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| Cleveland Cycle Werks 250cc Heist which is moving in where the Hardknock Kikker left off according to some in the business, certainly worth a look (pic http://www.clevelandcyclewerks.com ) |
It's a familiar format now, thanks to the pioneering work of the builders of the Hardknock Kikker 5150.
The latest little machine comes with a Chinese Lifan single cylinder motor, based on a Honda lump and built under licence then planted into an all US-built hardtail frame.
Looks interesting and may well give the little Kikker something to worry about in a market niche that it has made its own over the past five years.
My good friends, and Kikker 5150 builders, at Workshop Chops up there in Derbyshire are bringing the Heist 250 bobber to the UK which debuted this weekend in Peterborough.
I was taking a look at Mick's Customs website in the USA, which built and sold Kikkers in Oregan and has now turned its back on the Kikker kit machines to get behind Tha Heist, a 250cc bobber in the same vein as the 5150.
The Kikker has had a chequered history but to my mind is is a unique company and many have felt it worth the effort with a company that became successful pretty quickly. The legendary owner's phone manner added to the 'feel' of the manufacturer of the 50cc, 125 and 200 machines with their hardtail frames and traditional fifties style.
And to my mind the Kikker 5150 200cc, with its balloon front tyre and traditional hand change and foot clutch offered something unique. The Heist, sorry Tha Heist, may not. From the pictures and for my money, it looks a little too much like a Suzuki Savage (though Tha Heist's 18-inch rear rim puts it more in Sixties bobber territory than the 16-inch rear that became common on 'customs' in the Seventies).
The Savage LS650, or S40 as its now known in the US is still a niche factory bike that offers something special for custom single fans. Is the Tha Heist purer? Yes. Less crap bolted on? Yes. But for over £3,000 in the UK you can get a lot of used motorcycle, with cash over to make it your own.
I'll be looking to get a ride on Tha Heist whever I can, and I'll let you know.
On its website Cleveland Cycle Werks makes it clear the Heist (I can't keep writing Tha) is a kit with all the parts available to build, but that you can make your own.
It says: "We do not completely assemble our bikes in the USA. We leverage Chinese cost advantage to complete our bikes and keep them extremely affordable. We do however support over 50 families in the USA with Jobs.
"Our products are the result of passion put forth by many people in Cleveland. The motorcycle business is not easy and we would not be doing this if we were not passionate about it. Many late nights and 20 hour workdays were spent to complete the Heist designed, prototypes and engineered in Cleveland Ohio."
I really do wish them well and I reckon a single company engineering its own reliable kit bikes in traditional hardtails, will continue to be a growth sector, as I said pioneered by Kikker.
The Americans already do it with a massive range of hardtail frames off the shelf and of course the ready to run V-twins from S&S and the like which offer custom builders a real alternative (though identical in almost every respect) to the big Harley lumps.
But times are a changing, saving a few quid is vital to survive post credit crunch and to have your own 'new' bike with zero miles on the clock and no bodges means Tha Heist certainly is worth a look for any Brit rider looking for a small custom Bobber.
And remember, Gaz and the lads at Workshop Chops know exactly how to deal with getting these US bikes onto the road legally here in the UK.
As always I suggest these neat little machines will appeal to the sort of person who might buy the Indian made Royal Enfield in Britain. Small, economical, easy to maintain with a unique style that you can personalise.
(Full Heist specification below video)
Nice piece written HERE on a newly completed build
Tha Heist Specification:
"Our products are the result of passion put forth by many people in Cleveland. The motorcycle business is not easy and we would not be doing this if we were not passionate about it. Many late nights and 20 hour workdays were spent to complete the Heist designed, prototypes and engineered in Cleveland Ohio."
I really do wish them well and I reckon a single company engineering its own reliable kit bikes in traditional hardtails, will continue to be a growth sector, as I said pioneered by Kikker.
The Americans already do it with a massive range of hardtail frames off the shelf and of course the ready to run V-twins from S&S and the like which offer custom builders a real alternative (though identical in almost every respect) to the big Harley lumps.
But times are a changing, saving a few quid is vital to survive post credit crunch and to have your own 'new' bike with zero miles on the clock and no bodges means Tha Heist certainly is worth a look for any Brit rider looking for a small custom Bobber.
And remember, Gaz and the lads at Workshop Chops know exactly how to deal with getting these US bikes onto the road legally here in the UK.
As always I suggest these neat little machines will appeal to the sort of person who might buy the Indian made Royal Enfield in Britain. Small, economical, easy to maintain with a unique style that you can personalise.
(Full Heist specification below video)
Nice piece written HERE on a newly completed build
Tha Heist Specification:
It's this line 250 ..... well it's nice and all but it not a 250 it's a 230 . Honda and all the other did things that were 175 .... not 200 and 185 .... not 200. Am I being pedantic or just painful ! It a nice machine ..... if the engine is of value & on Ytube it sounds on the nose .... but the under head stock tube detail look a little mixed . I think the Cafe Racer nails it to the wall & screams fun .
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