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 Motorcycle Art. (photography courtesy & copyright Horst Roesler)
very nice
Wow, look like Russell Mitchell got some bad mushrooms.
Nice, flowing lines. The cutouts in the bottom of the tank make the motor look more massive, following the overall design theme. The minimal brightwork provides nice contrast points to the matte blue and black.
I like it. It’s different, but that’s not always a bad thing!
Thanks Cyril for publishing another very nice bike. A bobber with a new thist. Beautiful machined covers.
I like it but I don’t at the same time… There is too much there to deem that a “bobber”, it is more of an unnatural bobber than anything. Maybe more along the line of Retro Bobber.
I love it…awesome work!!
Looks totally wicked, I love it. Definitely motorcycle art.
Very nice to look at! But I don’t see the ridability of it. I don’t think it would handle very well and the bars are extremely low. The seat seems to be to far forward and high too. Needs some apes maybe. Looks more Pro street with a bobber twist. I’m with Conrad Nicklus.
Just different. The paint and finishing are great.
Beautiful design, nice to see someone doing something DIFFERENT! Great concept and execution, domed feature carried throughout the bike, satin finish throughout the bike, great sense of aesthetics.
I’m glad Cyril gave the foot note that he didn’t write the title. Cause it’s awefull. Bobber nothing, that is another bike really from the most recent “chopper craze”. And before somebody tells me that still isn’t a chopper, I know I know. But that was the title of most of the builders bikes from what… 2004-2009?
As nice as this bike is, and it is real real nice. I would never associate the word “bobber” in it’s title.
Fish, the bars are taller than a set of Z bars or drag bars. Just because it’s outside your skill level to ride it does not mean it is unridable. I’d ride the hell out of this bike. It has everything I like. Low bar, solo seat, rigid frame, springer…This bike is giving me a “Woodrow Wilson!” Even the color is spot on!
The headlight is the only thing I would do without…other than that, i’d like to see it in my garage.
Love the metalsmithing here. I can’t get my head around that 280 front though. Russ Mitchell design comes to mind with the scotchbright work and beefy look, but as I recall Russ hates the low profile tire look. In this case Robbie has infused quite a bit of subtle detail that I’m sure took countless hours of work. As a colaborative effort I think this bike flows very well.
Russell Mitchel is going to be laughing when he sees this bike…….just add the flat black rattle can paint finish and you have an 04 Exile hardtail pro street bobber
Wow that’s sharp- Deco Bobber to me…
Sorry Mitchell, but this one is better. More custom fabrication.
All I can see is WOW! when will it be deliver to my garage
Good looking, but to the vast majority, rigid frame bikes are show toys or bar hoppers.
I am truely amazed…………..with all the Bike Builders, Wannabe Bike Builders, Almost Bike Builders, Part time Bike Builders, Weekend Bike Builders, Factory”s that mass produce Motorcycles, how the hell can can there still be Designs that are still Finger Print Motorcycles to be found, designed and Built.
I like it!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Everything is FAT and BULBOUS…Like me! Wiz
I dig it….lot of up front planning and vision to put build that….way cool!
I just had the chance to Judge this bike at the Toronto Supershow and it is an excellent bike,nicer in person than in pictures. Lots of detail and a theme, something that a lot of bikes are lacking these days. Robbie is a good guy, talented and humble, two things that go well together.
I saw this bike in person at the Toronto show as well. Very nice indeed. Many of the other custom bikes there on display certainly were impressive, but the uniqueness of this design set it apart from the rest.
thats nice..love the fat front wheel
Of course it’s a cool build – he’s Scottish!
Thats pretty damn cool !! Dig those forks and front end…..
I too saw this bike at the Toronto Show. The fit & finish, attention to detail
and the massive frame tubes were truly impressive. Very nice work!!
Crazy cool – part bike, part cartoon. There’s room in my garage if storage is ever a problem
I’ve always loved fat tires on both ends of bikes, especially those with a springer front-end. The extra heavy springer tubes really pulls this off without making it look odd because of proportion. I’m like most others on this blog…it can live in my garage anytime!
I would love to see a ” Cyril Huze Top Ten” 1/8th scale series of bikes. This would definitely be one of them.
Has to be made to scale with machine parts to boot!
Now where did I bury those bags of money…
Laurence
One more thing, the images of him riding it make this all the more real…
Hoot Man!
Laurence
Very slick. Great attention to detail
Went to his web site and saw him riding it. Holy cow, that thing is FAT! Looks fantastic but definitely taken to an extreme. His other bikes look like real riders. Good stuff!
Like it!
If all of this talent can be redirected too design a bike that one can ride we would really have something.
Very nice.
Looks like a cross between a Nash and an Exile bike? DIg it! That front end is clean, clean clean and the color is cool as well.
I love it ! It looks perfect to me. I like the wheels, just the right size that i want. And the height, I think its perfect. The frame is fantastic. Blue is one of my favorite colors and that makes it look good to me. I really would like to try to ride it.
Very impactant bike, simple and beutifull.Congrats
Beautiful
As a piece of Art
I like it, adding my two cents.
That is beautiful period!
There is alot to like on this bike. Alot of attention to detail and the craftsmanship is really good. hats off to all the people who were involved in the building of this bike!
i saw it at toronto,very special bike
Just a quick comment I know Robbie well and ride with him, and let me tell you… the ride ability of the Glasgow kiss is amazing! He rides the shit out of it! If any one knows the Kootenays we have some of the best ridding roads in the world and he pounds threw the corners like nothing.. It is truly an amazing bike, great job Robbie… can’t what to start mine
Nate
I can assure you that Robbie builds bikes to RIDE!! Anyone who isn’t up to riding a Hardtail (FISH) should stop ‘guessing’ if something will handle or be comfortable and get out there with the ‘Big Boys’ and just do it….talks cheap
What color blue is this exactly?
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