Inspiration is an ingredient in every major project whether it be building a shed or customizing a bike. We all take outside influence from somewhere when adding personality into a stocker. For some, the simple love of speed is motivation enough. Others sacrifice for that wild show circuit idea. Then there are tribute bikes. The latter come in many forms but universally use paint as the main medium for expression. Garwood Custom Cycles helps countless turn airbrushed dreams into reality as Jennifer Lee found out. A rider through thick and thin, Jennifer became infatuated with motorcycles at about the same time recess was the weekday highlight, “In elementary school I was the only kid with a dad who’d come pick them up on a bike. At 18, I bought my first bike; believe it or not it was a 2002 Hayabusa. They said I was too small to ride it since I had only ridden a CBR600 before it but I went ahead and got it anyways. I’ve always been the kind of person to attempt something when told I couldn’t do it.”
Years before buying what most consider an extremely overpowered starter bike Jennifer faced a much more daunting challenge. As her teenage classmates stressed about passing the driver’s exam, Jennifer was tested with the loss of her mom due to cancer. Her mother’s never-give-up attitude and positive outlook on life instilled strength in a daughter who vowed tribute. As Jennifer progressed into adulthood streetbikes were her outlet but it wasn’t until she became a mother herself that the decision to follow through with the tribute build set into motion. A trip to Garwood Custom Cycles with her husband led to a 2006 GSX-R600 purchase and almost immediate in-house customization by Garwood himself,
It doesn’t get much more blunt...
It doesn’t get much more blunt than this.
“Originally, my idea was silver with pink ribbons but the day we bought the bike Garwood and I just started talking about my mom and the situation. After giving him the details, right then and there he said he wanted to do this for me. We exchanged ideas and he gave me suggestions to what would pop. All of the sayings, phrases and images were my design because they represented her. The bike is a symbol of strength that she instilled in me as a mother. It’s about perseverance and doing what you believe in without forgetting about how you got there.”
" The bike is a symbol of strength that she instilled in me as a mother.
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Happy with out-the-door performance, many of the common aftermarket parts were excused for the paint job. Jennifer had come to the realization that riding comfortably and confidently was most important and therefore chose investment in a 600. Since regularly taking her Gixxer on the road to work and local bike nights, she has inspired, consoled and empowered countless people, many of which don’t even ride. Jennifer has gotten used to handing out hugs about as often as she receives a compliment on the airbrush work. Her build proves that a powerful bike doesn’t need to be in the literal sense of the word. Sometimes the message behind the artwork is inspiration enough.
2006 Suzuki GSX-R600
Front End: Powdercoated wheel, Pirelli Diablo tire
Rear End: Powdercoated wheel, s/s brake line, 9-inch adjustable swingarm extension, Pirelli Diablo tire, lowering links
Motor: Two Brothers slip-on exhaust, Dynojet Power Commander, K&N air filter, X2 Power battery, Ivan’s Performance TRE
Paint: Garwood Custom Cycles
Accessories: Aftermarket undertail kit, powder coated components, pig spotter mirrors, custom grips, LED light kit
Owner: Jennifer E. Lee
Builder: Garwood Custom Cycles