The Goblin From Kustom Fab

Lexi ain’t exactly a Goblin, but what the hell.

On a beautiful day in Hawaii, what started off as just another local barbeque, somehow turned into another impulsive but creative bike build. After throwing around ideas with Discovery Channel’s Chica and throwing back a few beers, we were able to come up with another awesome bike idea. We came to the conclusion that we were going to use one of Chica’s unicorn design frames with our own dimensions. The bike was going to be long, low and dark.

Original frame at Chica’s Huntington Beach shop.

This shows a tank from Chica's shop. It would go.

Roger starting to modify the frame.

A template for the line of the tank.

Rear fender detail and Goblin rails.

We wanted the bike to have more of an industrial look rather than the “bling-bling” look that people are accustomed to lately. The bike started off being built for one customer but ended up in the hands of another. Of course, in the world of business, this kind of thing happens all the time and usually isn’t a problem. But the new customer happened to be twice the size and twice the weight of the first customer, which meant drastic changes to the set-up of the bike. But what’s a bike build without a little challenge!

Basic Tank form.

Tank worked smooth by hand.

Completed tank before cutting and welding to the frame.

Completed tank welded to the frame.

The first task was to build a unique looking tank that was actually able to hold some gas. So we decided to build the tank into the frame and weld it in together. Because of the extremely unusual shape of the tank, building it into the tank allowed us to get some volume for the gas tank. With some help from my friend Tigman, we were able to pound one out and get the look we were going for.

The sheet metal was fairly simple with a nice form fitting rear fender and a sissy bar to support it. Roger was even feeling artistic and decided to create a skeleton motor mount and petcock. And with the finishing touches from Dennis of Cosmic painting, the detailed mount turned out to be “pretty sick.”

Being molded and primered at Cosmic.

Here's the original finished bike, flat black with Dennis' pinstriping touch.

Cosmic went all out on this paint job. When you look at the bike, you can see that it has two evolutions. First it was painted black with pin stripping. Then an urban paint scheme was added with chameleon paint.

Dennis laying down the new artwork to the frame.

I like the rivet effect.

Together, both paint jobs looked awesome and Dennis was able to kick in his own details to give the paint that unique look we were going for. It’s the perfect paint job to be appreciated in the Hawaiian sun.

Getting to work for the next show.

Darren fitting the front wheel to the narrow springer.

This project was more difficult than others because it was considered a “rush” project that was being built at the same time as the Tike Bike. Both had the intention of making the third annual Choppers Only Show. Unfortunately only the Tiki Bike made it while its brother was left stuck on the side of the freeway.

Even though we were unable to debut the bike at the show, it has still received mixed reviews. I, personally, love the look, while others see it as too simple. But as is life, everyone has their own opinion. To me, it’s all good as long as it’s all about the bikes…

–Darren Ho
Kustom Fab

GOBLIN SPEC SHEET

NAME: Darren Ho
ADDRESS: Kustom Fab,1211 KUKILA ST
CITY:HONOLULU
STATE/ZIP:HI
PHONE(day):808-423-1642
PHONE(night): 808-429-0353
WEBSITE:http://kustomfabchoppers.net/index.html

GENERAL

MAKE/MODEL:DA “GOBBLIN”
YEAR: 2005
FABRICATION: KUSTOMFAB
ASSEMBLY: KUSTOMFAB
BUILD/REBUILD: TIME 2 MONTHS

Here's Darren stuck with a flat tire a mile from the show.

ENGINE

YEAR/SIZE:11O
TYPE: REV TECH
BUILDER:REV TECH
CASES:REV TECH
FLYWHEELS: REV TECH
RODS: REV TECH
PISTONS:REV TECH
CYLINDERS:REV TECH
HEADS:REV TECH
VALVES:REV TECH
ROCKERS:REV TECH
ROCKER BOXES:REV TECH
PUSHRODS: REV TECH
PUSHROD TUBES:REV TECH
CAM(S): REV TECH
LIFTERS: HYDRAULIC
CARBURETOR:MUKINI
AIR CLEANER:NOTHRIDGE STACK
IGNITION:Hi-4
EXHAUST:JOKER
FINISH:BLACK

TRANSMISSION

BUILDER/YEAR/TYPE: NEW 5-SPEED,REV TECH
FINISH:BLACK
CASE: REV TECH
TOP/SIDE: COVERS
CLUTCH:Barnett
PRIMARY DRIVE:Billet 4-U
FINAL DRIVE:Exile
GEARS:REV TECH

FRAME

YEAR/TYPE:SANTEE/CHICA
RAKE: 50 DEGREES
STRETCH:3” out/ 0” up
MOLDING:COSMIC
FINISHLCOSMIC
SWINGARML NONE

SUSPENSION

FRONT
BUILDER:FRED FRAMES
YEAR/TYPE:NARROW GLIDE SPRINGER
MODIFICATIONS: DENNIS PAINT
TRIPLE TREES: FRED

REAR
YEAR/TYPE NONE
MODIFICATIONS
SHOCKS: RIGID

WHEELS, TIRES, AND BRAKES

FRONT
SIZE/TYPE:21” 60 spoke
TIRE MAKE/SIZE:Metzler
HUB/SPOKES: Black Bike
CALIPER(S): FRED’S
ROTOR(S): RUSSELL

REAR
SIZE/TYPE:17”/60 spoke
TIRE MAKE/SIZE:Metzler
HUB/SPOKES Black Bike
CALIPER(S): EXCILE
ROTOR(S): EXCILE
BUILDER:(SPOKE WHEELS ONLY)

FINISH/PAINT

COLOR(S): CHAMELON
PAINTER:COSMIC
GRAPHICS & ARTIST NAME:DENNIS MATHEWSON
MOLDING:COSMIC
CHROME PLATING/POLISHING:NONE
POWDER COATING: NONE

ACCESSORIES

FRONT FENDER:NONE
REAR FENDER:KUSTOMFAB
FENDER STRUTS:KUSTOMFAB
GAS TANK(S)&CAP(S): KUSTOMFAB/TIGMAN
OIL TANK:CCI
DASH: NOPE
GAUGES: NAW
HANDLEBARS:STINGER
RISERS:NONE
MIRRORS: OOPS
HAND CONTROLS:PM
FOOT CONTROLS:BILLET 4-U
FOOTPEGS:BILLET 4-U
HEADLIGHT:HEADWINDS
TAILLIGHT:BILLET 4-U
TURN SIGNALS: NEVER!
LICENSE MOUNT:BILLET 4-U
OIL COOLER: WHERE?
SEAT: CHICA
ELECTRICAL: KUSTOMFAB

CUSTOM OR SPECIAL FEATURES

UNICORN FRAME
GAS TANK BUILT INTO FRAME
ONE–OFF MOTOR MOUNT