Work begins on the SVA build

As you might know, any new build needs an SVA certificate to get registered. This involves making sure that the bike is not only safely built, but also meets or exceeds the regulations. Sometimes changes have to be made to make sure the bike conforms, and it isn't always pretty. However it can be 'tidied up' after.............

The bits are really on their way! Evidence!

All the parts for my bike will be at Battistinis Open Weekend this coming weekend, 27/28 June. Whether any of it can be assembled in time for this is another matter, as it only arrives at Heathrow on Thursday from Exile. But I can't wait to see the Accurate Knucklehead motor more than anything!

The workshop (aka Dining room) is ready!

My dining room has been converted to a workshop ahead of the arrival of the Exile parts and Accurate motor. I am very excited now that finally I will get to see all my bits and pieces and begin the process of a dry SVA, then dry running, and once everything is working and fitting perfectly, then I will pull the bike apart and sent the bits off for paint. This is probably the part I will document on here. 

As you might know, the HotRod sports a 200 front tyre, so standard bike lifts can't cater for that. I got the guys at the House of Sickboyz Customs (www.sickboyzcustoms.com)to rework the front wheel grip so I could use it for all my bikes, Exile included. A lick of red paint will see it looking new again.

How long does it take to build a motor?

If you look down the blog to my first entry, you will see that I placed my order on 24th May 2008. Yes, that's right, 1 week short of 1 year!! I have been extremely patient, already missing one summer, and now potentially missing another. Our summers here in the UK don't last that long, if at all, so I am really hoping Exile work fast to do the necessary fabrication relating to the motor and get all the parts over to me in the UK so I can begin work on the build. The motor is currently sitting on the test stand being checked for temperatures, compression etc, and will be shipped Monday to Exile's North Hollywood premises.

Russell Mitchell

"We want to expose the American people to clean, tough European styling - whether they like it or not! If the conversation turns to tasteful chops, we want our name to be mentioned.""We want to play a part in reversing the current trend towards the fancy, frivolous and ridiculous.

So speaks Russell Mitchell, never one to mince his words.

A one time vetinary surgeon and model, Russell went to the States to fulfil a modelling contract and stayed. That was 1991. Before moving to the States, Russell made a name for himself in the UK customising Lambrettas, winning a few trophies along the way.

Accurate Engineering

I have chosen the Accurate Engineering Knucklehead (www.accurate-engineering.com/) as my engine of choice. It is 103" which transalates to 1688cc. The HotRod is often built with the 121" TP Evo engine, but for me the whole look is compromised if the Knucklehead motor is not used. It fits in with the style of the bike perfectly and is worth the extra money in my book. Accurate Engineering, setup by Berry Wardlow in 1996, enjoy a superb reputation in the Custom Bike community, and Russell at Exile uses them too for some of his more special projects. Other famous bike builders to use Accurate engines are Billy Lane of Choppers Inc and the late Indian Larry. Each engine is built to order, and the delivery is estimated at 3 months. The engine will be delivered to Exile who will then fit it to the frame to weld the additional brackets to the frame so they line up when it is finally delivered to me. The engine will be Scotchbrited, ie dulled, and to do this the engine first needs to be fully polished. Scothbriting is a process using a Scotchbrite pad with WD40 to take the shine off metal and leave a satin like finish. It looks great when done.