SP Rides: A Chopper That’s Straight Money
By Michael Kitchens
Owners: Bart and Bryson Cabuag
Year/Make/Model: 2014 Independent Custom Chopper
Color: Custom Black by Pearlridge Fender & Body with airbrush work by Scratchalley, AKA Wish Quering
Engine: 2013 Ultima Black Gem 113, Dyna ignition, S&Super G carburetor and air cleaners, Kustom Fab Choppers exhaust pipes
Exterior: 2013 Independent frame, Kustom Fab choppers bars, taillights and license, Bob Arcus seat, black chrome by Tech One
Wheels and Tires: 23-inch front/18×8.5 Metzler tires on Performance Machine Wheels contrast cut Riverias
The world of custom choppers is huge, with custom shops located throughout the Continental U.S. and all vying to cement a name for themselves.
Hawaii has its own set of local builders who strive for custom quality. This 2014 Independent Custom Chopper is absolute money and a perfect example of what our local brethren can do when it comes to incredible machine work.
This chopper was built as a father-son project between Bart Cabuag and his son, Bryson. Both have shared a close bond through their shared interest of bikes. They named this chopper “Scripts” — and for good reason.
Over a year in the making, the bike was built from the ground up by Kustom Fab Choppers, a local custom chopper and machine shop. This stunning machine is a collaboration between shop owner/machinist Roger Kuwahara, builder Norio Akai and many others. With a base concept provided by the Cabuags, the builders put their heads together for the design and fabrication. The end result is absolutely breathtaking.
A 2013 Independent frame was used as the basis for the build. Internally, a 2013 Ultima Black Gem 113 engine powers the bike, while additional features include an S&S Super G carb and air cleaner with a Dyna ignition. Most of the accessories — the handlebars, taillights and license, and the ridiculously cool pipes that sprout from right side of the bike — are custom fabbed by the shop. Tech One handled the black chrome, which adds a seriously cool look to the build.
A Bob Arcus seat provides some stylistic cushion while the huge 23-inch front and 18×8.5 Metzler tires are fit on Contrast Cut Riverias created by Performance Machine Wheels. With a chopper rake of 42 degrees and a stretch of five feet, the combined visuals of this bike will catch your eyes and keep them fixated on its power and beauty.
Robin Carmack and Ronald Burkhart from Pearlridge Fender & Body worked long hours to block out and smooth the bodywork into the final shape. A slick base paint was applied and later sanded while Scratchalley, aka Wish Quering, laid down some incredible airbrush details that include the namesake scripts and pin striping in scintillating green emerald. A final coat of clear paint was added, the buffed and detailed to complete the look. When combined with the selectively placed LEDs, the bike comes aglow at night — like a chopped up, wicked version of Tron.
The Cabuags are completely blown away by the final product. “It’s real long and low to the ground,” says Bryson. “I love the paint job, and I just love how the bike looks overall.”
In every sense of the word, this chopper is straight money.
