A cut-and-bobbed Harley Panhead ex-police bike was the first American V-twin I ever rode so needless to say, it left an indelible impression on me. Plus I like bikes that don’t try and hide their mechanicals and that you can actually fling around and beat on a bit and wild and crazy bikes just never allowed me to do that. Maybe I’m just custom conservative, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like other stuff. I just end up kinda respectfully appreciating them from afar.

 

   With that said, I shouldn’t be as fascinated by a pro-street configuration custom wearing all-encompassing bodywork and I mean all encompassing bodywork like our flamed full-body feature bike belonging to Jim Michaud of Phoenix, Arizona. Looking at the photos there are just enough tiny bits (and I do mean tiny bits) of engine showing to lead you to believe there is an engine encapsulated in the fiberglass bodywork. Yes, you’re right, there’s not much, but at least it’s not as bad in that respect as a Ducati Paso which was one daring-for-its-time (1986), but homely-as-hell bike.

 

  I guess what I like about this is that Jim just made an attractive envelope that is what it is and doesn’t try to be a ’57 Chevy or a fire truck or whatever. The only theme here is the theme of making something different and a design that naturally flows as its own self instead of trying to be something it isn’t. The way Jim integrated the rather attractive fairing into the whole design flow instead of being stand-off-ish by itself works on all levels. With the main body gracefully arching downwards on its way aft, there’s a sense of speed about to burst over the scene even at rest. Jim’s clever use of venting captive heat through what appears to be ’50s-style Buick Ventiports is a striking style point although I think there just might be a lotta heat trying to get out of six relatively small holes. It’s also neat that the twin velocity stacks and even the twin exhaust outlets at the bottom of the body all seem to have a lot in common. Air goes in and air goes out through these various orifices with vents on the side reminiscent of a late model Testarossa’s side strakes.

 

   All in all, Jim’s done a great job working this design all out until it gels. Whether it’s your cup of tea or not is your own business, but you really gotta give the guy credit for taking it to the limit and then some. I really like checking out this bike and other than the lovely understated, but to my eyes, totally uncomfortably-angled seat (oh so that’s what the teeny backrest does, keeps you on the seat), this is a winner of a concept bike even if it’s not something I want to go bobbing around on.

 

  Oh and in case you think Jim’s some sort of one trick pony, you would be dead wrong sir. He’s been a part of many award winning customs with his own take on custom design that runs the gamut from mild to wild. Don’t believe me? Check out this couldn’t-be-more-different-from-what-we-just-featured trike. That may not be a bobber either, but I sure would like to find the throttle stop, hold it there as long as I dared, and soak it all in.