One Sweet Rockin’ Black Street Machine
"This was not a fading fad, but a legitimate, registered, affordable and thoroughly ridden street custom," said Knackers.
THE days are truly numbered for wide-arsed street customs. The fad, a glittering mirage of chrome and stretched lines, has all but burned itself out. Sure, these behemoths still grace the polished floors of high-end shows, occasional chrome flashes at outdoor events, but the soul of a genuine street custom, a bike truly ridden and registered, are often lost beneath astronomical price tags and questionable legality.
The sheer cost of building one from scratch, piece by expensive piece, have long surpassed the sensible threshold, making a pre-owned purchase a more logical, if less romantic option. What was once utterly unattainable for the common working folk, the big-buck rides that screamed exclusivity, have now tumbled into the realm of the affordable. In simple laymen’s terms, “champagne results with beer money”.
And then there was Olly’s street-custom motorbike. Referred to as ‘Sweet Amber’ during its genesis and later affectionately dubbed ‘Rockin’ Black’, it landed squarely under the canopy of being in the right place, at the right time, with the right contact, at the right price. Olly, a man of quiet appreciation rather than boastful ownership, takes no credit for the intricate dance of engineering and artistry that birthed this machine. He simply rides it, and rides it often.
The genesis of this steel steed began many miles away, in the sun-drenched city of Perth, Western Australia, under the skilled hands of Glen, a craftsman who understands the subtleties of form and function. The very heart of Sweet Amber was a modified pro-street Kraftech frame, a rigid beast that announced its intentions from the outset. Its 45-degree rake wasn’t just for show; it contributed to a flowing, aggressive line that the eye simply followed. Glen had stretched the backbone by a full six inches and added two inches to the down-tubes, subtly altering its geometry for both stance and ride.
But Glen’s true ingenuity shone through in the frame’s hidden purpose — it was, in a different guise, the oil tank. A clever, seamless integration where the custom fuel tank, modified oil tank, the recessed leather-covered seat, and the rear guard all flowed as one, cradling the potent power plant within. This heart, a fully polished 127-cube El Bruto from Ultima, hummed with barely contained energy. Ultima also supplied the necessary spark, an electronic ignition system that promised reliable, fiery combustion.
The two-into-one exhaust, with its artfully holed-out chrome heat shields, is a treat for both the eyes and ears, emitting a deep, resonant rumble. Fuel was fed through a 44-mm Mikuni carburettor, topped with a gleaming Custom Chrome, billet, spike air-cleaner, a miniature sculpture in itself.
Power transference is a masterclass in robust design. An enclosed primary belt drive, finished in high-gloss black with chromed primary covers, concealed a two-inch belt. The gearbox is a six-speed, right-side-drive unit from Baker, ensuring smooth, precise shifts, while a Barnett hydraulic clutch offers feather-light action. Jim Nassi supplied the chrome billet and rubber forward controls, perfectly positioned for Olly’s cruising posture. The final drive, a nod to tradition and reliability, is a classic chain and sprocket.
Up front, Elite internal-throttle handlebars keep the lines clean, working in harmony with the inverted Mid USA front-end, a striking combination of black and chrome. Performance Machine, rubber, knurled grips and chrome billet levers offer tactile control, while digital readout mirrors provide crucial information without cluttering the aesthetic. And for those mornings when Olly feels like a touch of modern magic, a remote start setup allows him to fire up Sweet Amber from the comfort of his kitchen. Warm the steel steed up, throw a leg over, and ride away, just don’t leave it in gear from the previous ride.
Night time duties are entrusted to the powerful beam of a Headwinds headlight.
The wheels are a study in purposeful gleam: a 21-inch, Tantrum chrome billet rim encased in Dunlop rubber up front, partially covered by a custom front guard. The rear, a formidable 18-inch version of the same Tantrum billet, is shod with a chunky 250 Dunlop tyre. Stopping power is equally impressive: a Performance Machine, four-spotter caliper grips a matching floating rotor at the front, while an uncommon 360-degree setup handles the rear. LED indicators, front and rear, complete the modern, yet timeless, package.
The finish is basic, unapologetic high-gloss black, allowing the intricate lines and polished components to speak for themselves.
This isn’t a trailer queen; this is a ride designed to be ridden. Olly, when the notion strikes him, which is often, will ride it to work, the powerful engine thrumming beneath him, the rigid frame transmitting every nuance of the tarmac. This was not a fading fad, but a legitimate, registered, affordable and thoroughly ridden street custom. This is Rockin’ Black, and it definitely rocks on tarmac.
Words & pics by Knackers
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