samedi 22 novembre 2014
LION’S DEN – CUB 001
The Yamaha XS is a popular choice for an array of custom bike designs, and this little 400, nicknamed Cub/001, has gone down the scrambler route, a trend that seems to still be growing, not only have recent years given us a wider choice of dirt focused tyres, but I think that Scramblers have a greater sense of fun than say a Café Racer, so their popularity will continue to grow and we will continue to see fun bikes of all sizes wearing nobblies. This build is the first to come from Lions Den Customs, a collective of custom motorcycle builders, musicians and cooks, their goal is to have a venue where all of this happens in one place. The Lions’ Den. A music venue, next to the workshop with a café in between to satisfy all those comfort cravings. They’re working hard to turn this dream into reality, a task we’re familiar with ourselves.
As well as building a lovely little bike, Daniel Thomas tells his own story really well, so here it is:
“This 1977 Yamaha xs400 was found outside a barn in Devon. Almost rusted beyond repair, it was brought back to London in pieces to begin its transformation. The bike was stripped down to the last bolt so that each individual part could be restored before even thinking about the design of it. Once this was under way, thoughts about what the style, look and feel would be for the first Lions Den Customs motorcycle. Inspired by posters of Steve McQueen sitting on some scrambler, I knew quite early on I wanted it to have knobbly tyres and a rough, ready to ride feel”.
“Engine parts came back from being blasted and the process of rebuilding it began. New parts, from the ground up were used, from bearings to piston rings. It is now like a new engine. It will be hard to ride it like one for the first few miles! The starter motor and clutch were removed to lose a little weight and resulting in kick start only for that classic sound when starting a bike”.
“The tank came from a 400 special. They aren’t very pretty and it looked too heavy when sitting on the frame. To give it more shape and add to the classic look I was after, I knocked some knee indents into the sides. It created much more interesting lines, particularly when standing behind the bike. It also got me rethinking the paintwork design. I ripped off the petrol cap and fittings knowing that I wanted a pie crust type cap and eventually found one which was later welded in. It adds another level to what has now become a beautiful tank”.
“The frame was heavily modified. All unnecessary fittings were removed and the back end chopped with a loop welded on for the flat seat. I also made a tray for the electrics to be housed in, which was welded in underneath the seat. As it is kick start only the tray could be very shallow as only a small battery is needed. With grinder in hand, I moved to the front of the bike and chopped off the fittings on the fork legs for a front mudguard as I knew from the beginning I wasn’t going to have one. Chopping off those fittings gave the forks a cleaner look and also gave more clearance for the massive Continentals I planned on fitting”!
“I switched over the swing arm for one that meant I could have a rear disc as I felt it suited the look a little more and better stopping power is always a good thing. To achieve a more aggressive scrambler look I fitted some longer shocks, lifting the back end up. This also helped with clearance between the rear mudguard and the massive tyre that would adorn the rear wheel”.
“With the majority of the hardcore fabrication done, I moved onto the finer details as the bike was really starting to take shape. I made up the brackets for both the headlight and taillight out of aluminium, ending up with a drilled and polished design that worked well with the look I was going for. It became a theme as I then made up the number plate bracket with the same design, which happened to match the rear sprocket. I also made a barrel for the new ignition out of stainless steel, which is tucked away, in front of the tank. I ground out the welds and polished it up to match the other brackets”.
“It was finally time to start the thing up. I fitted the modified loom and after a few kicks she fired up! An incredible feeling after hours and hours of hard work. It was at this time that I met Greg from Black Shuck Kustom. We discussed my initial thoughts for the paintwork. I knew I wanted both gloss and satin black and an antique gold for the logo. A ‘Y’ shape would follow the lines of the tank, highlighted by a gold pinstripe. Greg offered some of his own creative ideas, which included the satin stripes, harking back to the original Yamaha designs. The end result has surpassed my expectations. Gloss black, which has endless depth and a mesmeric quality. Rich gold that makes the lion look royal and powerful. The wheels match the quality of the diamond cut ones on sports cars. A testament to Gregs talent and hard work”.
“With the bike in colour, we took it for a spin, setting off car alarms along the way. For only a little 400 it sounds thunderous with the cocktail shaker exhausts. It handles well and most importantly gives you the feeling that only a real motorbike should. One of freedom and excitement”.
I’m sure you’ll agree that this beauty looks great fun, and as Daniel is a London lad, I’m going to be on the look out for this bike whizzing around town, it should be easy to find; it’ll be the one buzzing down the street with an orchestra of car alarms playing its theme tune.
Thanks for sharing both your bike and your story Daniel, we look forward to the Lions Den’s opening night party and of course your next build, Cub/002
via The Bike Shed
BSMC GEAR GUIDE # 35
This week’s Gear Guide sees a man put his arse on the line to sell his jeans – literally. We also feature Hannibal Lector style face masks, a cool leather jacket from Richa, trench boots from Chicago, and a great new T from Worn To Ride….
TOBACCO MOTORWEAR JEANS
Based out of LA, Tobacco are a recent Kickstarter funded outfit selling premium motorcycle apparel, handmade in the USA, crowd sourced and delivered to you at wholesale. They have launched their range with their 5 pocket jeans. “With Tobacco we wanted to create a jean that would compliment that lifestyle as well as add to your protection.”
Built from Cone Mills White Oak deep indigo selvedge denim, left raw so it’s has not been washed, distressed, or treated in any way after the dying and weaving process. Raw jeans feel more rigid and crisp at first, after a few wears the denim softens as it starts to mould to your shape. As the denim breaks in it will crease, fade and shape to your body, becoming a perfectly fitted second skin completely unique to you.
Tobacco jeans are lined with 100% DuPont Kevlar. Kevlar comes in a variety of weaves and knits and they selected an interlock-knit for both its resistance to abrasion, heat and puncture as well as its breathability and softness for comfort. The lining covers your high abrasion areas from your waist to your shin past the knee in front and completely covering your rear in back.
“A big thing for us is authenticity. We wanted to make sure our jeans were really able to perform as we had hoped. So we took David, the founder, out to an empty strip of asphalt and dragged him behind a motorcycle wearing the same jeans people are buying on KickStarter right now.”
See what happened for yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoHdZ589-J4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoHdZ589-J4
Tobaccos are based on vintage cuts from American brands like Levi’s and Lee and are available in an updated slim-straight cut. “Not too skinny, not too loose, with a perfect front rise and slightly adjusted back that will keep your from dealing crack when in the riding position.” Excellent.
These are currently available at a great deal on their Kickstarter site.
OAKSTREET BOOTMAKERS – DAINITE SOLE TRENCH BOOT.
This holiday season marks the two year anniversary of the release of Oak Street’s best selling Trench Boot. To celebrate they are releasing their first new colour since November 2013. Horween Leather fans will agree, it was well worth the wait: The Color #8 Dainite Sole Trench Boot.
Color #8 is manufactured from highly durable Horween® Chromexcel® leather. It has a true Goodyear Welt Construction, with grippy Dainite® outsoles – a stacked leather heel with Dainite® toplift.
Dainite® soles are perfect on the bike, hard wearing and grippy, but without the heavy tread of a commando sole, providing comfort and grip for all weather conditions while not attracting or storing dirt (or dog shit).
“Built on our Elston Last – a unique last providing exceptional fit and shape. Developed to embody the character of Chicago, the Elston last is engineered specifically for the trench boot providing the comfort yet durability demanded of the every-man.”
These are not a motorcycle specific boot, nor are they armoured, but they are a sturdy and comfortable boot that can be ridden hard and then worn at work or at play.
RICHA MEMPHIS LEATHER JACKET
The new leather Memphis jacket has retro look that you would not necessarily expect from Richa. It’s classic cafe racer jacket that comes in black, brown and a lovely cognac and is at home on cafe racer, bobber, brat or scrambler alike.
The jacket features quilted leather on chest, shoulders and arms. Thanks to the CE approved armour at the shoulder and elbow, the rubber back protector and the high quality buffalo leather, it offers high level of protection.
It has a removable thermal liner so it double up for a winter and spring jacket. It features ergonomic pre-curved sleeves and a dropped back for extra cover. The sizing is accurate.
This is an extremely high quality jacket at a reasonable price, a good looking jacket that punches well above its weight.
WORN TO RIDE – FUEL COLLABORATION T SHIRT
Friends of the Shed Worn to Ride has emerged as a premier reviewer of clothing and accessories inspired by motorcycle culture. They feature products for everyday wear and usage from some of the finest brands around the world, both large and small.
They are launching their own range with a limited edition T Shirt produced in collaboration with Barcelona’s Fuel Motorcycles, other products featured include apparel from Oil & Blood in Las Vegas, The Dudes Factory in Berlin and garment care from Otterwax in Portland, Oregon. Accessories come in the form of handcrafted wallets from Bison Made USA and handmade sunglasses from California’s very own Tres Noir.
“Motorcycles have long had an influence in popular culture and fashion and its presence today is as important as it was in the early 1960’s with major fashion labels taking visual cues from the scene.”
Worn to Ride will continue to build on this collection adding more brands and products to their range over the coming months.
BOKEN FACE MASKS
Whether you want to look like Hannibal Lector or just keep your beard warm in the winter months, these handmade leather masks are perfect for the incoming cold weather. The lovechild of Parisians Boris Moretti and Christian Mouret, Boken sell three variations of their mask, the Classic, the Road, and the Epsilon.
The mask sit comfortably under an open face lid covering the nose and mouth, and is perforated for airflow. These look terrific and keep your face warm on the days you’d wished you’d bought a full face.
via The Bike Shed
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