“I like to build things that have never been seen before because I’m not a follower. I like to build things with my own mind and it’s always a challenge to come up with something different for each bike (some extreme, some mild). I like challenges. I do all my own machining, welding, and metal fab so whatever I can think of, I can make. I like all of my bikes and putting a twist on each one.
I just visualized a motorcycle with a massive engine that had cool swooping fenders. I wanted to put the gas tanks in the fender so it wouldn’t cover up the engine. I wanted the look of muscle with elegance combined.
I like the song “Godzilla” from Blue Oyster Cult so I named it after me and Godzilla = Gilbzilla.”
Name: Gilbzilla
Owner: Gilby (Todd Gilbertson0, owner of Gilby’s Street Dept.
Location: \River Falls WI
Assembly:
Gilby’s Street Dept.
Motor: Year:2005 Twin Cam Harley Davidson, 103″
Building time: 1 year
Completed:
October 2017
Model: 1998 Softail Frame highly modified by Gilby
Value: $150,000
Carburateur: Dual Weber
Air cleaner:Weber
Ignition: Thundermax/
Exhaust: Escapes by Gilly
Two M45 Roots Blowers 90º gear box 1:1 ratio
Jackshaft turn 90º gear box design: Gilby
Transmission: 5-speed
Softail 5-speed
Primary Drive: 3″ open belt.
3” open belt
38º neck frame rake
12″ stretch front end
Shocks: Harley modified Gilby
Fork: Wide Glide Pro One
Stoßdämpfer/Shock absorbers/Amortisseurs/schokdempers/ammortizzatori/Amortecedor:
Harley Davidson modified by Gilby
Fork Wide Glide Pro One
Tubes are -2” under
Front wheel 21“
Rear wheel 160 x 16
Nabe/Hub/Moyeu/naaf/rotore/Rotor:
Rear rim RC, Rear brake rotor RC
Speichen/Spokes/rayons/spaken/raggi/Raios:
Paint: Airbrush House of Kolor Organic Green
Gilby’s Street Dept
River Falls WI 54022
715-425-9322
now tell me how to un-see it. PLEASE
Just when i thought baggers couldn’t get worse……what an abortion.
Man, that’s ugly. This is definitely for the “look at me” crowd that don’t ride. Whatever happened to rideable bikes? 150K, really? No thanks, I’ll keep my 20 year old Glide.
Conceptually, I like the idea of putting a fuel tank somewhere else to reveal the heart and soul of the bike. I also appreciate the extent of problem solving and fabrication that went into this project. But it’s not my style. I also think it’s a little self-serving to say the “value” of this bike is $150,000.
Cyril, I guess you were trying to re-balance the blog by featuring this right after that utterly awesome 750 Digger yesterday…..
HP#?
Waiting to see this on Fuckyourbikesucks Instagram page.
Scorecard” Bike 0, EGO 120!
Our next float here at the Rose Bowl is fabulous! The bulging pipes appear to throb with virility.
Just luv that peacock feather paint scheme. Strut your stuff, girl!
WTF?
I appreciate the out of the box thinking on this. As we can see by the comments so far; it’s one of those you either like or don’t like.
I like the idea of putting the tanks in the fenders but it leaves the bike a little too naked where the tank(s) would normally be. I appreciate wanting to show off the extensive mechanicals but a little stretched peanut tank with no valley and maybe even cut down in height would have filled in that spot the eyes want to see a tank of some kind. It wouldn’t even have to be functional for fuel; maybe used for a tool kit, mini glove box, or electrics. JMHO.
For those of us who have built our own bikes from the ground up to ride daily or at least weekly; we know our bikes are built to please the builders eye’s more than anyone else’s. It’s easy to see a lot of work went into this build.
Interesting build, and if the owner is happy that is all that matters. Certainly better than some big wheel bagger with a bunch of bolt ons and some skull stencils on the tank.
This is refreshing for a change. First a digger and now this . Lets see,,, no flat black, no knobby dirt bike tires, and neither one looks like all the rest in the parking lot. And let me guess you two fellas probably have dirt on ya somewhere??????? Fine job
Up and down the main drag at bike events for very short rides and rolled in and out of auditoriums for bike shows. When the new wears off it will be parked. Tons of work for sure.
As the photographer of this feature – and Cyril presenting it without much explanation (which Gilby gave on the project) – I am AWED by the ignorance and intolerance, if not to say viciousness of some comments. Of course, this is a bike that is discussable, impractical and not your everyday rider – Gilby himself would be the first to admit that – but it’s “off the beaten path”, which is more than you can say about most creations that could be seen during this years Bike Week. And this one was RIDDEN all over the event and to and from the shows.
Where are the times when extreme customs like those from Ron Finch, Arlen Ness and others were appreciated for what they are: Exercises in pushing the limits of customizing and trying to be different. As a (sad) sidenote, I did warn Gilby, who not just designed and built the bike, but also skilfully painted it (the shooting took place in the aftermath of the Perewitz Paint Show), that comments like that could be expected, so he was prepared. For all the negative minded commenters, I don’t critisize your opinion, which you are entitled to have, but I am looking forward to see your builds presented some day…
The builder is definitely talented, much more talented than me. I’m a rider/wrench on my own bike….not a builder so maybe I just don’t understand “thinking outside the box.” No disrespect was meant to the builder himself, the bike just isn’t for me.
that’s a lot of fab work, but i’d part it out
Amazing craftsmanship. Great job Gilby.
@horst,
the famed industrial designer raymond loewy said between to products equal in price, function and quality, the one with the most attractive exterior will win. i don’t think any of the commenters were critcal of gilby’s craftsmanship. an arlen ness he ain’t when it comes to making an attractive bike. arguing that’s not even a pissing contest.
You just have to love this bike! I can see it rolling down Main St.. at Daytona bike week. It has to put a smile on one’s face, especially after a few beers or whatever. Also Todd is one cool dude aside from the bike. You can see he has his own style. Come On everybody lighten up and have a few laughs.
Well said Horst.
still waiting for someone to tell me how to un-see this
This poor bike falls in between style and relevance. You see them at auctions selling for pennies on the dollar or not coming close to their reserve. You can’t help but feel bad for the owners but have to question their motives when building so far outside the box.
I think this bike is fantastic! Always amazed that for some people to appreciate a bike it needs to be “customized” to match the belly button, catalog bolt on, stereotypical image. Gilby is creative, talented, and has very few peers that match his ability.
Gilby not only builds his bikes but rides them everywhere. Incredible imagination and craftsmanship.
As a friend of gilby I can say that the man is an incredible genius. There is no other Builder today that could possibly emulate the work that gilby is doing. Tell me what bike builder can possibly create fabricate build then paint then pinstripe his own machine to the quality of this bike? I would argue that there is no Builder today that can do that. Instead what we see are rat rods cobbled-together machines people spending zero amount of money and zero amount of Ingenuity building bikes that may or may not run kudos to gilby for doing it as all custom bike builders of the past of done marching to his own drummer and creating a work of rolling art that will never be seen again on
Having had the opportunity to see Gilby’s work firsthand – even having his bikes in our booth at shows and getting to know him personally over the past few years, I can say that his work is amazing. He’s a visionary and a true master of his craft – and a great guy to boot. When talking to Gilby about another one of his build’s he was quick to say that he built it as a “what if” sort of thing. He told me he wanted people to look at his work and be inspired to build the things in their dreams. At every show I’ve been at with Gilby he’s let people sit on the bikes – especially kids. He told me he’d love to tour the world with his creations just to inspire kids to dream big. His bikes are superheros, villians, monsters and cartoons come to life in my eyes. More than just motorcycles, they are mechanical works of art! And if you’re reading this one, Gilby, I know you’ll get a kick out of this statement: “Can’t we all just get back to building cool s#%t and go ride!?”
what kind of speed does it run? bring it to bonneville,lots of one of a kind bikes
I like it! Agree with Woody’s and Horst R. peace
Cyril knows what he is doing. On purpose exposing us to the full spectrum of the art of custom building. Great mission.
It’s as awesome looking as it is riding. Like everything they build over there, they can jump on and actually ride them! The sound of that surging blower engine is incredible!
I think he may be light on his valuation and he’s been offered close to twice that value by several overseas buyers.
Sure is a lot of armchair “builders” commenting on here who’ve probably never cut and welded a single piece of steel in their lives.
Hideous
So far the critcism hasn’t been of the skill and talent of this fellow.
Mr. horst rosler, I got you. Cyril has some critical hard ass clients on this blog.
I think the builder should say a big thank you to Ron Finch since he basically built a FInch Bagger, just sayin’.
I saw this in Daytona. The guy never went more than 10-15mph and sounded worse than my snowblower at idle. I’m sure it’s got a lot of talent and time involved, but just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Just my take
I’m with highrpm on this, just cause its his artwork and he poured his heart and skill into it doesn’t make it a masterpiece, I’m sure in his eyes and others it’s artwork but to others it’s a eyesore
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