Project SUNMASTER 14: Completed

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.

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.

A freely breathing FCR39 makes a lot of difference!

All lines flowing the way they should

The leather tank strap I made

The proud owner :-)

The Plexiglas fender I made

The brass badge I made 2 days before the shooting. It looks better from a distance, believe me.