The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Fatty – Yamaha R1 Powered Custom by Speedconcepts of Milwaukee

By

Fatty - the R1 powered custom from Speedconcepts of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Fatty - the R1 powered custom from Speedconcepts of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tyson Timperley, owner of Speedconcepts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin thought we might be interested in “Fatty,” a Yamaha R1 powered custom just a few months old that has a pretty unique look. It seems Tyson and Fatty’s owner Todd Treffert, were in a Milwaukee bar late one night, talking bikes. You know how that goes, another beer or two and one of them says, “Hey, I have an idea …” Ten months later, Fatty rolls out of the shop.

First, they picked up a used Yamaha R1, soon to be the donor for the engine and front suspension. Tyson made a frame jig and started experimenting with various designs eventually settling on the sweeping arcs of the hardtail frame you see here. He designed a hidden suspension under the seat to make up for it.

Fatty - the R1 powered custom from Speedconcepts of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Fatty - the R1 powered custom from Speedconcepts of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A Ron Davis racing radiator is covered by a fiberglass shroud which makes a strong visual statement along with the tank to give Fatty a style all its own.

The pipes are routed under and around the engine but it looks like they might be, … um, loud. Tyson used the R1 brakes and rotors up front along with the stock Yamaha wiring harness and gauge cluster, no need to change what works.

This is a street bike, it has a plate, but I wouldn’t plan any long trips. Definitely a different look, but after all, no rule says an R1 engine has to power a sport bike and Tyson, as you can see, has his own rules for what a custom should look like. I think it’s neat.

Link: Speedconcepts

Fatty hardtail frame
Fatty hardtail frame

Posted on Filed Under: Custom motorcycles, Motorcycle Builders

-- Subscribe to The Kneeslider --

Be the first to know when something’s new!


Be sure to check out The Kneeslider’s motorcycle collectibles listings.

Your purchases through ebay links on The Kneeslider may earn a commission for this site.



Comments

  1. lovely looking bike – but 160 bhp in a hardtail frame sounds like a recipe for wheelspin if the road has the slightest bump or ripple.

    Also – I know I allways say it – but where is the front mudguard?

    • quote:
      “lovely looking bike – but 160 bhp in a hardtail frame sounds like a recipe for wheelspin if the road has the slightest bump or ripple.”
      —

      Traction Control could be very useful on a bike like this!

  2. THIS THING ROCKS!!!

    I can’t imagine riding it, but man would it look COOL in my office and at the local pub on bike night.

    GREAT JOB!

  3. Nice to see that someone has built a custom withought using a V-twin. Where else will such radical thought lead us?

  4. Beautiful bike, really love the style but having a hard time with the hard tail. I still don’t understand why so many builders stick to the hard tail design when it has such a huge negative impact on handling.

    • They stick to it because there are also many advantages of the rigid frame design; hence why it was used by pretty much every motorcyle company for decades. “Suspended” bikes are heavier, and feel “slushy” compared to a rigid. People who constantly expound on the “superiority” of bikes with rear suspension probably have never owned or ridden a rigid. I’ve been riding about 20 years and havent owned anything else. (Dont plan on it either.)

  7. Not my style of bike, but, I like it. Reminds me Krugger who’s one of the better builders of that style.

  8. maybe its just the first pictures view point. but that radiator doesnt fit the \sweeping\ lines of the bike. Thats the only sore spot. oh and the rigid frame. He should’ve just hidden air cylinders like a \softail\

  10. It may not be the bike for me, but that handmade Frame is a work of Art. The whole bike is a step in the right direction for Custom Metrics. It is what it is, and proud of it.

  11. The only word I can think of is “Vicious!” It sure does make a statement: “Ride me 20 miles and park outside a bar somewhere.” That hardtail would limit its range, even with a massive donut tire and sprung seat. I’m not sure about the radiator treatment, either. Radiators always are a problem on bikes; there’s no place else to put it on this machine, so maybe Tyson and Todd could have figured some way to minimize it instead of adding more visual bulk. And those pipes — yes, I’m sure they’ll peg the decibel meter. Overall it’s impressive, but somehow the overall impression doesn’t do much for me. It does look better in the rear shot — demonstrates how tricky styling can be, to build a bike that looks right from all vantages.

  12. I like it and think the radiator treatment works well. It reminds me of an old vintage radial engine airplane cowl.

  13. the bike is very stable over bumbs and handles very well in the corners. i have riden it for about 1.5 hours and felt fine. the seat is very nice.
    hiding a rad is always hard. the header wrap was put on for a race style.

  14. It may get criticized by everyone, but no one can take away that you made a very unique and well built machine. You don’t have to worry about someone pulling up to a light with the same thing, at least not until someone decides to copy you! Bravo!

  16. finally a custom that is unique, even if it is playing on the same theme. I’d try to ride this thing around but I imagine I’d be much happier with the stock R1. A stock R1 doesn’t quite fit in over at Porky’s Bar bike night though.

    -todd

  17. Nice work!

    Since they went with an ‘Industrial’ design, I’d lose the radiator surround; and then to keep John Law off me, I’d put a Buell-ish can under it.

  19. looks like a bigger is better board tracker. I think they need to run it around the Mile at a Fairgrounds and up at Road America for a bit of a lark.

  20. I’m digging the way they routed each exhaust pipe independently. Probably wouldn’t be able to pull off the exhaust as easily with a softtail. Nice work.

  21. This looks like a very bad attempt of the KRV5 Board Tracker that Roland Sands did a couple of years ago. I loved the KRV5 but this just doesnt do any thing to evoke a feeling of wanting anything to do with it.

  22. It is definitely different. I like it, but can’t for the life of me get around that radiator shroud in the front. Make it a softtail and do something with the radiator and you’ve really got something that could sell to the masses.

    • I may be the only one thinking this but, I doubt “Something that could sell to the masses” was the intent of this build. I believe it’s a one-off to push the talent/skill envelope and show what’s possible.

      • Here here “mule” you said it perfect! Good job Tyson hope to see you at Rocker Box with the next project…

  23. This thing looks like a very good attempt of the Fatty. OK Big Troy, there`s some influence, but what a refreshing chage from barely rideable crap with spider-webs and swastikas. It kind of reminds me of a mechanical bull. Must be fun to ride a custom that actually has the stuff to light a fire under the rear tire.

    I hate getting the flu…screws up my sleep schedule.

  24. unique is right. The custom scene is rife with copycats – and for a good reason, there are great pieces of art made by masters out there and they’re worth copying. If I were ever to finally build my own, I’d wind up cribbing ideas from wherever possible.

    Seeing something this original and cool is damned nice.

  25. Clearly the bike is not for everyone, but as the owner of the bike, it is for me and Ty was able to deliver for me exactly what I wanted. I have driven all sorts of bikes from vintage Ariel and BSA to Metric and Vtwin’s and I will stack this up against any of them in terms of balance and driveability. I winter in FL and ride it just about every day. It is not just a show queen. As for the rigid negativity, I understand what you may be thinking given how some of the vtwin rigids I have ridden felt, but trust me, this sprung seat works perfectly and rides very smoothly. I have done a 2 hour ride without any problems. We are planning a ride from Milwaukee to Vegas later this year and I will be riding it. I let you know how I feel after that. Cheers.

  26. What is the purpose of a short wheelbase, 200HP hardtail with low bars?
    Hidden suspension would be for the seat, correct? Not the bike? Interesting looking, but ?

  27. you can’t even park it at the local bar without having to stay seated on it. I guess you could always have a buddy bring the wheel stand along in his car so you could actually go inside without finding a sturdy wall to lean the thing against.

    -todd

  28. Not my thing – I really like having rear suspension – but *damn* that bike is pretty. It’s really well executed.

  29. i like it. but, yes…. i had to read the article to make sure that the radiator wasnt shrouded by a comedically oversized toilet seat.

  30. I am so sick of Harleys and their clones. This thing rocks! Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder and the visionary and builder who came up with this are what Kneeslider is all about. Way to go!

  31. nice that someone does something a little different and exactly the way they want it done, and others find the need to rip it apart. dont like it? you dont have to. build your own. bike looks cool and the owner sounds like he loves it. it doesnt get any better than that.

  32. A homebuilt two wheeled vehicle that is not a photo shop creation.
    Made his own frame. Actually runs. Doesn’t fit everyones’ definition of a whatever cycle…… Sounds like the manufacturer hit the bullseye of HIS target.
    Get going on yours. Woody Eckes

  33. I’m with yuo TinMan: Not my style, but Damn nice work. Love the craftsmanship of the frame, and the look of the rear and pipes (even if too loud). To heck with the haters, it’s a heck of a bike, be proud: Ride on!

  34. I saw this bike and got shivers…very exciting to see a bike that looks like all it wants to do is eat pavment. Awesome…I can hardly wait to see the cafe racer! Great Job guys!

    Devilish

  36. Why a rigid? Because it’s manly. Bikes like this are what makes me proud to live in Milwaukee. Harley has gone soft, and is only interested in making money rather than doing something new. Nothing soft about a rigid R1. I applaud the builder.

  38. This bike was awesome!! I saw it up close and personal at Road America Elkhart Lake WI in 2011(?). I had just parked my burgandy 2008 R1, and was walking past the Fatty…and noticed it had the same gauge cluster as my R1.

    The the owner (who I presume is Tyson) pointed out that he used the same engine as I had in my 2008. Then he says to me…”I bet your R1 does not sound like this…and he fired up the Fatty. Wow!!! Did that thing sound cool!!

    Sure it was loud, but if I remember correctly, Tyson mentioned that he modified the firing of the exhaust so it alternated from one side of the bike to the other. This created a unique cadence (wap-wap…wap-wap), unlike a normal jap-bike.

    Tyson was friendly and personable, unlike some custom bike creators, and surprised me when he hinted to me that I could sit on it. I responded with a “no thanks” while thinking to myself what if I scratch or tip it over!!

    Anyway, very cool !! Do you have one for sale?