Racers
Looking at how well Fred packaged a big American V-twin in a sporty-style of bike and not having it look cartoonish like some others end up is worthy of Harley and Buell taking a gander at how it could and should be done. “Proto Slug is a mixture of different influences of what I like in motorcycles. I didn’t want to do something overdone, just a rideable and fast bike that looks good,” said Fred. “Building a sportbike with a Big Twin engine is difficult, but I’ve found a good balance between looks and function. The Dub touch!”
The Dub twin downtube frame has its work cut out encapsulating the brutal Merch 131” engine and anchoring the delicately machined gold-anodized swingarm. That swingarm is controlled by a Softail-style SAS shock setup and holds a gorgeous Dub-built wheel with a massive 300mm tire. “I chose a 300mm tire for the show bike to give it a more aggressive look, a kind of streetfighter touch instead of pure sportbike,” said Fred. “Of course you get the best handling with a 180mm tire, but I was entered in a bike show, not a race.” Once you get past the tire size, the wheel detail is stunning with a rotor for the Beringer caliper mounted between it and the swingarm and the drive pulley hanging way out there for all it’s worth. Dub-made triple trees with really neat flip-risers clamping low-rise Rizoma bars feature nothing-but-the-best Ohlins forks with radial-mount Beringer brakes stopping another show-stopping multi-piece Dub wheel.
The Dub-assembled Merch makes 180hp, yeah you read correctly, and Fred’s reaction to riding it? “The sensations are just . . . whaoooo!” said Fred. “Proto Slug is rideable, but difficult to use wide open, you need to really take care on turns and manage gas closely.” Looking all around this engine you can see many, many beautiful Dub details from the primary to the tiniest brackets to the delicate rearsets. The exhaust is a work of art Fred made in conjunction with Micron utilizing their MotoGP cans. The V-twin sounds totally different and revs super-quick like it has no flywheel (www.moto-museum.net click videos). Fred didn’t just do this for looks (although it looks wicked cool in person), but spent lots of dyno time to get maximum performance with both pipes ending up equal length.
The first bodywork you probably notice are the VMax-inspired carbon fiber air scoops, nothing wrong with a performance design signature like that. They integrate nicely with the tank that flows into the Dub-built carbon fiber seat/tail section that houses the oil tank. Norbert Milotte did another of his elegant paintjobs this time in striking white with the carbon material highlighted by gold striping which ties the anodized gold parts and the whole bike together.
Pictures just don’t do this bike justice. Seeing it in person at the AMD Show in Sturgis left my tongue hanging out with all the delicious details Fred has built into every little piece. But, the best part is that this is one show bike that was really meant to be ridden and somehow I gotta convince Fred I’m just the guy to do it.
Up Close: BAKER SBD Primary
The old saw, “you get what you pay for” is not always true. I’ve seen very expensive parts that weren’t worth a damn, so paying a lot doesn’t always mean better. In the case of products from BAKER Drivetrain, though, that saying holds absolutely true on anything with the Bert Baker seal of approval. Mr. Baker and his crew must have been influenced by the 1970s Paul Masson wine commercials, featuring Orson Welles famous “We will sell no wine before its time” mantra. Whenever Bert brings something to market, it’s innovative, a problem-solving solution, and dependable as all hell. It’s nice to be able to buy something blind from BAKER Drivetrain and be confident it’s worth every penny.
With the rather large power output of the 131” Merch engine, it’s no wonder Fred Duban choose a combo of BAKER products to handle the load to the rear wheel. The Synchronous Belt Drive primary is a typical BAKER product in that absolute performance and reliability come first and good looks follow with a sense of machinery that just looks right. The 2.4” large tooth belt spins over steel pulleys, not aluminum, as BAKER says that aluminum doesn’t hold up over the miles leading to saggy belts. Who the hell wants saggy belts? Not any Softail owner I know.
There’s also added support for the transmission main shaft according to BAKER, “The inner clutch hub reaches farther on the mainshaft towards the pulley nut. This reduces flex and stress on the mainshaft.” The SBD is available with or without outside bearing support in a choice of polished or black anodized (my choice) finish.
Find out more info on all BAKER products at www.bakerdrivetrain.com or call 877-640-2004.
Builder: Fred Duban Dub Performance
Apparently, nobody told Fred Duban, owner and design guru of Dub Performance in Millery, France, that times are tough as he just keeps cranking out stunning customs of all kinds and rides the pee out of them when he’s finished. Mr. Dub is one really cool, really talented guy who seems to be living and enjoying life to its fullest doing exactly what he wants and how he wants. One look at the wide range of his work on his website is proof of that. Fred’s not stuck in any style category and I actually couldn’t begin to define his style into some tight category. Matter of fact, looking at his photo gallery is like checking out all the photos taken at a top-flight bike show of all the builders. There’s a style for anyone who’s ever had an interest in a custom motorcycle and Fred’s a guy who can add his own twist to it.
He’s not in fantasyland though, as he builds custom motorcycles for riders, not lookers. “My main priority is building rideable bikes and if those bikes run fast too, that’s even better,” said Fred. “Proto Slug is the first issue of a series of 12 other bikes done in the same way, but with more or less options. A 250 back tire and an S&S 96” engine will be more than enough for a bike this light, but if a customer wants something scary, I could do it with pleasure!”
That’s not a big surprise that he’d accommodate any customer with an inclination to making a bike faster than necessary. Taking a look at all the Dub Performance videos on his website shows how much fun Fred has riding and ripping on his “show” bikes. For more info on a really nice guy and his cool bikes, visit www.dub-performance.com.
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