TWO METRIC CUSTOMS

WHO SAYS IT HAS TO BE AF? WORDS/PHOTOS THE BEAR

“A girl whose cheeks are covered with paint Has an advantage with me over one whose ain’t.”

Ogden Nash, Biological Reflection

Customising is a funny business, isn’t it? On the one hand it is all about personalising your motorcycle, making it “yours” in a way that factories simply can’t match. On the other hand it is just as subject to fashion as almost any other human activity. And in customised motorcycles, the fashion has pretty much always been to start with an American bike – all right, let’s not put too fi ne a point on it: a Harley. But does the base bike for your custom job necessarily have to be put together with AF nuts and bolts?

Of course not. Nothing against Harleys (I’m working on customising one now), but European and Japanese bikes can be just as much fun to personalise as the machines from Milwaukee. Of course there has been a problem with that; the shortage of accessories for metric bikes on the market.

Well that is now far less of a problem.

Just as an example, American custom accessory manufacturer Kuryakyn now offers a substantial range of parts for your metric machine, as these two bikes that I rode recently will attest.

They were a cooperative effort between Peter Mogridge at Team Moto Honda in Nerang (www.teammoto.com.au) and Hamish Macneil at Kuryakyn importer Rollies Speed Shop (www.rolliesspeedshop.com) in Brisbane.

Don’t worry too much if you can’t see all of these items in my photos;

they’re all pictured in the online Kuryakyn cattledog. I can guarantee that the total effect was outstanding on both bikes.

HONDA F6B Despite its modern out-there styling, Honda’s latest take on the GoldWing (or is it Goldwing now?) format is fairly plain and makes a terrific blank canvas for bolting on some accessories. Here’s a list of the stuff fitted. I haven’t listed the part numbers; if you’re interested in any of these bits the best thing to do is check them out in the online Kuryakyn catalogue.

Black LED front reflector conversion: replace the reflectors on the front lower fork legs to act as auxiliary turn signals. They have smoke lenses and black housings,and light up amber.

Black fork brace: on a bike as heavy as the F6B, the fork can use some help. This not only looks good but maintains adjustability without pre loading the fork.

Boomerang frame covers: lighten up the middle of the bike, as well as providing scuff protectors. They follow the frame perfectly.

Lightning valve covers: a simple and effective way to differentiate the bike from stock.

Polygon exhaust tips, louvered transmission covers and chromed battery cover: just ‘cause they look so good, Bro. What more reason do you need?

Dash trim: highlights the top middle of the dash and protects it from sun and other damage. Makes a focal point of the dash.

Chrome tank trim with knee guards: highly visible to add light accents to the base black, making it stand out even more for the rider and anyone else looking at the bike.

Shark tooth fender accents: the best way to hide the holes that the factory has left in the front mudguard, and as a bonus they add balance to the bike as well.

Handle bar top covers: just peel and stick with virtually zero down time, and cover those uncool ground-castings edges.

CUSTOMISING PURE GOLD FROM THE COAST

“IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE BITS THE BEST THING TO DO IS CHECK THEM OUT IN THE ONLINE KURYAKYN CATALOGUE”

Chrome front fender spear: a way of adding a special little bit of sparkle to your front mudguard and catch everyone’s attention.

Wide reach levers: exclusive design with brass bushings also offers riders with small hands an easier and more secure reach for brake and clutch.

Black ISO grips: Kuryakyn reckons these grips, like the company’s ISO pegs, combine style and comfort and I wouldn’t argue. They offer a soft, non slip surface that dampens vibration.

Recessed spaces between the pads permit air fl ow for comfort on hot days.

Black contour throttle boss: another ISO item, with a large surface area provides even more comfort than the original design and eases hand and forearm fatigue.

Black Trident foot pegs and adapter mounts: dampen vibration and give the bike that special custom look, with what Kuryakyn says are the most comfortable footpegs around.

Trident brake arm with wide pad: a direct replacement for the original brake pedal, this one inch wider brightly chromed pedal matches the Trident line of accessories.

Gloss black Trident dually passenger pegs and mounts: comfort and looks, all in one.

And that, as Hamish says, is a wrap! Total retail price for all of this gear is $2390, and riding this bike I definitely felt that I was on something special.

HONDA FURY

It’s still easily Japan’s best-looking factory chopper (although it was actually designed in the US) but that doesn’t mean that it can’t benefit from a few accessories. The retail price for all these bits is $2482, plus another $1100 for the Cobra pipes which were not originally a part of the project- but which look very nice indeed.

Triceptor fender tip: dresses up the front mudguard (you know, I hate to say this but I think I actually prefer the American term ‘fender’ to ‘mudguard’ – what do you think?) and creates what Hamish calls a “front balance point”.

Hand controls: with chrome switch blocks, chrome clutch perch cover and master cylinder cover you have a complete chrome bar setup. Add the Zombie levers, ergonomic as wellas outrageous with fi nger grooves for improved comfort and reach.

Scythe mirrors; they are not only attractive and eye-catching (sorry…) but they also resist vibration, making them outstandingly useful.

ISO grips: offer vibration damping and increased surface area for Aussie sized hands, which means a better grip. You can also get a Throttle Boss (see F6B, above).

ISO foot pegs: for the rider, with their vibration damping effect, and mini dagger pegs for the pillion – for looks! ISO brake pedal and shift peg cover:

keeps everything matching and stylish,wherever you look, as well as being more comfortable.

Mach 2 performance air cleaner: this is a real eye-catcher, and it can be personalised in a variety of different styles with things like black spikes or the amazing zombie insert.

Number plate kit: it’s actually called a licence plate kit in the US, but so what? It features three-bar LED lighting and covers the plastic bracket. It’s also curved to fl ow with the fender (see? I’ve changed over from mudguard).

Chrome mini bullet blinkers: with smoked lenses, the front lights come with chrome bullet clamps and the rears just bolt straight on.

Lizard Light kit: here’s something truly special – a kit that will light up the engine with various colours of LEDs, controlled by a remote control key fob. Unfortunately you can’t see it in my (daytime) photos.

Billet chrome louvered engine covers: smart and smooth-looking to improve on the standard items.

Chrome engine case kit: covers up the alloy and rough casting marks on the original covers.

Chrome boomerang frame covers: these set the mid balance point, according to Hamish, and also protect the area from scuffi ng by the rider’s boots.

Drive shaft cover: sets the rear balance point, and does no end to dress up the axle area.

Rear master cylinder cover kit: who doesn’t hate the look of plastic? This covers the plastic reservoir and gives a real chopper look.

Maybe you can think of something more, but that’s our lot for the time being! It’s all bolt-on stuff, easily fitted, but together it makes one of a kind. The bike was a hoot to ride (I like Furys) and got a lot of looks from riders and drivers, pedestrians and bench sitters.

By the way, we were so impressed by the quality of the Kuryakyn gear that we will be fitting a selection of it to our project 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster 72. Keep your eyes on MOTORCYCLIST magazine.

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