Sportbike Builders Showcase

CUSTOM SPORTBIKE BUILDERS SHOWCASE
BUILDING EXTREME
MOTORCYCLE ART
At this point, we can all name the parts on a custom cruiser with our eyes closed. The instant we see one, we know
what to look for: bodywork, suspension, wheels, bolt-ons, etc. It’s easy to measure the quality (or at least the uniqueness)
of a custom cruiser when there are so many others to compare it with, thanks to the ever-present television and print
coverage of that market.
But when you stand in front of a custom sportbike, do you know what makes it unique? Can you identify the mods that
the owner has made? For many of us, it’s not so obvious. Unless you’re a devoted reader of custom sportbike mags or you
regularly hang out at bike nights, you’d probably be hard-pressed to come up with the answers.
Until now, the mainstream media has paid little attention to this part of our sport, despite the fact that sportbike accessories rake in more dollars than the custom cruiser segment. But you’ll be hearing a lot more about custom sportbikes on
the new television series The Metric Revolution (metrictv.com), where 10 top sportbike builders from around the country will
be competing for cash prizes. Every builder gets a brand-new motorcycle and the green light to tear it to pieces, to build the
most outrageous custom he can come up with. Weeded out from an enormous pile of entries, these builders are some of the
best in the business — and maybe some of the craziest. Just take a look at their creations on the next couple of pages.
For those of you who’d like to know more about what you’re looking at, we’ve compiled a brief list of common mods for
sportbikes. So the next time you’re standing at the curb and a hot bike rolls up, you can toss out a compliment or two, if
you’re so inclined. At the very least, if you want to learn more, you’ll know where to begin asking questions.
70 April 2006 n RoadBike n RoadBikeMag.com
CUSTOM SPORTBIKE BUILDERS SHOWCASE
JASON SAPP
C&S CUSTOM CYCLE MOCKSVILLE, NC 336/751-1733 CANDSCUSTOM.COM
OFFERS: Custom parts (product line and one-off),
ground-up builds, kits, paint, stock customizations.
PHILOSOPHY: When we build a one-off bike, it’s
truly one-off. All parts are fabricated in house with no
outside influence or assistance (except for wheels and
front ends). Everything on our custom bikes is “custom”
built, from the frames to the final details.
ADAM CANNI
CANNI DESIGN MARLTON, NJ 856/304-0499 [email protected]
You might recall that Adam’s been featured in our custom cruiser builders showcase for the last few years.
Well, he’s just crossed over to the dark side. Adam will
be building a custom sportbike exclusively for The Metric
Revolution, relying on his extensive design experience,
artistic abilities, and hardcore crew. Like the man says,
“Design it first on paper, plan it, then execute it.”
CARLOS NAVARRO CARLOS CUSTOMIZED CYCLES HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 562/639-4714 CARLOSCUSTOMIZEDCYCLES.COM
OFFERS: Custom parts (one-off), ground-up builds,
stock customizations.
PHILOSOPHY: What makes me stand out is that I
can customize any make or model, from sportbike to
cruiser to dirt bike. I’ve built all kinds of motorcycles, and
I enjoy building every style. Most of all, I try to make
each bike unique.
NICK ANGLADA
CUSTOM SPORTBIKE CONCEPTS WINTER GARDEN, FL 888/924-7663 18889CHROME.COM
OFFERS: Custom parts (product line and one-off),
ground-up builds, kits, paint, stock customizations.
PHILOSOPHY: My philosophy, and that of my crew,
is simple: Build bikes that have classic, simple, and
timeless designs. We don’t build “theme” bikes. We want
our creations to look appealing 10 years from now, without looking dated.
DEAN KAWCZAK AND KEVIN O’CONNELL LBF
CYCLES (LOUDER, BADDER, FASTER) FEURA BUSH, NY 518/768-2050 LBFCYCLES.COM
OFFERS: Ground-up builds, paint, stock customizations.
PHILOSOPHY: When we get a bike from a client, we
like to personalize it with a one-off part, something you
can’t buy in a catalog. By taking on just a few new
clients a year, we’re able focus to more on making each
bike a true custom — for that person — not just bolt-on
accessories.
72 April 2006 n RoadBike n RoadBikeMag.com
MC COY MOTORSPORTS PIKEVILLE, KY 606/432-1556 TOBEFAST.COM
OFFERS: Custom parts (product line and one-off),
ground-up builds, kits, paint, stock customizations.
PHILOSOPHY: Performance is our lifestyle, and
since we race, it’s not uncommon to find us incorporating power-driven parts into our themes and builds. The
end results are nothing less than stunning — and our
“show” can go!
JIM BALLARD
PARTS/CHROME UNLIMITED STANTON, CA 714/828-6260 CHROMEUNLIMITED.COM
OFFERS: Custom parts (product line and one-off),
ground-up builds, paint, stock customizations.
PHILOSOPHY: I like to build a clean bike for less
money than everyone else. I do all paint on the premises, so I can afford to give you a great deal on a killer
bike. I’d rather give more and make the customer happy.
DENNIS VAZQUEZ
PIT STOP MOTOR SPORT UNION CITY, NJ 201/974-1000 XTREMERIDERSWEB.COM
OFFERS: Custom parts (product line and one-off),
ground-up builds, kits, paint, stock customizations.
PHILOSOPHY: I build my bikes to ride, and ride
hard, instead of just being removed from a trailer and
put on a kickstand. Along with that, I take special care to
support the future of each bike, making sure it’s a
timeless design.
ROBERT FISHER
CUSTOM SPORTBIKE BUILDERS SHOWCASE
JERRY, RANDY, AND SHANE McCOY
ROARING TOYZ SARASOTA, FL 941/953-4423 WWW.ROARINGTOYZ.COM
OFFERS: Custom parts (product line and one-off),
ground-up builds, kits, paint, stock customizations.
PHILOSOPHY: We specialize in unique custom
sportbikes that can be ridden every day. We consider the
total package, including acceleration, handling, stopping,
reliability, sound, drivability, and look. A Roaring Toyz bike
can not only be ridden regularly, it’ll spin heads when
you do.
STEVE KEHLER
TRICKED OUT CUSTOM CYCLES HATBORO, PA 215/674-4340 TOCC.BIZ
OFFERS: Custom parts (product line and one-off),
ground-up builds, kits, paint, stock customizations.
PHILOSOPHY: We build bikes because it’s what we
enjoy. As a business, we offer every customer what he
needs — we never want anyone leaving unhappy. To sum
up our simple philosophy: Everyone is family at TOCC. RB
RoadBikeMag.com n RoadBike n April 2006 73