Between its split tank, Springer front, and raw metal finish, Speedmetal has an attractive steampunk aesthetic that's been unbeatable so far. Kyle Shorey and Shadetree Fabrications have swept top honors in the Freestyle class of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Shows in both Atlanta and Dallas.
It is good to see the custom bike industry is alive and well in the great state of Texas. The
J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show rolled into the Dallas Convention Center as the featured attraction of the International Motorcycle Cycle Show this past weekend and the builders’ workmanship was nothing less than stunning. Thirty-seven bikes entered into the Ultimate Builder contest for a crack at winning a share of the $7000 prize money. The most diverse class was FreeStyle with a wide range of bikes filling the category, from custom choppers to bobbers to one-off builds to baggers.
Freestyle
Kyle Shorey of
Shadetree Fabrications once again took 1st place in the FreeStyle class with Speedmetal. The wheels, engine, brakes and tranny were salvaged from the customer’s donor bike, a Saxon Crown chopper. Just about everything else was hand fabricated by team Shadetree as Speedmetal exhibits an organic design the firm is known for.
To date Speedmetal has been cleaning house, taking first place trophies in Atlanta and Dallas, and has won the coveted IronWork’s Magazine Editor’s Choice award.
1. Kyle Shorey, Shadetree Fabrications - Speedmetal
2. Rob Skipper, 3 /2 Choppers - Infidel Chopper, 3/2 Infidel
3. Ceasar Ramirez, Misfit Baggers – King’s Ransom, 2000 Road King
Modified Harley
Joseph Russell of
Flying Tire Motorcycle won the MOD Harley class and the $1500 top prize with his orange 2010 Harley-Davidson FLTR that features a 96” engine with a Stage 3 engine upgrade. The two features that catch the eye the most are the striking paint and huge 26” front wheel. The orange and gloss black paint was provided by Other Side Custom.
Derek Johnson took what he learned from winning second place two years ago and made the changes necessary to make his 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa a winner this time around.
Miss Guided is the 1974 Harley Ironhead Sportster that won the Retro Mod class at the 2012 Dallas Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show.
Flying Tire Motorcycle won the Modified Harley class and the $1500 cash prize in Dallas for their custom 2010 FLTR.
Gotta love a bagger that would be hell on the quarter-mile! Major props to Gio and Blacksmith Motoring for what they've done to this 2008 Yamaha Roadliner.
1. Joseph Russell, Flying Tire Motorcycles – 2010 Harley Bagger
2. GIO, Blacksmith Motoring - El Puro Vato, 2005 Deluxe
3. Juan Gandara, Lubbock Custom Cycles – Bonita, 1997 XLCH
Performance Custom
Derek Johnson took a strong second place two years ago with his 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa, but you know what they say about second place. So he came back this year with updates like wheel spinners, frame paint and an extended swingarm that was enough to move him up one position and take the win in Performance Custom class in Dallas. TX. Johnson’s ‘Busa features a full complement of performance upgrades and chassis mods to keep the bike planted during high speed runs.
1. Derek Johnson - Da Busa, 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa
2. Cody Kitchen – The Green Mile, 2005 Kawasaki 636
3. Speed Dealer Customs – 1978 Yamaha SR500
Retro MOD
Jeff Halstead of Halstead Customs is the man behind Miss Guided, a 1974 Harley-Davidson Ironhead Sportster that won the Retro MOD class in Dallas. Halstead built this little bobber by reimagining it with today’s technology. The thing that you notice about the bike is the integration of the parts and color, which really makes the bike pop. The red rims are accented by the red strips on the tank and fender. It’s no mystery why Halstead did so well at his first Ultimate Builder Show as he was riding shotgun to the show with his good friend and celebratory builder Larry Moore, an Ultimate Builder winner and AMD Team USA Member.
1. Jeff Halstead, Halstead Customs – Miss Guided, 1974 H-D Sportster
2. GIO, Blacksmith Motoring – El Vaquero, 1977 Gold Wing
3. Shawn Little, Shadetree Fabrications – Shadetree Generator Shovel Rigid
MOD Street
GIO from
Blacksmith Motoring drove in from his win in Atlanta to show off his brace of bikes at the Dallas round of the Ultimate Builder. His latest build, El Vendetta, again was the strongest competitor in the MOD Street class. The 2008 Yamaha Retroliner is turbo-charged and rocks the tarmac with a 120ci stroker claimed to make 200+ HP. It’s built with forged pistons, lightened crank and Blacksmith heads & intake. The bike rolls with a 26” front wheel, air ride and 6-piston Hawg Halters brakes.
1. GIO, Blacksmith Motoring - El Vendetta, 2008 Yamaha Roadliner
2. Chop Shop Motorsports – 1980 Kawasaki KZ750
3. Dan Klein, Rock n Roll Custom - 2004 Honda CBR 600F4I
The Dallas Show Dog Winner is DeMarkus Sheppard of Live Fast Customs. The Ultimate Builder Show Dog award is given to the dealer or builder that has shown exemplary effort in engaging the audience and furthering their marketing goals and objectives. The award for the effort is a biker chain wallet from
Rocking K Customs Leather, a $200 value.
Leading money winners of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show series so far are Kyle Shorey of Shadetree Fabrications at $5000 and GIO of Blacksmith Motoring with $3500.
The Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is produced by
www.bikerpros.com. Catch the next round in Northern California at the San Mateo International Motorcycle Show this weekend, Nov. 16 -18.
