Motorcycle Cruiser

'01 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, '02 Honda VTX1800R, '02 Yamaha V Star 650 - Readers' Rides

March 6, 2009

Got a bike you'd like to flaunt? Send prints or high-resolution digital files (300 dpi, please) of your cruiser plus info about it to Motorcycle Cruiser, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 or evan.kay@sourceinterlink.com.

Donald Carey Pueblo, CO
'01 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic FI
When you're a big man like Donald, you need a big bike to be bad! The Kawasaki's stock 1470cc EFI engine wasn't enough, so he added a Thunder Mfg. Air Kit, Dynojet Power Commander and Hard-Krome pipes for some more oomph. Then a judicious amount of modern blingage was sprinkled on, followed by old-school Dunlop whitewalls on wheels now held together with custom spiral spokes from Buchanan's-all topped off with paint by Joe Painter and, apparently, a Santa-hat-wearing polar bear. But that's another story.

David Puett Roxboro, NC
'02 Honda VTX1800R
There's nothing like a good father/son (mother/daughter?) project bike. David and dad started from stock, adding aftermarket fenders, side covers and a Corbin seat and modifying the radiator shroud. Then came a variety of Kryakyn parts, including the levers, light bar and engine covers. What really distinguishes David's bike are the huge-diameter exhaust (from Hard-Krome) and the wild, twisted flames paintwork (by Doug Pendergraph at Tiny's). Of course, with flames you gotta have Kuryakyn Zombie skull mirrors and pegs.

West-Eagle Motorcycle Products Torrance, CA
'02 Yamaha V Star 650
On the other hand, one doesn't always have to be big to be bad. Take, for example, this gorgeous V Star 650 custom. The frame, engine, wheels and brakes are stock, while the new parts are almost all made by West-Eagle, including the triple clamps, fenders, tank, exhaust and tiny, bullet-shaped turn signals. A CCI speedometer is mounted near the rider's left knee to keep the top clamps clean. The paint is courtesy of Brush Factory in Japan, and it was assembled by Masakazu Takagi in one day!