Seeing how we are already into February 2015 (where did January go?), I figured I better get up my Bikes of the Year for 2014.
2014, what a year for the custom motorcycle world. I had this delusion when I first started Wind-blown; that after I did it for a while, and got caught up on all the back log of bikes that I had missed, that it would be easy to keep the site up to date. There couldn’t possibly be that many new custom motorcycles being made, right? Wow, how wrong I was. As a matter of fact, just the opposite has happened. There are more custom bikes being produced now than ever, and staying on top of getting all the best bikes posted on a daily basis becomes more daunting of a task all the time. What a great problem to have. It is crazy to think that a year ago, Wind-blown had just passed 50,000 views. Now, we have just rolled over 600,000 views. Looking back at all of the great customs that have been produced in the past year gives me a great sense of pride that I get to be part of such a unique and wonderful movement. Thank you to all the builders, photographers, and enthusiasts who have been supporting the site. Below are the twelve Bikes of the Month from 2014 voted in by the community, all tremendous motorcycles worthy of being a Bike of the Year.
In a few days, I will post what I consider to be some of the runner-ups from the year, basically bikes that I really liked, but that didn’t win a BOTM.
BOTM – DECEMBER 2014
2007 HARLEY SPORTSTER ‘ONE PUNCH’ – ZADIG – THE BIKE SHED
PHOTO – SEBASTIEN LAURENT
‘One Punch’ straight to the chin; a knock out. Zadig Motorcycles delivers a decisive blow to the custom motorcycle world with this Harley Sportster, named after one of my favorite film characters of all time, Mickey, from Guy Ritchie’s turn of the millennium dark comedy, Snatch. Like a bare knuckle boxer, it is tough, gritty, no frills, and I bet it has quite a bit of growl coming out of those pipes that are taped up like a couple of beat-up fists. Details and cohesiveness of design are what bring custom motorcycles to life, and ‘One Punch’ has a lot to notice. Stand out features are the intricate detailed tank and gas cap, as well as the woven seat. More importantly though, is the unique overall design that captures the spirit of a quirky bare-knuckled boxing gypsy. Add in the fact that the bike was built for charity, and you’ve got the winning combination that is our Bike of the Month for December 2014.
BOTM – NOVEMBER 2014
HONDA CB750 – VIBRATION ART DESIGN – ROCKETGARAGE
PHOTO – DANIPHOTODESIGN
VOICES INTERVIEW WITH ALBERTO & RICCARDO
BOTM – OCTOER 2014
1971 TRIUMPH DAYTONA SCRAMBLER ‘GREENHORN EXPRESS’ – TIN SHACK RESTORATION – PIPEBURN
PHOTO – ROVERS NORTH
We all love an underdog. Every month, when narrowing down my choices for BOTM, I often see contending bikes from the same builders; Deus, Autofabrica, RSD, Revival, CRD, Fuel. There is no arguing the quality of bikes that come from these garages, and I admire each and every one of them, and fully expect each of their builds to have a shot at BOTM whenever they put one out. What really gets me excited though is when I come across a bike online that just blows me away from someone I have never heard of before; an underdog. I was immediately seduced by this old Triumph when it first appeared on Pipeburn. It just looked so… right. The funky handlebar brace, rigid hand-made skid plate and oil tank, strait-back high pipes, creamy green tank with a hot red air filter; all of the design choices were very unique, but they come together to produce a bike looking so…. right. And the best part? It was produced by a garage I’d never heard of before. Tin Shack Restoration is a shop based out of an old airplane hangar where their projects “run-amuck”. Much of their work is done on vintage Land Rovers as well as motorcycles. When I first let Colby know that his Triumph had been nominated for BOTM, he said he was flattered to just be considered. Well, my friend, the people have spoken. The ‘Greenhorn Express’ is as pretty a Triumph as I have ever seen, and I can’t wait to see what rolls out of your hangar next.
BOTM – SEPTEMBER 2014
INDIAN ‘TRACK CHIEF’ – ROLAND SANDS DESIGN – BIKEEXIF
PHOTO – BARRY HATHAWAY
VOICES INTERVIEW WITH ROLAND SANDS
Roland Sands is another one of those builders who needs no introduction. I have to admit that all of his design choices don’t always resonate with me, but that makes sense because he used to race, and I am not a sport bike kind of guy. This Indian Chief he has created though, wow. Let’s take a minute to appreciate what these things look like when they come out of the factory (image below). Mind blown yet? Who would even think to build a board tracker out of something like that? There lies my appreciation for what Roland Sands does. He is a visionary, and he puts bikes out there that no one else has the vision or prowess to complete. His ‘Track Chief’ is the perfect example of what is possible when boundless creative vision and impeccable skill come together. I also must admit that being from Iowa, where these Indians are put together, might make me lend a little bias towards the brand. I am really excited to see what other builders do with these new Indians; Roland Sands has certainly set the bar high. Congratulations to RSD for winning the Bike of the Month for September 2014.
If you would like to see more of the bike, head over to the write up on the RSD website.
BOTM – AUGUST 2014
BUELL X1 LIGHTNING ‘LA BELVA’ – SARTORIE MECCANICHE – INAZUMA CAFE RACER
VOICES INTERVIEW WITH FRANCESCO & PAOLO
Muscle. When I hear Buell, I think of muscle. With ‘La Belva’, Sartorie Meccaniche has taken the already brawny Buell Lightning and amplified it to the point of perfection. Buells are dense little beasts. That big v-twin motor tightly packed into the compact frame. Sartorie Meccaniche’s interpretation accentuates that density of power by tucking the headlight back and keeping the visual weight focused at the center of the bike. The build is no frills; clean, but not extravagant. It’s a muscle meant to be flexed. Photos of the bike inspire day dreams of tearing down the asphalt on a steamy summer afternoon–making it the perfect choice for the August Bike of the Month.
BOTM – JULY 2014
BSA A50 – HAZAN MOTORWORKS – BIKEEXIF
PHOTO – SHAIK RIDZWAN
VOICES INTERVIEW WITH MAX HAZAN
Max Hazan. I imagine if you are reading this post, then there is no need for an introduction. I have been (along with the rest of the motorcycling world) following Mr. Hazan’s builds for a long time now. The style that Max creates with his bikes is excitingly unique. He blurs the line between engineering and art. His builds are motorized sculptures that live outside of time and culture. Polished metal, giant wheels, immaculate lines, and impeccable craftsmanship; that is a Hazan motorcycle. However, trying to define his builds in such a simple way does them injustice. His builds have a quality about them that resonates within psyche and inspires the soul. This old BSA continues that heritage.
Max always utilizes unique pieces in his builds. My particular favorites on this BSA are the sediment bowl from an old tractor under the tank, and the aspirator bottle oil tank sitting behind the motor. How does this guy make this stuff look so right on a motorcycle? I replied to a comment a reader made on the nominations post about Max; it was that, “You can spot a Hazan bike a mile away.” I tell you, I cannot wait to spot the next one.
Be sure to click the BIKEEXIF link to read more about the details of the build, and check out the HAZAN MOTORWORKS site to see more of Max’s stunning work.
BOTM – JUNE 2014
BMW SCRAMBLER ‘BULLDOZER’ – OFFICINE SBRANNETTI – ROCKETGARAGE
It’s not often that I feature modern bikes on Wind-blown. Not because I don’t appreciate them, but because most people (including myself) stay away from them when it comes to creating bespoke customs. I assume if most people are like me, this is due to the fact that modern bikes have higher value, and tend to run well as-is; an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” type of situation. Officine Sbrannetti doesn’t seem to follow that motto, and thank goodness for that. I don’t know if this Beamer was broke before, but they have certainly done some fixin’, and it is all for the better. The fit and finish on this custom are at a level that after pouring over the images of the bike again and again, you start to wonder why they didn’t come from the factory like this. The cohesiveness and quality of everything done makes it impossible for me to pick out a favorite piece on the build. I especially appreciate the color palette chosen for the bike. The subtle tones all mesh well and contrast each other nicely, with the bright tan leather and green wheels and sub-frame adding just a hint of flair. When I choose my nominations for the Bikes of the Month, I base it mainly on what I would want in my garage, and I am greener than that sub-frame with envy at the thought of someone else ending up with this Beamer in theirs.
BOTM – MAY 2014
1972 YAMAHA TX650 – AIR-TECH – PIPEBURN
A lot of custom builds come across the doorstep of Wind-blown (or I come across theirs depending on how you look at it). Either way, I see a lot of bikes on a daily basis. There aren’t many builds these days that leave me with ogling eyes, and perhaps a bit of spit dribbling down my chin, but the bikes that come from Kent Riches of Air-Tech Streamlining have that effect on me. To try and put into words the exceptional quality of this build could only do the machine injustice. So, I will simply let the pictures speak for themselves. If you’ve got a spare moment after dabbing you chin off when you are finished with this beautiful Yamaha, take a look at Kent’s last build over on BikeExif, a 1969 Suzuki T125 Stinger. Oh, and get another tissue ready for your chin.
BOTM – APRIL 2014
1978 BMW R100 – BOYLE CUSTOM MOTO – BIKEEXIF
Some bikes catch your attention because of a flashy paint job; some because of wild design choices; and then there are bikes that catch your attention because they just look right. This BMW R100 from Boyle customs is one of those bikes. It just looks right. When I was introduced to the profile of the bike, the tires are what first caught my attention . The thick knobby tires contrast the sleek cafe style seat and body in a way that should look totally wrong, but on this bike it’s perfect. Minimal clutter on the handle bars, and a simple white paint job give the bike a classy feel, again nicely contrasted by the rubber. Then, after having given the rest of the bike a good look over, you pan down to discover the understated black ceramic coated exhaust; my favorite piece of the bike. Many builders choose to make the exhaust a focal point of their builds. Boyle decided to go a different route, and the uniqueness of it increases the impact. Not to mention that the muffler looks like it would be right at home on one of the dozens of old tractors I drive by each day here in Iowa. Again, it contrasts nicely with the clean sophisticated look of the rest of the bike. Boyle has managed to take the popular platform of the R100, give us a familiar profile, and yet create a completely unique custom at the same time. It is a superb build, and definitely deserving of Wind-blown’s Bike of the Month for April 2014.
BOTM – MARCH 2014
TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE SCRAMBLER – VDBMOTO – THE BIKE SHED
I love me a good scrambler build, and this Bonnie from VDBMOTO ticks all the boxes. What caught my attention first about the bike was that grungy orange metal flake paint job. I used to hate metal flake, but little by little it is growing on me, like a cancerous patch of rust. Combine that nostalgic paint with the beat up ammo can pannier, headlight grill, engine guards, skid plate, and a set of beefy rubber, and you’ve got Wind-blown’s Bike of the Month for March 2014. Derick, from VDBMOTO, considers this scrambler his first “real” build, stating that he really paid close attention to all the details on this Triumph.
For now, VDBMOTO is a one man operation, but Derick has big plans for expansion in the future. You can follow VDBMOTO on their site, Facebook page, or Instagram. Keep an eye out Derick’s next build, a BMW airhead, as well as some craftsman goods from VDBMOTO.
BOTM – FEBRUARY 2014
1977 HARLEY IRONHEAD ‘TROUBLEHEAD’ – OFFICINE ROSSOPURO – IRON & AIR
There is no doubt that this Harley Davidson Ironhead 1000 is special. However, what made it stand out to me was when I noticed who builder was that produced this lovely machine. Officine Rossopuro typically works with Moto Guzzis, turning them into beautifully crafted cafe racers. Obviously, this old Ironhead falls into neither of those niches, but there is no doubt that it’s been beautifully crafted. Well done patrons, you have made an excellent choice for Wind-blown’s Bike Of The Month, February 2014. Congratulations to Officine Rossopuro. See more of their amazing work at their site or Facebook page.
BOTM – JANUARY 2014
1979 BMW R100 ‘THUNDER’S BEAST’ – MAD CROW GARAGE – GOODHAL GARAGE
PHOTO – EDENFOTOGRAFIA
Congratulations to Mad Crow Garage on winning Bike of the Month January 2014 with their exceptional custom ‘Thunder’s Beast’. This is probably the toughest BMW I have ever seen. The rusty tank, old tractor seat, tire fender, ammo can pannier, disintegrated exhaust wrap, and of course, the re-bar; it is scary as hell, and I love it. I cannot wait to see what this garage comes up with next. Be sure to keep track of them on their Facebook page.