Mike Campo started this bike with the plan to build something he could ride and still catch all the attention wherever he went. That’s a pretty tough order considering he is in one of the most talent-drenched motorcycle areas in the country,New York. Still, he has created something that catches your eye the second you see it. The frame has been cut down to give it a gooseneck...

The basis of any metal music begins with a strong bottom line that carries the rest of the song while additional musical elements are added to give it a unique sound. Ballistics’ ode to heavy metal laid down the groundwork with a strong and flowing Hardlife frame from Jesse Jurrens of Independent Cycle Inc. This aptly named frame continues to be the basis of many a custom builder...

“A 900 lb. block of T6 aircraft grade aluminum.  That’s right.  I’m building a motorcycle.” “A motorcycle?” “Yeah, a motorcycle… out of a 900 lb. block of T6 aircraft grade aluminum.” “A motorcycle, sir? … out of a 900 lb block of aluminum?” (long, awkward, uncomfortable pause) “How’s your credit, sir?” “Excellent.” “We’ll send one right over.” This is just one snippet of the...

The two air cleaners protruding through the top of the air box cover is a rare design, and it quickly reminded us of an old fifty something Chevy that hot rod owners ran air filters out the top of their car’s hoods.  “We built this bike for a special show and we wanted to build something really different and something like no other V-ROD.  The hot rod idea started with the chopped...

Owner and fabricator Chris Shoemaker, along with master fabricator Billy Greene, came up with the idea for the Legend over a couple of beers and wanted to build a bike a little different from the usual sleek modern creations they are noted for. Basically an old school styled chopper, it also has all the bells and whistles featured on all their bikes. The ape hangers, seat, sissy...

When Romuald Guarino rolled in on his Fishbone custom, the crowd gathered around the machine so quickly one would have thought that he was passing out hundred dollar bills. The main attraction on this bike is the fish tank, which is part-time home for a few real live goldfish.  The fish tank is constructed of hard, red-yellowish plexiglass and is positioned on the bike where the...

  There are professions that are dominated by men and there are professions that are dominated by women, and some that are equally shared by both sexes.  But in most situations, whenever a profession is dominated by one particular gender, we have a tendency to feel more comfortable when only that gender provides our needed services.  For example, if I go to the hospital tomorrow...

The chopper itself is unmistakably a Patrick Kennedy.  After over a decade of looking at choppers and potential builders, the first time I saw a Patrick Kennedy bike I knew that I had found what I was looking for.  A few months after accidentally running into a Kennedy chopper at All American Cycle in Portland, Oregon, Lou and I actually booked a flight to southern Arizona to meet...

Nothing worth having comes easy and if you want something bad enough you have to take it. There is no such thing as a “free lunch.” This is the code that I live by, but when presented with a rare opportunity to own a Billy Lane bike, I hesitated. The feeling was so surreal that I needed coaxing from my girlfriend just to make the phone call! I’ve always been a big fan of Billy’s...

The rake was kept down to a manageable 37 degrees and the stretch to 1.5 inches.  There was to be no steamroller-sized 300 series meat in the back.  In the name of road-worthiness, Campos deployed a 180mm tire instead.  I haven’t seen one of those in awhile.  Heck, Russell Mitchell puts bigger tires than that on the FRONT of his bikes! An 80ci. H-D 1994 Evo mill powers the FXR,...