» Engine: 1999 Buell Lightning (1200-cc V-twin)
» Wheels: Buell Lightning
» Performance: S&S Shorty Carburetor, SikPipes Exhaust, Joker Controls, Dakota Digital speedometer gauge
» Exterior: Savage Cycles frame and gas tank, clamp-on handlebars, Black Ostrich Upholstery on seat pan, Hammer Cycles grips and accessories
Mike Ziehl would never strike you as the kind of rugged biker who uses his motorcycle as a means of intimidation. Yet the “Mad Max”-inspired low-profile chopper is enough to make you wonder whether Ziehl’s dark side gets something of an ego boost each time he straddles the seat and revs the 1200-cc engine.
Ziehl’s interest in motorcycles remains a large part of his identity. Through the years, he attended many bike shows, researched reams of paper magazines and searched the Internet tirelessly in an effort to build a profile of what his perfect bike would be. A meeting with Savage Cycles of Frostburg, Md., at the 2008 Delmarva Bike Week became the impetus to put his long-rehearsed plans to work. Savage simply doesn’t sell bikes, it builds them from start to finish, fabricating parts and even applying trick paint jobs in house.
“I liked the raw mechanics and style of their work, so I knew I wanted to incorporate their custom parts into my build,” Ziehl said.
Ziehl committed to start the build in October 2008. Because it was his first such build, the process would be calculated and slow. He found a reasonably priced 1999 Buell Lightning on eBay and drove out to Michigan to receive the bike. After disassembling the Buell, he sorted out the parts that he would use in the custom build and resold those he wouldn’t be using. Any parts that looked worse for wear Ziehl had refurbished before reconstructing the bike.
“I had a lot of ‘process of elimination’ moments because I wasn’t following any kind of guide or instructions,” said Ziehl, who accomplished most of the work on his own during free weekends.
After Ziehl had figured out the fuel injection to carburetor conversion, the frame was mocked up at Savage Cycles, and a flat triangular-shaped gas tank was inserted. The handlebars were also bent to be flush with the tank. Finally, Ziehl attached the forward and hand controls and inserted foot pegs.
Once the bike was in a condition where he could roll it down the street, he sent it to Savage Cycles, which did the custom paint work and airbrushed rivets to create an industrial appearance of sheet metal slapped together. The dramatic accents include handlebars that extend into pointed spikes and a spiked exhaust pipe pointing downward. The black-on-metal with chrome is tastefully distributed throughout the whole bike.
Ziehl finally completed the bike this month and plans to drive it wherever the road takes him. The biggest challenge in the build process was a combination of time and knowledge.
“I’ve worked on car and truck modifications and restorations, but a motorcycle build is completely different. … Measurements, laws and comfort are the biggest differences. I’m still working the gremlins/bugs out of it and making adjustments. You can’t just take it to a dealer when you have a problem, you need to work on it and figure it out yourself.”
Ziehl’s next project is to fit a passenger seat directly over the rear tire. So much for his fiancee’s comfort!
What do you drive? A custom rigid chopper [based on a 1999 Buell Lightning].
Why do you drive it? Stress relief and because it’s loud and mean.
What makes your motorcycle special? I wanted a “Mad Max”-style bike to showcase something different that I could ride the hell out of too.
What is your most memorable experience? So far, watching people’s reactions and the stares I get on the road.
What was the first car you owned? A 1986 Toyota pickup lowrider.
What music are you currently listening to (and obviously not on your chopper)? Coldplay, 30 Seconds to Mars, old-school rap, ’80s rock, Eminem, Godsmack, etc.
And your first ticket? What was it for? At age 16 for speeding.
