The industry is nuts with production bikes, new manufacturers andone-off custom builders popping up daily. It's terrific for the guylooking for a particular machine. The sky's the limit, and here's astrong example of a custom line bent on performance. John Covingtonhas more than a 15 year history of building bikes. His goal is to build 150bikes a year but with a commendable twist. He builds performance, asin Muscle Cars and Hot Rod motorcycles.
“It's not about being radical,”John said during a recent show in Los Angeles, “It's all about performance, style and the pride we design and build into each machine.”
His configuration calls for mild rakes and no raked tripletrees on his one-off designed hefty, mono-shock 'Monoglide'chassis. He's usingthe ultimate in performance handling CGB Italian front ends, and an adjustabledampening Progressive Suspension Monoshock. He has designed the first bike onthe market to offer exclusively 300mm Avon rear tires, and a completelybalanced driveline, no offset, with the top of the line Baker (6-Speed)Overdrive transmission coupled to S&S motors ranging from 111-inch on their High-End bikes or 124cubic inches of pure power in their Maximum line of Steeds.
Steeds don't end their performance formula with suspensionor even with the driveline. John pays particular attention to details withelectronics including a hearty ignition switch built into the top billetmotor mount, the custom designed internal wiring handlebars and “heads-up”digital mirrors that include speedometer, tach, turn signals,high/low indicators and more. They're incredible.
I rode one of his choppers through our Wilmington ghetto andfelt immediately comfortable with the handling and weight of themotorcycle. Although his new Phoenix production facility allows hisSteed team to build over three bikes a week, each bike has the detailelements hard to find in custom shops. From the stylish grips to the Kury-Akynfoot pegs, the adjustable positioning of the controls and the customcovered and protected Rivera Brute IV belt drive system; these bikes are set to rock across the country reliably.
This was the first bike produced at Steeds new expandedproduction facility. The bike was special ordered and built to thespecifications of Rick Peruse. MSRP for the bike is $39,995 andended up at $42,500 with the addition of the 2-up seat support, dualcarbs, IST ignition and chromed wheels. Build time for this machine,6 weeks. “But what about the girl, John?” I groused and John explained that he set up his own photo studio in the Steeds Motorcycles Facility.
“You can't have this one, Bandit,” he said, “but I'm going to send you titty bar girl layouts for Bikernet readers monthly.”
“I'll hold you to it, goddamnit,” I snapped and sipped a margarita while pondering her lovely lines.”
Accessory components stick with the top-of-the-lineperformance status, including: all Danny Gray seats, Steeds handfabricated exhaust systems, Steeds hand stretched and modified tanksand fenders, Headwinds headlights and Mikuni carburetors. I rode achopper, not this machine, but their Dyna Glide drive-train configuration with theoil bag under the Baker transmission allows for a lighter moreintegrated driveline which affords overall increased cooling.
John's new facility is a state of the art production andassembly facility, so when you order a bike, you can bet it will bedelivered on time.
Check it out, if you're ever flying throughArizona. Check his bikes, his knowledge of the industry and hispassion for creating a line of bikes that stand up to “Muscle Car”fame, and his constant desire to raise the bar in quality and performance.–Bandit
Owner
Rick Perusse
Connecticut
2005 Steed Sintaur 300-LM MAXIMUM
Human Factor
Designer: John Covington
Fabrication: Steed Motorcycle Company
Assembly: John Covington & Steed Motorcycle Company
Painter: Steeds/Larry Vela
Graphics: Vela
Engine
Year/Model: 2005 S&S
Displacement: 124 Cubic Inches
Ignition: S&S, IST Intelligent Spark
Cases: S&S
Heads: S&S
Cylinders: S&S
Cam Cover: S&S
Rocker Boxes: S&S Billet
Cam : S&S
Carburetor: Dual Mikuni HSR45
Air Cleaner: Steed Hypercharger
Exhaust: Steed Dusters
Transmission: Baker RSD 6-SpeedPrimary Cover: H-D
Body Work
Gas Tank: Steed LM
Front Fender: Steed LM
Headlight : Headwinds Mariah Rocket
Rear Fender: Steed LM
Taillight: Steed LED
Frame
Year/Model : 2005 Steed 300 Monoglide Platform
Swingarm: Steed 300 Cobra Swingarm
Rake : 40 degrees
Stretch: 5 inches out 1 inch down
Misc.
Oil Tank: Integral in Dyna Transmission
Seat: Danny Gray/Steeds
Mirrors: Digital Heads up instruments in Mirrors
Controls (foot) Steed-UMI-Kury Akyn pegs
Controls (hand) Mustang 96+
Speedometer Heads-up Integral in Mirrors
Handlebar Fatty SteedbarT
Forks
Type: Steed 54mm trees with CGB(Italy) inverted legs
Wheels, Tires & Brakes
Front Wheel: 21-inch by 3-inch Steed
Rear Wheel : 18-inch by 10.5-inch Steed
Front Brake: Wilwood 4-Piston Chromed Billet
Rear Brake: Wilwood 4-Piston Chromed Billet
Front Tire: Avon 120/70 x 21-inch
Rear Tire: Avon 300/35 x 18-inch
Additional Information:
Photos: © J.Covington June 20, 2004
Model: Melody Harris AKA Diamond'
