Da Babba From Kustom Fab

I have been fortunate enough to work at the same place, Pearl Harbor, for 25 years. Working may not always be a “bed of roses,” but I am thankful for what the Shipyard has provided me and what it has allowed me to provide for not only myself but my family. With this in mind, I wanted to create a bike as sort of a milestone. I wanted something that I could use for every day riding and something that was “user-friendly.” So, I decided to build a Bobber bike.

But this wasn’t going to be an ordinary Bobber, this one would have an attitude.

There is somewhat of an unspoken club in the shipyard that you become a part of when you work there for 25 years or more. It is affectionately known as the FU Club. It’s the point of no return for most workers. I figured that if I lasted this long, with just a few more years I could retire. And with this attitude, I started building the bike. These emotions were reflected in the fabrication of each element.

I started out with an old Santee frame that we picked up from a Custom Chrome show a few years ago. Then, I purchased some invader rims from China cycles. My partner in crime, Mel, ordered the S&S 93-cubic-inch motor and the transmission. I had several bobber notions doing donuts in my mind. First, I wanted to modify the frame to allow a drop seat incorporating leaf spring action. Next, I wanted to manufacture as many components as we could. From the handlebars, battery box, sissy bar, starter housing, 7-inch front caliper bracket, gas tank modifications, motor mount, rear break mount, oil tank, exhaust, and some of the other bracketing, we made ‘em ourselves.

After all the sheet metal work was completed, it was time to take the bike to Cosmic Airbrushing for some awesome artwork. I told Dennis that a “pimpin” blue color would be the perfect finish for this labor of love. Dennis added blue metal flaking and artwork straight from his imagination.

With the fabrication and paint finished, all that was left was the final assembly and wiring. My next partner in crime, Roger, generously donated parts and time to mentor me through this project. When the bike was finally finished, I was very pleased with how it turned out. It was the perfect way to celebrate this milestone in my life.

I would like to say thanks to Roger, Manett, Butch, Tomo, Mel, Tigman, Bob Arkus, Mike, Gary, Mark & Dennis for the help. And a Special thanks to PHNSY for what it has provided me and taught me.

Roger checkin’ the fit.

DA BABBA TECH SHEET

The man and his machine.

NAME: Darren Ho
COMPANY ADDRESS: KUSTOM FAB,1211 KUKILA ST.
CITY:HONOLULU
STATE/ZIP:HI
PHONE(cell):808-429-0353
WEBSITE:http://kustomfabchoppers.net/index.html

MAKE/MODEL:“Bar Hoppa”
YEAR: 2006
FABRICATION: KUSTOMFAB
ASSEMBLY: KUSTOMFAB
BUILD TIME: 4 MONTHS

ENGINE

YEAR/SIZE: 2006, 93-CUBIC INCH
TYPE: S & S SHOVEL HEAD
BUILDER:S & S
CASES: CASTS & S
FLYWHEELS: FORGED S & S
RODS: FORGED S & S
PISTONS: HEMIS & S
CYLINDERS: CAST IRONS & S
HEADS: CAST ALUMINUN S & S
VALVES:S & S