The Washington DC edition of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show started out with the temperatures hovering around 20 degrees but the show on the inside the Washington Convention Center was hot.
The Washington Convention Center, located just a few minutes from the Washington Monument, is a high-tech affair that is roomy and an excellent facility to showcase custom bikes. As you walk into the center you’re greeted with the FreeStyle Class bikes laid out on the red carpet that runs the length of the show.
Throughout the entire weekend the bikes were surrounded with enthusiasts taking pictures and enjoying styles that were a significant departure from stock.
The winners of the three judged classes at each Ultimate Builder show receives cash, prizes, trophies and entry into the 2011 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building at Sturgis.
FreeStyle
The Winning Snake Motorcycle
Alex Lucas rolled his personal ride into into DC with his custom pro-street called Snake and rolled out with the top prize in FreeStyle with a check for $3,000 and digital camera from Yamaha.
The bike is the epitome of a low, lean and radical. It features a deep ebony finish by Extreme Custom Paint Works and show-quality chrome by WEM. It’s not a trailer queen… The Snake rolls regularly through the mean streets of DC.
Tricia Likes Frank’s XS 650 Bobber
Runner up in FreeStyle is Frank Rutigliano of Two Wheel Mafia with his company show bike XS 650 Bobber ; 3rd Place, Roy Chamberlin of C&C Cycle Inc. with 2003 C&C Softail ; 4th Place, Jason Neiman of SS Trike; 5th Place, Norman Washington with American IronHorse Chopper.
Modified Harley
The builders in the Modified Harley Class were out working the crowds and introducing their custom vision to enthusiasts as they stopped and talked. This is one aspect of the Ultimate Builder show that allows attendees to really get to know these metal artists and hear from them on what it takes to be a part of the custom bike scene.
To the Winner Comes the Big Check
Jason Bochniak took home the winning trophy in the Mod Harley class with Phoenix, a bike that contained blindingly bright chrome by Freedom Cycle and hi-performance ProCharger that was fine-tuned with a Zipper’s Thunder Max and a D&D Boarzilla Performance Pipe. He went with super-sized Beach Bars that put you into a very comfortable riding position. The Headwinds billet lighting system supplies the illumination. The 2006 Harley Deluxe rocks it with 50 spoke Fat Daddy wheels with Avon gangster white walls.
Runner up in Modified Harley is Margaret Nicastri of C&C Cycle Inc. with a 2004 H-D Bagger; 3rd Place, Bobby Reed of Eastside Chop Shop with a 2007 Street Glide; 4th Place, Jeff Geisbert of Old Glory Speed Shop with a 2011 Street Glide.
Participating in the Modified Harley class is an ideal way to start your Custom Bike career. Enthusiasts utilize a Harley manufactured frame and engine cases. The frame must maintain stock configuration so modifications are limited to smoothing ie; molding welds and joints, welding in filler panels or cutting excess tabs. Swingarm kits and fat tire conversions are acceptable.
Performance Customs
The winner of the Performance Custom class is William Ray with a 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa. Paint was provided by Team Neyon with chrome by Garwood Custom Cycles and it sports an air ride with a 300mm wide tire kit.
Runner up is Krystos Efanti of MSP Motorsports with 2008 Yamaha R1; 3rd Place, Mike Jones with 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa ; 4th Place, Shwan Page with 2007 Suzuki Hayabusa; 5th Place, Lloyd Hardy with a 2004 Suzuki Hayabusa.
Performance Custom class includes race inspired styling with performance enhanced engine modifications. Any motorcycle frame configuration and drivetrain combination is available. Judging will be focused around drag racing ie; stretched out ‘Busa, Bonneville racers and highly modified sportbikes and v-twins.
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