I met for the 1st time custom builder Yuri Shif in 2010 when he became that year AMD World Champion Of Custom Bike Building in the Metric Class category with his Ural Dragster. The short man from Belarussia got a lot of metal fabrication skills and quite a few wild ideas that his pretty blonde muse named Stiusha is always encouraging and pushing to the extreme…
Yuri Shif is the new customizer king of the former “Eastern Block”. His talent is applied to many bike platforms in a very unique style that made him being noticed by the custom scene around 10 years ago. His creations (check again the Ducati Bastardo and Triumph Bonneville T140) always surprise, intrigue his fellow builders who admire his dedication to fabricating in steel the most complex parts of a motorcycle.
At the 2013 Custombike Show held in the spa resort of Bad Salzuflen, Germany Yuri Shif brought this new creation appropriately called “Full Metal Jacket.” As you can imagine, such a project could be completed only if you don’t have a deadline, are armed with unusual patience, ready to do and redo what would not withstand the rigors of the road. So much bending, so much drilling, so much reinforcing required to road proof a bike intended to be ridden very hard on the roughest roads of East Europe.
Yuri considers the Evo platform, engine & transmission, to be the next powerplant of choice for all builders who will want to build the “old school way” and is probably right about this. A Harley 1340 cc & 5-speed tranny are the only “classic” parts on “Metal Jacket.” From frame, a departure from the traditional Softail frame except for the pivot points, to swingarm and Springer type front end, everything his steel architecture and forming prowess. Just look at any of the parts and imagine the difficulties, the time involved to make them looking and working right.
Components have been torched for a “burned” look, then clear coated to prevent rust. Some others like engine, gearbox, the HD 16” wheels have been roughened up with steel wool to reinforce the “Metal Jacket” overall industrial look. The only somewhat shiny part is the custom stainless steel exhaust system and shields.
Before a thorough cleaning of his creation to compete in the bike show, Yuri could not resist taking a few spins around town in the forest of Westphalia. Motographer Horst Roesler was there to immortalize the scene. Yuri Shif Custom.
Tech Sheet:
Name/company: Yuri Shif Custom (YSC)
Builder: Yuri Shif
Location: Minsk
Country: Belarus
Bike Name: Full Metal Jucket
Year / Model: 2013
Engine Make: Harley-Davidson Evolution
Transmission: Harley-Davidson FL 5 – speed
Frame Make: / Type YSC
Front End: Type YSC
Rake: 40 degrees
Swingarm: – Type YSC
Wheels front: H-D 16”
Wheels Rear: H-D 16”
Tires Front: Avon 5,00 – 16
Tires Rear: Avon 5,00 – 16
Brakes: Front YSC
Brakes: Rear YSC
Gas tank: YSC
Handlebars: YSC
Seat: YSC
Foot controls: YSC
Electric system: YSC
Instruments: YSC
Painter: … ups
Color: The one of steel.
A real work of rideable art by my eye. Recognize the hand controls but are the mirrors custom?
Not sure about the long haul but looks great.
Masterpiece is a selective opinion by the writer.
Rodent. Any opinion always starts as being the one of a person.
Is he always short
okay i’ll bite… wheres the oil bag?
Masterpiece?
It looks as if he raided his son’s erector set. (Sorry, but someone needed to say it.)
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines master piece as “An outstanding work of art or craft” and by this – and similar – definitions, I think this custom well qualifies for that description.
To Cyril I wish a very Merry Christmas and to my old buddy Horst, Ein frohes Fest! – Frohe Festtage!
Hey itch, it’s under the transmission.
Whats the matter Terence , you havnt told him where he went wrong,
It must be the Christmas Spitit
Looks like a Zero Engineering vehicle !
Pretty cool!
john reed,I haven’t criticised this bike because I can’t find any fault in construction or design.It reminds me of a Bohmerland 600,a fifties hot rod car and a Zundapp K800 Green Elephant.Neato.
I really dig it. Put mid mounts and a rear suspension and I’d really really dig it. Congrats on the awesome build!
BobS.it’s got two shocks on the softail style rear end.Have a peek.
Doc since everyone is your “Old Buddy” , I wanted to ask you if you are part of the Duck Dynasty Family? By the way a Engendering Masterpiece that is all about Fabrication of that Bike is a VERY WELL DESERVED comment. There isn’t 100 Guts in the Country that could Copy what you Built in Full Metal Jacket, and not 3 that build that Bike without Copying it. Merry and Healthy New Year to all that Read this Blog.
Yes I know how to spell Enginedearing
in or inginearing. But I can’t Build a Bike, just Ride like Hell!
Kool ,,,,,
I think Doc Robinson said it all…………
Copy what you build & build without copying….. 100 can do it but only 3 can… exactly what I was thinkin.
Me likey!
Great piece of work, and a very nice finished product! Really like it, still can’t quite understand the Europeans fascination with a rear tire on the front, they seem to do it a lot. Very cool bike!
Nice use of the hole.