Upfront, I want to say Bikernet has an open-door policy. We're always looking for cool bikes to feature, from all over the world. We're not holding back or exclusive to Biker Build-off stars. If it runs and is a terrific example of whatever style, we'll feature it. That includes, bobbers, rats, choppers, dressers and race bikes. So, we were pleased to hear from a shop we had never swapped e-mails with, Conspiracy Cycle Works, a six- year-old shop in Dexter, Michigan outside Ann Arbor.

Ethan, one of the gang of six, contacted Bikernet with a handful of shots of one of their recent builds, Jada II, so we set up a conference call. On the other line were Ethan and George, who is one of the three owners. The three owners, plus three employees run the shop. My learning process began with several e-mails, and I rapidly became a senior at the Conspiracy school during our conversation.

This shop is as complete as they come. "First we had to have the best in engine building on staff," George said as he discussed Tom Metty and their rebuilding and performance facility. They have a full machine shop, service area, welders, a dyno (built by the staff), two frame tables, and you name it. George started fuckin' with bikes in 1991 and worked at a couple of dealerships before he decided against tall profit margins, and wanted to deliver fair prices and prompt service to his customers. "I didn't like the dealer mentality."

They don't have a specific product line but they constantly build one-off components for ground-up projects and modified customer bikes. "We've built 17 ground-up customs," George said. "There's a large riding population in the community."

Their old 4,500 square foot cinderblock building built with a beam from a Willow Run WWII bomber, sits across the street from a Forrest Lawn Mortuary, and once housed a Sheriff's outpost, heating and air-conditioning facility, and forklift distributor during its history. Their shop efforts hit home when they mentioned Bonneville.

"We hold 43 SCTA World Land Speed Records," George said. We immediately started to discuss classes and speeds ranging from unlimited class dual Evos running 164 mph to hot rod Sportsters with 167 mph records. "We call it Death Wish Industries Racing Team."

"I included a shot of 'the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,'" said Ethan. "Ugly is the twin engine. The 350 Sprint is the Good, and the Bad is the 160-incher that crashed. Pete survived the crash at over a 130 mph. When he finished rolling through the salt, he started picking up parts of the bike."

"Tom Metty (Pete's brother) always says, 'it was probably just a reflex thing, growing up with 12 brothers and sisters. If you broke something and could hide it before anyone noticed, well you didn't do it.'"

I told George I was jealous, with our measly two record 5-Ball Racing Team. Now you know about the shop, here's the Jada II after the Jada I was a modified Harley. The owner, Chad Klein II, decided to step up and build the bike of his dreams with a drop seat, and one-off I-beam frame, one-off Conspiracy springer, Baker right-side drive 5-speed and an exotic motor built by Tom. They worked closely with Ron at Axtell to build the Shovel engine with a Xotic Pan nose kit and stuffed the coil inside. The frame member is part of George's '37 Ford pick-up project, the front axle.

They bead-blasted finish was produced with the use of powder coating. Tony, another staffer, designed and built the bars. It's obviously a non-stop group of guys who love to go fast, build sharp scooters and chase beautiful women. Men after my own heart.

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