Super hot NorCal custom bike builder Bryan Shimke -- owner and operator of TPJ Customs in Lodi, California, is in- route to Sturgis, SD to deliver his latest innovative two-wheel creation.

Last year in Sturgis at the prestigious AMD bike show Byran opened a lot of eyes by placing 10th with his badass entry. Just as importantly, Byran's build blew the mind of Gordy Erickson who promptly commissioned a new bike from the young California builder.

"When it's done," Gordy said, "how about flogging it over the roads from the West Coast to the Sturgis Rally and Races?"

"Piece of cake," was Bryan's response.

Over six months this year, the TPJ Customs shop hummed with activity. Because, although Bryan is forgoing this year's AMD show, he is also designing and building another bike to be entered this fall in the Artistry in Iron competition during Las Vegas Bike Fest.

"That build," he said, "is coming along nicely, but will most likely be finished at the last minute."

Shimke came up doin' it in the dirt as a motocross rider and his bike builds reflect that heritage. They're light weight with plenty of power. The lines are clean and spare but, most of all, his bikes are built to be ridden. For the chopper Byran is riding to Sturgis right now, that meant wedding an H-D EVO engine to a much-altered West Coast Choppers frame. Out back is a swingarm mated to two dirt-bike type shocks.

While there are plenty of big name featured parts -- among them, a Revtech six-speed transmission, BDL clutch, Pro-one triple trees and Performance Machine calipers -- many of the parts are the creation of TPJ Customs. This includes the air cleaner, exhaust, seat pan, taillight, gas tank, rear fender, oil tank, mid- and hand controls, and many other items. Kirk Taylor of Custom Design Studios laid down the very subtle charcoal paint.

Bryan hit the road to Sturgis with his friends Satya and Alan of Kraus Motor Co, another notable NorCal bike shop with an entry in this year's AMD. Once in South Dakota, the group plans to catch up with old friends and, Bryan says,"ride a bunch."

It's Tuesday morning, August 4, 2009 and a call just came into the Bikernet communications center: Bryan's pal Satya broke down last week, but they are now one the road once more. We'll bring you the saga in the next couple of weeks.-- Wrench