Ten Bolts. Ten Customized Builders. One Winner. You Resolve. Such was the headline traversing across the net when Star Bikes gave calls to a number of the prime builders within the nation to compete in a “customise it as you see match” construct contest primarily based on a freshly minted, inventory 2014 Yamaha Bolt.
Large OEMs proceed to assist develop motorcycling by realizing that the DIY motion is right here to remain, and that the one approach to play in the identical sandbox because the quickly rising classic customized market is to point out their assist via tasks like these. Triumph, Kawasaki, BMW, Moto Guzzi—all of them get it. And now Yamaha America is declaring they get it, too.
The longer term is vibrant for these of us not content material with what rolls off the meeting line. This implies a brand new potential leap in customized motorcycling—which means new prospects for these sensible manufacturers—who understand that prospects are primarily based on the motorcycling lifecycle, and never simply present buying energy or habits.
One in all our favourite builders was on the checklist when the calls went out: Greg Hageman, of Hageman Bikes. Greg has constructed a quiet however plain popularity for constructing ultra-clean efficiency customs primarily based on classic machines. His penchant is for the previous, mixed with upgrades in spots that depend—suspension, rubber, braking.
This time, Greg had an opportunity to place a contemporary machine beneath the knife.
“My objective was to construct a motorcycle that may convey again that feeling of awe I had when strolling right into a dealership as a ten-year-old. I’d stroll up and down the aisles bikes, simply dreaming and gazing the great thing about these items, particularly the filth bikes and enduros—the go-anywhere bikes that appeared good residing within the nation like we did. So when given the prospect to construct a contemporary, go-anywhere, do-anything interpretation, I jumped at it.
“I did as a lot analysis as potential earlier than receiving the bike, however there simply wasn’t a lot on the market. There have been a couple of builders posting pics, however actually nothing accessible aftermarket but, and little or no information in regards to the bike. As soon as I acquired the bike, I sat and studied it for a couple of hours, and rode it round a bit to get a really feel for the ability and stability it had. After that, I tore it down. As soon as I had a “clear slate” and had eliminated all of the litter blocking my view of the skeleton, I then envisioned what I needed to do.
“I constructed the bike in a manner as to not molest or hurt the inventory body or parts—one thing that was all bolt-on, so I can later create a package to produce so others can reproduce it. The tip result’s a retro-looking, robust machine. With the knobbies, you may hit the gravel, unmaintained roads, or trip all the way down to Starbucks for a espresso.
Or if you happen to want, throw on some much less aggressive tires and also you’ve bought a retro supermotard. They simply don’t construct something like these bikes anymore. You stroll right into a dealership now, and your alternative is to purchase a cruiser, a plastic sport bike, or a plastic filth bike. Nothing with soul or magnificence just like the bikes had within the ‘60s and ‘70s.”
This text first appeared in situation 11 of Iron & Air Journal, and is reproduced right here beneath license.
Hageman Cycles | Website | Instagram
Story by Brett Houle | Photos by Erick Runyon
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