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Intro Caddy Bike Hitman's Contract Hit Yakuza Deput Budget Build I
Most BlingRocket owners are painfully
aware of the fact that it can take years to reach that point when their satisfied with their ride. This is the case for Brian Grof, the owner of our "Caddy" feature bike. His wheel project alone took almost three years due to the fact that he couldn't find anyone to make a 3D set that would meet his expectations. Hitman's busa (a.k.a. Ultralight) took over two years to get it to where it is now; a bad ass street racing monster. Then there is our very own project, Project Bling (a.k.a. Yakuza) which took over a year to complete and when you see it you'll agree that sacrificing a year was well worth it. Lastly, there are exceptions like our Budget Build I (a.k.a. Creme Puff). This rocket was located in bone stock condition and then tuned, stretched, and slammed in just two months, all for under eight grand. 10
We are proud of the fact that about three years ago we were the first to bring you a free digital magazine of this caliber. After this issue though you're going to see a change in how we bring you bike features, events, and news by posting a larger volume of our media and content on BlingRockets.com. We've always brought you hot custom sportbikes faster than any of our print counterparts and now you'll be enjoying our content without delay. As fast as we can shoot it and write about it you'll be getting it on BlingRockets.com. And we'll be keeping you up to speed on any new posts via Facebook and Twitter so be sure to "like" our Facebook page and "follow" us on Twitter. If you're a YouTube user be sure to "subscribe" to our channel as well. All of these links can be found at the top of BlingRockets.com. I greatly appreciate your readership and support. As always I'm open to your comments and suggestions. email: lee@blingrockets.com
Publisher: Rockets Media Inc. info@rocketsmedia.com Executive Editor / Photo Editor / Art Director: Lee Wallace lee@blingrockets.com Associate Editor / Art Director: Adam Canni adam@blingrockets.com Editor-at-Large: Louis Grasse louis@blingrockets.com Marketing and Promotions Director / Senior Writer: Jesse Fennell jesse@blingrockets.com Contributors / Participants: Hitman Custom Motorcycles Steve Spoons Brian Grof Steve Hall Erika Wallace Holly Puska
BlingRockets, ISSN 2151-0776 (online), Issue no.18, March 2012. Digitally published by Rockets Media Inc. All rights in letters, all photographic submissions including but not limited to drawings, or any type of submission sent to BlingRockets will be treated as unconditionally assigned to copyright purposes and are subject to BlingRockets right to edit, title, and organize editorially and will become the property of BlingRockets. Copyright Š 2009-2012. Digital publication originating from the USA.
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What
was tota to say th he wast Nick An frame, a Less tha see, Bri of time on your
t your looking at is actually Brian Grof's second 2005 GSX-R750. His first one alled by his friend just three days after rolling it off the showroom floor. Needless hat Brian does not let anyone borrow his bike anymore. After riding it for a year ted no more time in it's destined transition away from stock. He first recruited nglada, who at the time was running CSC, to do a chrome wheel swap, chrome the and chrome numerous other parts all in one visit. an a year later the panels were sent out to Gator Customs for Gator Glass work. You ian is all about Cadillacs, even his dog is named Cadillac so it was only a matter before the bike was etched in Cadillac lettering and logos. These logos are one up r typical Cadillac though because they light up when Brian flips the switch.
Believe it or not this daily driver is sporting a set of ten They are replicas of the Foose Sphinx rims which are much the last major component added to the bike along
n thousand dollar one-off three dimensional wheels. e on Brian's Cadillac truck. These wheels are pretty g with the Gregg's Customs single sided 240 kit.
Details: Bike: 2005 Suzuki GSX-R750 Front end: Chromed everything, one-off 3D wheel, Lowered 1 1/2", Steel Braided Lines, Caddy logo in headlight Rear end: Gregg's Customs 240 swingarm, one-off 3D wheel, custom tag braket, Tricky Air Ride, Gator Glass Caddy logo on passenger seat cowl and undertail Motor: Custom exhaust by Joe Kronenwetter Paint: Gator Customs / Gator Glass Polish/Chrome: Custom Sportbike Concepts Accessories: ANT Camera System, Spike kit, Chrome mesh, Flushmount turn signals, Caddy logo stitched in seat, Gator Glass heal guards with Caddy logo Other: Matching helmet Builders: CSC, Joe Kronenwetter, and Ray Rays Customs Owner: Brian Grof
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Our readers have been hearing
about Hitman's custom bikes for over a year now. We simply cannot get enough of his works of art. They are always extremely detailed, slammed, and built for speed. Now, have you ever wondered what the Hitman himself uses as a daily driver? Well here it is, his 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa. Why such a newer model bike you ask, well the Hitman said that he wanted to show everyone that he doesn't only do old school bikes. He can turn anything, even this 2nd generation Busa into a dark badass motorcycle. This one in particular is very feared on the streets. Never deliberately giving away any secrets it still wasn't long before the local town folk figured that this monster was sporting more than a perceived stock motor. With it's 1441cc Carpenter powerplant. 10" over arm and BST wheels the bike had a very short lived relationship with anyone who even remotely wanted to play. As if the custom molded windscreen, custom paint, and overall murdered out look wouldn't psych someone out then I don't know what would.
Details: Bike: 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa Wheels: BST carbon fiber wheels Motor: 1441 Carpenter (24volt start), CP pistons, Wossner rods, lightened crank, Ported head, Big cams Arm: Evil 10 over moly Shifter: MPS Brakes: Brembo monoblock Trans: Pro cut trans, Kosman outboard bearing support Engine control: Bazzaz box with traction control, HD fuel pump, bored throttle bodies Exhaust: Brock's Performance Alien Head Body: Redesigned and molded by Hitman Customs, Eclipse "hide-a-way" plate Paint: Black diamond with platinum pearl and moly orange graphics
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"Over a year in the making. This bike and it's feature have been long awaited."
Sometimes sacrifice requires faith. I had to muster up a lot of faith to get past the
fact that I was faced with having to sacrifice my beloved 2006 red ZX-14 in order for it to become the first official BlingRockets bike. When I first seen the red '06 in the mags back in '05 I knew right away that I had to have one. After a few miles I did the typical mods like Roaring Toyz extensions, exhaust, PCIII, and lowered. It was then left alone for several thousand miles before the subject of doing this projec (ProjectBling.com, a.k.a. Yakuza) came up. Adam Canni had been listening to me for over year in order to determine what I personally liked before he submitted an illustration (pg. 58) of what my bike should look like once it was all finished. He nailed it. The bike was me. We then both agreed that the bike would be a mixture of performance and bling. A new bling. A bling that wasn't centered on chrome bu on matte finishes, carbon fiber, and powder coated surfaces.
Designed by Adam Canni www.CanniDesign.com Paint by Killer Kreations www.KillerKreations.Biz Built by Kory Souza www.KorySouza.com
e r n d s ct e n e e ut
Wheels: 18" BST front & 18" BST 240 rear from Brock's Performance www.BrocksPerformance.com
Swingarm: 240 by Myrtle West Cycle www.MyrtleWest.com Suspension: Progressive Suspension www.ProgressiveSuspension.com
Rear Brake: Radial Mount Brake Kit by RoaringToyz www.RoaringToyz.com
Wheels: 18" BST front & 18" BST 240 rear from Brock's Performance Exhaust: Full Titanium CT Series from Brock's Performance www.BrocksPerformance.com
Seat: Seats by Tommy www.Seats-by-Tommy.com
Controls: EuroComponents www.EuroComponentsUSA.com
Sprocket: Vortex www.VortexRacing.com
Designed by Adam Canni www.CanniDesign.com
Swingarm: 240 by Myrtle West Cycle www.MyrtleWest.com Tires: Avon www.Avon-Tyres.com/motorcycle
Once we had all of the parts picked out we needed someone to facilitate the build. B us liked Kory Souza's style from the day we met him and by the looks of our illus is was probably going to be a project that he'd take a liking to. Not long after our fi with Kory he agreed to come on board for Project Bling. The bike was delivered then delivered the body to Killer Kreations in Pa. where it was meticulously worked Fred Sicoli. Jon with Myrtle West came through with an arm that naturally worked with the lines of the bike. Brock's Performance resolved the challenge of Kory's con replacing the 17" front wheel with an 18" BST coupled with an 18" 240 in the rear. About a year later once Kory had all the ingredients Yakuza was reassembled. Every of my skepticism vanished the moment I took it for a ride. With it's internally lo suspension by Progressive and lighter wheels coupled with a new and improved ride thanks to a shaved oil pan it honestly did not feel like it was a custom bike. It fe similar to that almost stock '06 I gave up in December of 2010. I want to thank Kory Fred Sicoli, Brock Davidson, and Adam Canni for making this dream come true.
Both of stration first talk d. Kory d on by d great ncept of . y ounce owered e height elt very Souza,
Rearsets: Vortex www.VortexRacing.com
Paint by Killer Kreations www.KillerKreations.Biz
Seat: Seats by Tommy www.Seats-by-Tommy.com
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Proof that you can
have a tuned, slammed, and stretched fat tire bike is for under eight grand is right here, in this very feature. We found this 2002 GSX-R1000 online being sold locally and shortly after first site and a quick ride it was picked up for $3,800. Our local dyno shop installed a PCIII, K&N, and made a custom map to tune up the now louder and lighter GIXXER thanks to a VooDoo shorty. All of the tuning ran into the $950 dollar range.
Now t in Sar the arm for the
that we had power it was time for looks. We ordered a 240 kit from Roaring Toyz rasota, Fl. A few weeks later once the order was completed we took the bike in for m install. So depending on the parts that you need you'll spend around $3,000.00 e 240 kit and it's install. Add it all up and your under 8k. It can be done!
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