|
Taz: 2001 Yamaha Midnight Star
Bill started riding on the streets in the 70's and his first bike, a
little Yamaha 500cc, was his only means of transportation for quite a
few years. Lifestyle changes made it necessary to acquire a car but
finances dictated that both could not reside in the same driveway so
the bike had to go.
Fast forward to 2001.
Bill had always wanted to get riding again so he started looking for a
new vehicle of the two wheeled variety in 2001 after his multi-year
hiatus. Bill always had a Harley in mind but he couldn't justify the
cost when there were other perfectly good bikes on the market with a
lesser price tag. Another prerequisite lurking in the back of his mind
was it had to be something that could be customized so it stood out
from the crowd.
After checking what was available on the market, he settled on the
Yamaha Midnight Star. "It has lots of power and good looks", Bill
comments as he glances at his bike.
Bill's vision grew over the years of what his bike should look like and
manifested itself into a "slight rake but not long forks, the minor
rake could be accomplished by triple trees so the frame did not have to
be cut and welded. Other ideas in my head were to have a wide rear
tire, skinny front tire, custom body work and a kick ass paint job"
Bill explains. A friend of Bill's told him of Motorcycle Enhancements
in Oakville, just south of Toronto, who specialize in customizing Asian
cruisers and specifically Yamahas.
Bill called John at Motorcycle Enhancements for a meeting to see if the
vision Bill had in his mind for his Midnight Star was actually doable.
John reassured Bill that his ideas could come to fruition and threw in
a few extra ideas for Bill to mull over. Bill had a good feeling about
the meeting because of John's professionalism and honesty. He
commissioned John to do the needed modifications on the premise that it
be finished for (August) Friday the 13th in Port Dover, ON.
The whole job took about 3 months to complete. The job began with
picking out wheels from RC Components and the rebuild went from there.
John had to modify a number of parts to make them fit the theme of the
bike including the stock swing arm and rear hub had to be machined so
the bike would accept the 240 Metzler.
Bob Air stretched the gas tank 3 inches and the cutting of the steel
fenders for fit and appearance was performed by Bill's friend Lance
Stevens at Miltowne Collision who also prepped and painted the base
coat. Lance suggested Jay at Airheadz do the airbrush work. Jay was
given free creative reign over the paint on the premise that the design
had to incorporate an incarnation of the Tasmanian Devil and hockey.
After the artwork, all body pieces were sent back to Lance for the
final clear coat.
It looks like that image Bill had of wanting something a little
different certainly came out in full force, as fierce as Taz himself.
General
Owner: Bill Jeffries
Designer: Motorcycle Enhancements
Fabrication: Motorcycle Enhancements
Year/Make: 2001 Yamaha
Model: Midnight Star
Assembly: Motorcycle Enhancements
Time: 3 Months
Chroming: Motorcycle Enhancements
Engine
Year/Model: 2001 Yamaha Midnight Star
Displacement: 1602cc (98 cubic Inch)
Lower End: Stock
Balancing: Stock
Pistons: Stock
Heads: Stock
Cam: Stock
Carb: Stock with Jet kit
Air Cleaner: Yamaha Flamed Air Cleaner
Pipes: BUB Stubbies
Transmission
Year/Make 2001 Yamaha Road Star
Painting
Molding: Bob Air / Miltowne Collision
Painter-base and clear: Lance at Miltowne Collision
Airbrush artwork: Jay at AirHeadz
Color: Black with Fire Flames
Frame
Year/Make: Stock Frame
Type: 2001 Yamaha Road Star
Rake: Stock Rake
Shocks: Stock
Other Modifications: Custom Modified Swing arm to fit 240 series tire
Accessories
Handlebar: Double T 1-1/4" Fatty Handlebars
Handlebar Controls: Chrome Stock Control
Fenders: Custom Front and Rear Fenders
Headlight: Cyclops Headlight
Taillight: Diamond LED Sidemount Plate
Speedo: Dakota Digital
Foot Controls: Custom Mounted H-D Controls
Switch Plate Custom fabricated Switch / Choke Mounting Bracket
Seat: Custom Fabricated by Apple Auto Glass
Final Drive: Rotating front pulley with 1-1/8" belt
Mirrors: Custom Billet Yamaha Mirrors
Shift Rod Chrome Plated Billet Lightning Shift Rod
Front End
Type: Proformance
5 degree Raked Triple Tree
Extension: None
Wheels
Make: RC Components
Size: Front 21 x 2.25 / Rear 18 x 8.5 (w/ Custom Hubs)
Tires: Front 90 / Rear 240 (Metzler ME880)
Brakes: Chromed Stock Calipers w/ Polished Rotors
|
