Author Topic: On a scale of 1-10, how "CUSTOM" is your concours? (Read 13713 times)

Swampcat · « **Reply #25 on:** July 18, 2016, 12:52:09 pm »

I wasn't going to chime in because I can't recall everything that Steve did to Shoodaben. He lists it on his website.

Let's just say that about the only thing I can do is change the oil (and the throttle cables!) without consulting him because of how extensive the mods are. I wouldn't know if I need to get stock parts, something off a different model, or find a machine shop.

Since I've taken over Shoodaben's care and feeding, I've done a couple of other things. Nothing extensive yet. I've focused mostly on ergos for a taller rider and improving conspicuity.

* Replaced the HID headlight with an LED (but kept the conventional spare under the seat!)

* Corbin seat for solo riding with 3D air mesh cover

* Russell seat for two-up riding

* Reflective tape on the panniers

* LED instrument lights

* 26.5" Cee Bailey instead of the 24.5" Steve had. I'm planning for a DIY shorty screen for around town in the summer.

* BulletHD Biker Pro camera

* Side lights from Murph's to replace the side reflectors on the fairing are about to be added, but I want to do some reorganization of the accessory wiring at the same time so that's not going to happen until next month sometime

* I have one of Larry Buck's accessory shelves, but I haven't decided yet if I'm going to mount it.

I'm thinking it's an 8 or 9 since there's no EFI or turbo.

Boomer · « **Reply #26 on:** July 18, 2016, 08:38:54 pm »

Front to back on my '89 C10;
Nissin 4 piston brake calipers
Fenda-Extenda
LED running lights
HID headlight
LED spotlights
Rifle base + home made screen
2" Bar risers
Throttlemeister
Oxford heated grips
Tank bra
Rebuilt motor from an '86 with a 98 camchain tensioner and a modified alternator chain tensioner.
Russell saddle
ZZR1200 shock
Delkevic mufflers
Home made cast ally rack
Non-Fango trunk fitted with homemade LED array brake lights
Rattle can respray in green still being finished off.

I guess it's an 8 or thereabouts.

Steve in Sunny Fla · « **Reply #27 on:** July 18, 2016, 08:57:59 pm »

sorry, gotta step in here... enough guys saying thier bike is an "8" so there's no way the 1109 cc engine, or a zgrx bike, is gonna only get an "8". Steve

Swampcat · « **Reply #28 on:** July 18, 2016, 10:20:18 pm »

Quote from: Steve in Sunny Fla on July 18, 2016, 08:57:59 pm

sorry, gotta step in here... enough guys saying thier bike is an "8" so there's no way the 1109 cc engine, or a zgrx bike, is gonna only get an "8". Steve

Ouch. I think I just got slapped across the face by a pair of riding gloves.

OK. Shoodaben is more than an 8. Considering that my wife is jealous of the smile behind my helmet when I'm riding, it's obvious Shoodaben is an 11 in my mind.

Steve in Sunny Fla · « **Reply #29 on:** July 18, 2016, 11:57:41 pm »

Quote from: Swampcat on July 18, 2016, 10:20:18 pm

OK. Shoodaben is more than an 8. Considering that my wife is jealous of the smile behind my helmet when I'm riding, it's obvious Shoodaben is an 11 in my mind.

See there Ed, don't you feel better now

Here's the truth in how I feel about this. I have been a judge in a couple COG bike shows, but I would be the same in any bike show, car show, etc. I like to see the work the owner has done. Not what he's bought, or what he's paid someone to do, I like to see his own talent at work. At this years National, I voted for Rev Rider's turbo bike to be the best engineered c-10. The level of mechanical prowess captured in that bike CLEARLY demonstrated it's superiority over any other c-10. Shoodaben was right next to it, and even if I still owned Shoodaben, so that it was a comparison of what 2 owner/builders could do, I STILL would have voted for Rev's turbo bike. It clearly took more mechanical knowledge and work to achieve that level, and it must be recognized for the artwork that it is. With that in mind, you can understand why I wouldn't recognize a bike with purchased bolt ons as competitive against workmanship by the bike's owner.

I was confronted head on with this at the 2014 National. The 2 top bikes in best engineered were Jim Snyder's bike and Ken McClurg's bike. Now Ken's bike was "more built" in fact, I built and installed the 1052cc engine in the bike. Yet I voted for Jim's bike. Why? Because there was a decent number of nicely done modifications that Jim did on his own. His workmanship was clean, uncluttered and well thought out. IMO, it demonstrated a superior mechanical approach by the owner. That bike was the unanimous winner with all the judges (who, BTW told me my vote didn't matter BEFORE I even voted) and it was the correct choice.

So with the aforementioned in mind, as of now, and probably forever, REV RIDER'S turbo bike will be the "10" and all others will be judged downward, accordingly. I'm thinking Shoodaben and Dan Bergmen's original ZGRX would be 9's. I base this on the level of owner modification and the professionalism displayed in the builds. In my mind, either bike displays enough original modifications that they are effectively tied when subjectively compared. I think a CLEAN turbo / efi build on a stock engine would be in this comparative area too. So all others are scaled downward from there.

Yeah... over the years I have given this stuff some serious consideration. You may or may not agree... but you better have a top level bike that exhibits very clean, unique and functional engineering you did if you want your call your bike an "8" or better. JMO, Steve

Rev Ryder · « **Reply #30 on:** July 19, 2016, 12:49:55 am »

Jeez you guys. Thanks for all the nice comments about my bike, but methinks you are too generous. Not to try and demote any one else's machine, mine cannot be a ten. If it is, then there's no where to go but down and we ain't done yet. I'd be proud to be tied with Shoodabeen or Jim's bike. This year mine got the nod.

Steve graciousness for my bike this year for the reasons he mentioned. He's that away ya know. Turbomax's bike should be around soon. Maybe next year. I'll bet it makes some reckless power too.

If it weren't for folks like Steve and Ted and Jeff (and even WillyP) I may never have gotten mine done. It was the continuous encouragement, badgering, and ribbing that gave me the drive to get there.

So,if we continue in encourage and support others who are building up and farkling out, we'll all be helping put together the next year's winner.

Steve in Sunny Fla · « **Reply #31 on:** July 19, 2016, 02:49:30 am »

thanks Rev, but you're wrong.

It's not just that your bike ie EFI'd. It's not just that it's turbo'd. it's that it's efi',d turbo'd and blowing into a zzr1200 engine. Sure you picked up stuff from others before you(Bergmen, for one)... But then blazed a whole 'nuther trail. and the zx14 front end... I think that's fully unique, too. Plus you're the only one to do thier own custom paint. I'm not dissing anyone else's work, but I think Jim, Dan, myself or any other guys with true hotrod blood in our veins would clearly give your bike the nod. And just because someone comes along and copies it doesn't tie it. it's not just the HP it puts down it's the original thinking that got it built in the first place. Jeff is my buddy and a very skilled mechanic in his own right, but he's got his work cut out for him to exceed a "9" status. That in mind, don't see your bike ever being removed from "10" status. So that's how it is, and that's how it stays, because I said so

Steve

danodemotoman · « **Reply #32 on:** July 19, 2016, 06:48:56 am »

Very pleased to read the ZGRX may be considered a '9'
Love it!

Quote from: Steve in Sunny Fla on July 18, 2016, 11:57:41 pm

<snip>
I'm thinking Shoodaben and Dan Bergmen's original ZGRX would be 9's.
<snip>

Swampcat · « **Reply #33 on:** July 19, 2016, 10:19:00 am »

Quote from: Steve in Sunny Fla on July 18, 2016, 11:57:41 pm

Quote from: Swampcat on July 18, 2016, 10:20:18 pm

OK. Shoodaben is more than an 8. Considering that my wife is jealous of the smile behind my helmet when I'm riding, it's obvious Shoodaben is an 11 in my mind.

See there Ed, don't you feel better now

Absolutely.

Quote from: Steve in Sunny Fla on July 18, 2016, 11:57:41 pm

I like to see the work the owner has done. Not what he's bought, or what he's paid someone to do, I like to see his own talent at work. At this years National, I voted for Rev Rider's turbo bike to be the best engineered c-10. The level of mechanical prowess captured in that bike CLEARLY demonstrated it's superiority over any other c-10. Shoodaben was right next to it, and even if I still owned Shoodaben, so that it was a comparison of what 2 owner/builders could do, I STILL would have voted for Rev's turbo bike.

Steve, you've heard me say this, but for the others who haven't...I am in 100% agreement with you. Shoodaben is an amazing example of your expertise as an engineer and a mechanic and I am only the beneficiary of many hundreds (thousands?) of hours of your work and your financial investment.

In my opinion, "best engineered" implies owner-engineered modifications. I came to the National having already stated I had no intention of entering Shoodaben in the show. I was talking to Fais at Murph's ice cream social, and he said that I should put the bike in the show because some people hadn't seen Shoodaben before. Those who had would like to know that the bike is being ridden and the new owner is an active COG member. Since I wasn't staying at the Helendorf or the campground, that limited the opportunities for showing the bike off where a lot of COGgers were gathered, so I decided he had a good point.

Had I voted, it would have been for Rev's bike, no question. I think I even told a few people that. And now that I don't have to get a shirt made for the next National that says "You don't know me, but you know my bike," Shoodaben's show days are over unless I significantly transform her into something else. That's unlikely because, as I think everyone can tell, I'm very happy with what I have.

SteveJ. · « **Reply #34 on:** July 19, 2016, 01:37:48 pm »

Quote from: Steve in Sunny Fla on July 18, 2016, 08:57:59 pm

sorry, gotta step in here... enough guys saying thier bike is an "8" so there's no way the 1109 cc engine, or a zgrx bike, is gonna only get an "8". Steve

True dat. I stepped mine down to a 7.75.

MAN OF BLUES · « **Reply #35 on:** July 19, 2016, 05:45:24 pm »

Quote from: Steve in Sunny Fla on July 19, 2016, 02:49:30 am

thanks Rev, but you're wrong. It's not just that your bike ie EFI'd. It's not just that it's turbo'd. it's that it's efi',d turbo'd and blowing into a zzr1200 engine. Sure you picked up stuff from others before you(Bergmen, for one)... But then blazed a whole 'nuther trail. and the zx14 front end... I think that's fully unique, too. Plus you're the only one to do thier own custom paint. I'm not dissing anyone else's work, but I think Jim, Dan, myself or any other guys with true hotrod blood in our veins would clearly give your bike the nod. And just because someone comes along and copies it doesn't tie it. it's not just the HP it puts down it's the original thinking that got it built in the first place. Jeff is my buddy and a very skilled mechanic in his own right, but he's got his work cut out for him to exceed a "9" status. That in mind, don't see your bike ever being removed from "10" status. So that's how it is, and that's how it stays, because I said so Steve

Well, after reading your post, I'm going back and raising my bike from a 2 to a 3.89 simply because of the year I did the mods, the fact nobody really did one like it, before or after, to the same level, the fact I did ALL my work, including paint, and it was not just a "farkled" bike, being called "customized"..

So there.... nyahhhhh.....

Steve in Sunny Fla · « **Reply #36 on:** July 19, 2016, 07:51:17 pm »

Quote from: MAN OF BLUES on July 19, 2016, 05:45:24 pm

Well, after reading your post, I'm going back and raising my bike from a 2 to a 3.89 simply because of the year I did the mods, the fact nobody really did one like it, before or after, to the same level, the fact I did ALL my work, including paint, and it was not just a "farkled" bike, being called "customized"..

So there.... nyahhhhh.....

plus, you get extra points for the "personality" portion of the contest $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$

Steve

MAN OF BLUES · « **Reply #37 on:** July 19, 2016, 08:14:33 pm »

Quote from: Steve in Sunny Fla on July 19, 2016, 07:51:17 pm

Quote from: MAN OF BLUES on July 19, 2016, 05:45:24 pm
Well, after reading your post, I'm going back and raising my bike from a 2 to a 3.89 simply because of the year I did the mods, the fact nobody really did one like it, before or after, to the same level, the fact I did ALL my work, including paint, and it was not just a "farkled" bike, being called "customized"..

So there.... nyahhhhh.....

plus, you get extra points for the "personality" portion of the contest $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ Steve

sooooo how many points? considering my personality, maybe 0.10? wooo hoooooo
that bumps me up to 3.99.... wooo hooo i'm happy now...

Steve in Sunny Fla · « **Reply #38 on:** July 19, 2016, 08:24:06 pm »

Quote from: MAN OF BLUES on July 19, 2016, 08:14:33 pm

sooooo how many points? considering my personality, maybe 0.10? wooo hoooooo
that bumps me up to 3.99.... wooo hooo i'm happy now...

That's probably about right. Actually the bike is about what, an 8, then add in personality points = 3.99

Steve

MAN OF BLUES · « **Reply #39 on:** July 19, 2016, 11:52:28 pm »

the longer time goes by, the more you get like me...
look familiar???? putz..

http://youtu.be/1EwgvDvtqQs?list=RDhh81LMz1sPo

http://youtu.be/tF8soqX_6kw?list=RDhh81LMz1sPo

http://youtu.be/hh81LMz1sPo

Steve in Sunny Fla · « **Reply #40 on:** July 20, 2016, 01:56:10 am »

Thanks Rich, those guys were great!

Steve

turbo-max · « **Reply #41 on:** July 20, 2016, 02:04:26 pm »

mine is a big fat ZERO!!!

Steve in Sunny Fla · « **Reply #42 on:** July 20, 2016, 02:25:24 pm »

Quote from: turbo-max on July 20, 2016, 02:04:26 pm

mine is a big fat ZERO!!!

Temporarily. Once it runs it will jump up the scale in a hurry!

Steve

turbo-max · « **Reply #43 on:** July 21, 2016, 02:17:02 am »

Quote from: Steve in Sunny Fla on July 20, 2016, 02:25:24 pm

Quote from: turbo-max on July 20, 2016, 02:04:26 pm
mine is a big fat ZERO!!!

Temporarily. Once it runs it will jump up the scale in a hurry! Steve

it runs now, just need time to chase oil leaks and re-cartridge the turbo, then continue with tuning

Bergmen · « **Reply #44 on:** July 24, 2016, 07:23:05 pm »

It would be a lot easier to list what I didn't modify when building the ZGRX, and these would be:

1) The upper fairing.
2) The radiator.
3) The seat.
4) The frame.
5) The swingarm.
6) The rear shock.
7) The rear drive housing.

Everything else was replaced or at least "Bergmenized" or "Shoodabenized".

Dan

Nosmo · « **Reply #45 on:** July 24, 2016, 07:47:20 pm »

Quote from: Bergmen on July 24, 2016, 07:23:05 pm

It would be a lot easier to list what I didn't modify when building the ZGRX, and these would be:

1) The upper fairing.
2) The radiator.
3) The seat.
4) The frame.
5) The swingarm.
6) The rear shock.
7) The rear drive housing.

Everything else was replaced or at least "Bergmenized" or "Shoodabenized".

Dan

"Everything but the data plate."

Some years back when I was overhauling fuel and oil pumps for Air Force jet engines, now and then I would get one so whacked out I had to replace everything but the data plate. Literally. However......a new data plate was part of the process, so............

GF-in-CA · « **Reply #46 on:** July 27, 2016, 03:02:38 pm »

I've made a few mods:

Engine/ performance

1052 big bore "kit"
Steve's power cams
Steve's carb rejetting for power cams including "2 minute mod"
Coil over plug (stick coil) conversion
K & N air filter
Delkevic mufflers with custom connector pipes (installed before Delkevic made a kit for the C10)
Block-off plates
TeeCro shifter mod
Relocated coolant tank

Tires/ Suspension

Mid 90's ZX9 front end with RaceTech valving
ZZR1200 shock
Mean Streak rear wheel
Mean Streak rear rotor with custom caliper mount

Comfort

Rick Mayer seat
Rifle windshield
Tubular handle bars
Super mongo extra large bar ends
Foam grips
Cruise control
Knee saver rider pegs
Custom lowered passenger footboards
Brian's heat shields

Cosmetic

Custom paint
Bobbed rear fender

Miscellaneous

Shad side bags
Custom trunk mount for Shad trunk

I probably missed a few things. I've no idea where I rate compared to the luminaries here. I wouldn't have the bike I do without them

KellyfromVA · « **Reply #47 on:** July 29, 2016, 12:33:42 pm »

Guess my C-10 rates as a 3 for mods:

* LED headlamp
* Fork brace
* Givi Monokey trunk

That's it! I ride it too much to have it off line very long.

Mcfly · « **Reply #48 on:** July 29, 2016, 02:11:22 pm »

About 37 that I can think of... What's that, a 6.5? (Heck... it's passing!)

Madstad windshield)
Murphs' grips
Murphs Bar Buzz less kit
marine cigarette lighter outlet (dash)
cigarette lighter outlet (left faring pocket)
Tomtom 400 Rider GPS
Audiovox cruise control
Original Throttle Rocker I
tech spec tank pads
stainless braided brake lines
Russel Day Long 2 up, leather
Rivco (murph's) tip over bars Front/Rear
highway peg brackets/pegs
Bikevis Bullet v2 LEDs (front)
ADVMoster 10w LED driving lights
XL Rear Case with custom padded backrest and custom LED brake/marker/interior lighting
Custom brackets for said rear case
2 minute mod
overflow tubes
SiSF exhaust cam sprocket
Murph's block off plates
Thermo-Bob T-Stat mod
aux power fuse box
Big bad max air horn
Murphs' fairing screw kit
Bergman/Murphs cruise controller mount
Bergman helmet lock brackets
Bergmen Engineering Fuel Tank Quick Release
license tag brake light
Turn signal conversion
Sonic 1.1 Springs
Gold valve emulators
Tokico 4 pot front calipers
SVRacings SV650 Caliper brackets
2012 C14 Rear shock
Rear shock lowering rocker
MOB's Kickstand extanda

SteveJ. · « **Reply #49 on:** August 01, 2016, 10:52:20 pm »

Thanks to the reminder from Gary above, added Brian's heat shields.

On TDY with KLR and Roadtrek in colorful Colorado.