It's been one and a half years in the making, with up and downs and lots of newly gained experiences, but it's finally done. You've probably seen some of the work I've done here on the blog but I've been careful not to give too much away.
Last week she had an appointment with the guys @
FAT pictures, who shot some great photos at an abandoned car dealer.
People are quick to label everything out of the ordinary as
café racers these days, but my bike is definitely not one. My inspiration comes
from the racing bikes of the 60’s and 70’s, where every part had the specific objective
to make the bike go faster. My goal was to create a bike with simple, timeless lines
and with an eye for the essential.
The first thing you notice are the sensual curves of the
one-off custom made aluminium fairing, made by the same supplier who also
crafted the brushed aluminium tank and the seat cowl. The leather seat was made
by the guys at
The
Sports, one of Thailand’s best customizers. The tank strap, the
plexiglass fender under the seat and the tank badge on the other hand, are
my own work.
The frame has been powder coated….3 times! “The first shop
I’ve sent the frame to, managed to do an awful job, twice! It was only when I
found
Cog’n’Roll,
a powder coating shop in Bangkok, that it turned out the way I had envisioned
it. I think this satin dark bronze color looks great and matches the dark brown
leather parts on the bike.
The engine was stripped down, cleaned and rebuilt and while
the internals haven’t been touched, lots of goodies have been added on the
outside. It now inhales through an open Keihin FCR39 carburetor and exhales
through a powerful sounding megaphone muffler. Several engine add-ons like an
oil cooler and bigger sized cooling fins ensure the proper cooling in
Thailand’s hot weather.
A special mention should go to Nose at
Paknam
2 Wheels, the only guy I trust to work on my SR. He got me out of an
electrical nightmare and I’m forever grateful for that.
Sunmaster 14 doesn’t just look the part, it runs on
quality parts as a racing bike should: Akront rims, Ohlins rear shocks and WP
progressive springs at the front, Over rear sets, as well as a lightweight aluminium swingarm.
This
is my first custom job from the ground up. It has been a challenge at times and
a great learning experience. I must say, I’m very happy with the final result.
Next week it will go to Siam Discovery, a very big shopping centre in Bangkok, to be shown as part of an exhibition called "Art on the move". Fitting, very fitting.
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A detail shot of the seat cowl and the real leather upholstering done by The Sports.
The Yamaha aluminium badge was something I had laying around and wanted to incorporate it. |
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| A freely breathing FCR39 makes a lot of difference! |
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| All lines flowing the way they should |
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| The leather tank strap I made |
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| The proud owner :-) |
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| The Plexiglas fender I made |
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| The brass badge I made 2 days before the shooting. It looks better from a distance, believe me. |
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