A custom fiberglass tail has...
A custom fiberglass tail has been reshaped around the 360 tire and Reaper wheel combo. A flash of genuine gold plating sparkles from the grab handles, a theme tastefully extending forward to the gas cap and triple trees.
To car guys, “bomba” is an old school lowrider term of endearment for a pre-50s American bomb (car), but here the word takes on its musical connotation with a ‘Busa dedicated to the sweet sound of salsa. While salsa did not originate in Puerto Rico, there certainly is no lack of love for the rhythmic beat of congas in the valley of Patillas, the small town where Rover Andino and his 2005 Hayabusa currently reside. With musical notes representing the melody and airbrushed likenesses of salsa greats Hector Lavoe, Ray Barreto, Tite Curet, Martin Santiago and Tito Puente, this Suzuki is set for a high-speed dance with the stars.
Effectively combining the passion for salsa together with Suzuki’s most recognizable lines is the work of artists Melvin and Miguel Antuna, a pair of fellow Puerto Rican brothers currently based in Kissimmee, FL. The airbrushed artwork is complemented by a frame and 12-out C&S swingarm refinished in dark brown. A closer look reveals a number of brown-painted caps and covers, which is the work of the owner. Aside from the paint, the most notable deviation from stock is the reshaped fiberglass tail section which meets up with a custom wooden seat with a center section made of an actual conga drum. Rover assured that the comfort of this most unusual saddle is, “not that bad,” especially if you maneuver yourself back against the hump. His longest ride to date is a little over nine hours to, you guessed it, a salsa concert.
A snap of the fingers and a twist of the wrist: this ‘Busa is all that jazz with airbrush work that pays tribute to the likes of conga man Ray Barretto , Tony Olivencia and Frankie Ruiz, one of Puerto Rico’s most popular salsa singers.
A perfect stance is achieved with Tricky Air suspension out back and a 1.5-inch drop up front. Internally, the powerplant retains its factory components with a melodic exhaust tune piped through a Micron header and modified Micron R6 can. A tasteful selection of chromed accessories contrasts the shades of brown and tan with a touch of gold plating on the grab handles and dash components. Once your eyes have absorbed the myriad of clefs, lines and notes adorning the body, you can’t help but notice the chrome Extreme Reaper wheels wrapped with Dunlop on the front and a 360mm Monster Vee tire on the rear.
The legends of salsa are no doubt pleased with this lasting tribute to one of Latin music’s most popular genres. If there is indeed a rock and roll heaven, Rover Andino and his Hayabusa have made sure to put a little salsa in the sky as well.
This totally custom conga...
This totally custom conga drum seat with wood surround keeps the beat by the seat of your pants.
Roughly translated, “Rumbon...
Roughly translated, “Rumbon En-El Cielo” means salsa music in the sky, a fitting dedication to Hector Lavoe.
2005 Suzuki Hayabusa
Front End: Xtreme Machine Reaper wheel, lowered 1.5-inches, 120/70R18 Dunlop tire
Rear End: Tricky Air suspension, Xtreme Machine Reaper wheel, Vee 360mm Monster tire, underbraced C&S 12-inch over stock swingarm
Motor: Micron headers, modified Micron R6 muffler
Paint: Melvin and Miguel Antuna
Accessories: Gold-plated grab rails and triple trees and fuel cap, chromed components.
Owner/Builder: Rover Andino