Rafik Kaissi owned a Barber Shop until he realized that his true passion was to turn sheet metal into custom motorcycles or working concepts…or sculptures. So, he bought a 2500 sq. ft barn and turned it into a shop called RK Concepts.
Saw this bike called the RK Thing in Sturgis at the AMD World Championship and thought that it was a one-off exercise of style, probably not followed by others. I was wrong. This weekend, at the Sema Show of Las Vegas, front of the auditorium, he is displaying 5 other outrageous creations and has no difficulty gathering a huge crowd.
So, why? will asks many of you. Because he can, because it makes him happy. He swears that each of his contraption can be ridden but knows very well that his market, if any, is not the client commissioning a custom daily ride. His objective? Providing motorcycles to the movie industry, the ones that he already built or the ones that could be ordered to fit in a story line for a certain character. A very, very, very narrow niche. But my best wishes to him. And if you wonder what is RK Thing is made on, jump to the following page to get the tech sheet.
Truss frame that holds oil. Truss swing arm, seat and fully adjustable truss wheelie bar.. Very unique gas tank mounted on the front end. A very original front and rear stainless steel cable suspension that is fully adjustable for ride height and Ohlins dampers are used for the dampening. S&S Shorty E carb and truss intake.. Original stainless steel cable hand grips and exhaust tips.. Turbo cold intake from a Subaru WRX was modified to use for radiator. Leaf springs chain tensioner. Anti Gravity battery.. Ohlins steering damper. DEI exhaust wrap. (photography Frank Sander for AMD World Championship courtesy to Cyril Huze)
Business RK Concepts
Round Rock, TX. USA
Bike Name RK Thing
Builders Name Rafik Kaissi
Owner Rafik Kaissi
Year / Model 2012 Truss
Engine Make / Size Aprilia / 1000cc
Frame Make / Type RK Truss
Rake 34″ Stretch
Trail 8mm
Front End RK suspension
Swingarm RK Truss
Drivetrain 6 speed
Wheels [Front] Ride Wright Wheels / 26″
Wheels [Rear] RK 10/10
Tyres [Front] Vee Rubber 120/50/26
Tyres [Rear] Hoosier 18/11/10 T20
Brakes [Front] No front brakes
Brakes [Rear] Dual Brembos / dual piston
Painter Richard Wood, Jaime Hernandez & Darren Wenzel – Custom Car Crafters
Chroming / Plating Turn Key Coating
This builder can build what makes him happy. But he will never sell something like that. Maybe some pocket change made renting it for a video shoot, but if he continues like that with 1 or 2 more builds, he will be buried under debts and disappear from the custom scene. Following many others…
Great metal worker, poor businessman. Not the only one in the biz.
Is it an Halloween trike? Or may be a modern Santa Klaus would ride it.
OMG. The girl saves the bike picture.
I just threw up a little… but if it makes the builder happy.
When I saw this bike had no idea what to say. Horrible Design!
Cyril wants us to react. Mine: Fugly.
He’s been offered more for his builds than most of you will make in a lifetime. Great work Rafik. One of a handful of innovators in a sea of monkey see monkey do ass clowns.
I bet it’s fun to ride! peace
Saw bikes in prominent display at the S.E.M.A show in Vegas a few days ago
paul sr. moonlighting? it does look fun, but you know how that statement ends.
A mosquito on wheels.
What a waste of steel!
“Innovation is a very basic concept. You either set the trends, or you follow them. Rarely is there room for interpretation of this most basic of concepts, especially when it comes to the motorcycle industry. You are either willing to take the risks associated in defining your own sense of style and design, setting yourself apart from the pack…”
or, you get hammered on a blog by people that are trained to like only what the media has chosen they should……
Awesome work Rafik, Great seeing you this past weekend!
Honestly I don’t like the thing one bit but at least the guys showing some originality and unique thinking . And though its not my Cup of Coffee I’d be willing to place serious odds that there’s more than a few well heeled – perhaps disabled or not able to ride a two wheeler that’d plunk their hard earned $$$ down to buy one .
Hmmmn . On second thought … having said that …… I think I actually do like the bike 8)
Rock On Rafik . Damn the naysayers and full speed ahead !
I love how some guys get on here and call the people who just don’t like the way it looks assclowns. Classy, some one has taken page from the liberal tactics books. Cyril wanted us to react , we reacted, some people wont like it , others can appreciate it… get the hell over it , we didn’t piss in your wheaties…..
Cyril gives us the opportunity to debate. So all opinions are welcome. Democracy, people.
I wondered when somebody would get around to duplicating the hot wheels trike from the 70’s
So she will have a place to set down and be photographed. Don’t ask why , just enjoy.
I’ve seen Rafik’s work in person… and like it or not, his designs, innovation and attention to detail are absolutely incredible. Pictures truly do not do them justice.
Looks like a Big Wheel.
I see a buttload of innovation but in the end……its the style and lines that makes you say Wow, the second you see it.
Wow was not what i was thinking.
After looking through 100 images , his bikes have some. Insane engineering and imagination.
Nice to see whats possible….
uh , mmmmmm , the grips are cool .
Reminds me of a “big wheel’ …. would be fun to play in the driveway with …. smoking them tires sideways…
He is very creative but honestly after his exit at the AMD World Show in Sturgis, I would say he will not be taken serious at any show. He rolled his machine out in the middle of the awards and huffed and puffed because he didn’t place in the show at the top. I felt this was very poor sportsmanship and unprofessional as a builder.
I was in Sturgis at the AMD championship when this guy through a temper, disturbing the awards ceremony because his ranking (judged by his peers competing in the show) was not what he expected. The best way to be excluded from the custom scene family. He has a too high idea of himself, of his work and got very bad manners. Will fail in the MC business.
Your right about the daily ridability but on the same token it looks to be a really cool ride even though it has three wheels instead of two. I wish RK the best of luck as well
Not very interesting and hardly functional
if it makes him happy, fine…
His time & his $$$$ but don;t expect everyone else to fall down over it.
Hey Cyril, how about something on the Can-Am Spyder
If I had to be on 3 wheels, I would consider one of those before a trike of any kind
Just my opinion, just sayin’ …….
Excellent out of the box thinking. I see a bright future for this builder.
All I can think of is the big wheel I destroyed riding it to death. Unfortunately I was six and this design sorta looks like it was designed by a six year old. I rarely rip someone or something but man this just hurts to look at…honestly. I am glad this makes him happy and wish him well sincerely as that is part of what makes our industry special but it is not for me….
Seriously, if given the chance, who would not want to go for a spin on that thing. I would for sure. I like the concept of the tank but all the tubes look too sloppy compared to the rest of the bike. A smooth polished tank of the same shape would look better. And the lower frame tubes would drag at the slightest bump. What would be cool is a hydraulic system that would suddenly crank the trike up in spider like hunch. Like a Mars rover for the California Highways!
Same prima donna at SEMA as was at Sturgis. Sad to see. Interesting bikes though. Remember one doesn’t gain respect in either industry by demanding it or bad mouthing others — you get it by earning it.
Heard this guy talking at the AMD championship in Sturgis. He thinks he is god and the best at building bikes. Very arrogant. The best are very humble.
some interesting stuff going on there, but a trend setting theme is not.
Too business to focus on any outstanding details that might be incorporated.
-nicker-
Its just a mutation of the Quadrunner DONK.
this is guy that built that bike that had a backpack as the gas tank . saw the video , thought it was pretty stupid / dangerous , but , hey , its all about the art , right ?
Trike or art or both…it’s a nice piece of work
Boss Hawg
I was at the AMD show to.During the awards show he had a temper tantrum grabbed his bike and stormed out of the show.He didn’t like where he placed.He then smashed his trophy and left.He should have been disqualified and the trophy given to the next bike down.He was very arrogant and very full of himself.Not everyone is going to like your bike.Quite frankly the bike looked like a big mess.The other bikes that were in the show were alot better.We were all there to have a good time and we did.If this guy can’t take being judged then he shouldn’t be doing shows.My bike didn’t win anything but i met alot of great people and had a great time.A little advice to this guy.Don’t go to shows thinking your bike is the best and you think you should win.It doesen’t turn out this way.Just go have a good time and if you win fine.If you don’t just walk away and look forward to another show where you mite win.Also don’t walk around and talk like everyone else’s bike is beneath you.Not good sportsman ship.
Great comment Bikebabe.
I could jump off the roof of a building. But I don’t because it doesn’t make sense. I guess some people lack these fundamental instincts. But we appreciate them because it keeps us boring people entertained. 🙂
Wow truly metal. What is the rearend from? An atv and if so which setup is it from?
at least its not a tuttle or james
cooler