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Inspiration á la Thunderbike
"Without you, I'd still be riding my bike today!"
Norman has been part of the Thunderbike family since 2016. In April 2016 the independent tattooist from Wesel (Norman’s Tattoo & Art Gallery) visited our forge with his guest Dong Dong from China to show him the world of custom bikes. Norman, his companion and Ben – our media manager – started talking and spontaneously arranged a tattoo session on the workbench of our custom workshop. A short time later Norman decorated our Rumble & Thunder event with his mobile stand. These meetings finally infected Norman with the Thunderbike virus! Norman was not yet in possession of a motorbike driving license and decided to bring it in immediately. Norman has plundered his picture databases of the conversion of his Sporty for us and we have summarized the making of for you with complete shooting from the smithy.
"If I don't get my license now, I'll never get it again."
Exactly one year later Norman insisted on his driver’s license and drove directly to our forge to buy a bike. The choice fell on a Sportster Forty-Eight model, which was equipped for the time being with a new seat and a new air filter.
“Budget for budget ideas, that is possible here!”
Of course, such a custom conversion develops only with time and experience. Norman still takes a look at our Custom Workshop to get some inspiration from the team and to realize it himself. If Norman likes a part especially and he wants to realize it in his project, he often stands at the lift himself and screws with our guys.
- Derby Cover Thunderbike Open Mind
- Footpeg Set Thunderbike Base Alu
- Topper Thunderbike Smooth Black
- Grip Set Thunderbike Base Alu
- Front Fender Thunderbike Fin Fiberglass
- Rear Fender Thunderbike Smooth
- Seat Thunderbike Swing Saddle Fellow
- Taillight Thunderbike Alcatraz
- Side Mount License Bracket Thunderbike short
- Shock Absorbers Progressive Suspension 412
- License Plate Lighting Thunderbike
- License Plate Frame Thunderbike Inside Plate
- Sissy Bar Thunderbike Special
- Rear Turn Signals Rizoma 3-in-1
- Front Turn Signals Thunderbike Stripe LED
- Air Cleaner Thunderbike Powerfilter Kit Grand Classic
- Handlebar Thunderbike Ape Hanger 1″
With such a brainstorming his unique Sissybar was created, which was realized by our welder Jörg. This Sissybar has an integrated hologram with a skull and crossbones from a chain Norman bought in Amsterdam in 1989 and wore for ten years.
The handlebar was only replaced after several extensive tours, because: the tours to Basel were painful in the back and let the hands fall asleep. But which handlebars can be used for long tours? Norman and Andreas pursued this question in the custom workshop, where both tested numerous handlebars and finally chose the most comfortable one.
Would you like to take a project like Norman into your own hands or have one implemented? No problem – our contact persons will be happy to help you. In our online shop you will find numerous bolt-on parts, so that you can implement your project according to your own taste.
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The Shooting
Since 1992 Norman has been working in the art business and has a clear idea of what his bike should look like. “Chiko just makes art with his heart and soul, that’s what he wanted right from the start.” The unique tank as well as the helmet in the matching design were therefore decorated by none other than Chiko’s Pinstriping.
