Chris left the Twin Cam 88 basically alone as it’s got enough power for any show bike. I mean, how much do you need to just parade around? Good tough looks and a nice set of pipes will do it every time for most people. Throw on an Evil Engineering open belt primary and you’ve got enough visual appeal to satisfy any showgoer. Chris did stay with a set of laced wheels that add just...

  So with all that totally to you unnecessary blather out of the way, let’s get on to T.D.’s striking trike. If there was ever a tough, but pretty one-off trike that bridges all the gaps between show bike, eye-ball searing design, wicked performance, and the often needed practicality of three wheels, T. D. Ward and his main man and tech, Scott Fuchs, have hit the custom world’s...

Fabricator Kevin (formerly known as Kevin Verkest) has been specializing in building parts at his shop, Fabricator Kevin’s Steel Chopper Parts in Clinton Township, Michigan, for the home builder who’s not just bolting on some chrome thingie on his Road King. His expertise in CAD and CNC plasma and laser cutting along with an artist’s eye has provided not only great parts, but...

  Sundance Enterprises Inc. in Tokyo, Japan, is the lovechild of Zak Shibazaki, who makes custom bikes that focus on overall performance, rather than only on looks. The term “Custom Builder” is not an image he really identifies with. If anything, “Custom Engineer” more closely identifies his approach to bike building. When his friend and editor of Japan’s Hard Core Chopper...

  Whatever Buell that engine came from is just about intact other than the engine as TPJ built a new frame, swingarm, tank, fenders, seat, and more to house the engine. A new set of lightweight spoked wheels with Excel rims and Avon tires allows this sucker to be thrown around with reckless abandon, yet all that happens is a bit more seat patina. Braking is courtesy of France by...

  Mark is originally from Northern California where there’s a long history of famous flat trackers coming from that area. This influence has stuck with him even with his move to Texas and Mark’s committed to turning out street trackers and café racers based on that XS650 OHC twin that was produced for almost two decades in various guises. All of that production means there are...

  Possibly the biggest compliment they could get is that this bike was built for a previously satisfied customer as Jarrod explained how this build came about. “This was a commissioned build for a customer who already owns two other DPC machines. While we were discussing design ideas, he mentioned that his favorite driver of all time is the late three-time Formula One World...

  There were about 300 cars and motorcycles on display for the 2012 Rims on the River, unfortunately a whole lot more cars than motorcycles. The three-day event brings in hundreds of car enthusiasts, venders, and live music to Wilmington’s downtown. This is an annual event that I look forward to every year. Cars and motorcycles dating 1980-and-older line the streets of the historic...

Taking a studied approach to future customization, George kept an eye out on different builders’ styles and their attention to detail before finally settling on Robert Gilliland Customs in Jackson, Ohio, to discuss a potential build. “George is an older gentleman and likes the old street rods with long fenders and ’34-style taillights,” said Robert Gilliland. “I studied the bike...

Contrary to the custom bagger craze that has seriously infected the nation, Joe has stuck to his roots of building a truly custom, custom with no pretense of trying to join any trendy movements. Being a one-man operation he can build exactly what he likes and that’s exactly what he’s always done and that’s exactly what he’s still doing. From his fabricated twin-top tube frame to...