|
Riot Act From Holland
A Violator Custom Masterpiece By Bandit and Piet Hoffman with Ela Dutch Photography |
|
|
|
|
|
We recently discovered a wonderful connection to the European custom bike scene, Ela Dutch. She’s a photographer and roams all over the world sending us features on some of the finest bikes on the planet. We graciously thank her for her immense support. Here’s the latest, a Netherlands bike and a babe plastered to the side of a gigantic Air Stream outside the Manchester, England show. It’s sometimes not convenient to interview builders in Holland, but e-mail is a wonderful connection and Piet Hoffman, the master behind Violator Customs, was kind enough to correspond, send me a tech chart, then answer a series of question. Here we go:
Bikernet: What inspired this motorcycle? Piet Hoffman:What inspired me, in this bike, was to create the ultimo radical low rider. The bike is naked and clean. It almost looks like an autocad drawing. This bike reflects the specialism of Violator Customs, The Radical Custom Bike. When you see our bike range before this one, Full Metal Jacket, the Guilty to be White, the Retribution, and the Equator, you can see that this is the style we produce. It’s the modern look, high tech with innovated parts.
Bikernet: Was a customer behind it? Piet Hoffman:The bike is already sold in the Netherlands, and the guy is riding like hell. In the foto you can see the owner.
Bikernet: Tell me about the innovations on the bike, the frame, swingarm, front end, braking system? Piet Hoffman:The bike is 70% manufactured by ourselves, the frame, wheels, tanks, swingarm, ect. Our recognizable systems are the Deltabox monoswingarm with integrated oil tank. Also the brake system includes a 6-piston caliper on the fork. The split tanks are also something from us, with an integrated fuel pump. The frame work is done by us, 100% in the house. They’re also for sale as a rolling chassis. The wheels are made from billet material. The style is simple but very clean.
Bikernet: What about those bars? Can you filter or lane split in your area? Piet Hoffman:Hahaha, The handlebars are awnsome!!! Yes, it is good ridable and with a twist clutch and throttle. It is very clean. And fuck the rest on the road, they have to watch out for this Violator!!!!!!!!!!
Bikernet: Do you have a proportioning valve for the brakes. Do both run off the brake pedal? Piet Hoffman:Yes, they are running on one brake system, 70/30 level. The forward controls are designed by ourselves.
Bikernet: How's Biz? Piet Hoffman:Business is very good, we export about 60% of our bikes to all countries. We sold one of these bikes in Hawai!!! But also Germany and the middle east (Violator UEA dubai). We are waiting to start in USA.
Bikernet: What are you plans for this year, new parts, builds, etc? Piet Hoffman:This year we are building a series of six special limited edition bikes. But also the bike that is going to the World Championship in Sturgis. Plus we are competing in Las Vegas in the Artistry in Iron. Bikernet: Okay, I give up. Where's the headlight? Piet Hoffman:No headlight so far.
Bikernet: Tell me about the details most people miss. Piet Hoffman:Like what? Everything is on, but less as possible, no mirrors, no headlight, no claxon, no blinkers. Fuck that shit.
Bikernet: Tell me about riding in the Netherlands? Are the roads cool, the people cool, the cops cool? What about the girls? Piet Hoffman:Riding in the Netherlands is very cool, good roads and less traffic than the USA. Most is allowed. Cops can be shit, but also cool. The people is very enthusiastic and about the girls!!!! Men, when you designed this shit you are “the DON” in Holland.
Bikernet: Feel free to spill your guts about anything. Piet Hoffman:Look at the bike, and you can say nothing more.
On to Page 2... Back to The Bike Barn on Bikernet... |
|