Most Radical Custom Buell Motorcycle Of Year 2009

rkracer1rkracer2rkracer3Most of you didn’t see it during the last Sturgis AMD World Championship Of Bike Building. So here your opportunity to look at what I consider the most radical looking Buell 1200 I have seen in a long time. You will love or hate its design, so I will not spend time describing the hand and machine fab work (except that gas & oil tanks are made out of glass) and will just mention that this Racer gets its racing stance from a short 27-degree rake and from two 23″ wheels both dressed with tires from Vee Rubber in size 120/70R23. No modification on the Buell engine but the bike use a transmission brake equipped with a Brembo caliper. The Builder is Rafik Kaissi from a shop called RK Concepts based in Austin, Texas.

32 Responses to “Most Radical Custom Buell Motorcycle Of Year 2009”


  1. 1 4Cammer Dec 28th, 2009 at 10:49 am

    Wow. That makes my eyes hurt. Confederate should request royalties.

  2. 2 Cateye Customs Dec 28th, 2009 at 11:10 am

    I have always been a Buell fan, and while the builders may have borrowed a few ideas, I really respect the craftmanship in this bike, wheter you love it or hate it……you have to admire the engineering and craftsmanship, I betcha that was a damn tough build, and it wasn’t cheap either.

    Congrats I say….and long live Buell

  3. 3 Dave Blevins Dec 28th, 2009 at 11:11 am

    I like the trans pulley brake, but the seat looks a bit uncomfortable!

  4. 4 Vette Dec 28th, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I have to agree with you, Cyril. I think it is the most radical Buell I have ever seen!! The tire & wheel combination is killer, really works on this bike.

    I look forward to showing you the Vette Frame Buell Build real soon.

  5. 5 Jeff Nicklus Dec 28th, 2009 at 11:28 am

    I am sorry gang and with all due respect to my fellow Texan I have to say this bike is not just ugly it is frigggin Butt Ugly and that is the worst kind of ugly. Whoever said Confederate should be pissed is exactly right. Just my 2 cents worth.

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  6. 6 maroco Dec 28th, 2009 at 11:42 am

    Good details, but if this bike it´s build for ride maybe have some problems.
    Kg! It´s build in alluminium or stell?poor aerodynamic .
    If the bike it´s only for promotion it´s OK.

  7. 7 Sniperman Dec 28th, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    Screw Confederate………it’s like they have never copied anything before???!!! We ALL know that EVERYTHING has been done before at one time or another…………..nobody is re-inventing the wheel anymore….neither is Confederate, believe me when I tell you this.

    I checked out RK’s website and he has some very neat stuff…..different and transformer type of styling. Not my style but I give him credit considering he was a barber cutting hair 5 years ago and he’s not afraid to tell you that. Additionally, he is very humble considering that he works out of a 2 car garage with minimal tools and resources.

    My only concerns is the safety and performance of these creations…… a very interesting question to me……..anybody can draw up a sketch on cardboard, have it machined, paint it and throw it together.

    Hats off to RK!! Keep up the good work dude!

    Sniperman

  8. 8 Wikked Steel Dec 28th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    I think it’s freakin’ awesome. Not what one would consider a “rider” but truly pushes the envelope of design especially for a guy working out of his garage (like I do.)
    This bike along with his “Chain” bike and others should surely put him on the big map.

  9. 9 krugger Dec 28th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    I like it! It’s clever ! It’s cheap, no CNC parts, no expensive produc!, Cheap and powerfull powerplant! Everybody with some smal tools , a good welding machine can build the same! And with talent , of course…..
    The building is very clean ! And the main think, that’s not a copy!

  10. 10 Hmmm, Wondering Dec 28th, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    “anybody can draw up a sketch on cardboard, have it machined, paint it and throw it together. ”

    Sniperman, where can we find examples of your expertise? If is so simple to “throw something together.

    I would bet my last dime you have never built a plastic model car, much less a bike of any kind. Oh yeah, bolting on some cool new grips and levers dont count.

  11. 11 Sniperman Dec 28th, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Mr. Wondering……….please tell us as well……what have have you built before???

    Is this an example of the pot calling the kettle black?!

    No, I have never built a custom bike before…..and I have no interest in doing so….I have nothing to prove to myself nor others. I have dedicated my life to my country though military service and I would have not had it any other way. We all have our own place in this world. I’ve specialized in special weapons for the last 22 years from every aspect of design, machining, implementation and of course testing. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to have worked with some very talented engineers throughout my humble career. So in summary, I’m very familiar with product development and so on.

    I was not trying to insult RK in any way, however, I don’t think that RK is a state licensed mechanical engineer…….or is he?….correct me if I’m wrong. How many of these actual DESIGNS, yes, designs is what they really are and what type of testing have they gone through? How safe is the bike? How does it behave at 10 mph? 20 mph? 80 mph? Do you remember the unfortunate accident that Kendall Johnson had a few years at Myrtle Beach? I also remember reading here on this blog the lawsuit between BBC and a rider that lost a leg in NY for 5 million dollars for product failure…………just ask Redneck how many recalls they had on their frames a few years ago……Get my point?!

    A lot of “Custom” bikes look cool………..but that’s about it…………they have zero documented integrity with any type of OFFICIAL testing and certification. You are playing Russian Roulette and it’s something to consider very seriously. I’m also willing to bet that 90% of custom builders don’t carry product liability on their builds due to the outrageous fees that insurance companies charge now a days. Let’s be honest with ourselves here, do you really think that a major insurance company is going to underwrite a product liability policy to a builder working out of a 2 car garage in a residential area???!! Get my point?!

    I give RK kudos on his DESIGNS…………but that’s as far as I’m willing to go.

    So you see Mr.Wondering, there’s much more to it than meets the eye.

    Sniperman

  12. 12 ROCKSTAR Dec 28th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

    poor man’s JT Nesbitt

  13. 13 1550tc Dec 29th, 2009 at 2:10 am

    Jeff

    I have to say this bike is not just ugly it is frigggin Butt Ugly

    i see u dint get my xmas gift or its stuck in your inbox

    http://www.mdsupport.org/eyetests.html

  14. 14 sickboy Dec 29th, 2009 at 6:20 am

    Too many of these custom biikes are built for show with no consideration as to the ride. How many breakdowns will occur in 100 miles? How will it react in a “stress” situation? The problem is that the neophite actually believes these bikes can be ridden and becomes disillusioned and disappointed when reality sets in, all enjoyment evaporates. Then the industry ends up where it is today, not just a victim of the economy but of turned off customers.

  15. 15 Steve Carr Dec 29th, 2009 at 7:02 am

    Although I understand the art, design, time, money, and skill it takes to create a bike like this, personaly, I have to ask myself “Why”.

    In my opinion, and my opinion only, This does not represent what custom motorcycles are all about.

    If this bike were built to be used in a movie, or on a Sci-Fi TV show, I could see the point, other than that, this is just a pure fantasy style bike that appeals to a very thin slice of a very very large pie that is the motorcycle industry.

    Custom built bikes, again, in my opinion, should represent, in some form or fashion, some line of design from the past, should be useful, and the lines on the bike must flow, and the function has to be simple and easy to understand. They should be something that the everyday guy or girl can see themselves getting on, and taking down to the local bike night.

    In my opinion, 99% of the people, motorcycle fan or not, can not understand this type of design, and therefore, most of these type bikes dont get the appreciation that a more “understood” design will get.

    That being said, to each his own, if it makes this guy happy to build bikes like this, I stand behind him 100%

    Good Job Rafik

    Steve Carr

  16. 16 Dr Robert Harms Dec 29th, 2009 at 7:16 am

    Why do I have a vision of Matt Chambers with a diget down his throat ? Beyond that,,,I just don’t get this pointy thing especially when they are directed towards the rider …oh….its not meant to ever be ridden ???

  17. 17 Otis Ward Dec 29th, 2009 at 8:21 am

    If y’all this this is ugly! I’m just finishing a build dedicated to my ex-wife built primarily out of Pillsbury Dough and Cabbage Patch Dolls! It’s really heavy, hard to get started, and your buddies will never want to ride it!

  18. 18 A 1 cycles Dec 29th, 2009 at 9:07 am

    otis is the true designer here!…i may not want to ride it but maybe can i just get a little piece? i love me some dough

  19. 19 Night Train of Florida Full Throttle Mag Dec 29th, 2009 at 9:45 am

    Steve is right. If it makes the builder happy then good for him!!

  20. 20 Rick Fairless Dec 29th, 2009 at 11:24 am

    From what I can tell, the builder, RK Concepts, built this bike for himself, not me or you. So, he shouldn’t care what the general public thinks about HIS motorcycle. To me, the point is, he is challenging himself & expressing his artistic interpretations to create his idea of a cool motorcycle, that’s it. I say “good job” RK & keep being true to yourself & your ideas. It really doesn’t matter whether we like or dislike your bikes. Old Texas guys like me & Jeff could use some new blood with some new ideas, right Jeff?

  21. 21 Jeff Nicklus Dec 29th, 2009 at 11:26 am

    Rick,

    Do you suppose we Old Texas Dogs can learn new tricks? Who knows? Hope you had a good Holiday my brother.

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  22. 22 Sniperman Dec 29th, 2009 at 11:49 am

    I understand Mr.Fairless’s point, however, RK did enter the bike in a PUBLIC SHOW with open and direct competition…….am I correct? So in turn, judgment is expected from the judges and the public.

    Artistic expressions are one thing………………………dependability, integrity, safety and performance are another. I’m sure that both Mr.Fairless and Mr.Nicklus could comment on that issue for days considering the fact the they have been in business since the Nixon Administration :-)…….and for a good reason I might add!

    Sniperman

  23. 23 Rick Fairless Dec 29th, 2009 at 11:54 am

    Actually, I miss Nixon!

  24. 24 Jeff Nicklus Dec 29th, 2009 at 11:56 am

    ….. and Gordon Liddy!

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  25. 25 Rick Fairless Dec 29th, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    Happy New Year Jeff. Heck, I hope we all have a Happy New Year in this crazy business!

  26. 26 alan Dec 29th, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    nice work but why ?

  27. 27 cleo Dec 29th, 2009 at 11:26 pm

    I think it is beautiful and would like to put it in the next Ironman movie, or at least have Rafik design something for it.
    Ms. G
    Producer

  28. 28 SPANKYSPL Dec 30th, 2009 at 10:20 am

    Rafik built the bike that HE wanted to build, that is why. It starts, it runs, he rides it. Just the same as his other bikes, including the “Chain” bike that took 10th place at the AMD world championship.

    http://www.rkconcepts.com/concepts.htm

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