W.H. Bradford Island Hopper

For bike builders, inspiration can come from just about anywhere. On one of the latest builds from Brad Hodges of W.H. Bradford Designs, inspiration landed in the form of TC’s helicopter from Magnum PI. As Hodges put it, “Being a kid who was babysat by TV, I really fell in love with Magnum PI and one of the most iconic paint schemes from that era was TC’s Island Hopper.”

Hodges has been building bikes in Rancho Cordova for more than a decade. He started out with BMX and trick bikes but has expanded his repertoire in recent years to include road, mountain, cx and touring bikes—which brings us to his take on the Island Hopper. Hodges bills this as an “adventure touring flat bar hybrid,” and it comes tour-ready with a matching trailer. That feature originally came about with the idea of touring the San Juan Islands with his Jack Russell Terrier, Winston, and unloading his bike at the end of the day to ride local trails. “I can get to the campsite, unhook the trailer, set up the tent and then take the bike out and go ride trails and have a good time,” said Hodges.

The Island Hopper has a few surprise features, including a dropped drive-side chainstay and a custom-bent seat tube that allow for 417mm chainstays with clearance for a 650b x 47mm tire and a 44-tooth chainring. Custom bags, saddle and grips complete the vintage helicopter look and match the paint scheme perfectly.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Whisky No.9 CX 12mm Tapered Disc Fork

• Whisky No.9 31.8 Riser Bar

• Whisky No.9 30w 650b Rims laced to White Industries hubs

• SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain with White Industries crankset

• Paul Klamper brakes

• Custom leather covered seat and grips from Carson Lep

• Custom bags by Outer Shell

• Titanium steerer tube on trailer by Titanium Joe