Project three:The Show Bike
Baseline: 2006 Yamaha R1 / Budget: Unlimited
"Unlimited Budget"-are there any words that sound sweeter to a custom bike builder than those two? While our other two projects are constrained by budget caps, on this bike we're going to let it all hang out. We've got a 2006 R1 and an army of builders, painters and platers who are going to help convert this to the ultimate show-and-shine streetbike that can take home all the trophies-and the trophy girls too. In a parking lot full of bikes, few females are impressed by battle scars that show the pain of learning circles or shredded tire sidewalls that show how fast you can get through a canyon. With that in mind, we're going to hit this one with outrageous paint, lots of chrome and maybe even some lighting to set it off. Slammed, stretched and juiced, our R1 will incorporate the latest custom trends and also introduce some new concepts never before seen on a sportbike, thanks to the top team that we've enlisted to help us out. At the top of this list is up-and-coming bike builder Tony Sesto from Sesto Custom Cycles in Gardena, California (see Sesto's "Green Goblin" on page 80 of SSB, Jan. 07), who will be managing the project with plenty of help from the biggest names in the industry, including Pioneer Electronics, Vortex, C&S Customs, Sport Chrome, Head Trip Helmets, RIS Designs, Performance Machine, Graves Motorsports, GPR, FMF, NOS, Eye Candy Designs, Hot Bodies Racing, Patrick's Performance, Bike Buddy Pro, Integrated Innovations Incorporated, Odyssey Batteries and many more. With an unlimited budget (there are those words again...) for this bike, we plan to build a clean and cutting-edge custom that at first glance looks stealth, but, with the flip of a few switches, will come to life and morph into a completely outrageous creation. We promise you that we're going to build something that will have you scratching your head in amazement, muttering "How did they do that?"
Hi-Lo Rider Sport Shock
Facts: Hi-Lo combines the safety and performance of a conventional coil shock with the adjustability and style of an air bag, allowing you to alter the rear ride height four inches up or down by pushing a button on a remote control.
Cost: $1,399 for the shock, plus $250 for the remote control.
www.bikebuddypro.com
Disassembly
Facts: The first step to any project is complete disassembly of the bike, in preparation for paint and chrome. Be sure and take pictures and tag-and-bag all the hardware so you can put it back together!
Cost: Six hours of your time.
www.setsocustomcycles.com
Chrome Plating By Sport Chrome
Facts: sport Chrome will be handling all the chrome finish work for our R1, and we'll take advantage of their capable services by chroming almost every metal part on the bike.
Cost: $3,000-$4,000 for a complete bike
www.sportchrome.com
Deleting The Right Front Brake
Facts: Removing the right brake cleans up the front of the bike and allows everyone to get a better look at your big-bucks custom rim. Rather than leaving caliper mounts on the fork leg, Sesto Customs machined off the mounts for a smooth appearance.
Cost: $160
www.sestocustomcycles.com
C&S Fat Tire Kit
Facts: We're rocking a custom stretched and widened, 12-inch-over, jackshaft-equipped swingarm capable of holding 300mm of tire. The C&S kit comes complete with swingarm, chain guard, jackshaft cover, wheel spacers, brake bar, axle and all hardware.
Cost: $2,350
www.candscustom.com