| So you want to be a custom bike builder? Well friend, | | | | of the more way out creations you can totally believe |
| before you rush out and buy that motorcycle kit, the | | | | this from the designs they produce!) They are |
| one that will set you on the road to riches and fame, | | | | constantly striving to build bikes better. Its not about |
| stop and think about the level of expertise and artistry | | | | money for the top guys, I am convinced of that. |
| the top builders have attained. More importantly think | | | | So where does that leave Average Joes like you and |
| about how long it has taken them to attain it! Let's look | | | | me? Actually, I don't think we are too badly off; in fact |
| at a few key issues... | | | | if you want to build a custom bike, it has probably |
| Education | | | | never been easier. Here's my take on it.... |
| You'd be surprised how well educated a lot of today's | | | | Education |
| top bike builders are. Several of them have degrees | | | | There is an unbelievable amount of information for the |
| (some more than one!) ranging from mechanical | | | | guys who want to start down the road to custom bike |
| engineering to business and marketing management. | | | | building. Videos, books websites, all of them help to |
| Billy Lane, the founder of Chopper Inc, has several | | | | flatten the learning curve for a novice. Most of the |
| patents relating to motorcycle technology in his name | | | | material out there relates to motorcycle kits, and for |
| for example. What about someone a little more "old | | | | the beginner, building a motorcycle kit is definitely the |
| school" like Dave Perewitz? Dave has accumulated | | | | best way to go if you want to get real hands on |
| close to forty years of mechanical, metalworking and | | | | experience. After that there are motorcycle |
| painting experience. Not theoretical, but genuine hands | | | | maintenance courses, which again will allow you to get |
| on, early morning late night kind of experience. Could | | | | up to speed as fast as possible in your quest to |
| you put that kind of time in? Matt Hotch is still only | | | | become the next Arlen Ness! |
| young, but has gained an incredible amount of practical | | | | Facilities |
| experience customizing first bicycles, then VW's | | | | To put together a shop like the ones you see on |
| before moving on to custom bike building. | | | | television costs thousands of dollars. But you don't |
| Facilities | | | | need all that stuff if you start with a motorcycle kit. |
| These guys are building choppers and custom bikes | | | | Motorcycle kits can be put together with some pretty |
| that are state of the art. They don't get thrown | | | | basic tools, providing they are of good quality. Two |
| together in the yard; the motorcycle shops have all the | | | | things that are an absolute must in my opinion though |
| tools and equipment required to produce almost | | | | are a torque wrench and a basic lift. With these two |
| anything out of metal, not just bikes. Just as important | | | | tools, you can tighten the motorcycle kits fittings |
| are the other services these builders use; the local | | | | correctly, and not break your back while you are doing |
| chrome platers, machinists, painters and so on. These | | | | it! |
| guys have just as important a part to play in the | | | | Desire |
| construction of these one off bikes as the designer | | | | Well this is one area where you can match the pros, |
| builders themselves. | | | | no question. If you really want to be a custom bike |
| Desire | | | | builder, start doing it for fun and put your motorcycle kit |
| All the top custom bike builders live for one thing; | | | | together. |
| building the best bikes they can. They literally live eat | | | | We can't all be Billy Lane, Eddie Trotta or Russell |
| even dream about custom bikes (and looking at some | | | | Mitchell, but we can have a lot of fun trying! |