Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture, white-marble domes and a lively nightlife scene. And probably will never for its yearly 3-day Dubai Motorcycle Biker Build-Off…Doesn’t matter to Abu Dhabi, UAE based Mario Kypriandes from Chopper Kulture. Until now, he’s got no problem finding clients from all over Europe wanting to commission his shop for a “Wing Nut” Bobber or Chopper. (his creations almost always feature wing nuts hardware, now his trademark) And when very busy Mario Kypriandes accepts to do a build-off, it’s almost always to finish a bike for a client, live front of an audience! For this project, from briefing by a German client to a 3-day final assembly front of spectators, Kypriandes had only 30 days to complete this custom Panhead…
Almost an impossible mission knowing that the client had a specific request for a Pan power plant and that the Emirates builder didn’t know where to get one in such a short time. Eventually, he found a 1963 provided by Billy of BB Racing, but in a rather desolate condition with cracked cases. The original factory frame was beyond repair and was replaced by an FX type one ordered from Paughco. Billy rebuilt the 74” engine entirely, shipped both the new frame and restored motor to Abu Dhabi where Kypriandes started to plan the fabrication of all the many missing parts. Of course no way to find them locally. Already knowing that this project would consume all his time and energy, would dominate all his thoughts during 4 weeks like no other built before, right away he picked ”Dominatrix” as the bike name.
To cradle engine & tranny, the Paughco frame went through some surgery . For front suspension was bolted a 1947 Springer front end. A TechCycle primary was chosen and to simplify riding with the combo foot clutch/hand shift, the oem Harley 4-speed gearbox is now equipped with a centrifugal clutch. From sheet metal the Chopper Kulture crew hammered a wild gas tank, a ducktail rear fender and bent one-off bars. A custom stainless steel oil tank was ordered from AT American Cycles with the taillight and exhaust end-caps sourced at Runaway Choppers. The shop incorporated the required rear turn signals to the fender struts. The entire brake system with brackets was developed by Kypriandes using 2-piston brake calipers biting mini rotors with an OD of only 6,25″. Less braking power but more style…Custom detailing comes from an abundant use of wing nuts that Kypriandes affectionate so much.
After a full mockup all parts were rushed to buddy Danny from Schrammwerk in Switzerland for preparation, priming and painting, all tasks performed in less than 10 days! When the paint job returned to Abu Dhabi, the leather seat Kypriandes ordered in the US was still missing. Fortunately a replacement was provided in a record time by Ute of Bukaneer Design/Hamburg. Then, it was time to go on the build-off stage where the Kypriandes team entertained high-ranking Sheik families and visitors with welding sparks, with wiring tips and tricks while Marco Möller was carving out of a solid brass block (and engraving) a kicker pedal. Live, painter Danny found the time to add a final pinstriping touch on Dominatrix and airbrushed a matching theme custom helmet. Europeans will be able to see this old/new Pan during the upcoming show tour. No word if the model is touring with Dominatrix. Chopper Kulture. (photography @ Frank Sander for Cyril Huze)
Builder: Mario Kyprianides (Chopper Kulture)
Owner: Henning Engel
Name: Dominatrix
Model :Panhead 1963/ 2015
Time for build: 4 weeks
Chassis: Paughco
Type): FX
Motor: 963 HD OEM Panhead
Displacement: 1200cc/ 74”i
Cylinders: HD Stock
Top End: HD Stock
Cams: Andrews J grind
Exhaust system: Chopper Kulture, one-off stainless steel
Zündung (Ignition): Morris Magneto
Transmission: 963 HD OEM 4-speed
Gears): HD Stock
Clutch: Bandit
Primary): TechCycle
I guess it’s cool that he ripped off some sheiks for tons of money, ’cause that’s one uniquely ugly bike.
Max, Cyril mentioned that the client is German!
Not bad, but on the weird side.
The lady looks better than the bike.
Like the seat suspension and oil tank.
Build-off bikes are usually worse than this one. Hey, guys. Only 30 days to do it!
Errr ….. nope ! Overdone .. the back fender is completely wrong … the impaler device on the tank is ludicrous .. and the wheels/tires are out of scale for the bike . So lots of work no doubt … but all to no avail … its … fugly .
I am pretty sure that all readers would like to see TJ Martin bike.
Could TJ Martin be an alias for some well known industry person?
Hats off to the builder for going the extra mile to get it done. A little busy for my taste but if the client is happy with it then it’s a masterpiece.
If you were to check Chopper Kulture’s site you’d see that they make some nice looking bikes. The above bike isn’t too bad except for the gas tank and the rear fender. The rear fender should’ve been laid down more over the tire and the gas tank needs more of a stock look.
Tom Ryan . I just checked out their site and you’re right . Everything else they’ve built is at the very least pretty darn nice . So i guess we’ll just have to chalk this anomaly to the clients taste .. and leave it at that
As to R’s question ? Depends on which industry … wink wink
YES! I HAVE BEEN VERY NAUGHTY…
Opinions are……. Just keep fabbin’ Mario. Hope to see something special at Sturgis.
Gonna have a stinky, if not burnt shiftin hand.
Still, I can appreciate the skill that went into this.
Looks well assembled.
A hand on that Jockey shift for any length of time could get uncomfortably warm.
Big tires for Abu Dhabi sand….???
-nicker-
could do w/o the bellend tank.
I tend to go for streetside pipes because if the routing is done right then the curbside is less cluttered and you can showcase curbside details. Not here. From the carb back looks like shop class in compulsive obsessive high school. Mores the pity since the pan bottom looks sweet without junk hanging all over it.
Total waste of time and talent (the bike) !
As for the err….”lady” ? Obviously a paid by the hour hire from the local brothel and about as classless as the motorcycle.
I`d rather spend time with the young lady than ride that bike and be seen anywhere with it…who says the customer is always right ??
Very interesting piece of work
Both the bike & the model !!!!!