BFO Motorcycles made a really sweet frame kit, called the SwitchBlade, for the Honda CBR900RR Fireblade. For their next project, they’ve decided to do the same type of high end frame kit for the Suzuki Hayabusa. This new kit will begin with a standard used Hayabusa and after removing the engine and various components, reinstall them in a “welded tubular aluminum frame and swingarm, full carbon fiber bodywork, machined accessories, and a selection of the finest aftermarket components available.”
Given the number of used Hayabusas out there, many with substantial road rash, this could be the basis for an extremely nice high performance custom motorcycle. Definitely worth watching.
Link: BFO Motorcycles
Related: Switchblade – Honda CBR900RR Fireblade Frame Kit
Chris says
OK, great idea, but seriously, can it really cost $15K to produce a custom frame and still make a halfway decent profit? You’re probably looking at a $20K custom once you figure in the cost of a used ‘Busa motor and that’s before any labour. I understand that there’s savings in high-volume production and this will never be high-volume, but still.
cl
todd says
Then there’s the problem that you can’t ride it on the street. Since the frame carries the VIN you can only register it with the original frame or at least the portion retaining the VIN. I think racing bodies also require valid registration for bikes now too right (too many stolen bikes being raced I guess)?
I guess you could get away with never telling the DMV or your insurance company that the frame has been replaced. However, that becomes a problem if you ever get pulled over or in an accident and you can’t prove you own the bike or that the plates are on the correct bike. What happens if the bike is stolen?
-todd
greer says
Maybe the laws are different in europe? I mean this isnt the first company to produce aftermarket frames for jap bikes over there(spondon, harris). If you are having a new frame built for your motorcycle is it illegal to have the vin stamped on it? i don’t know. I think the reason for the high prices is that its includes much more than a frame, creating body molds and producing carbon fiber parts is extremly time/labor/cost intensive. anyway, it’s nice to see a custom bike company that actually hired someone make them a concept drawing, looks good, dont like the chrome frame so much though.
Dirk says
15 grand! Does BFO stand for “bend the f*** over”?
GenWaylaid says
I too am a little tired of these “let’s see how expensively we can make a motorcycle” specials.
I’m more interested in beginning with a used old Honda, and after removing the all serviceable components, reinstalling them in another used old Honda, to create a usable old Honda. Add to that “a selection of the most already-in-my-garage aftermarket components available.â€
I bet my plan will see more miles on the road, and definitely more miles per dollar spent.
Andy says
In the UK if you build a custom framed bike the machine has to undergo a MSVA test ( Motorcycle Single Vehicle Assesment ) Basically a Vehicle Operating Services Authority (VOSA) engineer inspects the bike before the owner can apply for a registration plate. i’m pretty sure that you can make up your own VIN number as it has a standard format. The inspection proccess works the same with kit cars too. I do wonder why kit sports bikes aren’t more popular? Mind you the MSVA test is very comprehensive.
Streetfighters are by far the easiest method as using an existing frame with VIN and modifying bypasses the need for a MVSA.
Very nice frame kit – but not at that price!
Tom says
Hey in the U.S, the new BKing is less than $20K. And a new Busa is about $12K
So, why would anybody do this? And what would we call it? BQueen, DragQueen or something less complimentary?