Flames, skulls, chrome and pinstripes have been a part of the custom scene since the beginning. These basic elements come and go, but remain staples that never really go away. Chrome plating is one of those trends that is hot today and not tomorrow. Lately, the shiny look has been replaced by something called contrast cut. Contrast cut, a trademark of Performance Machine, is when the aluminum is colored first then cut afterward to provide the best of both worlds: shiny and black. Jerry Peters from Darkside Graphix is always on the leading edge of bike trends and wanted to do something different than the typical bling and chrome. "Marcus Bowlin is no newcomer to the custom motorcycle scene, and was looking for a bike to be his daily rider. He didn't want anything too radical, but it had to have a sleek, timeless look that resembled the look of an old-time race car with clean lines and contrasting colors."
Starting with a blacked out Myrtle West swingarm, Peters added the anodized "Conflict" wheels. He was so impressed by the look that he set out to find as many additional accessories as possible to carry it on. Keeping with the understated theme, Peters added a two-tone, race car-inspired paint job.
Whether or not the contrast cut look is here to stay or just another passing fad remains to be seen. What is certain is that it's sometimes possible to make a bigger statement using understated looks.
BUYER'S BOX
2007 KAWASAKI ZX-14
FRONT END: Lowered
REAR END: Myrtle West 8-inch-over swingarm with nitrous bottle, 240 kit with "Conflict" series wheels
MOTOR: Stock
PAINT: White pearl with apple cherry and brandywine overlay with metal flake, silver and orange hand stripe outline by Darkside Graphix
BODYWORK: Cut and shaved front fender, custom molded undertail
ACCESSORIES: Yana Shiki contrast cut fork caps, triple tree, frame caps, kickstand, mirrors, brake, clutch levers, Indiglow gauges, Drastik Plastix white LEDs, white leather seat
OWNER: Marcus Bowlin
BUILDER: Jerry Peters, Darkside Graphix (www.darksidegraphix.net)