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