THE CAT build by CUSTOM-RANCH and SSCYCLE
When Didi Lotter and his team at Custom Ranch in Germany planned a follow-up
to their much publicised John Deere bike of 1997,
the knew it would have to be special.
Their John Deere custom had been shown in magazines all around the world, and
even included in the 'Art of Harley' exhibition
at the Barbican Art Gallery in London, England.
In contemplating the styling and design of The Cat, they got the approval of
Caterpillar in Germany, and set out to achieve a hard, rugged look;
they wanted to see what a V-Twin would look like with the construction site
rather than the highway as its natural habitat.
As with the John Deere, it was built to showcase the SOFTASS Softail style
frame that Custom Ranch and SSCycle have made for them
by Dutch frame engineers VG of Enschede, formally also known as Twin Service.
With the design of the frame came a series of engineering partnerships for
Custom Ranch and SSCycle, all of which helped in the development
of their revolution bikes range of SOFTASS frame base customs.
In the case of the The Cat, SSCycle's Steve Schneiderbanger built the wheels and
the brakes. The wheels are basically two modified FL rim
halves, monted forming a rim centre which, with modifications to the stock FL
hubs, take BBS rim halves for 200 front and 265 rear tyres to create
a 'bulldozer' styling. SJP of the Netherlands mande a one-off tripple tree to allow for the TOLLE forks
and front tyre width. This is 'wide-glide' style engineering with steroids!
Fender and bodywork specialist Friedhelm Boumans worked with Gabor at the Custom
Ranch workshop to create the metalwork and customize the 6 gallon tank.
The SSCycle Sprocket Brake was essetial to being able to get the extra wide
SOFTASS swingarm to take the tire.
All Custom Ranch bikes and parts are TÜV certificated and road legal.
TEXT from the 'AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER' magazine
|
TECH-SPEC
| MOTOR |
|
| Year |
1998 |
| Type |
EVO Stock |
| Carburator |
S&S Super E |
| Air Filter |
FL Police siren cover |
| Ignition |
Dyna S Single Fire |
| Pipes |
UCP / Custom Ranch |
| Mufflers |
UCP / Custom Ranch |
| Exhaust cover |
Gabor of Custom Ranch |
|
|
| TRANSMISSION |
|
| Year |
1998 |
| Type |
Stock HD |
| Gears |
5 |
| Shifting |
Foot, Custom Ranch |
| Primary |
Stock HD, chain |
| Clutch |
Stock |
| Secondary |
Chain |
|
|
| FRAME |
|
| Year |
1998 |
| Type |
SOFTASS |
| Rake |
34° |
| Stretch |
None |
| Swingarm |
SOFTASS |
| Shocks |
Works, adjustable |
| Fork |
TOLLE Custom |
| Triple tree |
SJP special |
| Front wheel |
6.5 x 15" SSCycle |
| Front tyre |
200/70-15 Metzeler |
| Rear wheel |
9.5 x 15" SSCycle |
| Rear tyre |
265/15 special with TÜV |
| Hubs and spokes |
SSCycle |
| Front brake disc |
SSCycle / ISR |
| Front brake calipers |
SSCycle / ISR 4-piston |
| Rear brake |
SSCycle Sprocket Brake |
| Brake lines |
Stainless steel, Goodridge |
|
|
| ACCESSORIES |
|
| Risers |
Custom Ranch |
| Bars |
Custom Ranch |
| Grips |
SSCycle |
| Controls |
ISR Old style |
| Front pegs |
Stock / Custom Ranch |
| Gas tank |
Custom Ranch 6 gal. |
| Tankdash |
Custom Ranch / Boumans |
| Seat |
Custom Ranch / Dachs |
| Oil tank |
Custom Ranch |
| Fenders |
Custom Ranch / Boumans |
| Headlight |
Kawasaki |
| Taillight |
Custom Ranch |
| Indicators |
Custom Ranch |
| Wiring |
Custom Ranch |
|
|
| PAINTING |
|
| Idea |
Custom Ranch/Didi & Gabor |
| Painter |
Dotto Airbrush |
| Art & Design |
Bernie |
| Colour |
CAT Yellow |
| Plastic coating |
Gleiss Coating |
|
|
|
Back