Custom Bike Show / Buildoff Contest

I was thinking over Chrisdtmas about what we could do to promote custom bike building in New Zealand. Its getting clear that there are a lot of people out there who are interested in the same thing although at different levels. Groups such as our and the Rattlers are a good place to get like minded people together but I think that it won't really take off until we start seeing more of our sort of bikes out on the road and particularly, groups of our sort of bikes, hanging out and having fun.

Events like Kumeu, the Beach Hop and the Blowout are other ways of getting the word out there but I think that we need to make use of the promotional opportunites that an international event like the Rugby Word Cup in September will bring.

Recently Deus in Sydnay had an ameteur biker build off. You may have already seen the cool 250 Honda that won against a lot of much more expensive builds. That event went really well and was reported all across the internet. I think we can do the same thing here.

New Zealand has had a long history of bike shows. I remember going to one of teh early City of Cycles shows at the old Oriental Warehouses down at teh docks many years ago. The problem with most of those shows now, at least a far as Auckland is concerned, is that they are dominated by mainly stock bikes with little user input other that a set of bolted on ape hangers. You know the type of thing I mean.

This show would be about home built bikes. Hopefully built specificaly for the show but at least showcasing the type of customs we would like to see more of out on the street. We can come up with trophies rather than big cash prizes because the object of the exercise is to promote custom bikes and the lifestyle; not to make money. Lets face it; most of our bikes come in pretty cheap anyway.

I will work on a venue for the actual show, most likely in downtown Auckland. We need to start getting the word out now so that people have the time to start putting some cool machinery together. I will work on the entry conditions (with your help) to make sure that we keep out the bolt on trailer queens and ape hangered V-Rods. Show time would be roughly around the same time as the Rugby (September?) so that we get a chance of bringing in the crowds and possible getting some sponsorship.

At this stage it is still an idea in my head but I need some input from all y'all.
What do you think? Is anyone interested?

What have you got against ape hangers? What did you put on the softail?

What about out at the Riverhead? or inside The Ambassador (Bald Pete's place) or outside Bond St (Tyrone and Mira's place)?

It needs to be somewhere we can have bands and a big bike park but we can sort that out nearer the date.

Ended up taking the apes back off as I didn't have room round the softail to work on it
Started to make spacers for the Shovel this morning but the power went off so I spent the day watching TV and drinking gin. That's why we need a show to give me something useful to do.

I'd like to get all the contestants to post a diary of their build on a new web site, or on here, so we can see what they started off with and how it changes into the final version. That mans you can still use your Ironhead

only if i can bring my v rod with the apes.
seriously tho, there's one of those round here, saw it on universal the other day.
I admire your enthusiasm Jon, good on ya mate.
there are literally heaps of people building bobbers & other ol skool bikes out there; the reason I know this is that these people buy bits offa me all the time. It means I get to hear about & see some of the stuff that's being conceived in sheds etc.
It's just that most of these guys are not on Rattlers or GM's so we dont hear bout them here much.
Some of the guys I talk to dont seem to have much interest in forums, shows, etc, they just seem to wanna build & then ride.
I almost wonder if the target audience for a show should be more 'the general public'. I've grown to realize that there's a lot more interest from the average person on the street than there is from other bikers, because to the general public it's all new & they don't know a panhead from an evo. But they sure love a cool looking bike.
anyway just some random thoughts

I guess that is the point of it. I'd like to get other people interested and if they don't have a bike now then maybe we can get them to start one. I've no intention of trying to convert people who don't want to be sociable. If they want to stay in their sheds and ride on their own then good for them. Kepp doing it. I'd just like to create something for people who do like to share. Might be impossible but you don't know till you try.

well it sure would be an alternative to the shows u were talking about - I went to a couple downtown years ago & the bikes were boring like you say
Sorry Jon, my attitude probably is a little crap at the moment. It is a good idea.

Sweet, sounds like a cool idea.. anything to help..

cheers

I all so think it is a good idea! I think it would give dudes with projects a goal to aim for & to get there projects finished.Like you say there are alot of bikes out there that we dont get to see,so I say great idea.

Yep I think that a target is a good think. It will make me put a bit of effort into getting something finished.

Irishjon wrote:

Yep I think that a target is a good think. It will make me put a bit of effort into getting something finished.

Who keeps changing the rules around here? Are you saying that we have to be able to ride our bikes now Irish?????????

I'm in mate just let me know how I can help. Oh and I am working on the chop, I just thought I'd leave out posting any pic's at this stage as most of it is just finishing off shit that was half finished anyway. That and the fact that I'm starting to think that 95ci might be a bit much. I'm thinking of re powering it with a 250cc or maybe a lawnmower engine.

Woody wrote:

That and the fact that I'm starting to think that 95ci might be a bit much. I'm thinking of re powering it with a 250cc or maybe a lawnmower engine.

Yea that would be good,as I'd like to see some of you mongrels get your bikes finished,I I JUST FEEL SO ALONE OUT THERE LOL.

Hey take it easy Doug, You'd feel alone in a crowded room bud.

PAN/SHOVEL wrote:

Yea that would be good,as I'd like to see some of you mongrels get your bikes finished,I I JUST FEEL SO ALONE OUT THERE LOL.

calm down doug i made it pukerua bay yesterday on the bike its getting closer to being finished

I'm thinking of re powering it with a 250cc or maybe a lawnmower engine. [/quote]

This one could work for ya then Woody:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-346570310.htm

EEL wrote:

I'm thinking of re powering it with a 250cc or maybe a lawnmower engine.

This one could work for ya then Woody:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-346570310.htm [/quote]

No way am I worthy of such a sweet ride EEL

I didn't say you had to ride them. Just that they had to go
I need to work out the qualification for people to enter. It can't be a brand new start to a build considering that its taking some us us (me in particular) years to get a project finished. We need to keep out the purely bolt on bikes so how do we make sure that there is enough home built stuff on there?
I'd start by saying that you have had to modify something on the bike by taking a hacksaw or grinder to it. Also that you have had to weld at least 2 pieces on ad that you have had to have made at least 2 pieces.
Anyone else got any ideas.
I will also get a contest web site up and then we have to start getting the word out so people can get stuck into their projects.

Yeah sounds good Jon, How about a cc rating of say 650 or more. After all this is a Custom BIKE Build off contest, Not a pimp out your scooter toss off.

Jon61 suggested classes. That means we could include lawnmowers as well. The bike that won the recent Deus comp in Sydney was a 250 Honda. I'd like to see what their rules were like. Maybe Doug can get that from them. There is a vid somewhere on YouTube of the show they had. Looked like a very cool day.
Can you imagine how cool it would be turning up with all the competition bikes at the new beer halls (Shed 10) down at the waterfront during the World Cup. I's nearly pay to see that.
The whole thing sounds like a good DVD making opportunity. Maybe Byron would be into that.

Irishjon wrote:

I'd start by saying that you have had to modify something on the bike by taking a hacksaw or grinder to it. Also that you have had to weld at least 2 pieces on ad that you have had to have made at least 2 pieces.

that's me out already; I use the hacksaw/grinder & have made stuff but I don't weld.
maybe u could have a 'mild custom' class? or will that let in the dreaded vrods with apes?

Irishjon wrote:

Jon61 suggested classes. That means we could include lawnmowers as well. The bike that won the recent Deus comp in Sydney was a 250 Honda. I'd like to see what their rules were like. Maybe Doug can get that from them. There is a vid somewhere on YouTube of the show they had. Looked like a very cool day.
Can you imaging how cool it would be turning up with all the competition bikes at the new beer halls (Shed 10) down at the waterfront during the World Cup. I's nearly pay to see that.
The whole thing sounds like a good DVD making opportunity. Maybe Byron would be into that.

Yeah that could work too. Mmmmm Beer
And the DVD deal sounds like a great idea.
Brett you can weld mate you just don't realise it yet.

Irishjon wrote:

...suggested classes.

So the classes I have picked from this conversation so far are:

Gaylord scooter class
Homosexual lawnmower class
Real man with body hair 650cc & over class
Looks good but does the motor have pistons inside? class
VRod with ape hanger & sissy bar class
I know how to weld but didnt realize it yet class
I actually finished mine loner Doug class

You had your fender welded up when you removed the tail light. That counts. Not everybody can do it all themselves but you'd have to have done most of the work yourself.