It Happened on September 27-28 in Panama City, Florida during the 9th Annual Thunder Beach Rally, whose reputation is being “The Most Biker Friendly Free Rally In the US”. The 2 Boys of Lightning Rod Motorcycles, Steve Carr and Rick Bonin, brought 4 custom bikes with hope to go back home with maybe one trophy. 100 custom motorcycles compete in The Best Of The Beach Custom Bike Show. Lightning Rod strikes gold 5 times with 5 trophies for Best Of Show, 1st and 2nd place awards. The “Retro Racer” featured here was shown for the 1st time and is the new pride of Steve & Rick because it features their own “Knuckle Dragger” front end and handlebars. The Build list includes an El Bruto 113″ engine, a 6-speed tranny, a narrow 2″ belt drive, 23″ wheels from Renegade, Tokiko brake calipers with a dual rear setup and single front one. “Retro Racer” is just debuting its Trophy Tour and will be next in all bike shows of Daytona Biketoberfest. Lightning Motorcycles (picture Steve Kelly)
Lightning Rod Retro Racer Winner
Published by October 12th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.24 Responses to “Lightning Rod Retro Racer Winner”
- 1 Pingback on Oct 12th, 2009 at 7:05 am
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These guys build great motorcycles!!!!
Saw it there at the rally…Sweet!
Boss Hawg
hello steve
beautifull bike bravo
What an amazing bike! I’ve been following this bike for the last few months (ever since I saw it on this blog). It is one of the overall best builds I’ve seen in quite some time! It deserves every award and accolade that it receives!
Steve & Rick stopped by to see us in Panama City and I had a first hand opportunity to see this bike, as well as the other two …… “Great Job Guys” is about all I can say! The win’s were deserving!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Wow- very cool- nice proportions with the tires, too- not too big or small…. Nice high pegs for actual cornering clearance too!
Wow! Cool bike. I can see this monster power sliding around the corners! Oh to be young again!
Congradulations to a fantastic crew! Steve Carr is a fantastic builder and a first class gentleman. We at PIPE DREAMZ have enjoyed our relationship with Steve for many years. Once again, he showed his talent and out of the box thinking. FANTASTIC JOB!,Bbest Wishes, Ben and the PIPE DREAMZ CREW!
Reno
I can see this monster power sliding around the corners
Yeah just swap in a set of flat track bars…………great looking bike and i really like this new generation of customs bobbers we are seeing on the market 🙂
You have made me the proudest father in the world. You have come a long way and I can see a beautiful future ahead of you. I feel sure this is the first of many wins. Your mother would be very proud of you and it is plain to see that you inherited her visulazation and patience. Again, very proud of you. Love you, Dad
It is always great to a small part of their awesome builds. Great Job Guys!
very awesome bike i see it says your very own knuckle dragger front end very nice piece did you also make the frame?
either way it is a awesome piece cant wait for more lightning rod customs!
Awesome bike and deserving of the win – Congrats!
Great job Steve! See you in Daytona.
Thanks for all the kind words from everyone, it makes all the hard work really worth it to know our peers like what we are doing. The frame is our design, and is a one off custom frame. Each member of the frame is curved or bent , we tried to have no straight members anywhere on the frame.
We worked closely with Rob at Symetry Customs http://symmetrycustoms.com/ who is our frame fabricator to produce this “Retro Racer” style frame, it is very strong and rides a smooth and agile as any custom bike I have ever riden, sotail or hardtail.
We will have 2 of this style bike at the major shows in Daytona this weekend. Willies on Thursday, Boardwalk on Friday, and the Rats Hole show on Saturday if anyone would like to come by and say hi or to just have an up close look at the bike.
Thanks again!
Steve, Rick, Vicki
Dad,
This isnt the bike you saw. You saw Mr. Steves Personal bike. Somewhat similar but not quite.
Mr. Steve,
I was actually just browsing some pics on my computer and remembered I need to send you some pics of the biek show still. I will do that first thing tomorrow morning.
Conrad
Thanks for letting me shoot this killer bike, I had a great time hanging with you guys
Mega-cool guys. Way to go! Congratulations on your success.
Good luck in Daytona ya’ll. Hope to see you at my Atlanta show.
You Guys Are Awesome!!! Love Ya!! See Ya At Bike Night
Really good bike…..congrats guys.
I’m think that Bender by FCM better, look it hear:
http://fcm-moto.ru/galereya/bender/
There are the first version. To Sourgis they rebuild it.
Seen them both last week at Quaker State,They are badd .Question is when r u going to place them up for Sale. I want a Retro Racer… Great Job