KB Expert "Biker Buildoff"

[White trash]

So we’re probably the biggest bunch of experts on the planet right here, I thought we could have a bit of fun.

From your own point of view, who are the best of the builders of custom machines?

Give us a bit of a reason for your choice and a link to your favorite bike they’ve built.

I’ll kick it off. Russell Mitchell of Exile Cycles (http://www.exilecycles.com/) fame. The no frills, no bullshit approach to building is, for me, a refreshing return to the roots of choppers and what they meant. Sod all chrome, no dazzle, simply the cleanest no nonsense bikes built (IMO)

The bike for me? Gotta be the Fat Tracker (http://www.exilecycles.com/index.php?section=17). Crazy styling, but clean as all hell and tough to boot.

So. What have ya got?

[KiwiGs]

I am not normally a fan of custom bikes, but I really like this one.
IMO it has very nice lines, nothing too outrageous but quite different and a good combination of form and function...

[White trash]

I am not normally a fan of custom bikes, but I really like this one.
IMO it has very nice lines, nothing too outrageous but quite different and a good combination of form and function...
Love it. Reminds me of a CB500/4 powered Chopper I used to own (no where near as nice as the GS pictured)

Any builder you can credit with the creation?

[KiwiGs]

Yeah his name is Henry and he lives in Cloverdale, Va in the US of A
His build is on a site called Classic UJM under projects

[martybabe]

It's a bit hard to contribute to this thread when the first post has already picked out my favorite custom builder :whistle:

Anyway here's the black bull, as simple a design as is possible I should think but I reckon it's farkin lovely. How much is $50,000 us in kiwi dollars?

[rainman]

The bike for me? Gotta be the Fat Tracker (http://www.exilecycles.com/index.php?section=17). Crazy styling, but clean as all hell and tough to boot.

+1 for that. Second best is the Brown Pearl (http://www.exilecycles.com/index.php?section=13) if you ask me.

Don't usually like bikes with a big rake, but the brown pearl effect is quite sorta post-apoc cool... Might want different pipes on it though.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Roland Sands. Way too sexy and still rideable!

[Omega1]

Matt Hotch,

That Vincent powered bike he made and raced at Bonneville...sweet jesus..what a machine.

[jimbo600]

So we’re probably the biggest bunch of experts on the planet right here, I thought we could have a bit of fun.

From your own point of view, who are the best of the builders of custom machines?

Give us a bit of a reason for your choice and a link to your favorite bike they’ve built.

I’ll kick it off. Russell Mitchell of Exile Cycles (http://www.exilecycles.com/) fame. The no frills, no bullshit approach to building is, for me, a refreshing return to the roots of choppers and what they meant. Sod all chrome, no dazzle, simply the cleanest no nonsense bikes built (IMO)

The bike for me? Gotta be the Fat Tracker (http://www.exilecycles.com/index.php?section=17). Crazy styling, but clean as all hell and tough to boot.

So. What have ya got?

Nice, but the size of the front wheel makes it look like a wheelbarrow.

[Brian d marge]

Indian Larry

and the original owner from Denver cycles , forget his name died in a jet boat accident

That exile pure sex one is nice , clean ,,, I like

mid you the one I'm building IS pure Sex


Stephen

and this one ...it wont let me load the picture again

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=111031

[James Deuce]

Roland Sands. Way too sexy and still rideable!

WHat he said. ANything Roland buuilds is gold in my book.

[Crasherfromwayback]

WHat he said. ANything Roland buuilds is gold in my book.

Like-e so... http://z.about.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/g/Y/-/-/RSD_Glory_Stomper_1280.jpg

Or even... http://thekneeslider.com/images/krv5tracker1.jpg

[CookMySock]

I prefer the backyard approach - the titanium blond boys with their tats and wide tyres look like faggots to me. I'll leave their overpriced stuff for rockstars to purchase.

I an keen to see what ordinary blokes hack together in their shed, starting with a cheap or older bike. It's not as pretty as the high-end stuff but its not faked up, and its not 40 grand worth either. Keep it real I reckon.

<img src="http://www.motortopia.com/files/bikes/album_new_shoes/47f41562cec6d/red_shoes_003jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg">

Steve

[Laxi]

the OCC guys! best bikes ever made! troll anyone? :rofl:

[Crasherfromwayback]

I prefer the backyard approach - the titanium blond boys with their tats and wide tyres look like faggots to me. I'll leave their overpriced stuff for rockstars to purchase.

I an keen to see what ordinary blokes hack together in their shed, starting with a cheap or older bike. It's not as pretty as the high-end stuff but its not faked up, and its not 40 grand worth either. Keep it real I reckon.

<
Steve

Dude...taking the front and back guards/mufflers off ya mums bike does not make it a chopper.

[James Deuce]

Samurai are one of my favourite Custom Shops

<img src=http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/zero_iron-man_bike.jpg>

[Brian d marge]

I an keen to see what ordinary blokes hack together in their shed, starting with a cheap or older bike. It's not as pretty as the high-end stuff but its not faked up, and its not 40 grand worth either. Keep it real I reckon.

Steve
http://www.rattlers.co.nz/

Theres hope yet !

Stephen

[Crasherfromwayback]

Samurai are one of my favourite Custom Shops


That's similar to what Brad Pitt was riding to my eyes!

[Brian d marge]

Samurai are one of my favourite Custom



o you have a link? I wouldn't mind meeting him

if hes local

Stephen

[martybabe]

the OCC guys! best bikes ever made! troll anyone? :rofl:


I've watched that program off and on for years,living in the forlorn hope that one day they'll make a bike I really like...........I'll never get that time back will I :weep:

[James Deuce]

o you have a link? I wouldn't mind meeting him

if hes local

Stephen

They're in Las Vegas, so possibly more local for you than us.

http://www.zero-eng.com/#

http://www.zero-eng.com/email1.php

[Molly]

Hank Young and Jesse James. Both know their way around the tools rather than around a parts catalogue. Watched a DVD with JJ making a beautiful tank out of no more than sheet aluminium and some hand tools / English wheel. Very skilled bloke.

Visited OCC when I was in the US in '07. Up close the bikes are actually very well finished. That Dave Mann bike was beautiful in the flesh. That said, none of it is down to the OCC 'characters' themselves. It's all down to the people they employ or sub out to.

[Big Dave]

Arlen Ness - Fire Engine.

Probably unrideable, but what a lovely sculpture.

[Motu]

Is this a Kiwi biker build off....or just about US custom bike builders?

The father of a flamboyant NZ racer was one of the best custom bike builders in the early '70's.He could work metal like it was putty,do state of the art paint jobs for the time,and do the upholstery too - he only sent out for chroming,he built everything on the bikes.He was one old school rodders,and turned his talents to bikes when the chopper craze hit.It was a pleasure to watch him work.Made a seat for my BSA,and extended the forks 8'' too.

[BIG DOUG]

Todd sillicato from toddscycle www.toddscycle.com I have pictures of me at sturgis on his bike olive just an insane amount of work and he rode it everywhere and still won the metzeler show also fredd krugger and satya kraus also saw indian larrys bikes up close very clean and the denver you were talking about was denver mullins,we were passing through kingman arizona when we saw a man working on a bike in a panelbeaters so we swung around to have a look and he was working on two of denvers bikes and then he showed us 6 restored denvers bikes in a showroom the guys were into keeping denvers memory alive,also if you want to see old style bikes go to www.jockeyjournal.com when I get around to downloading my 1500 pictures from sturgis and bonniville I will post some.

[AllanB]

I've always liked the Exile bikes - there is even a mean trike.

Deus do some bikes I admire - I like the Triumphs and W650's (not keen on the singles) http://www.deus.com.au/

There are some cool customs out of Japan now too

[AllanB]

And the Hellcat - what a rush man!

[riffer]

I love the Deus Ex stuff but have to admit Ken and Barry Horner's Irving Vincent Daytona 1600 is still the one for me.

<img src=http://www.cycleworld.com/assets/image/2008/W40/092920081423536904.jpg>

The Vincent dream lives on in a variety of forms. The Irving Vincent is an updated 50-degree air-cooled Twin, designed to retrofit into existing Vincent chassis, but updated in power and sophistication. Two brothers from Melbourne, Australia, Ken and Barry Horner, realized in 1999 that their engineering enterprise, KHE, was able to make just about anything they wanted. What they built was an updated Vincent with a three-gear primary drive, drum-shifted all-indirect five-speed gearbox, and double-bodied oil pump system. The idea is to manufacture, race and sell 1000, 1300 and 1600cc Twins that offer entirely modern performance. The Horners are doing this entirely on their own—there are no outside investors.

The four-valve version—based upon ideas originally outlined by the late Vincent engineering chief Phil Irving—produces just under 180 crankshaft horsepower at 7278 rpm. The engine employs fuel-injection, a Motec engine-control computer and has electric starting. Peak torque of 140 ft-lb is delivered at 6000.

The big engine's dimensions are 100 x 100mm, and the 1300 has the same bore with a 3¼-inch stroke. The Horner brothers' prior racing experience includes sidecar competition and work with auto racing pushrod V-Eights. When you consider that 355 cubic-inch NASCAR V-Eights are now running above 9000rpm, this 1600's 7300-rpm redline seems downright moderate. Although mean piston speed is 4780 feet per minute, the important number is peak piston acceleration, which is a calm 3700 g. Compare that with the 7000 g of some high-rev four-cylinder sportbike engines, or with the 10,000 g in Formula One.


The Irving Vincent website (http://www.irvingvincent.com/) provides photos of engines and complete bikes, built with up-to-date cycle parts. Planned selling price might be around U.S. $75,000, a number that has already found buyers for other exotic two-wheelers.

And the Irving Vincent was unbeatable at the recent MotoGP Historic Class races at Philip Island, with a best lap time of 1min 43 seconds.

[jellywrestler]

Steve Roberts is the man...

[xknuts]

Check these out!
If ya hooked on any particular Triumph model, old or new, then here an Italian variation.
I'm a "Hurrycane" fan. Eat ya heart out Craig Vetter.
http://www.triumphchepassione.com/prototipi-triumph-6.htm

Or scroll down this and click!
http://www.triumphchepassione.com/prototipi-triumph.htm
:2thumbsup

[2_SL0]

My fav: http://www.mac-motorcycles.com/story.html

[Brian d marge]

They're in Las Vegas, so possibly more local for you than us.

http://www.zero-eng.com/#

http://www.zero-eng.com/email1.php


maybe thinking of the wrong person ,,,,im sure i have a video of , a jap chop builder ,,,thought it was the same outfit.....

i ll look tomorrow

Stephen

[The Pastor]

I dont like the custom bikes that arnt road legal.

Like how they show with out throttle cables mirrors inciators, licence place tail lights etc

[Brian d marge]

I dont like the custom bikes that arnt road legal.

Like how they show with out throttle cables mirrors inciators, licence place tail lights etc

yup

that number plate is a toughee alright

it just doesn't sit anywhere right

Stephen

[White trash]

I dont like the custom bikes that arnt road legal.

Like how they show with out throttle cables mirrors inciators, licence place tail lights etc

Interestingly enough, attached is an image of Exiles "The Chopper (http://www.exilecycles.com/index.php?section=24)". It is road legal and ready to ride in its registered state as you see it.

Just because you can't see a throttle cable doesn't mean there isn't one.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I dont like the custom bikes that arnt road legal.

Like how they show with out throttle cables mirrors inciators, licence place tail lights etc


Just because you can't see a throttle cable doesn't mean there isn't one.

What he says. A lot of that shit is done internally now...brake hoses...cables etc

[The Pastor]

Interestingly enough, attached is an image of Exiles "The Chopper (http://www.exilecycles.com/index.php?section=24)". It is road legal and ready to ride in its registered state as you see it.

Just because you can't see a throttle cable doesn't mean there isn't one.
wheres the indicators? mirrors?

[riffer]

wheres the indicators? mirrors?

Well obviously internal too... <_<

[The Pastor]

I can appriate the hard work and excellent skill that goes into making those bikes, but to pass them off as road bike is a bit much IMO.

[slowpoke]

Steve Roberts is the man...

Can't argue with that. It was beautiful work and worked beautifully.

I like individual bikes rather than any specific builder. Lazareth does some cool modern stuff (see below) but turns out a some shite too.

For sumthin' a bit more old school I'm luvvin' the board track racer theme lately.

[Angusdog]

Interesting to see that Orange COuntry Choppers (American Chopper) have to build bikes with DOT approved silencers etc for road-going bikes. OCC have come a long way and although I don't like how they build their bikes (very freeform, no real thought and always "giving Nubby a free rein on the paint"), there's usually something I like about an episode.

Biker Build Off has much better bikes, it must be said. Not often to my taste and I don't like the Exile machines much - a lot of them go to far towards Form over Function, which kind of defeats the point for me.

I do like the independent stuff, done well. The stuff that shows up in Barnetts always looks like care and attention has been heaped upon them, unlike OCC who bash the bikes out too quickly for them to be regarded as craftsman-built.

[James Deuce]

Look at this!

http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=1727

http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=1735

<img src=http://www.cycleworld.com/assets/image/2009/W39/092520091655068454.jpg>

The XS650 based tracker is gorgeous too!

<img src=http://www.cycleworld.com/assets/image/2009/W39/092520091651232663.jpg>

[xknuts]

I always remember seeing a magazine picture of a different style of HD in the 80's, and here they are still converting HD'S today.

http://www.storzperf.com/

http://www.storzperf.com/aboutus.html

[Crasherfromwayback]

I always remember seeing a magazine picture of a different style of HD in the 80's, and here they are still converting HD'S today.

http://www.storzperf.com/

http://www.storzperf.com/aboutus.html

Their stuff is top quality too. My 883 race bike was all Storz performance gear...rear sets, footpegs and levers. Had some massive offs over two seasons and never broke a single piece!

[Paulo]

I've always like wrenchmonkees , pretty tough looking old Jappas The CB 750 is my personal favourite, also Zero engineering and Hidemoto.

http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/monkee11.html

[Henryinva]

I am not normally a fan of custom bikes, but I really like this one.
IMO it has very nice lines, nothing too outrageous but quite different and a good combination of form and function...

Thanks Kiwi for the link to this forum and I'm somewhat taken back by you stickin my scoot up here with everyone's favorite bikes. (Big ticket bikes too!)
Had to join the forum to post and see the pics, but after seeing the scoots and such, I'll keep the membership and post some stuff here as I go. Again, thanks and thanks for the memberships responses to my bike!

Well, gotta run to the garage and start playing with the next toy. I'll post a pic of the black bike as it sits now, later today.

Heres whats laying on the garage floor right now.

[White trash]

Thanks Kiwi for the link to this forum and I'm somewhat taken back by you stickin my scoot up here with everyone's favorite bikes. (Big ticket bikes too!)
Had to join the forum to post and see the pics, but after seeing the scoots and such, I'll keep the membership and post some stuff here as I go. Again, thanks and thanks for the memberships responses to my bike!

Well, gotta run to the garage and start playing with the next toy. I'll post a pic of the black bike as it sits now, later today.

Heres whats laying on the garage floor right now.
Hey Henryinva, welcome to KB. Be sure to keep us updated with the build as it develops.

[FROSTY]

Theres this bloke from long ago called Ken Mackintosh -I loved his stuff. sorry guys but to me the guys from OCC --they dont BUILD bikes at all. They BUY a friggin frame and BUY an engine and slap on a few cosmetic bits.
Now Funnily enought theres a guy in west Auckland building himself a totally custon bike based on a Suzuki Bully. From the ground up. --Basicly the only Bully part is the engine and shaft drive hub

[KiwiGs]

Thanks Kiwi for the link to this forum and I'm somewhat taken back by you stickin my scoot up here with everyone's favorite bikes. (Big ticket bikes too!)
Had to join the forum to post and see the pics, but after seeing the scoots and such, I'll keep the membership and post some stuff here as I go. Again, thanks and thanks for the memberships responses to my bike!

Well, gotta run to the garage and start playing with the next toy. I'll post a pic of the black bike as it sits now, later today.

Heres whats laying on the garage floor right now.
Gday Henry.
Glad you made it mate.
Looking forward to seeing what you make of the "new" 750...

[ready4whatever]

Some real cool bikes here boys and girls. nevermind the bikini thread someone start a 'sexy custom bike pic' thread