Glasgow Kiss

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“Glasgow Kiss”

I have to disclose that I didn’t write this headline. These are the words of Arlen Ness when he awarded this custom bike with the “Partner Pick Of Excellence” during the 3rd round of the AMD Championship Of Bike Building at the IMS Show held recently in Seattle, Washington. So, I asked its Builder, Robbie Kerr, a native from Scotland now living and working in Canada where he opened Kootenay Motorcycle Art, what was his inspiration for such a muscled up design. He told me that “Glasgow Kiss” was inspired by his love for the 1945 Harley Flathead and that he wanted to build its modern version, amplifying its proportions for a never seen before unique look. Did you say oversized? The frame had to accept 2 x 18″ wheels, 300 mm in the rear, 280 mm in front, and rolling Thunder was called to fabricate the very special frame with beefy 1 3/4″ tubing, a 39-degree rake and a 4″ backbone stretch. To look proportionate in the front, 2 1/2″ tubes were bended to create the Springer front end.

Robbie took responsibility for all parts design but called some of the best in the business to help him complete the one-off fabrication process. Fat Katz for the gas tank and rear fender, Roger Goldammer for the oil tank and Brendon Thompson for other fabrication and machining tasks. Beefy looks required a powerful engine and Robbie chose a 120″ JIMS motor (Fueling lifters and oil pump) equipped with an $&S carburetor, but with redesigned and machined rocker boxes to clear the gas tank and frame top tube. Strong and reliable shifting is via a 5-speed Baker RSD transmission associated with an Evil Engineering 4″ open belt system with custom machined pulley covers. Blue paint (Robbie’s preferred color) is semi glossy, (or semi matte?), sprayed by Ken Sherbinin and confirming the new trend where deep glossy shine is considered too high tech for many styles of bikes inspired by the past.

The rest of the tech sheet reads as follow. Pipes by Miami Exhaust – 80-spoke wheels dressed with Metzeler tires – Rear brake with inboard disc by HHI – Front brake by 360 Brake – Speedo by Dakota Digital – Hand and modified foot controls by HHI – Mirrors by SRT – Custom taillight, custom gas cap, taillight, etc. Kootenay Kootenay Motorcycle Art

(photography Horst Roesler)

Source cyrilhuzeblog.com Motorcycle Art