Custom bikes are all remarkable for different reasons. With some rides you're blown away at first glance, on others the "special stuff" is less obvious and then there are the downright sleepers-where all the special trick bits are completely hidden from view.
We found an R1 that's so different it was like a birthday present for an otherwise somewhat jaded journalist-every part had been painstakingly considered and addressed by its builder. We could double the amount of photographs in an attempt to show you everything and still likely leave some gaps. It's seriously impressive.
Owner Sydney Belcher is a huge fan of all things custom (this is his third bike build), and he's also big into low-rider cars. He's the kind of guy who'd have a tricked-out riding lawn mower parked next to a pimped '70 Impala in his garage.
It'd take some heavy artillery to bring this bike down.So why the gun theme instead of something long and low? The inspiration on this one came from his new Arai "Tommy Gun" helmet-Sydney's smart enough to know how a solid motif makes for an interesting and memorable bike.
Sydney found himself a low-mileage (but wrecked) R1 and immediately set to stripping down the remainder to start the work. The frame was powdercoated with a vivid metal flake blue, and while the motor was out he removed the engine covers, had them chromed and then added some finely detailed powdercoating for a smart and unique look.
He then sourced swingarm extensions from Cutting Edge Motorsports, and the wheels were upgraded as well-eventually he opted for the "Gangsters" from American Machine. Then more chrome and detailed powdercoating finished off the rims for special highlights.
For some of the fine detail, Sydney found a shop that could water-cut custom designs into metal and worked with the staff to create a completely unique rear rotor. Sydney located a Clear Alternatives blue taillight to maintain his color scheme, and he even powdercoated the ends of the Two Brothers exhaust to match.
At this point most people would happily pat themselves on the back for creating such a sick ride, but he was just getting started.
Sydney sourced some revolver-themed brake and shift levers from ST Machine, and large caliber bullet-styled footrests (even the folding passenger pegs) were chosen to fit the look as well. But why stop there? The monstrous frame sliders look like something you'd slide into a tank barrel instead of around a motor mount bolt. The bar ends, tire valve caps and even the fairing fasteners (that he had custom made) all carry the theme as well.
Even some of the areas you can't see were built to a higher-than-necessary standard; when Sydney fitted his nitrous kit, he figured on running it directly into the throttle bodies and used handmade pipes to do so (he's a plumber during the day).
The theme for the bike's paint job was blatantly obvious-so obvious that it could have turned out horribly wrong. Being told to come up with a paint design that matched the gun theme and the blue powdercoating-all while considering Sydney's desire for bright and flashy-could have ended like an explosion in a House of Kolor factory. Sydney chose Jace Hudson at Live Fast to take control of the project-and Hudson really nailed it. Look beyond the tribal graphics in blue and you'll notice a subtle and cool orange camouflage.
The list of trick details runs longer still, but if we point them all out it would spoil some of the fun. If you should, by chance, wind up entering a bike show against this R1, be ready-the fine touches run deep and would spoil even the smoothest bolt-on bike around. It'd take some heavy artillery to bring this bike down.
The Buyer's Box
2005 Yamaha YZF-R1
Front end: Chromed and lowered stock forks, American Machine "Gangster" wheel
Rear end: CEM 10-inch-over swingarm extensions, custom rotors by Advance Water Jet, American Machine "Gangster"
Motor: NOS with direct throttle body feed, Two Brothers exhaust
Paint: Tribal and camo combination by Jace at Live Fast, Ovilla, TX, powdercoating by Paul at Paul's Powder Coating, Mesquite, TX
Polish/chrome: Pulido, Seagoville, TX
Bodywork: Zero Gravity windscreen, seat by Christina's Upholstery, Dallas, TX
Accessories: ST Machine revolver brake and gear levers, Motorcycle Accessories shell casing fasteners, Clear Alternatives taillight
Owner/builder: Sydney Belcher