CUSTOMS
M. Williams tires of gaudy and Day-glo. Custom bikes are better black.
TO MANY OF US, the biggest and baddest bikes were always black. Think Vincent’s V-twins and the racing Nortons and Ajays of the 1950s, plus almost every Harley-davidson worth its coldhearted salt. But from the early ’70s onwards, that all changed when metallic finishes and garish hues became de rigueur as mainstream manufacturers vied for market share. And when the hunger for individuality that spawned the custom scene kicked in, so did the opportunity for spray gun mavericks to push things to extreme limits. But not everyone who builds their two-wheeled dream wants it to look like a rolling fireworks display, some prefer something much darker, ominous, threatening even. So here we look at three big, black beasts that reflect exactly that thinking, none of them, I’m pleased to say, cloaked in the all-over rattle-can matt of the rat-bike hoolies who, it’s fair to say, were the first to eschew glitz in favour of menace…
I am unapologetic in my admiration of 2016’s limited edition Buell-engined Ronin, yet at $45,000+ acquisition is unlikely. However, Canadian catamaran designer, professor Sylvain Carignan has shown what can be done with a vision, and a 3D printer, at the college where he teaches electronics. Sourcing a knackered XB12R Firebolt in his native Quebec meant an engine and gearbox re-build, which provided an opportunity to improve the 2-valve top ends with various trick bits. But prof. Carignan wanted to keep the stock Buell exhaust and felt the same way about the front forks and wheel with its rim disc brake. ‘Once the mechanics were complete,’ explained Sylvain, ‘I invested a time in search of the perfect line. The best line is taut but not straight – slightly angled like a street fighter but without going too far.’ Using CAD software developed for his high-end hull designs, Sylvain used the Buell airbox cover as a template for the dummy fuel tank, matched by a rear cowl that sits on his freshly minted subframe. Using a 3D printer he then created moulds used to cast numerous carbonfibre accoutrement. This in turn required a re-wire and Carignan also installed a tiny Motogadget Motoscope speedo into the triple clamp he machined and which carries clip-on ’bar mounts, mirrors and indicators. He then re-programmed the ECU for more and smoother power. Not as radical as the Ronin, but a vision of what might have been Carignan ‘might be persuaded’ to use his moulds to create a few aftermarket body parts. Email him at sylvain. carignan@cegeptr.qc.ca