Long time I didn’t talk about a biker build-off, this one lasting 3 days, live front of the public and of course the cameras… The recent European Biker Build-Off was in its 4th edition and held during the 200+ bike show of Bad Salzuffen in Germany, also home of the Custombike Fair Trade & Exhibition. Two teams of 4 people, little room, all the tools, and of course some pre-fabricated or at least ready to be finished or painted parts..
In each competition a German custom builder challenges another builder from the rest of the world. On one side, German Bodo Hayen from Bike Smiede near Stuttgart, famous for its “Triangular” street legal creation. On the other side Cyprus born Mario Kyprianides from Chopper Kulture whose shop is located somewhere in the desert of Abu Dhabi and well known for his Daytona and Sturgis award winning creation called “Courtesan”. No rules, except a short deadline, the requirement to use only a V-Twin engine and merit being given to the bike with the most hand fabricated parts.
Mario Kyprianides (orange bike) used one of his small production frames and a fully restored 65 Harley Panhead engine for which he created unique beautiful “glass window“ rocker box covers. Quite spectacular. What looks like a custom made fuel tank is a combo oil/fuel tank, with the lower part acting as oil reservoir. The original location of the oil tank is now occupied by the battery box. The fork is a handcrafted one-off Springer with the springs arranged behind each other to achieve a slimmer, „streamlined“ and more elegant look. Hot Rod wheels come from the US. Handlebars, exhaust and forward controls (to be marketed later) are also all one-off. Gleaming orange classic Metal Flake effect by his US painter Robert Pradke.
Bodo Hayen (silver bike) used an extremely modified 1948 rigid frame in which he crated a new modified Knucklehead style S&S engine. Fork is a one-off hand made girder-type suspension equipped with a single shock. Wheels were made by German spoke wheel specialist TTS using square and twisted spokes. Part of the paint (artwork, gold leafing and pinstripes) was done live on stage by well known painter Bianca Henning.
Once the bikes were completed, they had to be fired for the 1st time front of the cheering audience (yes, they both did at 1st try) and during 2 hours the public voted to select a winner. And by a very narrow margin, Bodo Hayen from Bike Smiede got the trophy and the bragging rights…until the next edition of the European Biker Build-Off. (photography copyright Horst Rösler, Fred Sander, Hube)
Really good job guys
I am happy to se you both in Mainz end of February at our CCE Dealer Show! The Custombike show was a very good show in Bad Salzuflen…good job done by the Huber-Verlag crew.
Thank You Cyril for the images . Both bikes are winners . Jg
I’ve seen this competition life…
Mario’s bike was superior in every aspect to bike built by German team (winner). Original parts like see-thru rocker cover, consistency in chosen lead theme, quality of craftsmanship, quality of paint, finishing, wiring etc, etc way, way above German one.
I wasn’t surprise much by verdict – it was home run for Bodo, but even for members of German team it wasn’t quite fair – so big was difference in overall level of bikes.
I’d like to see these two bikes on any big show in US, surely Mario’s will go upper hand.
Congrats for Bodo, respect for Mario another amazingly built bike!!
My vote goes to orange bike.
Mario’s creation need only be described with one word….WOW!
Awesome job!!!!
why the restriction on only a “v-twin” engine? Old brit engines and in-line 4 engines were part of the chopper kulture in the 60’s & 70’s.
Nice bikes.
Well I’d like to say that Mario is top of his game, but then having seen him go from designing, building, and manufacturing custom parts from which he has produced a one off stunning custom bike after another even more amazingly stunning bike tells me that Mario has a load more to offer, he is a radical custom bike designer builder and we have only seen the beginning of what my bro can do. I am well impressed to say the least with his new “Just Add Violence” orange bike. Mario is a ground breaking custom bike builder that has grown to where he is now in his own space, being Abu Dhabi where his untainted or otherwise influenced vision of his dreams have become a reality and product of his pure dedication, dreams and countless hours of hard work. I’d like to able to explain with words where Mario’s skills in custom bike building have reached, but I feel words will not cover what Mario can achieve, so take a look for yourself for a real close up on; http://www.heavymetal13.nl and click on the Biker Build Off link or check out Mario’s Chopper Kulture web site; http://www.chopperkulture.com
And Bro the German bike is nice but yours is great!
Both bikes are beautiful and build with many passion and with a lot of craftsmanship!
Due to the fact, that I know both builders and teams – I can’t choose one as the winner.
In my eyes both bikes are winners.
There are some obvious differences, however the Chopper Kulture bikes, this orange one & the one they did for the Rat;s Hole, sure remind me of bikes Indian Larry already did. Again there are some major differences, like Larry never would use the handles bars these guys did, but it’s obvious they are at the least influenced by what Larry did.
The orange bike is very very similar to the bike that Indian Larry Legacy built.
Mario, Your Sturgis bike was over the top with extreme attention to detail. Glad we got to hang out with each other. You are an awesome person all the way around.
Incedible bikes, incredible Event loots of great bikes.
Great job on both and both are winners plus…….
What the hell? Mario’s bike is an exact rip off of an Indian Larry Legacy’s bike??? Tell me if im wrong or delusional?? I think it was the beatnik?? same split compartment tank and even used links to join them, same color, same stance? those are even ILL ‘esq wheels?? BB
BB .. Get a grip! “You’re wrong and delusional!!!” Yes … both bike have a frame, 2 wheels, motor and a transmission … and have been both been built by talented builders – beyond that – you cannot compare! Respect to Indian Larry & Mario too!
My vote goes to the orange machine!!!
Both are Super Cool! peace
I’m a bit of a fan of mo’cycle engraving. I notice that Mario’s bike has engraving on the air filter and the cam cover. Anyone know who did it?
Ass jewelry. Get some SOHC bikes in there!!!