"In Winnipeg, the bike is something original, something
uncomplicated," said Doug Srbljanin, designer and creator
of the bike. "It's simple."
While many in the custom bike community tend to underestimate,
and in fact denigrate, the impact that popular culture has
had in the explosion of chopper popularity, Srbljanin is quick
to admit that if it weren't for shows like the ones that have
regularly featured the distant relative, and namesake of the
famed western outlaw James, he may have never gotten the inspiration
to start building.
"If it wasn't for those shows, I would have never built
it," he explained.
While some may figure that building one of these rare beasts
is a mere matter of ordering parts and bolting them together,
Srbljanin did his homework and made sure that every part fit
the overall theme of the bike by traveling to various shops
in the U.S. to make sure the end product was something that
would inspire awe at first sight.
"It's not like we have the market here in Winnipeg where
you can just go around the corner and check what's out there,"
he said of the project that took a year of part sourcing,
and three months of final assembly. "We'd actually gone
down to Arizona and other places to check out different styles."
The end result has proved to be a unique specimen that people
flock to see, no matter what other eye-candy may be around.
"It's definitely a conversation piece, people grin from
ear-to-ear when its around," he explained. "One
time we were at Hooter's with this bike next to a Viper in
a parking lot, and I don't think anybody noticed the Viper."
Keeping the bike street-legal while also keeping it true
to its chopper origins proved to be a delicate balance for
Srbljanin, who said the differences in motorcycle safety laws
between the United States and Canada presented some difficulties.
"Getting a Manitoba safety has been a pain," he
said, "In the States, so long as you have a headlight,
you're fine."
Still, even with the eye-popping appeal, the bike has its
catches, especially with Winnipeg's uniquely challenging roadways.
"It's a completely different bike to ride, a challenge
to drive" Srbljanin explained. "And with the suspension
the way it is, when you hit one of our nice city potholes,
you get thrown around a bit."
|
