Page 6 - HR-2017-C-Classical-Feb1617r
P. 6
Crafts grows, I need to take all that in and re- see a bike I see the potential of the bike, but it has to
construct it into a cohesive ‘look,’ which to me has go back to the mechanical. Nowadays all
always been a main guideline for constructing a performance bikes are built to such a high standard
brand. with all the electronics and finest details, if the
technology and mechanical aspect is not an issue I
Wrenchmonkees: We are constantly working on our think anything is fair game—there’s no bike too cool
style, trying to refine our simplicity and designs. Our to custom.
biggest influence is all kinds of bike builds out there.
We love to work out new solutions and ideas, but we Pollock: I’d take a saw to just about anything,
also ‘borrow’ design and fabrication solutions that although just this year I’ve had to say “no” to two
others have spent time developing. It’s difficult to requests. When you transition into building bikes as
pinpoint what inspires us, everything from nature to a business, if something looks like it’s gonna be a
man-made designs are inspiring! ‘time vampire’, it’s best to just say “no” and walk
away. People usually come to me having seen what
The ‘Gorilla Punch’ custom motorcycle by I’ve done in the past, so I don’t get requests for
WrenchmonkeesFull choppers or brat
Size bikes. That said, I’m
And of course we doing my first bobber
would love to and it’s really fun.
mention all the Won’t be the garden
idols we have, but variety though—a
the list is long and little more high tech.
our tastes are wide:
from Valtoron in The ‘Punisher’
Spain, Death Spray custom by Richard
Customs in the UK Pollock of Mule
and Hidemo in MotorcyclesFull Size
Japan, to Brawny Hageman: There is
Built in the USA. absolutely no
motorcycle I wouldn’t
Is there a touch. I do think
motorcycle you though, that rare
wouldn’t dare customize? Or is anything fair game? vintage survivors should be left as such. I only
modify or alter bikes that are either plentiful or un-
Stulberg: I’d say most everything is fair game that restorable.
has been mass produced. I wouldn’t want to
disrespect a fine bespoke machine built by anyone Rogers: We’ve already faced that kind of scenario, we
and cut it up to suit my tastes, I’d rather start over recently completed a ’76 BMW R90S. It’s an iconic
with my own design that might be ‘inspired by’ machine and Kev and I both felt that chopping it
instead of ‘taken from’. I would NEVER touch a Moto about would be the wrong thing to do. We didn’t
Guzzi V8 or other storied racing bike—they were even need to have the conversation. Instead, the bike
made as the manufacturer/builder intended, and to was given a subtle cosmetic overhaul but with
change them in any way is to remove the story that significant engine and brake modifications within, we
goes along with their racing lineage. call it a resto-custom. There are different
approaches for different machines—we won’t be
Having said all that, I’d REALLY like to take on a making a Desmo flat tracker any time soon, but we
Ducati Apollo custom job. would give one a makeover that emphasized its
existing beauty.
Wrenchmonkees: Everything is fair game, no doubt,
but there are bikes we wouldn’t mess with to the What’s the most expensive lesson you’ve ever had to
same extent than we usually do, simply because they learn?
are too complicated or pure masterpieces in our
minds! Who wouldn’t love to own a factory Ducati Wrenchmonkees: Plenty of lessons to choose from
1199 Superleggera? (see our answer to question #1), but one big lesson is
that you should always match your expectations with
Yeh: It’s all about ability and possibilities—when I the client’s, and make sure they know what extent of
