Miss Treated
It’s not a chopper baby, it’s a Hubless!
For those who followed Discovery Channel’s Biker Build Off series and Billy Lane’s signature builds
along the way, Miss Treated was to be a fitting homage (and more) to the bikes he had already built his
reputation on, as it was to be Billy’s last installment in the television series. Styling cues were borrowed
from each of his Build Off bikes, from Miss Behavin, to Down and Dirty, to Whole Lotta Rosy, to Shit
Outta Luck, it’s all there if you look close enough. Of course, what makes Miss Treated bigger than gold
teeth and the sum of its parts is its signature Billy Lane Hubless rear wheel. A build that is difficult to
accomplish with no time frame. With only 10 days to build her, it was no wonder that Billy felt “Miss Treated” by the Discovery folks who wanted
to see him not only build a hubless bike in 10 days, but then ride it 1600 miles from Chicago, IL, to Laconia, NH. With this kind of build and
ride schedule, they (and their viewers) got their gold teeth and more.
The Mutant
In the early 90’s, Michel Guertin started a small business dealing in aftermarket and used
parts for the big “V” engine motorcycles he so much enjoyed. Not uncommon were the
fluorescent lights, pegboard covered walls or parts counter that are likely to be seen at
any fine cycle store. But what was unusual was that customers had the option of actually
bartering for what they needed. In
fact they had the possibility to trade
in old or new parts and motorcycle
related products for whatever Michel
may have had in stock. This new
business concept not only helped
out many “out of luck” riders who
just wanted to get back in the wind,
but also backyard mechanics who
no longer needed all those parts or
accessories they had been hanging
onto for so long. They now had a
place to wheel and deal where both
(and sometimes all) parties would
be happy
The Kid
Raw Power Custom Cycles in
Regina, Saskatchewan opened its doors
on July 3, 2003 with Greg Worrall (extraordinary
“ace” mechanic with twenty-one
years as a Harley-trained technician), my
wife Sylvia and I, Dean Bell. Soon afterwards,
I lined up Brett Mucha, as parts
manager. As business grew so did the
staff. Brett left for Kelowna in April ’08 and
was replaced by Marty Steinhubl. Now we
have a current staff of seven including
my wife and I as owners. From April to
October being heavy service related job
months, it leaves a fairly short winter to
custom build bikes. With co-ordinating
parts, paint, chrome and all the other
details needed to build customs, sometimes
spring arrives too soon. Our
mechanics are constantly busy doing
both the regular and custom work
required during the “frozen” season
and this undoubtedly makes for some
stressful months.
El Bruto
Whiplash Customs is a modern custom bike
building business based on old-fashioned, tried
and true values. Founder Al Lambeth made his
start in metal work as an enthusiastic high school
student building his first car in shop class. The
name Whiplash came from a 1967 big block
Cougar that he built and showed – the name stuck
and hence, Whiplash Customs evolved. Growing
up with hot rods and dirt bikes, Al was a natural
fit in the body shop and fabrication world so the
transition from hot rods to custom motorcycles
was no surprise to his friends and customers.
Al’s passion for perfection has resulted in some
outstanding custom motorcycles. His first project
was a 1982 Harley-Davidson FXR that had been
designated a basket case. With time, patience
and many hours of hard work, he turned it into
a showcase multiple winner that still draws
attention with its smooth lines and
bold, candy-red finish. This is the
one bike that Al will keep forever
as a reminder of his beginnings
and the deep attachment he has
to the first one that “hit the road”
with great success.
