Top 10 Custom Bikes at V-Twin Expo 2012

Greg Friend
by Greg Friend
A high-end bike show is a barometer for the latest and hippest trends in motorcycle customization. From what we saw at Cincinnati’s V-Twin Expo, the current custom trend is undoubtedly dominated by slammed baggers with huge front wheels. Like any trend in fashion, the “next big thing” is usually the opposite of what was popular in years past, and that point is proven by the overwhelming abandonment of fat-tired choppers popular only a few, short seasons ago.

Instead of beating our readers over the head with the latest trend, we picked a few bikes that would have fit into that category, but we also showcase other forms of beauty. Some are over the top in some way, while some show a practical side or something racing-inspired with records to prove it. You may not agree with all these picks, but it would be hard to deny that each bike is interesting!

One of the hallmarks of Jim Nasi’s custom bikes is that he uses all steel throughout a build – even going so far as to rebuild many stock fiberglass parts out of metal. This bike started out as a ’10 H-D Street Glide that was reborn with a 103ci motor filled with Andrews cams, Wiseco pistons, and a host of other go-fast parts. That big-ole front wheel is a 24-inch monster from Metalsport, and it rides on Jim Nasi’s custom front-end and air-suspension. If you’ve got the time, check out the shot of the bike in its raw metal form on his site – an impressive feat that most “custom” bike builders can’t match!

www.jimnasicustoms.com

It’s called a 1948 because of the frame and front end, but this bike sports ’52 KR heads and cylinders and a ’46 gas tank. According to the stewards of the bike at the National Motorcycle Museum, this configuration of parts was eventually outlawed in the racing circles of the time because it developed too much power!

www.nationalmcmuseum.org

As one of the few Road King show bikes, the company, Bad Dad, built this to show off some of its custom parts. The 2003 Screamin’ Eagle ‘King is affectionately known as “King Midas” for its gold paint and uses Bad Dad’s stretched tank and fenders, plus its raked front-end kit to achieve this look.

www.baddad.com

Quick- how many bikes in this picture? This bike was built in Slovenia over three months and was dubbed the Morsus. I’m not sure what that means, but it’s probably something interesting. What I did find out about the bike is that it has no downtubes, an integrated gas tank, an S&S 113ci motor (with an advertised 144 hp), an Ecoline 6-speed transmission with hydraulic clutch, a 3” open-belt primary, matching carbon fiber 26×3.5-inch wheels, and a custom Akrapovic exhaust system.

www.akrapovic-custom.com

Spotted in the Bassani Exhaust booth, this is the record holder for the world’s fastest bagger. Designed by Carl Brouhard, this blue bad-boy reached 195.036 mph in the timed mile last year at the salt flats. Peeking out from all the slick bodywork is a naturally aspirated 240 hp S&S powered 167ci Twin-Cam.

www.brouharddesigns.com

Sparse on the details, Bagger Concepts claims that it’s got the tallest wheels, the loudest audio, and the best paint around. There may be something to its boasts, though – its paint is hot pink, each saddlebag is filled to the brim with speakers and amplifiers, and that front wheel scrapes the sky!

www.baggerconcepts.com

Built for Monster Energy drinks (obviously), Todd Silicato of Todd’s Cycle put together this 98ci Shovelhead using parts from an old mill originally from 1980. Check out the hand-crafted all-aluminum sheetmetal, a bunch of Todd’s Cycle parts, Works Performance’s latest suspension in both the front and back of the bike, and Performance Machine’s brand-new 40-spoke wheels with billet aluminum hoops and hubs.

www.toddscycle.com

Seen in the Ride Wright wheel booth (and featuring the company’s spoke wheels), we noticed that there was a bike under the shot we got of the pretty girl. Yes, the exhaust pipes wrap around the nose cone of the EVO-style motor and point toward the front of the bike. And, yes, the “barrels” of the exhaust tip rotate while the bike is running. Just don’t ask us why…

www.ridewrightwheels.com

Now known as the first woman to break the 200-mph speed barrier on an American V-Twin, she was formerly known only as the daughter of the famous custom bike builder Dave Perewitz. This is the bike that got her there: a 100ci JIMS Twin-Cam built by R&R racing, with a ProCharger supercharger, Daytona Twin-Tec ignition, and a Baker transmission.

www.perewitz.com

Recently upgraded with Ohlins suspension at either end of the bike, Klock Werks’ ’06 Dyna definitely caught our eyes. We like how it looks stock but is actually heavily modified. Note the ProCharger supercharger and intercooler, stepped two-into-one exhaust system, and custom rear-set foot controls. These changes were able to propel the machine to a record 155.538 mph raced by Brian Klock’s daughters, Erika and Karlee.

www.kustombaggers.com

Greg Friend
Greg Friend

More by Greg Friend

Comments
Join the conversation
Next