IMS Ultimate Builders Contest Gallery

J&P Cycles is hosting their annual Ultimate Biker Custom Bike Show, which features custom motorcycles from professional and amateur builders alike. More than 350 top-level moto-creations will be on display throughout the 2017 IMS Tour from Long Beach to Chicago, all competing for a total of $100,000 in cash and prizes. Classes include Freestyle, Modified Harley presented by Harley-Davidson, Modified Custom, and Modified Retro presented by Royal Enfield. The Championship Round of the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show will be at the Chicago IMS in February 2017. Here is a selection of the bikes we've seen at the IMS Tour so far.

This 1949 Panther, named Stardust, was built by Andrew Ursich. It has a custom built frame with machined finned axle plates, with a chrome and gold plated neck. The engraving was done by Engrave It Inc. and the paint job was done by Danny D. It has a 1956 Triumph transmission, a leaf spring front end with leaf spring controls and kickstand. This custom build was entered in the Freestyle category.

This 1949 Panther, built by Andrew Ursich and dubbed Pink Panther, has a 1956 Triumph transmission, and was entered in the Freestyle category. The frame is custom built with machined finned axle plates, and a chromed and gold-plated neck. The front end is leaf sprung, with leaf spring controls and kickstand. The engraving was done by Engrave It Inc, and the paint was done by Danny D.

Here's another one built by Andrew Ursich in the Freestyle class. He really loves to build 1949 Panthers, apparently. This one's called Brass Monkey, and also features a 1956 Triumph transmission. Another custom frame with machined finned axle plats, and a neck that is chromed and gold plated. It has a leaf spring front end, leaf spring controls and kickstand. The paint job was done by Danny D. and the engraving was done by Engrave It Inc.

This 1968 Honda CT90, built by Lossa Engineering, took a modified stock CT90 frame with original VIN (owner Jay Lossa says it's still registered and road legal). The 110cc motor has modern electrics and a four cell Antigravity battery. The top tube of the frame holds gas, but the pedals still spin. With LED lighting, a spool front hub, stock CT90 rear wheel and an internal CT90 throttle, this custom used a lot of real vintage BMX parts.

This 2002 Ducati Monster 620, named MonsterChop620, is owned by Blue Monday Moto, and was built by Esteban Jimenez. It has a cut rear-frame section, and OEM Italian police seat. Modified OEM fairings were used to give this monster a more aerodynamic design.

This 2015 Harley-Davidson FXR Special Construction, named NO Fe (meaning No Iron), was built and owned by Richard Jones. The aluminum frame was custom built, requiring many custom-designed CNC parts, including a one-piece aluminum swingarm. The metallic blue and silver paint job was also done custom by the owner.

Frank "The Rat" Romero owns this 1973 Harley-Davidson Chopper named "Root Beer Barrel," built by Ray Neff Sr. With a 74ci engine and a 4-speed transmission, this chopper has an open belt drive and suicide shifter. It has a 21-inch front tire and no front brakes. The 16-inch rear wheel comes with a GMA rear disc brake. Root Beer Barrel has a custom 35-inch orver stock length front end, headlight mount, handlebars, speedo mount, chain guard, and sissy bar. The 4.5-gallon stretched Sportster fuel tank was customized by moving the gas cap towards the top, and the petcock further back towards the rear.

The modified parts on this chopper include a Paughco/Pat Kennedy frame, where the frame is skirted above the oil tank. The oil tank, air cleaner, and exhaust mounts have been modified as well. The rear fender was skirted to wrap behind the transmission, and the axle adjusters were hidden on the inside of the frame. The engine, transmission, rear fender, and frame were all powder coated by R.W. Little. "Root Beer Barrel" was entered in the Modified Retro class at the Long Beach IMS.

This 1976 Honda CB836CR, owned and built by AFT Customs, is named "Cimeron." It has a stock neck, back bone, engine cases, but everything is fully custom. It features race suspension, a twin carb, hydraulic clutch, Beringer brakes, digital electronics, and exposed stator, an 836 kit, and a sump in front down tube. It was raced at Mojave Magnum, but is street legal. "Cimeron" was entered in the Modified Custom category at the Long Beach IMS.

This 2004 Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike, owned by Jovan Samonte, was built by Roie Pozas and Jovan Samonte. There were many upgrades done to this superbike, costing the owner around $45,000. The 50th anniversary color scheme paint job was done by Rob at motogloss, with decals by Mike from Ace Custom Graphics, all protected by a clear bra protective paint film done by Goshan from Elite Auto Films. This bike was in the Modified Custom class at the Long Beach IMS.

This 1982 Honda CBX 1000, owned by MotoKane, was built by Nick O'Kane. Nick's vision for this 6-cylinder big touring bike was to turn it into a retro racer by adding streamline carbon bodywork and upgraded suspension, while keeping the classic CBX lines. The paint job was done by Carbon Dynamics. This bike was in the Modified Retro class at the Long Beach IMS.

This 1941 Harley-Davidson Magnum, owned by Ryan McQuiston, was built by 45”MAG McQuistons Chopper Designs, and was named "45” Mag." The custom paint was done by 45”MAG Two Thumbs peeWee and Targino Targ. This bike was in the Modified Harley class at the Long Beach IMS.

This mystery bike, named "The Hulk," owned by Paul N. Andrecola, who built it along with Tom Weaver, is completely hand fabricated. It has a big-block 502 Chevy engine with a 6-71 blower, alcohol-fueled engine that pumps out 1200 hp through a Turbo 400 and an aluminum 9-inch Ford rear end. It has custom-machined front end with dual calipers, and custom neon green paint by TH Customs. The Hulk was entered in the Freestyle Class at the New York IMS.

"Cipher," owned by Pascal Boyer, is a custom build by Speakeasy Motors which started out as an original Ness Digger frame barn find. It was fully redone with many original vintage parts, mixed with billet pieces and custom engraved and hand-shaped parts. The paint job was done by Bert Graphix. This Ness Digger was entered in the Freestyle Class at the New York IMS.

This 1965 Honda S65 is owned, designed, and fabricated by Steve “Brewdude” Garn, and took about 485 hours to build. The original 1965 honda frame was modified by removing a 6-inch rear section, all existing holes, and tabs. Steve also smoothed out the indentations, and modified the intake for a new carb. The bike features a 12,000 rpm magneto ignition, an 88cc engine with wiseco piston and ported large valve heads with three-angle valve, a NOS Kitaco full race cam, and Brew intake manifold. The exhaust is a Brew three stepped with turnout megaphone. Many other modifications include custom 17-inch wheel, fabricated fuel tank, and custom leather seat. This bike was entered in the Modified Custom Class at the New York IMS.

This Indian Scout, owned and built by Wide World Powersports, was fabricated with a reverse trike chassis with independent progressive suspension. It has front dual disc brakes with stainless steel brake line, and 205/45-17R radial tires on 17-inch forged aluminum front wheels with Indian logo hug caps. The Scout has ram air induction air box, custom fabricated aluminum constructed with dual air intake ports, and many more modifications. It was in the Modified Custom Class at the New York IMS.

This 1975 Bimota HB1, owned and built by Robert Phillips, was reverse engineered using photos of the original Bimota HB1 and reference points from the Honda CB 750 engine. Only four originals are known to exist. This bike has a hand built custom chromoly frame, hand built swingarm, and hand made carbon fiber tank, tail cowl, and front fender. It features custom upholstery, a custom dash, hand formed four by four exhaust, and over 50 custom designed and hand made parts. The front end features a Ceriani Replica tuneable fork, and a custom triple tree with adjustable offset. This bike also features Tarozzi rear sets, Tomaselli clip-ons, Marzocchi shocks, and Motogadget power control unit. Mike Carter provided the paint job. This bike was in the Modified Retro Class at the New York IMS.

This “School Scrambler,” owned and built by Charlie Van Valkenburgh, has been with him since 1973. Charlie rode this bike through his high school years, and maintained the Sportster tank and cat face tail light, just like it had when he was in high school for the sake of nostalgia. He upgraded the tires, wheels, suspension, lights, and running gear to improve rideability. With 32mm carbs and porting, and one-of-a-kind custom machined brackets throughout, this bike has a hand sculpted rear fender and front seat bracket by Mike Driscoll. The paint job was done by Derril at Fast Finish Custom Paint and Body. This bike was entered in the Modified Retro Class at the New York IMS.

This clean and simple bar hopper bobber, dubbed the Little Black Box, was built by Speakeasy Motors, and is owned by Mike Santos. It uses a contrasting mix of simple finishes and springer front end. The oil tank is hidden under the transmission, and the bike has a gas sight gauge. The bobber’s wiring and brake lines are hidden through the frame, providing a clean look. Paint was done by Bert Graphix, and the bike was entered in the Modified Retro Class at the New York IMS.