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CruiserCustomizing.com - Newsletter #079
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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.
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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."
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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
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.
Leaned backward with a lipless grin."
-T.S. Eliot, Whispers of Immortality
As it turns out, the skeleton bike builder is John Farr, owner of Crypt Custom Cycles in Opelika, Alabama. And John is also a member of Cruiser Customizing. Details and more photos of the Skeleton Bike can be accessed through his Cruiser Customizing page under the member name "Crypt". John tells us, "Since the seventies, the concept of a Grim Reaper riding a skeleton bike has appeared in drawings and in ceramic figurines. I wanted to make that concept a reality. Sure, it was challenging at first, but now we've made three skeleton bikes and we're working on a fourth. The titanium skeleton is not just a fancy design; most of the boney components are actually stressed members. The frame is also pure titanium." No, the gas did not leak out of the rib cage: the 3.3 gallons of gas, the oil and the electronic components are all stored under the hinged seat.
John adds, "The bike weighs in at just over 400 pounds; it's light, nimble and as quick-handling as the best of cruisers. Power comes from a 121 ci Total Performance mill which grunts out 125 raw ponies through a six-speed tranny."
John has shown his skeleton bikes at many events including Daytona and these Crypt Creations have been featured in a number of biker magazines. If you've got around eighty grand burning a hole in your pocket for a ground up custom that'll turn skulls, e-r-r-r I mean heads, then call John Farr at Crypt Customs (334-705-0283).
And speaking of controlled risk, the Indian riders from Wanderlust M.C. invite all Cruiser Customizing members to watch the following video clip of their countryman Gaurav Jani who recently self-filmed his solo Himalayan odyssey. The eight-minute clip, which can be viewed by clicking here graphically reveals the perils in store for riders who venture to the high altitudes of the Himalayas, beyond 15,000 feet (three miles high). The film, called Riding Solo to the Top of the World, has been released and is now receiving accolades internationally at various film festivals. For riders who take such risks, survival remains at a premium. Their only choice is to laugh back in the face of the Grim Reaper when his laughter is heard approaching from the distance... and hope to throttle another day.
Is it the rider's acceptance of controlled danger that has made the human skull such an important and universal symbol for many of us riders? Or is it that riders display the skull as a teaser to give non-riders something to think about? Maybe the skull is sort of an inside joke on the way the non-motorcyclists perceive us. In reality, and in the final analysis, riders truly respect the skull theme because when balancing upon two wheels at speed, wind flying by, an inner spirit awakens. Sort of a voice that explains from within: "You, Cruiser, are not this body. You are not these bones. You are pure spirit, a part of the Supreme Spirit of Whom we are all linked spiritually."
For the cruiser, this is the final joke and the meaning of the skull's laughter. It's a joke that riders understand much better than others because many of them have experienced a sort of transcendence on two wheels through the power of the soul within. So, Cruisers, you can take this one to the bank. Glimpsing eternity on your bike is what truly sets us riders apart from those who won't gamble a bit to score the transcendental thrill of the skilled and spirited rider.
Whatever it is, whatever the reason, Cruiser Customizing presents some choice cranial objets d'art of skull theme parts and apparel. So for cruisers amongst us who are way cool with the Grim Reaper, we've got some great casual and riding apparel, biker wear that carries the thesis of the wisecracking cranium right onto the streets. Any one of these items will surely score you double takes and stares wherever you are seen wearing or displaying them.
TEE SHIRTS by HOT LEATHERS and BUTTON-UP SHIRTS by DRAGONFLY: Here we have art by any other name, Cruisers. Only the best in skull-adorned casual apparel for our members…
MOTORHEAD SKULL JACKET by ICON: Icon calls this cruiser jacket the Motorhead, and they do mean "head." Your Editor has been riding with a black Icon Motorhead jacket for years and can attest to the quality of this durable safety garment. Like all gear from Cruiser Customizing, it's built for protection pure and simple. And it's built to look cool. The Motorhead is smart right up and into the worst case scenario. More than a fashion statement, it's what you need out there.
SKULL HELMET by ICON: This Mainframe helmet by Icon is bound to get lots of looks. The finish is flat black "rubatone" and the skulls are laughing like it's a night out at the local comedy club. Of course, the quality of Icon's helmet head protection (for your very own skull) is world-class.
SKULL FACE THERMAL MASK by WICKED WEAR: With the warm and enticing smile of the skull face mask on your face, all the cagers are sure to see you coming…and clear the way for you. Wicked Wear provides the answer, and you provide the throttle. This baby's a Cruiser Customizing staff pick!
SKULL HELMET LOCK EXTENDER by KEWL METAL: Make your helmet easier to lock to your bike using this Metal Helmet Lock Extender from Kewl Metal. Don't leave your helmet perched on top of your mirror or your seat - lock it up.
We've got lots more lethal goodies for your bike, Cruisers, so just enter keyword "Skull" and feast your eyes on parts, wearables, moto-graphics and assorted baubles in the Cruiser Customizing catalogue.
One day or the next, each one of us will have to give a big "Hell-o" to the Grim Reaper. So the best we can hope for is to enjoy ourselves by riding safely and within our own personal limits in the here and now. And if we do enough that is good for our world while we are in this life, then we'll never need fear the great unknown. It's better to see the Grim Reaper as a design on your helmet or tee shirt than to meet him in person because of careless riding! Ride safely, Cruisers, and sow as many seeds of goodness into the Universe we share whenever you can!
3. 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.
The Biker Wall.
Please send your old license plates to the following address:
Biker Wall
4671 Las Positas Rd, Bldg C
Livermore, CA 94551
5. Save Big with our Valentine's Day Sale:
We love to give you low prices for dressing your true love: your bike!
CruiserCustomizing.com - Newsletter #103
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