Very cool, Matt. Are the spoked wheels and tires 3D printed also?
Yes the spokes are printed. It took some trial & error to get them to come out. In the end I make them pretty thick so they wouldn’t bend after pulling the supports off.
I gotta admit, that's bloody stunning, mate!
Kudos to you, and your expertise 🤘
Matt, what's special about your build is your knowledge of designing and making the original bike. I like your idea of Aces and Eights cards for representing Wild Bill. The idea has more heft and interest in telling a story than some pedestrian flames. Talk about a hands on experience your as close to making the model as the real thing. Having done both. It be cool if you could build that bike using your own.custom designs.
Two thumbs.
Stunning work, Matt, scratch building brought right up to date.
"Aces and Eights" was the right choice. This is really amazing work and a stupendous result. Very realistic.
Absolutely wonderful job, Matt!
Congratulations!
Some serious 3D printed scratch build, Matt @coondog
Absolutely stunning how this bike turned out.
@coondog - Amazing work Matt. What software do you use for your modeling? This is a truly spectacular piece!
I use Shapr3D. It's got a very easy user-interface. Not nearly the feature set of ZBrush, but good at machines. It's also a bit spendy for a hobbyist, but it where I started so I'm kinda stuck with it.