My Finished Project

[Rchop]

I went for a ride to the beach today. Another winter day in SoCal:ip: :ip:

http://www.frsengineering.com/0354b.jpg

http://www.frsengineering.com/0360a.jpg

http://www.frsengineering.com/0361a.jpg

http://www.frsengineering.com/0357a.jpg

http://www.frsengineering.com/0359a.jpg

[Deans BMW]

That is one super sano ride.

[Rchop]

Thanks Dean-o. It sound great and rides good too!!

[Dallara]

Damn, Randy...

That thing is gorgeous, and I don't usually care for cruisers or choppers. Regardless, I can't take my eyes off your creation. Every time I look at a picture of it I find something new and fascinating. Your attention to detail is staggering!

I'll bet that ride turns heads everywhere you go, and I'm sure some H-D chooper riders just about twist their heads off their necks doing double takes as you cruise by...

There are no words for me to describe the respect I have you, your expertise, your creativity, and your creation.

My hat is off to ya', RChop!

Cheers!

Allan - (Dallara - Proud to be Banned Where Mods Think They Are Gods)

[Rchop]

Thanks Allan...you're right, I do get a lot of double takes. One of the most difficult things to get right was the rear ride height and spring rate. I spent the last week remounting the rear shock. It was a lot easier cutting and welding before the thing was painted!! I finally got it dialed in with the shock mount lowered about 1/2 inch(this raised the rear end about 2 inches) and I fabricated a spring spacer for my rear shock that raised the spring rate and bump stop.
Yesterday is the first day I really put it on the road since the test rides I have been doing around the block. I did a run to my local BMW dealer yesterday afternoon. They had been asking to see it and when I pulled up some of the mechanics and service guys came out and gave me a round of applause. Felt pretty good that they appreciated it
The ride (the back way) was about 50 miles and I stopped about half way to make sure nothing was leaking or falling off. It was kind of silly for me to take off on a first long ride with no tools but...I didn't need them anyway.
The sound is great!! The baffles I made work good. The bike tracks absolutely straight with no PTTR or PTTL.
Results of the ride:
1. adjust the clutch (slips a little on hard acceleration)
2. lower the rear spring tension(ride was a little too stiff)
3. get this motor broken in so I can get it on!

Items 1 and 2 are complete...I'm working on 3.

[PASSMORE]

Absolutely incredible. What a unique and cool ride you have now.

Damn that thing is great!

Can't stop looking at all the details of what you have done on it.

More photos if you have them please.

[jamming]

Randy..BRAVO...:thumbs_up:
You are a talented guy. I'd love to go for a ride with you to some chopper bar and watch the double takes.
Roger

[Bones]

Randy,
That is a creation beyond words. Personally, I have found that a lot of the custom bikes being built lately have evolved into excess in all ways, making them "wow" bikes for a moment, but then something that you wouldn't want to ride and get fatigued looking at. Kind of like Cotton Candy.

Yours, however, is taste at its best. The lines are simply outstanding. As an architect once said to me in describing the lines of a beautiful building "Rhythm and Relief....gotta have 'em both." Yours has both, for sure.

That front fender is SO perfect and unique. It may be a small thing, but that exact amount of wrap is perfect rhythm. The squared off space with the headlight and small lights creates great relief. That tank with offset fuel access is perfect. Tank/seat/rear fender rhythm, perfect.

I could go on and on after looking at the pics you posted, but you get the idea.

Black is perfect for what you created, too.

I remember hearing the sound file you posted not too long ago. I know it is tough to record a bike running and accelerating under load, but man, if you could do that, I am sure you would have alot of us Cafe' members drooling.

Congratulations on a fantastic finished project. So tasteful. Thanks for sharing the project as it evolved and the finished pics.

Jeff :thumbs_up:

[BobFV1]

Randy - That is one beautiful and unique bike man, hats off to you, and I would like to tag along and just pick up your cast-offs at the biker bars.

Paging doctor Bones - Viagra for Bob - STAT!

[Bones]

Bob,
He doesn't need Viagra. Look at that bike and it is boner time.

Randy, what kind of jacket is that? Looks substantial and with armor. I like it.

[Promethean]

Magnificent! Awesome job Randy...

-Abhijeet

[Rchop]

Bob,
He doesn't need Viagra. Look at that bike and it is boner time.

Randy, what kind of jacket is that? Looks substantial and with armor. I like it.

Bones...it's a Tourmaster Cortech leather "Air" lots of perfs for warm weather and a warm liner for cold, plus armor. I like it

I am working on an AV file for a drive by. Hopefully soon.

[Brakecheck]

Awesome bike Randy! So, After a little break, you think you could take a swing at building an R1200R? I hear there is a small but passionate group waiting for one...:)

Dana

[Rchop]

Hmmmm...now there's a thought:thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:

Let me see...I used to build surfboards...now I build motorcycles...if I could just figure a way to put the 2 together...hmmm:lightbulb:

[geechie]

Randy,

Wow!! You should name it something like Iconoclast. You have clearly broken and then re-written all the rules. To wonderful effect.

George

[TorqueMonsterMT-01]

Nice ride Randy. Good job. I've been following your updates for a long time.

What are your plans now? Do you keep it and build something else or sell it and build something else? (Notice you have no choice but to build something else!)

[Rchop]

Thanks guys...hmmm, build something else? Yeah, Yeah, that's the ticket...I think I'll build something else:cool: :cool:

I wasn't sure that I would be able to sell this one since it's a prototype but, first ride impressions say everything works great. I will have to play with it for a while, get it broken in and see how all my fabrication holds up. If there aren't any problems I will probably sell it and build some more.

Damn, that means I will have to ride the hell out of it:omg:

[Rchop]

Speaking of selling it...I had a pretty good photographer at the beach with me this weekend. How would this pic be for a brochure cover?

http://members.cox.net/frsengineering/BeachPic1.jpg

[Dallara]

Outstanding, Randy!

I have to say, if I were in the market for a cruiser I would gladly spend the extra bucks over and above the run-of-the-mill Harley-clones out there to have that creation of your's...

Cool, classy, understated, and unique... with STYLE by the container load - that's what your bike says to me. I simply can't imagine the thoughts that would go through a H-D rider's mind when he saw your work of art pass by, but I'll bet some of them would be saying something to themselves like:

"Damn! Look at that BMW. Better looking than my Hog, and lighter, quicker, smoother, better riding, and more reliable to boot... Damn!"

You've really got something special there, Randy.

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara - Proud to be Banned Where Mods Think They're Gods)

[DJ Down Under]

Very nice Randy...that's a great pic...btw..what's going on with the licence plate...I don't see any.

DJ

[mnnden]

Randy, I can't think of anything to say that hasn't already has been said!!, And REALLY NICE!!!! just dosn't do it. I would think certain Mag. might be interested in doing a feature story on you and your creation. You are a talented man, my friend. you can be sure these pictures will be passed along.
Den

[Rchop]

Thanks guys. Guess what...I got my plate today, I got my plate today:beer: :shade: :beer: :shade: :beer: :shade: (License, that is)

Just one more thing to do...gonna get that rear shock spring powdercoated shiny black.

[Rchop]

Another terrible SoCal winter day, :shade: NOT!! The temp is in the high 60's and the sky is blue...perfect riding weather. Just put about 150 miles on the new Black Bomber and I happy to say that everything is working well. Rode from home over the mountains, I was really tempted when I passed those Palomar Summit signs but, that's for another day. Stopped at Santa Isabel for brunch and turned around there because the word was about three bike riders were down just up the road. I just didn't need to see that this morning. Rode back over the mountains and went all the way to the beach.
Took her up to about 80mph today and cruised most of the day at 60 to 70. Nothing fell off, protested or broke,,,,whew, it seems to be holding together :eusa_clap:. The bike tracks straight and true and nothing seems out of place except I have to get used to the last generation BMW clunky 5 speed tranny again. I finally dialed in the spring rate and rebound/damping adjustments for the rear shock and the shiny black spring doesn't look gay at all (although there's absolutely nothing wrong with purple).
It seems to be time to check this one off as complete and start looking for that next project that nobody has done yet.
Thanks to everybody for their comments and support.
Randy

[Bones]

Randy,
You COULD build the R1200R that BMW seems reluctant to build, but you would likely end up doing a better job at it than they would. In fact, I am sure of it. Ohlins suspension parts, custom seat. You could use the gorgeous tank of the 1150R or custom a tank like you did with the cruiser. The front fender of your last project was so great, I am sure you could come up with something for a custom roadster.

Jeff

[jc wms]

What a great chopper!!

I read about its creation, and like the choices you made. Kind of a paradigm shocker to see the boxer jugs sticking out of a chopper, but that is part of its belonging to the chopper world -- it makes a great statement in individualism (whether you intended it or not)!

Very cool!!




(call discovery channel -- if you're bad-tempered with obnoxious employees you could get a program!!):)