The Bomber was developed for Custom Chrome Europe by Fred Kodlin Motorcycles as a motorcycle kit, homologated for all European countries, which can be assembled into both a showbike and one you can ride 2,200 miles in five days on. Fred Kodlin developed the components with great care and parts like the swingarm, frame, tank, fenders, and exhaust system, are available seperatly. Fred has been the customizer of choice to build the rides of Custom Chrome President Holger Mohr. A few days after the introduction of the Bomber, the order for Mohr’s personal machine was given. Three weeks later, Holger’s bike was ready for its first ride, the annual Hamster trek from California to Sturgis. “After the radical Wotan Hi-Neck chopper I rode previously, I wanted something closer to our stock kit-bike range,” said Holger.

Right out of the box, the Bomber kit has engine options like a choice of Custom Chrome’s 100“ or 110“ RevTech engines or the much admired Total Performance 124“ motor. Holger opted for the bigger RevTech engine with a show-polished finish. While I was riding the bike on the way to the photo session at the foot of the Grand Teton National Park, engine vibration was almost nonexistent. The morning of the shoot, the temperature was close to freezing. Thumbing the starter button, it fired up immediately and responded to the throttle likewise. The torque pulls the rider along with every stroke of the piston, each twist of the wrist commands immediate accelleration. Neither grips nor the mid-mount forward controls showed any vibration.The open version of the Kodlin Radikal exhaust is barely tolerable, even on the wide plains of the Wild West. I finally experienced the Loud Pipes Save Lives saying come true during the photosession when a huge Buffalo was having his breakfast and wanted no part of Kodlin’s pipes. At National Parks, animals have the right of way – so you better watch your back…

A mixture of European powerbike and Old School style, the Bomber features a Primo belt-drive, RevTech’s 5-speed, and a fat 250 Avon. “The position of the mid-controls is something I had to get accustomed to,”says Holger. “But looking back, the layout proved its functionality during the long distance ride.” He should know after a round trip of 2,200 milesfrom Custom Chrome’s headquarters in Morgan Hill, Californnia, to Sturgis and not all on straight roads. The mid-controls limit the lean angle in turns– which can compensated for by MotoGP style gymnastics. A higher handlebar would add to the riding comfort, but you gotta admit the RadiKal M-bar is hot looking. And another advantage of this bike: Even short riders have no handling problems. Something you can’t say about other custom rides…

The rolling chassis showcases the craftmanship and quality of Fred’s work. A single downtube seperates at the bottom and curves to the swingarm pivot with an integrated oil tank. The swingarm has hidden axle mounts and belt adjustment.Unlike the kit-bike, Holger’s has a rounded fuel tank and a shortened rear fender. The Candy Apple red paintwork and pinstriping shows the skill of Austrian paint-pro, Marcus Pfeil.

Riding in America has its benefits too. “We skipped the indicators for a cleaner look,” said Holger. Another thing he liked was the fact that there are towns in America where you could leave the key in the bike overnight. “The bike will stay in Californa for Hamster runs.“