If you’d like to get an idea of what the evolution of Daniel’s thought process was on this new re-build check out this video of the bike in its former guise. As you can see, the basics are still there, but the end result is totally different and totally different in a good way. “With this bike, our intent was to bring something new to the scene. Not necessarily something that would become a fad, but something that would defy fads. It is, in a sense, a bagger, just not what you typically see,” said Daniel. “We wanted as many parts as possible to be hand built. We always hear people talking about what custom is and about something being built, not bought. This bike reflects the true meaning of built not bought. We built almost everything except the motor and tires.”
And just in case you were wondering whether that bodywork is metal or composite material, Daniel doesn’t mince words saying, “There is no fiberglass.” That’s not a big surprise as Daniel comes from a long family line of metal shapers starting with his great grandfather who was a full-blooded Apache metal artisan to his father, Tony, who is Cut Throat’s manager. “We have over 20 years in auto suspension and metal fabrication, so we wanted to apply the full range of our experience. We’ve also noticed over the past few years that there are so many trends out there with bike builds and so many customized bikes on the road that consist primarily of applied aftermarket parts and great paint jobs,” said Daniel. “With this bike, our intent was to bring something new to the scene. Not necessarily something that would become a fad, but something that would defy fads. We added more leather and got rid of some of the bulk on the bikeIt is, in a sense, a bagger, just not what you typically see.”
Daniel along with his right-hand man at Cut Throat Customs, Giovanni Ramos, ripped into the previous build and spent a month re-doing it until it was good enough to take first place in the free-style class at the Ultimate Builder Show in Dallas this past November. When you’re starting with a Cut Throat-original frame and cantilevered fork, you’ve got a great base to begin with. “When the bike was reborn as El Deguello [meaning Cut Throat] it took on a whole new life and personality. Just like a concept car reflects the depths of a manufacturer’s creativity and craft, this bike shows numerous examples of what we are capable of: Suspension, handmade metal parts, vision in design, innovation, and the ability to take a walk on the extreme side with practical engineering,” said Daniel adding, “It’s a rideable piece of art.”
One thing you really have to check out is that Cut Throat cantilever fork that isn’t what it seems to be on first glance according to Daniel, “The style reflects our history in auto air suspension, and the fact that we hand make many of our bikes from the ground up. It tends to fool people into thinking the front end is rigid, and they are shocked to see that between the oil/gas tank combo there is an airbag and underneath the seat is a second one. As it airs up, the front end pivots upward and raises the bike 5.5-inches from the ground for a smooth limo-like ride.” Anytime an air suspension bike airs up, it’s dramatic, but a cantilevering front end just adds that extra bit of drama and for show bikes, extra drama is a good thing.
Daniel got into what makes this bike so special now compared to before saying, “The paint job makes our metal work look good and our metal work gives the painter a great canvas to work with to show off their skills. The paint by Dustin Hobert of HD Airbrush Studio [in Rock Island, Illinois] was phenomenal and flawless. He taped out the panels to accentuate the curves and give it more attitude. He did an amazing job on the paint and got it done when he said it was going to be done. It is a bad ass build with a bad ass paint job.”
But there’s even more to this finish than paint as Daniel continued, “We wanted a unique finish to the powdercoating so Lucky Johnston of 3 Nails Powder Coatings in Spring, Texas, gave us a hammered, tarnished appearance to the frame and front end. Roberti Customs of Houston, Texas, provided exemplary leatherwork as usual, giving us the most unique set of bags we’ve seen yet on a bike. They made the seat, grips and foot peg covers, as well. Hand tooled with a design of feathers, subtly reflecting my Native American heritage and complementing the tomahawk brake pedal. The wheels were handmade and required a chrome finish that could show off all of the work done. Gus from Bright Metals of the Heights in Houston supplied the clean chrome finish.”
Yeah, yeah I know I haven’t made any mention of the drive train yet as I just thought I’d let you stew for a bit on that one. Of course it’s an inline-four Honda and that gets some of you very upset and some very happy. Hey, all I know is that it’s an almost 40-year old engine so give it a rest and stop squabbling about foreign stuff as it’s probably older than half the readers on here. No matter how you look at it, I personally think it’s a cool design that looks great sitting right there for all the world to see. You can still love your Harley like nothing else ever existed, but maybe after 40-years you can at least like the CB750 for the game changer it was. Plus it looks pretty damn good in Daniel’s application in my opinion and according to him, I’m not alone, “We’ve gotten the biggest response yet to this particular build because people really enjoyed the sleekness, the unique form, textured frame and front end and intense panel metal flake paint job.
Oh, I should also add that Cut Throat does the bulk of its work in American V-twins, so if you’ve got problems with old CB 750s, check out their other stuff on their website http://www.ctcfab.com/ and definitely check out YouTube for customer testimonials and a whole lot more.