The Very Definition of Thinking Outside the Box

ICON 1000

Walt Siegl + Puma

New Article

Check out the great article on the Bike Shed on our 650R build here.

 

 

The Bike Shed

If you haven't already, check out The Bike Shed. These guys really care not only about showing you cool bikes, but about the people and the stories behind the builds. Check out any one of the feature bikes on the site, and you will know what I mean.

Buffalo Harbor

We added a new photo set to our Flickr page, shot in the Outer Harbor of Downtown Buffalo. Check it out here.

Racing Café

Thanks to Racing Café for featuring our bike on their blog. Check out http://www.racingcafe.blogspot.it/ for lots of great pictures of cool bikes from around the globe.

Thanks Bike EXIF!

Big thanks goes out to Bike EXIF for the mention on their Facebook page, and to everyone who liked the photo posted. It's always great to have our work recognized. Head over to Bike EXIF's Facebook page and website and check out amazing bikes from builders around the world.

Thanks Bubble Visor Blog!

If you haven't already, check out the Bubble Visor Blog at http://www.bubblevisor.blogspot.com . Lots of great motorcycle related coverage from around the world. He also has a few items for sale at http://www.barnfreshco.com . Lennard was kind enough to post a few pics of the Ninja as well. Check it out!

650R Complete

More Pics on our Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kustomresearch/sets/72157636309397443/

Roots

Heading back to chopper land soon for a rebuild of Sober Sally. Stay tuned...

CX500 Update

I'm pretty much finished with fabrication on this bike now. Its just waiting its turn to be finished. Most recently I've added new foot controls, moved the gauges from on top of the triple tree to in front of the trees, and relocated the brake reservoir with a new bracket
...again. I've also completed some bodywork, replacing the gas filler with one off of a R1, shaved the gas tank's emblem recesses, and finally made an undertail. Another long over due item completed was the coolant overflow tank...

650R Update

Well the end has come for the 650R project. It's going up for sale tomorrow. It's come a long way since its beginning as a neglected wanna be sportbike. It's come full circle as a respectable naked streefighterish café racer. I should have some finished pics soon, if the sun ever decides to come out in Buffalo again.

650r Project

Picked up a ninja 650r to work on as it seemed like an easy project to get on the road quick. In two weeks I accomplished enough to have an interesting little street fighter. Stripped about 20 pounds of ugliness off. Made my own clip ons, rearsets, subframe, tail section and seat. relocated a few electrical items, made a new headlight mount for a v-rod version, and a new gauge mount for the stock gauges. I only need to relocate the overflow tank to complete the look I was going for. Still undecided if a lower fairing will be added.

The Ride

Positive Attitude

Quiet

Getting this CX down to reasonable decibels required a muffler. I had some stock ZX10R mufflers laying around. Upon cutting into them, I saw the lovely white sparks I haven't seen in so long, realizing they were completely titanium on the inside! Problem was getting titanium filler rod quickly wasn't going to be easy. I managed to cut some strips from the internals to use. Originally this was a 2 chamber muffler, but I modified it to a single chamber and shortened it about 4 inches. I packed it with some Jardine glass from another leftover muffler hanging around. The bike now has a nice deep mellow tone.

Chick On a CX500

Video proof that Cristin can ride. Had to sneak this...

She Rides

Well the gf passed her test. Now our little grasshopper treks out into the real world.

CX500 Update

Not too much accomplished this week. Finally got some gaskets and seals to replace the leaking ones. Also learned that when putting in new clutch plates and discs, you have to break them in before they work. Wasted a few hours on that. Made a plug to replace the leaking siliconed tachometer cable. Fixed a cracked off clutch cable holder. Made some turn signals out of some led indicators. Only a few more things to fabricate. 

CX500 Weekly Update

Moving on to less major work. Switches, sensors, wiring, kickstands. Getting started on fixing mechanical issues. Cracked carburetor vent tubes, leaking gaskets, and the endless surprises found when u buy a 35 year old motorcycle.