The SMIDSY Bike Build Part 1: The Bike

INTRODUCTION

There’s no denying that the custom motorcycle scene has exploded in popularity in the past decade or so.  Everyone, it seems, is getting on board with a custom build, from the major manufacturers all the way down to backyard enthusiasts. Of course, the aim with all these builds, no matter who’s building them, is to create something cool. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, safety isn’t. Sometimes, the desire to create something that looks great means the safety features that should be included, or even were part of the bike in its original spec, are either compromised or removed altogether.

With Project MBL, an initiative of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and supported by Antique Motorcycles and JUST BIKES, the goal is to produce a custom motorcycle that combines attractive appearance touches with the sort of safety features that’ll make a great-looking custom a great and safe bike to ride, too. Maurice Blackburn Lawyers are the driving force behind this project, while Antique Motorcycles will undertake all elements of the build. JUST BIKES are documenting the build process, with the finished bike to be revealed here in the magazine, as well as online and in the metal at upcoming bike events, including the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride this September, where Project MBL will make its debut.

About Maurice Blackburn Lawyers  

JUST BIKES readers will be already familiar with Maurice Blackburn Lawyers (MBL) thanks to their sponsorship of Bronwyn Sorenson in Australian road race competition, as well as their long-running SMIDSY road safety campaign. Standing for ‘Sorry Mate, I Didn’t See You’, SMIDSY aims to make more people aware of motorcyclists on the road, along with other issues and responsibilities when it comes to rider safety that affects all road users. For far too long motorcyclists have been treated as the second-class citizens of the road: maligned, pigeon-holed as a nuisance and in many instances, literally run off the road by drivers. Maurice Blackburn has taken on the task of helping to sort out this unfair treatment of riders. We are leading a growing campaign for change, tackling the issue from all angles, not just in court. By pushing for legislative change in parliament and bold online awareness campaigns, we are providing riders with a new and strong voice.

Riders face a distinct set of challenges, both on and off the road, from mutterings of "Sorry Mate I Didn't See You" (SMIDSY), dangerous road surfaces and wire barriers, to inconsistent road rules from state to state.

About Antique Motorcycles

If you saw last issue’s (#340) Indian Scout customs, you’ll know that Antique Motorcycles already have the runs on the board when it comes to creating cool custom bikes. Creating a bike that’s as safe to ride as it’s cool to look at is a new angle, though, but it’s a project that Johnny Gee at the team at Antique are keen to get stuck into. Founded by Johnny Gee in 1988, Antique Motorcycles grew from a business specialising in classic bike sales to include servicing, repair and rebuild work. Antique is now also a franchise for new Indian Motorcycles and has recently added the ‘Naked Racer’ café and bar to make their Cheltenham address a real hub for motorcyclists of all affiliations.

On site at Antique, Johnny also has a number of motorcycles from his impressive personal collection on show, with a focus on rare early Indians, but also including classic Jap, Brit and American machinery.

Call in to Antique Motorcycles at 1 Grange Road, Cheltenham and you’ll find plenty to see, taste and experience.

PROJECT MBL – THE BIKE

BMW Base

The base unit for the “safety custom” Project MBL is a 1986-model BMW K100 tourer.

Why a BMW? Well, BMW has an enviable reputation for safety when it comes to motorcycles, as most people know, but this particular model pre-dates a lot of the modern safety tech the brand is now renowned for. So, with no built-in ABS or rider-assistance technologies, the challenge is on for Antique Motorcycles to make sure all the “analog” safety essentials in this bike are at their best before any customising takes place. 

Those essentials include:

• Brake lines and throttle/clutch cables. Worn or frayed control lines are an accident waiting to happen, so these will be checked thoroughly and replaced as required.
• Brake discs and calipers. Old brake calipers are next to useless. Similarly, warped or grooved brake discs are dangerous and can severely compromise braking performance.
• Engine internals, cooling, oil lines, fluids and more. As the engine is the heart of any build, it needs to be healthy, so the engine will be completely stripped and refurbished to ensure it runs smooth, sweet and safe. Leaking fluids can also lead to disaster, especially if it’s oil leaking onto a rear tyre.
• Frame. As the engine is the heart of your bike, the frame is the skeleton and just as important in ensuring a safe finished build. Rust, frame damage, wear at welding and mounting points and other areas need to be checked.
• Suspension and Controls.  Old bikes are likely to suffer from leaking suspension seals, which compromises suspension performance. Similarly, things like headstem bearings and hubs need to be checked to ensure they move freely and function properly.
• Switchgear, lights and indicators. The temptation with any custom build is to ditch the switchgear and minimise the lights and indicators. But these are essential to your control of the motorcycle, as well as your visibility on the road. The challenge here will be to effectively customise these elements without compromising safety.

What Lies Beneath

Antique Motorcycles took delivery of the bike in June and started by stripping off the fairing and other plastics to find what lies underneath.

There’s been good news and bad news. . . . 

Johnny from Antique says that even for a 30+ year old bike, there is literally MILES of wiring in the ’86 K100, so a lot of time will be devoted to the electrics, with a whole new wiring loom a likely inclusion. The fork seals are leaking, as expected, and the fuel pump will need replacing, as old fuel has gummed up the pump and also affected the lines and tank. The engine runs, though, and given his experience with these Boxer motors, Johnny is confident this particular unit will be pretty solid inside. However, a full strip down will still be done to ensure nothing nasty is there. The exterior plastics are all pretty good, but unfortunately, not many of them will be making their way to the finished custom. The factory seat and handlebars are for the bin, too.  With all the external parts removed, the frame condition proved to be less impressive than first thought, so when the engine and suspension have been removed, this will be gone over with a fine tooth comb as part of the ‘safety first’ mantra that’s driving this project.

PART TWO:

The Build Gets Underway: We’ll reveal the style and direction that Project MBL will be taken in, as well as more details on the tear down and rebuild process.