In more than 20 years that I have known Fred Kodlin, I never saw him running amok, mad with uncontrollable rage. But living and working on 2 different continents I don’t see him every day. Will have to check on him again when I travel at the end of March to his native Germany to cover The Custom Chrome Europe Show… Seriously, Fred is running Amok, his new creation built in a style that is so much the Kodlin style, this time with an added racing touch.
First, don’t be confused. No, it’s not a Softail type frame. Look attentively and you will realize that although Amok is powered by a modern Harley-Davidson Twin Cam A engine (103″, 94 HP) what you could take for a swingarm is just a strong part belonging to the custom rigid frame. Ride is given some smoothness via an air shock under the solo seat. A chassis with an aggressive stance due to the backbone sharp drop from the rear of the gas tank to the fake swingarm and to the use of a pair of ultra minimalistic fenders whose purpose is of course only aesthetic.
Faithful to a style that Germans continue to love, Amok runs a fat 260 mm 21″ x 9″ rear tire (Metzeler 260/35-21) and a skinny 21″ x 3.5″ front tire (Metzeler 120/70-21), both tires wrapping “3-Spoke Kodlin Design” wheels. Logically, to keep the bike balanced, Fred chose a 6-speed Baker Right Side Drive transmission. Racing touch is brought to Amok with the use off an upside down forks. Harley 1660 cc Twin Cam engine performance was improved with the use of a Zippers Thunderheart module, Harley electronic ignition being now hidden behind a Roland Sands air filter.
An oil tank was designed and fabricated to be hidden in a location at the bottom of the frame, oil lines being almost invisible. For driveline and braking, Fred Kodlin is faithful to Performance Machine, his preferred brand, equipping Amok with PM open belt drive, with PM hand controls and 4-piston brakes (front & rear), the rear one pinching on the chain sprocket. Kodlin is using his own Elypse headlight, Ness providing the mirrors and Kellerman both the taillight and the mini turn signals placed very close to the seat. For colors, Fred made an unusual choice, mixing dark grey with brown & beige graphics, for a quite appealing final result. Rocker boxes are powder coated in the same beige as these graphics. And if you wonder about the meaning of year 1984 painted on the rear fender, it’s the year when Fred started to modify his motorcycles… Fred Kodlin.
Having seen Fred’s bikes first hand …. well all I can say is they are fantastic . Even on the rare occasion when perhaps I don’t particularly care for a specific design …. the craftsmanship and overall look will still appeal and there’s no higher compliment than that I can pay anyone
This one …. Amok …. is another of his winners in my book
Great bike although I am an Indian guy…
Cool, Fred.
I really like the color combo.
he has class and style!
I have always been a fan of Fred’s work, great style and superb craftsmanship.
Beautiful frame! Is this bike at Daytona?
A little futuristic for my taste, but a congrats are in order
Great bike !!!!
reminds me alot of the last pitbull from bigdog only nicer
82 000 euros!?!?
I love the bike. I offer this one observation and would welcome any response. The horizontal exhaust pipe in the middle of the engine is a visual distraction to me. I wonder if that is valid, or proof that I don’t know good design when I see it. Just wondering.
freedomlaw:
I agree- the pipe does visually distract from the engine, but it also helps the eye to carry from the front of the bike to the rear, and seems to accent the sweeping lines and really brings the eye to teh faux swing arm.
I would have personally done some kind of exhaust that didn’t cover up the engine, but I can’t say what I would have chosen over this – the whole of the design is quite appealing.
That’s more than amok, he went berserk.
A bike well done and beautiful…
Awesome!
I kind of like it. The Twinkie in there isn’t sharp enough for that frame.
Beautiful rideable bike! But now I have to change the name of my current build to Amuck! peace