Afternoon all.
I was contacted via email, a anonymous one, by some gent who calls himself simply "Jack".
This was late last night. "we want a build, a nice one, something different, you decide, here is 3k up front, send me the bill when it is done".
This is not the first time I have been approached in this manner, it is agents that do this, agents for wealthy people, no not rich people, never confuse the two, wealthy is simply having so much money you could never in 10 life times spend it.
I have little to go on as to what is required, what is expected, or even what bike he/they want.
"Just make it the best build you can" Was the final communication.
I have been given a timeline of 2 years or more. So OK, game on, the start point is a bike I was restoring anyway, the petrol tank is in final paint as we speak in my paint shop.
Why did I choose this one? Simple really, it was never going to end up life as standard anyway. Impossible to buy parts for, so modification and making it lighter and better was always in my thoughts.
My imagination went wild with a anything goes build, so I went into full retro cafe racer mode, period correct and all, so new seat? Oh go on then.
The exhaust was faded, the chrome old, so that is getting binned also.
Hey come on, we are going cafe racer, so a race style expansion pipe is not only required, it is a must!.
Yes I lost or took off the rear mudgaurd, it was bent a touch, it was also not in keeping with my idea of a final build, the front is going in the bin also.
I have in mind the finished bike, and I never put it on paper, I never draw it, I just make it.
So the above is a basic outline only.
I guess I am at this moment £2000 up on this build, as I paid £900 for it, but have my advance payment, from my mystery investor. The last one I built like this I still have, it was completed within 6 months, and has never been collected or picked up.
You see wealthy means a few things, one of them is you can pay and never want the end item, more amuse yourself with the idea you are pulling my strings, dangle - dangle I will, as long as I enjoy the fun.
So this build is now on my "top of the list" to do, I hope you enjoy the restoration with me, as this is going to be a fast ride, no point in dragging it out.
So as the sun is shining again, and the rain clouds have cleared, I am off out to make it what I envision, stay safe, be happy, take some risks, and have some fun.