1. Cruising Down Under

Steve notes that the right side, where the pipes are, often gets the most attention. Steve's flamed Yam is reveals his philosophy of equal attention to both sides of the bike.

Front end detail gives the bike a powerful forward statement. Steve advises, "Always keep the accessories you choose within the main theme of the bike. When you add things as an after thought, it shows."

Here in Sydney, Australia our riding club is called the Kobbers Kruiser Klub, and every week we take a long ride on our Japanese and European metric cruisers. I moved up to cruisers in the 1990's. My last bike was a Yamaha Drag Star to which I had added Cobra pipes, mirrors, a hyper-charger and other cool stuff, but it was a cat's breakfast to look at. Besides, I had jaded a bit on the heavy metal look and now I wanted more of a custom look. Then my wife came into some money, and suggested, "Why don't you buy a Harley for a 25th Wedding Anniversary present?" "Oh really, dear? O.K. then, if you think that's what you really want." I said.

So I started looking at the usual Cycle Trader magazines and noticed that while the Harley had certain style strengths in the fork, tank and seat lines-plus that sound-I decided that they are also 1950's engineering for a 21st century price. Older units didn't hold up over the years compared to similarly aged Japanese models.

Then I decided to buy a 2006 Yamaha XVS 1100 Custom with the red/grey factory sprayed flame job. Even though it was love at first sight, I felt that it could be improved upon. I had visions of a killer front end totally transformed from standard, maximum performance and HD sound with comfortable seats for our long Sunday rides (of 300 to 400 kms.). It should be clearly badged as a Yamaha, but one that was like no other V Star-or any other cruiser-for that matter. After some hits and misses with parts sellers, I discovered the only site you need to know about - CruiserCustomizing.com. You just enter your bike and model and the site shows you everything available to match your bike perfectly. The "Members Review" section is a must when planning your purchases. The flame theme I wanted was available on many accessories for both sides of the bike. Flame shaft drive covers, Flame grips, shields. I wanted a rear swing arm with a bit of character and short pipes to help show it off. Every Allen screw has a cover as well as every nut.

I decided that the best sound for the big Yam cruiser was the low, deep grumble produced by pipes from Hard Chrome, and I went with their 2.5 inch American Classics. I chose the Baron Flame Air Kit with K&N filter plus DynaJet Carb Kit. To expand the rev range from 5,500 rpm, I fitted a DynaTek 3000 ignition module which produced an awesome power increase. I like to ride with my back straight and with my heels out front. The standard seat on the 1100 is good for eighty kms before you get numb bum. This is mainly due to having to lean on the grips while your lower back is bent forward. All this can be overcome by choosing a better seat, and fitting bars which come closer to your body than the standard ones. I surfed the web and found high praise for seats by Mustang, which are constructed with inner springs as well as padding. The bars I chose are 1¼ inch Fatty T Bars with internal wiring (another easy thing to do). If you own a V Star and are putting new exhausts on, best to buy the Jardine Oil Relocation Kit. It's easy to fit and will save scratching your new pipes when you change the oil filter. Jardine Forward Controls and heaps of chrome were the last additions. With the parts on order I visited several bike shops and said I want to buy a bike cash and have it done up to my specifications. "Sorry, I'll sell you a bike but you sort out the rest yourself." They were only interested in selling the bike.

Bugger this, I thought…as I continued scouring the web sites for the theme I could see in my head. You have to do that for your own personal WOW factors-which pipes, air kit, seat, bars, and chrome goodies. I wanted both the right and left sides of the bike to appear special because riders often focus on the air kit and pipes which boosts the right side only. Too many customizers ignore the forks. "It's all too hard," they think. Wrong! Apart from securing my parts from the US I started ringing chromers. I found Custom Chrome at Kirrawee. I told the manager. Phillip, what I wanted to do-chrome lower fork legs, disc centres, brake line brackets, foot-peg brackets, brake reservoir cover, upper triple tree, side-stand bracket and switch housings. He quoted me $700. "O.K. I said, now I need to find a dealer that will help me build my dream." Phillip told me, "I just did something like this for a bloke - his wife's bike I think." Stoney Creek Yamaha it was - ask for Craig.

Was I excited as I made the call-at last a dealer interested in customizing! I rang Craig who asked me to come in and discuss my plans. I bought the bike from them and then "Moods" arranged for his master mechanic Phil Dunn and his workshop manager Craig McIntyre to strip and re-build the front end. Storage during the chrome process was provided and every step of the build was done professionally.

Under the Free Trade Agreement that Australia has with the USA, as long as you keep each shipment (plus freight costs) under one thousand Australian dollars, the items are delivered to your front door direct from the good old USA. The price you pay compared to the same item bought in Australia should be about a third cheaper. Payment is by credit card and the deal is to pay first and receive second. For Australian cruisers who want a dealer that's behind you every step of the way, call Stoney Creek.

If you have a dream bike in your head, even if it's just the first stage, then get on a computer, join CruiserCustomizing (membership is free) and start dreaming! Always keep the accessories you choose within the main theme of the bike. When you add things as an after thought, it shows.

-- Steve "Milo" Millikin (millikin), Sydney, Australia

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2. The Skeleton Bike

Anukarana Singh, President of Wanderlust M.C. in Nagpur, India, assures us that the skeleton theme, indicating controlled risk, is for bikers from all parts of the world. And speaking of risk, this photo of Anukaran was taken at around 16,000 feet up in the high Himalayan desert!

The Skeleton Bike, made by Crypt Custom Cycles.

The Skeleton Bike, front view.

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3. The Biker Wall

The Biker Wall.

Keep in mind that those old motorcycle license plates in your garage, bent up or not, will look great as part of the Biker Wall at Cruiser Customizing's world headquarters. Your plate is your own personal statement and we'd like to display your plate along with the tags of other members as a tribute to riders everywhere. Be sure to include your mailing address with your plate so that we can send you a Cruiser Customizing tee shirt as a token of our thanks. Thanks to Cruiser Customizing member BJ (Brien) (who has purchased thirty-seven items from Cruiser Customizing for his VTX since 2003!) for his 1974 Michigan plate. Brien's been a stoic Honda rider since 1972.

Please send your old license plates to the following address:

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