We have all seen them, upsets. An upset can take a stale situation and breathe fresh new life into it like the sound of a V-Twin roaring to life for the first time at 5 o’clock in the morning. Epic battles comparable to boxing’s Ali-Foreman, Tyson-Douglas. Or take a subjective sport like bodybuilding where just this year, 4 time Olympia runner-up, Jay Cutler, finally defeated 8-time Ronnie Coleman. Sometimes it’s just the way the cards fall. Some will laugh, some will groan, but the truth is, upsets are what makes competition bearable. Why compete if the winner is predetermined?
An upset is exactly what happened at the 2006 rendition of the Artistry in Iron show held in Las Vegas. For the first time, someone has beaten Roger Goldammer of Goldammer Cycle Works. Goldammer’s run has been so dominant, he even beat 2-time champion Matt Hotch at this year’s Biker Build Off. To say he is cutting edge, would be a great understatement. Who knocked him off? None other than California’s Greg Westbury and his bike “Lucky”. And lucky for you all it is, because we have exclusive coverage of the build from the conceptual drawings, to mock up, to finished bike. Check it out!
Greg Westbury is the owner/operator of Westbury Hot Rods, Inc., in Concord, California. Blowing away the competition with new, fresh ideas since 1989, Westbury Hot Rods, Inc. is now developing a reputation as one of the best in the industry. The cool thing about them is they are as well respected in the car industry as in the bikes. Kind of like Boyd Coddington’s shop and Jesse James all rolled into one. Cars and bikes, neither more than the other, just a world-class hot rod shop.
From concept to final build, this took 5 months. Greg’s name is so hot right now, he was recently approached with an offer from The chopper king himself, Hugh King, about appearing in a Biker Build off. Greg accepted and will begin filming before the end of the year. Keep your ears to the street, this guy is making his mark and looks to be around for a long time to come.
I talked with Greg and was shocked to learn he is a bit different from the young guys who have been banging their gums on the television lately. First of all, he started with a thank you for the interview, which is a first. Some of these guys act as if they are doing me a favor by talking with me. Not Greg, he was very personable and polite.
He also stated, “I was honored just to be invited to the Artistry in Iron Show. I don’t normally do the shows”
When I asked about the concept of this bike, he explained his direction from the beginning. “I’m done with chrome and billet. I wanted to build the opposite of what everyone else has been doing. You know, the stretched frames and fat rear tires.” Yeah Greg, I know exactly what you mean. I call the fat rear-enders beach ball bikes because that’s what they look like they are riding on. “Honestly, it’s just a bike with clean lines and clean assembly. It’s just a bike, anyone can do it.”
I’ll tell you, it’s refreshing to talk to someone who is as humble and laid back as me. Yeah, right! I’d be blowing my horn so hard; the brass would bubble at the end of the trumpet!
Greg Westbury, of Westbury Hot Rods, Inc., was as much as much a pleasure to interview as anyone I have talked to, including Donnie Smith and Dave Perewitz. I think he will be around a long time, and I look forward to seeing his next creation on Biker Build Off early next year. So enjoy the exclusive, first-printed, build of Greg’s cycle “Lucky”. As far as the win at the show was concerned, I don’t think luck had anything to do with it. Take care everyone, and Ride Hard!
General
Owner: Westbury Handcrafted Motorcycles
City/State: Concord, CA
Builder: Greg Westbury
City/state ( or company contact info): www.westburyhotrods.com 925-682-9482
Fabrication: Greg Westbury
Manufacturing: Greg Westbury
Welding: Greg Westbury
Machining: Darrel Hayes, Dan Tong
Engine
Year: 2006
Make: STD
Model: Panhead
Displacement: 80″
Builder or Rebuilder: Mike Baker
Cases: STD
Case finish: Polished
Barrels: Revtech
Bore: stock
Pistons: Revtech
Barrel finish: Black Paint
Lower end: Revtech
Rods: Revtech
Heads: STD
Head finish: Polished
Valves and springs: S&S
Pushrods: Crane
Cams: Crane
Lifters: Crane
Carburetion: S&S
Other: Blueprinted by Mike Baker of Westbury's
Transmission
Year: 2006
Make: Revtech
Gear configuration: 5spd
Final drive: Westbury sprocket with W logo
Primary: BDL Heavily modified by Westbury's
Clutch: BDL
Frame
Year: 2006 rigid
Make: Westbury
Style or Model: Westbury Shorty Bob
Stretch: 0
Rake: 37 degrees
Modifications: Completely Handcrafted by Westbury's
Front End
Make: Westbury
Model: Stiff Rider
Year: 2006
Length: Short
Mods: Indy car style bell crank with Rockshox coil cover……brushed nickel finish
Sheet metal
Tanks: handcrafted by Greg Westbury
Fenders: D&D fat Katz
Oil tank: Oil is held in frame tubes, oil filler is under gas tank tunnel
Paint
Sheet metal: All molding, paint & body is by Marcos Garcia and the crew @ Lucky 7 auto body
Wheels
Front
Make: Westbury's “Hot Rod” model
Size: 21×2.15
Brake calipers: none
Brake rotor(s): 52 tooth sprocket rotor by Westbury’s
Tire: Avon 21×80-90
Rear
Make: Westbury's “Hot Rod” model
Size: 21×3.5
Brake calipers: Westbury's one off with integrated taillight
Brake rotor: rear sprocket/rotor waterjet cut 304 s.s. with “W” logos
Pulley: none
Tire: Avon 120-70-21
Controls
Foot controls: Handcrafted mid controls by Westbury's
Finish: brushed nickel
Master cylinder: P-M
Brake lines: Russell nylon
Handlebar controls: handcrafted by Westbury’s
Finish: brushed nickel
Clutch Cable: Barnett’s
Brake Lines
Shifting:
Electrical
Ignition: dyna
Ignition switch: key
Coils: nology
Regulator: spyke
Charging: spyke
Wiring: Westbury's
Harness: none
Headlight: headwinds
Taillight: 1926 model T ford
Accessory lights: none
Electrical accessories:
Switches:
Battery: odyessy
What's Left
Seat: Duane Balard
Pipes: Westbury's S.L.F. [short loud fuckers]
Mufflers: what ?
Exhaust finish: brushed nickel
Gas caps: Westbury's ” Big Baller”
Handlebars: Westbury's
Grips: Westbury's “Hollow Points”
Pegs: Westbury's “Hollow Points”
Oil filter: Westbury's “beehive”
Oil cooler: none
Oil lines: s.s. hardlines
Fuel filter: none
Fuel Lines: s.s. hardline
Throttle: internal
Throttle cables: barnetts
Fasteners: Chrome hardware supply – arizona
Specialty items: If the credits read like I'm taking all of the “Credit” for everything – I AM !!! The only thing i bought was tires, engine, and tranny everything else was build by me – that's no bullshit !!
Comments: What a lot of fucking work, I'm glad it's finally done !!!
Credits: Thanks the P.P.G. paint Custom Chrome Inc. Mike Baker and Fama Metal polishing
