For Some Builders, There's A Time To Build A Bike For No Other Reason Than To Show Off. So Why Not Show Off Your Talents.
Case in point: Gary Thompson and his '06 one-off chopper affectionately named "Cuda". The build was not based off a customer's specifications or even his intent on being able to sell it. It was built simply to be seen and showcase Gary's talents-and that it did.
To get an idea on the amount of handbuilt components on Cuda, it's best to turn to Gary's shop. He owns Lawless Customs in Phoenix, which builds everything in-house such as frames, fuel and oil tanks, exhaust pipes, and handlebars to name a few things. So when building Cuda (short for barracuda), Gary went all-out-and all for good reason. He wanted something badass to debut in his home state at the East Meets West Bike Show.
Surprisingly, there wasn't any huge design plans prior to building Cuda given its importance to Gary; just long and sleek. "Ideas usually come to me as I'm building and I go with it, or just kind of go with the flow," Gary said. The build started off with a Lawless Customs frame with a lot of stretch (Gary's secret recipe) and 55 degrees of rake at the neck to push the front end way out. The frame utilizes his safety lockout system (patent pending) as back-up support to the air suspended system. Attached to the frame is a custom swingarm, and the suspension is handled by a Legend Air Ride system. However, instead of using a compressor, Gary used a nitrogen-filled chamber and also modified the shock mounts to fit his one-off swingarm. The safety lockout system, which utilizes a linear actuator that runs parallel with the air ride system, prevents the frame from dropping to the ground if something should fail. It's all controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and a bit of Gary's re-engineering skills. In the front, he modified a Big Bear Choppers springer front end, and fabricated a set of pull-back handlebars with built-in risers that were fit with Eurocomponents' hand controls.
Wheels for the chassis were next. Gary went with a set of Weld wheels at either end with a skinny 21-incher for the front and a 18x10.5-inch out back, each stuffed inside Metzeler rubber, with the rear wearing a 280mm tire. In the stopping department, a PM caliper squeezes down on a Weld Recluse-style rotor in the front, and in the rear, well, there are no brakes on the wheel. Rest assured, a Pro-Tranz Brake setup by ProFab Metalwerks will do the job of the rear brake through the tranny. It mounts to the main shaft of the Accessories Unlimited right-side-drive six-speed transmission. This setup leaves the rear wheel clean, with a chain sprocket being the only piece bolted to the wheel.
Turning attention to the driveline components, an Ultima El Bruto 113ci engine was secured between the framerails. An S&S Super E carb along with a custom air cleaner was bolted on, while a Compu-Fire ignition provided spark. The motor installation was finished with a set of Lawless Customs' exhaust pipes.
When it came time to skin Cuda with sheetmetal, Gary wanted long and sleek lines to flow with the bike and for design ideas, they would come as he was building. One case in point: the custom fuel tank that graces the backbone. It reminded Gary of those wicked-looking predators that stalk swimmers like a cold-blooded killer-hence the barracuda. The bike was painted by Colors By Marty and layered with Candy Blue heavy metalflake with a ton of clear. Graphics are absent so folks can focus on the metalwork and not overlook the innovation that went into the bike.
Cuda went into the East Meets West show and wound up with a new owner the following day. Although Gary's original intention was to not sell it, the owner's enthusiasm towards the bike overturned the decision. Plus, Gary knew he had been seen and heard, and the future held more of it.