Rodent and I traveled to the Big Twin West Show in Las Vegas last November under the guise of covering the second annual AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building for Barnett’s. In reality though, we were giddy with excitement for the unveiling of the  revolutionary ‘SoftRigid’ framed bike made by Aaron Greene of Paramount Custom Cycles in Reno, Nevada. Having pored over the ‘spy’ photos Rodent had taken of the prototype’s rigid appearing but suspended frame, we were anxiously awaiting the final design in a newly finished bike made just for this competition.

There were 166 top notch bikes entered by all your favorite builders, but when we ran into Aaron’s “White Knuckles” entry, our jaws dropped. Its sheer size and audacity was startling, yet captivating at the same time, I didn’t know where to begin looking first and didn’t want to miss anything.

Strangely enough, the ‘SoftRigid’ frame itself was so well done it was the most subtle aspect of the whole build. There are so many twists and turns in the patented frame that it’s a metal version of San Francisco’s famed Lombard Street. The unique rear suspension consists of air and spring technology hidden inside the frame tubing that provides three inches of useful travel which allows you to have your cake and eat it too.   Way cool looking when parked and a pleasant experience to ride long distances. The beefy double-downtubes not only contain the engine oil, but help cool it with their forward location. Sweet Jeebers, there’s even a dipstick in its own cutout in the backbone, nice touch Aaron. With a 2” stretch and a 45 degree rake to hang the 8” over Perse Performance forks from, this is one Big and Tall Man’s bike. I felt like a little kid standing next to it. I am so blue collar that I usually am not attracted to over the top customs (or “Concept Bikes” as Rodent accurately describes them) as I try to imagine what actually riding them is like. This design goes so far “beyond beyond” I can’t help but want to try and manhandle this crazy thing, even though as Garth and Wayne would say, “I am not worthy,” but I would love to anyway.

By now you can’t help but notice the engine that appears to be a refugee from a Top Fuel dragster. As if a highly polished, TP 124” brute wasn’t enough to reach warp speed, PCC topped it off with a modified Holley Performance Products, Weiand 142 blower from Summit Racing. Normally nestled between the heads of a small-block Chevy, it’s been modified for this application and gives the engine its formidable look. Soaring ever higher is the dragster-direct, twin Hilborn fuel injection system which Aaron adapted for a v-twin. Just to make sure that he “pushed the envelope,” Aaron has the modified TP heads swilling a forced-induction mixture of alcohol and air instead of the typical gasoline the rest of the world uses in their bikes. Somehow I doubt Aaron will be riding “White Knuckles” to the lake to go fishing on weekends, so this indulgence in horsepower (and a cooler running engine) is acceptable. Besides, if alcohol is good enough for blown dragsters and biker parties, why not this bike? A Morris Magneto lays this mixture to waste and it’s dumped out PCC’s two into one exhaust with an Old School header wrap stopping just short of the chromed, tugboat-sized oval outlet. Aaron’s not gonna make any new friends at the DOT with this baby.

What also makes this engine different is that the ubiquitous drive belt, common to most v-twins in either primary or final drives, is only used to spin the blower on this bike. Aaron designed and his talented brother, Mark, fabbed the ultra-clean and robust gear drive primary to pass along power to the external Paramount Racing single-disc, massive dry clutch. This car-style unit is visually interesting with its mechanical complexity all delicately protected by the webbed clutch cover milled from a block of aluminum and barely visible to the eye. By the way, this gear drive and clutch will be available soon from PCC to install on your own bike! Baker was called upon to supply the LSD 6-speed tranny which spins a chain that tries to make the gargantuan 360mm tire mounted on a 14.5” Weld wheel turn into a smoky version of itself. If ever there was a “useful” application of a 360 tire, this could be it — visually and functionally. Weld came up with a matching 23“ front wheel to complete the bigger is better theme while Aaron didn’t fool around and has first-class Brembo brakes front and rear. 

Okay, you say, what about that huge swooping gas tank and why (as one guy at the show actually asked Aaron) does it have headlights in it? That towering tank is also the air cleaner/induction system and those “headlights” are butterfly-style venturis that flap open to let air in and are directly connected to the throttle, simply wonderful to watch in action. The rear fender by PCC completed the tinwork and Craig Willits stitched up a saddle with a padded lip on the back that keeps Aaron from sliding back hard against the fender when ‘butterflies are free.’ A Headwinds headlight provides forward vision while Aaron must have been influenced by Raul Julia’s portrayal of the Italian racing driver in the movie, Gumball Rally, who casually threw away his rear view mirror while stating, “Whatsa behind me is a not important!” as there is no taillight to be found.

Early in my discussion with Aaron about this bike, I asked him if he was a Big Daddy Roth fan as this bike struck me the same way as when I saw Roth’s incredible Beatnik Bandit as a kid at a hot rod show. The styles were both startling and unlike anything my tiny mind could or ever would envision. Aaron seemed pleased by the connection I had made and excitedly told me how Roth’s son had supplied the red metal flake paint from Big Daddy’s personal paint collection for the striping over the PPG pearl white paint. Ed Roth would have been proud to have his paint on this bike. Yeah, “White Knuckles” would be right at home sandwiched between the Beatnik Bandit and the Outlaw. The late Big Daddy was a visionary in his time and Aaron Greene is poised to continue his legacy of far out customs done in an artistic manner. Keep your eyes on this young guy and you’ll be able to tell all your friends, “I told you so.” 

Up Close: Paramount Gear Drive Primary/Single Plate Clutch

Yeah, guess what, this bad boy is coming to a distributor, shop, website or something near you. Gear Drive — it isn’t just for cams anymore. Aaron and brother Mark of Paramount Custom Cycles are very concerned about the cost of custom bikes. After all, they are also in the business of selling bikes and know very well the obstacle that a high price creates in this business. They therefore pursued the idea of using readily available, inexpensive car parts when possible that could be modified to fit bikes. This very thin, single plate car clutch was modified to fit this application. The three gears transfer the power to this monster clutch in an almost frictionless manner and the whole assembly measures almost 1” thinner than stock so riders get an improvement in comfort as well. The gears are bathed in oil while the clutch is dry. Mark explained that the clutch is easy to pull in and can handle up to 700 horsepower. Though they did their best, I’m not sure they came up with quite that much in their “White Knuckles” beast. They’ve threatened to re-invent the v-twin engine as well, driving the cost down by using the automotive parts industry. We can’t wait.

Builder:  Aaron Greene, Paramount Custom Cycles

Whether it’s riding, wrenching, building, designing, or developing innovative products, Aaron Greene’s dedicated himself to the motorcycle lifestyle. After doing mechanical and custom building stints at Surgical Steeds and Easyriders, among others, Aaron opened Paramount Custom Cycles in 1997 where he has established himself as a designer of bikes and parts to be reckoned with. PCC not only builds one-offs but has a complete line of reasonably priced production bikes that look way more custom than production. “I’m presently focusing on my production bikes and I’ve got two new models (four total) that are even more affordable; reasonable cost is important to me,” said Aaron, “I am doing this through making our manufacturing more efficient and cost effective and looking into every aspect of the design to make it better. Reliability and functionality are important goals to me as I expect my bikes to be used.” PCC is growing in size and numbers and Aaron is getting his due in the industry for his useful and innovative bike designs and parts. As the holder of three important patents and undoubtedly more to come, he is also a practical person. “I’ve spent the time to make sure my bikes are 50 state EPA legal and I want them to look great and be exciting and safe to ride as well,” said Aaron, “I’ve got a lot of good stuff in my head to come.” Check out PCC’s cool website (there’s a 27 page build of “White Knuckles!”) at www.paramountcycles.com or call 775-324-2445.

SPECIFICATIONS
Bike Name:	White Knuckles
Owner:	Aaron Greene
Year/Make:	2006 PCC
Fabrication/Assembly:	PCC
Build time:	90 days
Engine:	124” TP
Cam:	Leinweber
Ignition:	Morris Magneto
Carb:	Hilborn Injection / modified by PCC on a Weiand 142 Blower
Pipes:	PCC
Air Cleaner:	PCC
Transmission:	2005 Baker LSD 6-speed
Primary:	PCC gear drive
Frame:	PCC 2006 SoftRigid
Rake/Stretch:	45 ° / 2 inches
Forks:	2006 Custom Perse / 8 inches over
Rear Suspension:	PCC SoftRigid – air/spring
Wheels:	Weld
Front Tire:	23” Vee Rubber
Rear Tire:	360mm Vee Rubber
Brakes:	Brembo
Fuel Tank:	PCC
Oil Tank:	PCC
Fenders:	PCC
Handlebars:	PCC
Headlight:	Headwinds
Hand Controls:	K-Tech
Foot Controls:	K-Tech/PCC
Painter/Graphics:	PCC
Seat:	Craig Willits/PCC pan
Special thanks to:	Holley Performance, Summit Racing, TP, Weld Racing, PPG, Baker Transmission, Big Daddy Roth, and especially the PCC crew for all the hard work.