Meet Pam Grigas, a woman who bought a ZR1 because “it became a game” to get the best price. That ZR1 was immediately upgraded with go-faster Lingenfelter parts. A performance enthusiast, Pam is also the mother of two speed-addicted boys. First son, Bobby Grigas, raced the NASCAR modified series. Second son, Jon “SNAX” Grigas, found freedom in the pits when not assaulting the streets with modified sportbikes and cars. Niece Nicole Kelleher watched from the passenger seat until she was old enough to wave an M1 license, too. For all of their differences, this family is bound together by a common thread—motorcycles. Between the lot of them, including a father who heads the family scaffolding business, 14 bikes rest in the garage. But nothing with a starter stays stock in this family and the proof is in the four big-budget customs parked in the driveway.
Rewind to 2010. With Christmas on the horizon, Pam pondered what to get kids who already had everything. Time spent at the clan’s Florida vacation home inspired the purchase of two off-the-lot 2009 Hayabusas. Neither would be ridden further than a mile before being dismantled on the lift at Break Lite Motorsports. The heavy presence of stretched customs cruising the Pan Handle state gave Pam an idea,“I wanted to build my sons something that would stay on the ground. Jon’s Gixxer 1000 was always on the rear tire and Bobby’s 750 was always doing endos. I called Mark at Break Lite and went all out.”
Both turbo builds share identical...
Both turbo builds share identical motor setups. When 300 HP at 13 lbs. of boost isn’t enough there is always the dry shot of nitrous lying in wait. Can you say overkill?
Over the two-month period it took to complete the project, Pam never let her sons in on the plan. Only two calls were made to them over the course of the builds and each was cleverly worded so they’d have no idea what was going on. Playing dumb, she asked probing questions like, “I just saw a big bike with Japanese writing on the side, have you heard of it?” and “So I saw a Hayabusa but it only had half a swingarm, what’s the deal?” to assure she was on the right track. With her sons confirming interest in both Suzuki’s big bird and single-sided arms, she started ordering custom parts.
Come December 25th, Jon Grigas unwrapped a black Hayabusa with blue flames, chrome-plated from the C&S Custom single-sided 360 kit to the RC Components Widow wheels. Additions included airbrushed reaper graphics and a package of cockpit technology you’d expect within a big body Benz. A touchscreen and Bluetooth-enabled console meant instant navigation, phone access from the helmet, iPod control and video through a rear view camera at the press of a button. If that wasn’t enough, a mini surround-sound system hidden within the bodywork kept the playlist pounding. Jon would later rebuild the motor and install a serious turbo setup.
Bobby Grigas received a near identical present apart from the paint. Since he’d grown up racing the NASCAR modified series, Pam had Amherst Street Collision & Customs spray the second ‘09 ‘Busa in Candy Apple red and Orion silver to match her son’s racing colors. Pam was not done yet.
Getting to this point does...
Getting to this point does not come cheap. An estimated $55,000 was spent on this ‘Busa without ever touching the motor.
Niece Nicole Kelleher came next. Years of riding pillion had Nicole set on purchasing a first bike. And seeing the two new ‘Busas just fueled the flame to get rider certified. Like most fresh to the scene, she set her sights on a stock bike with a seasoned past—something to learn on. Come the following Christmas she received something much greater.“I had no idea I was going to get a 2010 R6. I was a little nervous taking it out at first because it’s so spectacular. I was expecting something stock and older so that if I crashed I wouldn’t really care.”
A helmet inspired paint job...
A helmet inspired paint job turned out a wicked pink scheme.
Painted to match the Icon “Street Angel” helmet, Nicole’s pink R6 is the most subdued of the bunch with a C&S Custom single-sided 240 rear and stock motor but who could complain? Standing 5’2”, she needed to stay planted at stops so the chromed-out forks were lowered internally 2.5-inches. She too received the electronic package found on the ‘Busas. Ultra-girly, this Yamaha could be the most all-out starter SSB has ever seen.
After her family was covered Pam jumped into the mix and got rolling heavy on a turbo Hayabusa that’d make Ryan Schintz applaud. She took a similar route as her sons but sprayed her ’08 mode in Cadillac pearl white to match her modified Escalade. Possibly inspired by Three 6 Mafia, pearl white spinners on RC Components Royal wheels separated her creation from a family of three very similar builds. Each recieved Tricky Air Ride suspension, chrome-galore, RC Components wheels, Jetsons-class tech, arms from C&S Custom and dueling nitrous bottles (sans the R6). A conversation with Jon led to two complete motor overhauls for a twist on roasting rubber bling.
Jon’s blue flamed ‘Busa sports an identical motor build. Insert your own “Yo mama’s so fast joke” here. The turbo maestros at RPM Cycle Performance in Arkansas devised a system that was strong but turnkey. This is much easier said than done but as usual no cost was spared. There is nothing Fischer Price about what rolled off the dyno, explained Pam,“We already had nitrous but my sons talked me into turbos and a rebuilt engine. We’ve had bad luck with turbo cars in the past so I was hesitant. We rebuilt the engines to keep them reliable and then went full tilt.”
This white wonder literally...
This white wonder literally rolls at a snail’s pace. Don’t let the fat tire fool you.
The end result was two Haybusas claiming over 500 HP at full boost. Since the street is where this troop spends their time, the reinforced Velocity Racing Stage 2 turbo system runs at a claimed 13 lbs. of boost for a healthy 300 HP. Wossner turbo pistons and rods, ARP head studs, heavy duty Carpenter Racing valve springs and a RPM Cycle Stage 2 lock up clutch make sure it all runs flawlessly. Fat tire or not, that much power at the wrist is enough to push a dump truck. “It’s definitely an animal. First and second don’t hook up but from third on it hooks. It’s pretty gnarly to show up at a spot with four custom sportbikes ridden by your family. I ride it daily and plan to get it on the strip soon,” said Jon.
So why did former racecar driver Bobby opt out of a matching engine build? The answer is simple. He wanted to see how the system worked for his mom and brother first. Proven reliable, it is only a matter of time before his red and silver ‘Busa starts spooling.
It is hard to fathom what rolling around on a $65,000 dollar Hayabusa feels like but blatant disregard for price wasn’t a matter of showing off. They simply love their vehicles and are afforded the luxury of buying the book. While their lifestyle may be hard to relate to it is not difficult to understand why, as Pam summed up, “We ride as a family and everything we have gets modified. This is purely for family enjoyment—it’s what we love to do.” SSB
2009 Suzuki Hayabusa
Front End: RC Components Widow wheel, shaved caliper bracket, chromed components
Rear End: RC Components Widow wheel, C&S Custom single-sided swingarm with 360 kit, chromed components, Tricky Air Ride suspension, EK MVX black chains
Motor: Twin bottle nitrous kit, Velocity Racing Stage 2 turbo with GTX30R wheels and piggyback computers, secondary fuel system, Wossner turbo pistons and rods, ARP head studs and adjustable cam sprockets, Carpenter Racing valve springs, RPM Cycle undercut transmission, Stage 2 lock-up clutch with easy access cover and 2” oil pan
Paint: Bunz Designs
Accessories: Pioneer touchscreen head unit with navigation, Aux hookups and Bluetooth connectivity, speaker system with four-channel amp, rear view camera, chromed factory parts, billet master cylinder covers, Roaring Toyz grips and kickstand, mirror block-offs, Fusion Stage 3 LED lighting kit
Owner: Jon ‘SNAX’ Grigas
Builder: Break Lite Motorsports, motor work by RPM Cycle Performance
2010 Yamaha R6
Front End: RC Components Assault wheel, chromed components, forks lowered 2.5” internally
Rear End: RC Components Assault wheel, C&S Custom single-sided swingarm with 240 kit, lowering links, lowering kickstand
Motor: VooDoo exhaust, T-Tuner mid pipe
Paint: Josh Cobb
Accessories: Pioneer touchscreen head unit with navigation, Aux hookups and Bluetooth connectivity, rear view camera, Gregg’s Customs front signals, integrated taillight, HIDs, chromed factory parts, Fusion Stage 3 LED lighting kit
Owner: Nicole Kelleher
Builder: Break Lite Motorsports
2008 Suzuki Hayabusa
Front End: RC Components Royal wheel , chromed components
Rear End: RC Components Royal wheel, C&S Custom single-sided swingarm with 360 kit, chromed components, Tricky Air Ride suspension, EK chains
Motor: See pg. 42*
Paint: Break Lite Motorsports
Accessories: See pg. 42*
Owner: Pam Grigas
Builder: Break Lite Motorsports, motor work by RPM Cycle Performance
* Identical specs on indicated pg.