Building a custom motorcycle is a goal for many riders. It’s more than just a DIY project; it’s a journey to creating the bike of your dreams in a style you may have only seen in movies, magazines or motorcycle races. Motorbikes have limitless potential for modification, and custom-creating your own is going to teach you a lot about your motorcycle’s inner workings. Once you know what you’re doing, you can create something reliable, affordable and long-lasting. However, if it’s the first time you’ve built a motorbike, it’s best to let a motorcycle workshop handle the task.
There are several steps involved in building a motorcycle, from selecting a frame to choosing custom motorcycle seats and upholstery, all while staying within your budget. Without the right tools, knowledge of legal regulations and experience, it’s easy to end up with a motorcycle that’s unsafe to ride and that elicits mockery rather than admiration from fellow motorbike enthusiasts.
A custom motorcycle shop can make sure your first motorcycle is a success, and Taverner Motorsports is one of the best custom motorcycle builders in Brisbane. Here’s our guide to why you should have a motorcycle workshop in your corner for your first-ever custom build.
The Complexity of a First-Time Motorcycle Build
There are no limits to your creativity when designing your own custom-built motorcycle, which is why so many riders become hooked on the hobby. You can express yourself and build a bike you love riding, tailoring both the look and the functionality to your exact tastes. When it comes to putting it into practice, however, many things can hold up the process: lack of time, lack of knowledge, lack of tools and budget limitations, among others.
The cost can quickly get out of control. High-performing engines and premium parts are expensive, and customising frequently involves high-level tools you won’t find in the average garage. Many aspiring motorcycle builders start with a firm grasp on their budget and quickly find costs expanding beyond what they were prepared for.
Sourcing parts is another huge endeavour, and it takes longer the more unique aftermarket components you’re looking for. Even after sourcing all the necessary parts, the building process is slow and requires considerable patience. If you have to fit working on your bike in between work, family time and other commitments (as most custom bike builders do), it can be months or even years before you finally see the fruits of your labour.
One often-overlooked aspect of building a motorcycle is that it requires balancing creativity with legal compliance. You need to ensure your custom motorbike can pass a safety inspection, isn’t made with unsafe parts and is properly assembled. All of these factors require knowledge that the average DIY bike builder isn’t an expert on.
Neglecting these considerations can lead to safety concerns, such as overheating and breakdowns, putting you (and your passenger, if you ride with one) at risk.
Benefits of Working with a Custom Motorcycle Shop
For many custom motorcycle builders, the emotional benefits of building their dream bike outweigh any practical difficulties and sacrifices. In time, you may become one of these dedicated hobbyists. But if you’re looking at building your first-ever motorcycle, here are the benefits of working with a motorcycle workshop:
Technical knowledge
Motorcycle mechanics have years, sometimes decades of experience building and customising all kinds of motorcycles, and they understand the differences between various models and components. This kind of knowledge is essential for making sure your build is legally compliant and built to avoid costly issues.
Safety issues
All modifications must be performed with safety in mind, particularly when they involve components such as steering, brakes, and suspension. A motorcycle mechanic can identify safety risks before they occur and make sure every modification on the bike meets acceptable standards.
A wide range of tools
Motorcycle mechanics have a broad range of tools that are tough and expensive for the average DIY enthusiast to get a hold of, such as welders, diagnostic devices and proper fabrication equipment.
High-quality parts
Motorcycle mechanics have access to a broad range of aftermarket parts from reputable suppliers, which are often harder for the average person to locate.
A safe and spacious workshop
Motorcycle workshops are designed with safety and space in mind, with adequate ventilation and safety measures in place to prevent injury to the mechanic or damage to the motorcycle.
Higher resale value
Second-hand custom motorcycles can fetch very high prices. Yet a poorly constructed custom build isn’t just a safety risk; it’s also essentially worthless on the market. By working with a custom motorcycle mechanic, you’re more likely to see a profit on your creation if you decide to sell it in the future.
When you work with a motorcycle mechanic, you have the opportunity to learn a lot as you work closely alongside them, building exactly the kind of motorbike you want. You can take this knowledge of motorcycle design, safety measures and legal compliance, and use it to make your next build a success. From there, it’s easier to make each build better and better.
Safety and Compliance of Custom Motorcycle Builds
In Australia, all custom motorcycle builds need to comply with safety standards for you to legally drive them on public roads. This includes compliance with the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) as well as the legislation for your particular state or territory.
According to Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), modified motorcycles must continue to comply with the ADRS to which they were originally constructed. Standards can also vary based on the date of manufacture, muddying the waters when it comes to custom motorcycles. Custom components like steering gear, frame and suspension alterations need to carefully comply with certain requirements and restrictions in order to meet the standards. It’s a legal area that’s largely a mystery to the average rider, but one that a seasoned motorcycle mechanic can navigate.
Get Your Custom Motorcycle Built by the Professionals at Taverner
Taverner is a motorcycle workshop and custom build specialist with more than 40 years of experience. Although we specialise in American and British motorcycles, we’ve serviced, repaired, modified and custom-built bikes of all stripes. If you’re a Harley-Davidson enthusiast, we have everything you need to take your Harley to the next level.
Our team has used their decades of passion and dedication to become one of the best custom motorcycle builders in Brisbane. We can custom-build almost any type of motorcycle, including a sports bike, cruiser, touring bike or vintage motorcycle. All of our modifications are carried out in accordance with Australian standards, and we have an engineer on our team to ensure that all modifications we make are 100% legal and comply with ADR regulations.
Our warehouse stocks over 11,000 parts from our many different suppliers, and we can easily provide custom motorcycle seats to suit the style of your motorcycle. Choose from leather, suede and vinyl options, patterned stitching and a wide assortment of colours and textures.
If you’re planning to build your first custom motorcycle, there’s no need to settle for anything less than the bike of your dreams. Come and see the Taverner team at 159 Abbottsford Road, Bowen Hills, Brisbane, or request a quote online.