Yamaha Bolt Scrambler by Hageman MC

Ten Bolts. Ten Customized Builders. One Winner. You Resolve. Such was the headline traversing across the internet when Star Bikes gave calls to among the high builders within the nation to compete in a “customise it as you see match” construct contest based mostly on a freshly minted, inventory 2014 Yamaha Bolt.

Large OEMs proceed to assist develop motorcycling by realizing that the DIY motion is right here to remain, and that the one strategy to play in the identical sandbox because the quickly rising classic customized market is to indicate their help via initiatives like these. Triumph, Kawasaki, BMW, Moto Guzzi—all of them get it. And now Yamaha America is declaring they get it, too.

The long run is vibrant for these of us not content material with what rolls off the meeting line. This implies a brand new potential leap in customized motorcycling—that means new prospects for these good manufacturers—who understand that prospects are based mostly on the motorcycling lifecycle, and never simply present buying energy or habits.

One among our favourite builders was on the record when the calls went out: Greg Hageman, of Hageman Bikes. Greg has constructed a quiet however simple popularity for constructing ultra-clean efficiency customs based mostly on classic machines. His penchant is for the previous, mixed with upgrades in spots that rely—suspension, rubber, braking.

This time, Greg had an opportunity to place a contemporary machine below the knife.

“My aim was to construct a motorcycle that may carry again that feeling of awe I had when strolling right into a dealership as a ten-year-old. I’d stroll up and down the aisles taking a look at bikes, simply dreaming and observing the fantastic thing about these items, particularly the grime bikes and enduros—the go-anywhere bikes that appeared good residing within the nation like we did. So when given the prospect to construct a contemporary, go-anywhere, do-anything interpretation, I jumped at it.

“I did as a lot analysis as potential earlier than receiving the bike, however there simply wasn’t a lot on the market. There have been just a few builders posting pics, however actually nothing out there aftermarket but, and little or no information concerning the bike. As soon as I acquired the bike, I sat and studied it for just a few hours, and rode it round a bit of to get a really feel for the facility and steadiness it had. After that, I tore it down. As soon as I had a “clear slate” and had eliminated all of the muddle blocking my view of the skeleton, I then envisioned what I wished to do.

“I constructed the bike in a approach as to not molest or hurt the inventory body or parts—one thing that was all bolt-on, so I can later create a equipment to provide so others can reproduce it. The tip result’s a retro-looking, robust machine. With the knobbies, you possibly can hit the gravel, unmaintained roads, or trip all the way down to Starbucks for a espresso.

Or when you desire, throw on some much less aggressive tires and also you’ve bought a retro supermotard. They simply don’t construct something like these bikes anymore. You stroll right into a dealership now, and your selection is to purchase a cruiser, a plastic sport bike, or a plastic grime bike. Nothing with soul or magnificence just like the bikes had within the ‘60s and ‘70s.”