Sometimes a single moment in time is all it takes to sum up one's inner thoughts and personality. Maybe it's a song, other times it's a painting, but it could be just a type of customization that clicks with a person. Shadonovan Richardson was home on leave from the military when he met the crew from Leading Edge Custom during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Shortly after seeing the shop's bikes on display, he knew he had to let Leading Edge give his 2005 GSX-R the same Miami treatment.
"The bike was in Jacksonville and Shadonovan had it shipped down to me. He told me to do my thing. It didn't matter how long it would take-just do what we want to do. He basically left it in our hands," explained Jose Garcia from Leading Edge Custom.
Starting with a bone stock bike, Garcia tackled the task with a simple and clean design that was already planned out in his head.
"We are not known for crazy themes on our bikes. We came up with an idea of creating brushed metal patterns in the paint. We did cut-outs in the plastics and added a brushed metal look."But Leading Edge still wasn't happy when the plastics came back from paint. "The paint wasn't popping out like we initially wanted. It was missing something and it looked a little dead. We went ahead and added the rivets and cracks to give it life and more of an industrial look."
After the paint was given the much-needed finishing treatment, the rest of the bike received the usual cast of custom goodies along with Performance Machine's Heathen wheels mated with a C&S Custom 300 wide tire. Next up was a Tricky Air Ride system that's always good for conversation as it offers the ability to raise and lower the rear of the bike remotely. A chrome finish covers the bike front to back with paint over a powdercoated frame for deeper color and more durability.
When Richardson returned to the states during a quick trip he got to see his bike transformed, and it was everything he had hoped for. "He didn't get to see the bike until three months after it was finished. When he did he absolutely loved it. He's already won three custom bike competitions up in Jacksonville."
Richardson was unaware that there were a few extra hours put into his build as a show of thanks for his military service. "We put a little bit of extra effort into the bike because it was being built for him. We even put some of our own money and time into the bike to show our appreciation."
Now that's service with a smile. Did we just let Leading Edge Custom's secret out of the bag? Whoops.
2005 Suzuki GSX-R750
Front End: Performance Machine "Heathen" wheel, Galfer Wave rotor and brake pads, Feather Lite levers
Rear End: Performance Machine "Heathen" wheel, C&S Customs 300 wide tire kit, Tricky Air Ride system with remote
Motor: Hotbodies Racing exhaust, K&N air filter, Power Commander
Paint: Design by Mini from Leading Edge
Custom, paint by Armando Romero
Polish /Chrome: Leading Edge Custom
Accessories: Clear clutch and stator cover, magnesium chrome plated sprocket cover, Gilles rearsets, pop up gas cap, white LEDs, mesh inserts
Owner: Shadonovan Richardson
Builder: Jose Garcia and Herminio Amil of Leading Edge Custom (
leadingedgecustom.com)