At first glance you see a chopper of some sort, then you see an inline 4 cylinder engine. Instead of forward controls you have rearsets but you also see the extended front fork and chopper sized 300 rear tire. It’s low and long but how many water cooled choppers have you seen lately? The riding position is actually more drag bike than chopper, so what exactly is this?
This is the Revelation, the first all custom work from a builder by the name of Wayne Ransom. Wayne is all of 25 years old and got his first street bike just 4 years ago. This bike began with a Honda 929RR engine and Wayne proceeded to build the frame and hand formed tank around it, teaching himself metal shaping along the way. The radiator incorporated into the front of the tank is well hidden yet still fully functional, very nice.
Although the handling will not be of sportbike quality, in a straight line, you’ve got a monster since the long wheelbase prevents wheelies and the Honda engine can concentrate on acceleration and will make short work of most any V-twin powered chopper. The water cooling and electric fan on this stock Honda engine means it will run all day without overheating, try that on your average 130hp performance V-twin.
I like this fresh thinking. I’m impressed with the skill this young builder has displayed here. I have a feeling Wayne is going to be someone to keep an eye on and we may be seeing the beginnings of a new direction in bike building here. I like it!
Update: Wayne tells me he’s trying to get people thinking about the category as “sport custom” to more accurately reflect what these bikes really are. Lots of sport and performance, lots of custom building and it’s a mental break from the low tech and performance of the chopper category based around V-twins.
Ransom Motorsports via Super Streetbike Magazine
Gaijin Biker says
Looks a lot like the Dreambike.
Brian says
Beat me to it! I’ve been dragging my feet on this custom for too long. A Softail with a ZX9 engine
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnd/105174670/in/set-72057594065187653/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnd/105174657/in/set-72057594065187653/
hoyt says
Brian, go for it…your pictures look good.
Gary says
The riding position is more drag bike then custom huh? I see where the seat is and I see where the pegs are. I don’t see how anybody could possibly sit on that thing though. I’d really like to see a pic of that. That problem makes the whole bike looks like a waste of time.
The seat to peg relationship looks kinda like a trials bike (i.e. those bikes you can only stand on).
kneeslider says
Just follow the link to Ransom Motorsports and you’ll see Wayne on the bike.
JoeKing says
He looks silly & uncomfortable..oops, forgot myself… for a moment I actually thought you RIDE motorcycles…
My mistake
Jesper says
I like that he did something unusual, using that engine, but otherwise those alien-monster-like custom bike is not my cup of tea.
kneeslider says
Joe, a lot of custom bikes have less than optimal riding positions. Some stock bikes don’t fit me very well either.
Jesper, I agree, not everyone will like the design.
My reason for putting Wayne out here was to focus on a builder doing something different instead of one more V-twin chopper. It’s an idea that needs to be developed and seeing some real ability here, I imagine Wayne will be turning out some very nice work in the future. Remember, he’s 25, it’s his first full custom, I give a guy a lot of leeway for turning out a bike this fresh and well finished, first time out. He says he’s working on two more bikes right now, one Busa powered, one GSX-R powered. Let’s see what he comes up with.
It was interesting to see Brian’s photos of his ZX9 softail in progress, too. Plus, I ran across a Hayabusa chopper since writing about the Revelation. There seems to be something cooking out there, maybe something other than V-twin power. Remember the old Triumph choppers? Maybe the design envelope will stretch a bit. That’s what I’m looking at. Modern power and new designs, … of course we could just look at more ten foot long V-twins.
Lane says
I have been riding street bikes for a long time now and have really wanted something that is more chopper like but couldn’t ever find anything that had that “Custom” look that was also not a big ugly beast. This is a nice alternative and something that could probably go far if it hits the mainstream. Great work by a young guy!
guy says
lovely bike. looks hot .done a good job. but please dont knock v-twins as i ride one but love all motorcycles from acme 2 zundapp
Joe says
Awesome fuel tank design I`m impressed that Honda makes a Sport Chopper!
Cruz says
I think it is a great look and shows what a person can really do. The only thing I would like to know is, how to move the foot contrlos way forward and then some ape hangers and then I would be set.
Chance says
Ransom is one B/A bike. It has style of its own like the builder says its a new revelation without an assembly line of look a likes. Those who get a glance of it either in photo form or as it rockets past them must confess now that’s a class act Bike with a unique look and I gotta have one – honey get a job…..
jericho says
is very cool is chopper olweys:P
Dethklok says
I like it, as well as the busa chopper (for those that have seen it) although there are things that I am not fond of on this bike, its only because of my personal taste and feel on a bike, but the overall idea and design I love.
I wondered for a while why no one has done an I4 chopper(ish) bike since inline 4’s in a chopper arent anything new at all. I myself am designing up a ZX14 powered chopper right now after I saw the karate chop and chop stick bikes (choppers based on old honda 4 bangers)