Kevin Boyle’s of Motorcycle Medic in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is a prime example of a typical builder who’s keeping it green re-cycled too-cool-for-school Buell custom that Jack Cofano shot in Daytona. He started with a 17-year-old motorcycle and re-cycled it into the Redneck-framed pro-street-style bike that’s been given a whole new lease on life. As I’ve constantly harangued in print, Buells (unfortunately) have probably the highest percentage of being re-cycled into customs than just about anything else out there. Even if builders only use some of the high-quality parts off a Buell, nothing ends up in those multi-colored bins. What’s not used is saved for another project or sold on the greatest and most unappreciated re-cycler of all time, eBay, where a waiting, uber-enthusiastic audience of Buell owners seems to snap any leftover Buell part for their own cycle re-cycling.

But enough of that feel-good stuff; it’s time to dive into Kevin’s striking custom. The 2”-stretch, 2”-down Redneck frame looks pretty radical with its definitely-radical-I-don’t-care-what-you-say 51-degree rake, but Kevin wisely chose a swingarm frame controlled by a Progressive mono-shock to handle the twisty, rough back roads of Western Massachusetts. Obviously this man is no dummy with a penchant for pain. Local El Paso boys, Tim and Mike Hanlon, supplied Kevin with a set of their inverted Mean Street forks that not only look beefy-good, but provide a smooth ride. The very-well-padded-for-a-show bike seat even looks pretty comfy for a day’s (okay, maybe a half-day’s) ride and the Shirley Zannell leatherwork adds a bit of tasteful style without overwhelming the clean lines. Ride Wright fat spoke wheels with white powdercoated rims adds a vintage touch while the 21” front and 18” rear wheels sport reasonably-sized Metzeler tires that make this bike a zippy ride on city streets as well as back roads and not a counter-steering hand-full to maneuver around corners.

The 1203cc Buell motor provides plenty of punch for a custom as is, but Kevin being an accomplished engine guy couldn’t just plug and play. Giving it a little more umph is a set of higher compression pistons, high-flow air cleaner, and a set of header–wrapped two-into-one pipes that make sure no animals (in this case “horses”) were baffle-injured on their way out to rejoin the atmosphere.

The bodywork started out as Redneck pieces, but Kevin broke out the tools and massaged them into a look of his own. In case you haven’t noticed, there’s really not a lick of the usual chroming on this bike. Kevin collaborated with his old friends from Sumax and everything you see is powdercoated, not painted. A tough, practical, and easy-to-keep-clean were the mandate behind this build and the lack of chrome is not a feature that is lacking in any way. There’s a nice, warm, cohesiveness to the whole overall look.

Kevin did a superb job of re-cycling ending up with something that can be a show contender or a wicked fun rider that won’t break the bank to build or buy. Sorting crap into red, green, yellow, blue, or white re-cycle bins could never be considered fun (unless you are a complete idiot and I’m sure there are green people who chomp at the bit to do it), but Kevin Boyle’s version of re-cycling is something I’m totally on board with. You only get to drag those bins to the curb and if you look at that as fun, you really need to get a life. But with Kevin’s version of re-cycling an old Buell into a bike that will make your heart race just looking at it, the curb is just the beginning.