Carrying on the "can't touch this" theme are the dozens of lethal-looking metal spikes attached to the fork, swingarm and various other surfaces of the bike. Each of these spikes were custom-built to Rodriguez's specifications by Revolution Prototype and Machine, and though this particular spike shape is available exclusively to members of East Coast Chrome Pimps, a riding group that Rodriguez belongs to, he tells us that similar spikes made by Revolution are available for sale through Superbike Concepts. When we expressed some alarm over Rodriguez's rather novel placement of spikes along the upper surface of the brake and clutch levers, he informed us that this was done on purpose to back up the on-board alarm system that protects Thor from thieves. "You have to know exactly where to put your hands to ride this bike," Rodriguez says. "You go to try and steal my bike? Good luck-it'll stick you!"
With thorns and spikes to make the front of this bike stand out, Rodriguez employed even more creative mods to set apart this dragon's tail as well, starting with the custom underseat exhaust Rodriguez designed specifically for this bike. Beginning with a Hayabusa header and a custom-bent midpipe, Rodriguez and his in-house mechanic, John Garappolo, then took a Yoshimura end can intended for the Yamaha R1 and stashed it inside the tailsection. Since the exhaust now exits where the Hayabusa's taillight was once located, Rodriguez relocated the taillight (now in the shape of the iconic Hayabusa kanji) to higher up on the seat cowl, just above the new exhaust outlet. Like what you see? Rodriguez should be able to sell you a similar undertail exhaust for your own 'Busa soon: "I already got a half-dozen calls for the undertail exhaust, so now it looks like I've gotta start making those for sale, too."
The upswept undertail exhaust helps to make room for the super-fat 300-section rear tire, running on RC Components "Royale" wheels and a stunning single-sided swingarm built by Rodriguez's boys at Custom Sportbike Concepts. An Air Ride rear suspension allows Rodriguez to drop Thor's tail 3.5 inches at the push of a button, with the toggle located on the upper fairing just under the left bar so the rider can raise and drop the bike on-the-fly.
Everything shiny on Thor is genuine chrome, save for the brake rotors, which were polished instead to prevent pitting. The vented front fender is a Euro Fender-these are no longer available for sale in the U.S., though Rodriguez tells us he is currently working with a local producer to tool up a similar piece for sale through his shop soon. The seat is also a custom design, featuring an upper panel made from real Florida 'gator skin for the right reptilian profile, with smoother ostrich skin sidepanels for rider comfort. Vortex makes the rearsets, while the mirrors are more artwork from Revolution Prototype and the grips come from RIS Designs.
So, did the Thor theme bike accomplish Rodriguez's goal and put his shop on the map as a leading custom sportbike builder? Apparently so-in addition to earning him the top prize at the Sportbike Build-Off and leading to a big story on the pages of this magazine, Thor also has been bringing plenty of business through Superbike Concepts front door. Just a week after the Palm Beach show wrapped up, Rodriguez says a guy came up from Miami with $50,000 in cash and bought Thor. "Cash money!" Rodriguez tells us, excitedly. In addition, Thor's new owner asked for first dibs on Rodriguez's next full-custom creation, and his two buddies who came along to help pick up Thor also scheduled appointments to return for their own Hayabusas to get the Superbike Concepts treatment.
This dragon, it seems, has set Superbike Concepts on fire.