A painter holds an art exhibition to show off his work. A wine maker has tastings. But what about a custom bike builder? It's easy to talk the talk, but Garwood Custom Cycles of Lexington, North Carolina, wanted to show customers that it could walk the walk and is capable of turning dreams into reality. For that Garwood created this 2002 'Busa as a rolling example of exactly what the shop is capable of.
"We wanted to build a bike that was both functional and radical. We wanted something to display all the custom work we do: exhaust, audio/video, chrome, seats, performance, paint and wide-tire kits," explained Steve Garwood.
It requires multiple passes around the bike to catch all the custom touches. For starters, the massive 360 RC Components wheel screams, "look at me." Not one, but two NOS bottles feed an already built motor should the big 'Busa need to flex its muscle. The paint has an attention to detail worthy of a seven-gun salute with an intricate biomechanical scheme. But it's the audio/video system that garners the most respect. A Kenwood stereo with 200-watt amplifier lies just beneath the molded bodywork and lets the neighbors hear the bike long before they actually see it.
But what happens to all that fancy gadgetry in the rain, you ask? "The rear seat cowl can be removed with a quick disconnect, the touch screens are covered and the speakers are made from a waterproof marine grade material. This bike could stand getting rained on and not be ruined."
When the Garwood crew rolls up with this ride, it's hard to deny the talent it took to get there. While only a few may be able to afford the full treatment, this bike offers some cut and paste options for potential work to choose for your own ride.
2002 Suzuki Hayabusa
Front end: RC Components "Vega" wheel
Rear end: C&S Custom 360 swingarm, RC Components "Vega" wheels, AirFX air ride
Motor: 60-shot dual bottle NOS system with purge, dual Voodoo exhausts, internal motor mods, clear clutch covers
Bodywork: Custom molded audio and video system with Kenwood deck in gas tank, flushmount speakers in dash and 200 watt amp and monitor in seat cowl
Accessories: Red LEDs with remote, Sportbikelite halos, HID headlight, custom seat by Shawn with lights in skulls eyes, Street Racer Parts gauges, undertail, custom grips, lower triple tree, frame plugs, levers and fairing screens