When it's a struggle for the average enthusiast to determine where the paint stops and the hard parts begin, the builder knows he's done his job. Flow is critical, and successfully fulfilling a theme from front to back without any awkward transitions is a lot harder than it seems. Moto Insanity showed how to do it with dramatic success.
Company owner and builder, Nick Gianos, summed up the impressive paint scheme when he told us, "Paint is the first thing people see and the last thing they remember."
On a properly executed build...
On a properly executed build like this it's hard to tell where reality starts and fantasy ends.
With such a candid philosophy it's no wonder that this 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa's Transformer theme has been meticulously executed. Moto Insanity's in-house spray man, Fleming Tejada, attacked the project in two halves. The right side's Autobot scheme is based in blue, while the left features the Decepticons with hints of red to add some angry undertones. But where we'd a expect a basic dividing line down the middle or a similarly heartless transition, Tejada fused them together for a flawless flop from good to bad (robots-not paint). Both left and right sides utilize the frame's abundant surface area for display along with engine case covers and other exposed hard parts to continue the motif.
But the attention to detail goes deeper than the paint, and the one-off extras are what make this ride particularly special. Housed within the RC Components swingarm is a custom Autobot logo that is backlit with LED lights; we've seen similar applications incorporated into bodywork before, but we're talking aluminum here, not plastic. It's a custom touch that was certainly worth the effort. We don't recommend hacking into your own swingarm however-let's leave that to the professionals...
The air ride and camera switches...
The air ride and camera switches are integrated into the paint scheme.
We've seen glowing bodywork...
We've seen glowing bodywork before, but never illuminated aluminum. Say that three times fast.
Transformers geeks will recognize...
Transformers geeks will recognize the significance of this design, but we're admiring it simply for its cool treatment to an otherwise plain old gas cap.
No brakes? Look closer......
No brakes? Look closer...
The Hotbodies blackout light...
The Hotbodies blackout light kit tones down the turn signals' intensity and a rear camera is tucked in at the bottom of the Decepticon-logoed taillight.
The unique swingarm has another trick up its sleeve-the rear brake is integrated between the sprocket and the hub. This feature not only cleans up the right side dramatically, but gets a lot of "point and discuss" debates going at bike nights as well. It doesn't operate merely with mental commands. Instead, the brake line is sneakily routed from its standard master cylinder location, around the front of the swingarm, then back along the inside of the left beam and finally to the caliper.
Keeping watch on the rear is a camera lens that peers out from its molded housing inside the painted taillight cover. A Decepticon logo occupies most of the space where the light would be, and cleverly utilizes the stock bulbs for illumination.
The motor isn't extensively built, but does cover the basics with an aftermarket air filter, Power Commander V and a Brock's Performance "Alien Head" full exhaust system with a black ceramic finish. Not content with how the Brock's badge fit the theme, Moto Insanity went a step further and created its own custom emblem to replace the Brock's tag.
Keen eyes will notice the...
Keen eyes will notice the rear rotor and caliper assembly are tucked neatly just inside the sprocket.
More aptly named upgrades came with the RC Components "Alien" wheels and matching rotors. Working alongside them is an Air FX air ride system to get the slam on when it's time to transform from street cruiser to lot crawler.
While the Autobots and Decepticons continue to duke it out for control of planet Earth there's no disputing that they work together perfectly on this Hayabusa. The paint is special and can stand on its own merits, but there are finer points that not only display admirable skill and exceptional creativity but finish off the theme to the fullest extent.
2008 Suzuki Hayabusa
Front end: RC Components "Alien" wheel and rotor
Rear end: RC Components "Alien" wheel, AirFX air ride
Motor: Brock's Performance "Alien Head" exhaust, Power Commander V, BMC air filter
Paint: Fleming Tejada at Moto Insanity
Accessories: Hotbodies blackout taillight kit and undertail, Yana Shiki levers and grips, alligator seat
Builder: Moto Insanity (
motoinsanity.com)