Von Dutch Kustom Cycles
Unveils 10th Model
Press Release: 6/1/2005
‘Flying Dutchman’ Bobber Combines
40s Styling with 21st Century Technology
Rancho Cucamonga, CA (June 1, 2005) — The first generation
of custom-bike builders stripped off everything that did not make
their Flatheads and Knucks go faster or stop, and Alex Mardikian’s
crew at Von Dutch Kustom Cycles has taken the art of the bobber
to its most radical extreme -- a 122 hp hardtail brute.
The Flying Dutchman is the 10th production custom
to bear the highly stylized signature of the eccentric artist,
the late Kenny “Von
Dutch” Howard, the grand-daddy of the California’s
hot-rod and biker “kustom kulture”. The new model is
one of 19 limited edition units the company plans to design and
produce this year.
“The Flying Dutchman is all about Kulture artistry.
I like to think I am the principal of Kulture, not a master. The
masters are those who started it but didn’t get credit—Von
Dutch and Ed Roth,” says Mardikian, the creative genius who
designs Von Dutch Kustom’s bobbers, choppers, and pro-sport
motorcycles.
The bike’s low, bare-bones profile comes
straight from the age of Von Dutch; its paint and highlights
are fitting for a bike
carrying the name of the artist who invented freehand pinstriping
and hot-rod flames. Paintworx applied the livery in House of Kolor
Gloss Black over metal ground fabrication with its silver leaf
accents and red pin stripes. The red highlight is restated on the
final drive chain, the sterling silver Von Dutch badges affixed
to both sides of the stainless steel barrel oil bag, and the trim
on the Von Dutch solo seat by the famous DB.
The Dutchman sits on 2005 Diamond Chassis rigid frame with a 38-degree
rake, 3-inch stretch, powder coated Kitchen Top Granite. Diamond
Chassis built the Pancake Chop fuel tank exclusively for Von Dutch
Kustom Cycles, and it feeds a 113ci Patrick Racing Billet engine
through a 42 HSR Mikuni carb. The monster inhales through a CCI
air cleaner and exhales through CCI Trumpet pipes.
The Primo open primary belt-drive —which will grind the
heel off the boot of the uninitiated rider—transfers the
power to a 6-speed Primo Rivera transmission that sports a short
jockey shift topped by the grinning shrunken head and bulging,
bloodshot eyeballs of a Mr. Krinkle knob. The bike is outfitted
with a 21-inch, 50-spoke stainless steel rear wheel wearing a 18
x 5.5 180mm Metzeler tire. A Brembo floating rotor brake on the
rear provides the only stopping power on the bike. A Von Dutch/Diamond
Chassis rear fender sports CCI illumination reminiscent of the
Airflow taillight that debuted on the ’34 Flathead in double.
On the other end of the bike, Mardikian dispensed
with control levers on the Von Dutch Z bars. The throttle cable
runs through
the bars from the CCI Kool & Klassic grip. The handlebars connect
to fender-less Donnie Smith Chrome Narrow Girder forks that hold
a 21-inch stainless steel front wheel shod with Metzeler 21 90/90
rubber. Performance Machine controls, modified by Von Dutch Kustom,
a CCI Traditional headlight, and a Dakota Digital speedo is integrated
into the Von Dutch Z Bar.
(more)
VON DUTCH KUSTOM CYCLES INTRODUCES BOBBER MODEL – ADD ONE
Like all VDKC creations, the Flying Dutchman carries certificates
of authenticity placed out of sight to the fuel tank, the frame,
the oil tank, and the rear fender.
About Von Dutch Kustom Cycles
Von Dutch Kustom Cycles was formed in 2003 by
longtime custom bike and powercraft designer Alex Mardikian.
The company makes
both production models and original, highly-stylized custom cruisers,
choppers and bobbers popular for their unorthodox, retro “Kustom
Kulture” designs, and sells through an exclusive network
of dealerships nationwide. Along with its motorcycles, Von Dutch
Kustom Cycles offers a selection of “greaser chic” and
hot rod motor clothes and one-of-a-kind accessories, such as custom
painted helmets. The company is headquartered in the Los Angeles
area and has 16 employees, including sheet metal fabricators, master
mechanics, engineers and artists.
Visit Von Dutch Kustom Cycles online at www.vondutchkustomcycles.com
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