Consider the 1st place winner TAVAX2011V from Tavax Engineering of Japan. Sure, it’s a radical styling statement, but there are no super tall or super fat tires, just 17 inch Marchesini wheels and Dunlop tires on both ends. Lots of sculptured aluminum but a single shock rear suspension and out front the suspension begins at the axle as a leading link fork, which then changes via a pair of links into a springer fork. It’s really focused on the metal work with a bit of interesting engineering.
The 2nd place bike, Son of a Gun from Lamb Engineering of the U.K. started with an eBay 1951 BSA single and Talon motocross wheels. Builder Larry Houghton found most everything either in a friends scrap bin or on eBay and fabricated and machined the components. Total cost, including the gold paint, was under $9000.
Jumping to 4th place is Spacester, an interesting much modified 1987 Sportster XL1200. It has Suzuki wheels plus builder fabricated discs with scooter calipers and some rather smooth bodywork. Maybe a Sportster will look like this in the year 2030.
Here’s the rundown of all of the winners:
World Championship Freestyle Class Results
Modified Harley-Davidson Championship sponsored by Harley-Davidson – Results
Production Manufacturer Championship Results
Performance Custom Championship Results
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Link: AMD World Championship
akaacount says
The SpaceSter has a perimeter brake and apparently fuel in frame. Oh, if only someone had had the vision and guts to put such innovations into production…
Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" says
I do like the looks of it, but that rigid rear and no-suspension seat would be a tough combination.
akaacount says
Agreed.
travis says
I know that this isn’t what they were going for, but couldn’t they just hid the seat springs under the the seat cover? like a shock under a boot? and couldn’t the rear sub be hidden in the white support? a la a reverse chopper fork?
grizzlymann says
Check out the Buell XB12R. Its got fuel in the frame, oil in the swingarm and perimeter brakes on the front wheel. Pretty slick machine.
akaacount says
Yeah, that’s what I was referring to. Sorry, the first thought in my head when I hear “motorcycle” these days is “Buell.” I thought everybody would pick up on that little HD jab.
B50 Jim says
“Maybe a Sportster will look like this in the year 2030.” Sorry, Paul, but the Sportster will look pretty much the way it looks now and has looked for the past 50 years. We all know why — it’s been stated in hundreds of ways by Kneeslider readers. This all assumes H-D will even build motorcycles in 2030. Its core demographic will be approaching its 80s by then. The Motor Company probably will have switched to producing motorized wheelchairs by then, complete with potato-potato noisemakers. “Loud chairs save lives!”
Jack says
the Geriatric Glide
Phoebe says
While I can appreciate the skill, talent and knowledge required to build machines like these, none of them appeal to me visually or as anything I would like to ride.
shannon says
completely agree, why must show bikes be “ugly and un-rideable?”
JotaJohn says
They are so ugly who would want to ride them.
B50 Jim says
Son of a Gun (who understands the significance of the name?) obviously wasn’t intended for riding. Its BSA thumper engine would shake that spindly frame to pieces within minutes and the engine would fall right out. Spacester is the only one here that looks reasonably rideable, hardtail, marginal seat and all. TAVAX looks like something that a team of video-soaked designers would build — the craftsmanship is amazing, but would anyone want to ride a bike that looks like it could turn into a city-destroying mechanical monster at any moment?
hoyt says
I could be wrong but, I think it is a play on words. “BSA”… British Small Arms
hoyt says
check that ..Birmingham Small Arms
kim says
Some vintage bike shows have the participants ride their bikes for 50 miles or so before judging. Shouldn’t be too har to apply the same rule for custom bikes. Who knows, the beautiful BSA in question might even prove itself to be sturdier than the casual observer would think.
Kenny says
The frame is forged steel apparently. If so I reckon it could give that boneshaker of an engine a run for its money. Though as many people have commented, the ride must be horrific.
Are there any closeups of the rear suspension on the Son of a Gun or has anybody seen something similar.
FREEMAN says
Here’s a photo of the other side of the Son of a Gun. It’s not a closeup, but the swingarm appears to be connected by chain that wraps around the gearbox to the springs above it.
Kevin says
“TAVAX2011V” has too much going on to be visually pleasing. Too cluttered. And it looks like Alien or something.
“Son of a Gun” looks weird. And it looks like it is nose diving, not a good look and probably terrible to ride like that.
“V-Twin Mechanic” looks decent, but needs rear suspension.
Put simply, there are plenty of Roland Sands and Gregs Customs bikes I would take over these anyday, for looks and riding.
Casey Hooligan says
It’s my understanding that the Freestyle class of WCCBB is primarily focused around creative expression and craftsmanship applied in the form of a motorcycle..
Practicality is not even really a consideration in this class, although I would be willing to bet that nearly all these bikes could be riden in some way, “practical” being a subjective term of course.
Even though these bikes are’nt “practical” I love that they exist!
shannon says
I also find it funny that you just skipped the 3rd place freestyle winner, a completely bland and forgettable bike.
Kevin says
I wish it did have a picture of the 3rd place bike as it looks the most normal and most RIDEABLE. Even from the bad angle shown here that is the bike I would actually want to own.
bblix says
Huh…I too like the third place bike. The fifth too, though only if I’m riding it in a video game.
FREEMAN says
This other bikes are worth a look. Speaking of ridability, I’m real curious to see someone riding this one, which is the 3rd place winner of the performance customs. Very interesting design.
Kevin says
I do too want to see that one in motion.
This one http://dealer-world.co.uk/cms/15900/15981-freestyle7th-l.jpg is cool. Those front ends are always freaky, single sided swing arm with a drive shaft, insane pipe.
Kenny says
Haha! Stellan turbocharged the Harrier!
I love it!
http://www.seservice.se/mainpage_en.htm
FREEMAN says
I thought that bike looked familiar, but different. Thanks for the link.
Phoebe says
It’s not the Harrier, it’s a different bike, The Slugger. Same builder, though.
Neo Dutch says
How many of you have actually seen these bikes, or ridden them? How can you make any comment on the practicality of any of them?
Kevin says
Ever ridden, or even sat on, a bike with no suspension, no padding on the seat and a super leaned over position(far forward and low handlebars)? Don’t need to sit on one to know how bad it will be.
rohorn says
That sort of bike is very popular with the spandex pants set…
bblix says
Ha! That’s exactly what I thought…because I’m one of them. Vertically compliant, laterally stiff!
Brookespeed says
Rochechop was one of my favorites. I think the winner is well deserved. But the bottom would be my 2nd place. The Minautore looked like something I’d want to build or have myself.
Tapsa says
I wouldn’t mind riding the Slugger, it addresses almost all the old concern I had about the Harrier and it looks quite practical, which maybe makes it unsuitable for this kind of competitions.
Stats says
How very interesting that the “performance” category has a street tracker and two hill climbers. Certainly stretches the typical definition of performance.
NDAna says
Just because you can
Doesn’t mean you should!
Some seriously ugly stuff presented here.
keron says
I love how folks who’ve never built a thing in their lives can cast disparaging remarks on another mans creation. The bikes were judged by the builders/competitors. Not by a couple random guys on the internet.
FXRocket says
I agree Keron
Rob says
Interesting, not a half or even a quarter fairing in sight let alone a full one.
joe says
I look at these bikes as a work of art, just like an oil painting or sculpture.It’s not about being practicle or useful, its pure eye candy.
Jake says
These 3 bikes are absolutely hideous. I appreciate the effort involved in making something creative and new, but these 3 bikes have literally no redeeming qualities. I suppose I should be happy it doesn’t look like an OCC “chopper” but I set the bar higher than that.