CC: How long have you been building metric customs?
Mike: The Triumph is the first 'full custom' metric build that we have done from the frame up.
CC: Why did you enter the Metric Revolution in the first place?
Mike: I just want to get our work out in front of as many people as possible. The more exposure we can get in the motorcycle industry the better.
CC: Do you think your involvement in the Metric Revolution will help your business?
Mike: Definitely, it will get our work in front of people who otherwise may have never heard of us.
CC: Out of your competitors that you will be facing in the competition, who do you think will give you the most competition?
Mike: That's a tough question; all of the builders are capable of winning and are great builders. I could make a strong argument for any of them to be the strongest competition, just look at what they have done.
CC: What special obstacles do you have to overcome when building a metric custom as opposed to a V-twin based unit?
Mike: In our case with the Triumph, as well as many metrics, you have to engineer around fuel injection, liquid cooling, and shaft drive. Any one of those obstacles would double how hard a build would be compared to a typical carbureted, air cooled, belt drive bike, put all three together and you have a very technical, difficult bike to custom build.
CC: What is it about your skills, in your opinion, that helped you be chosen from the list of applicants who applied to be builders on the Metric Revolution series?
Mike: I think it was because I have skill in three areas—engineering, sheet metal, and paint. To my knowledge, I am the only builder in the Metric Revolution that did everything from design and build the frame and suspension, form the sheet metal, do the paint, wiring, assembly, etc. Granted, I have a crew that helps with every step and I couldn't do it without them, but everything except the machine work was done in house.
CC: Do you have an existing parts line now for a retail market?
Mike: Yes, we have frames, front ends, and we are working on tons more right now, you can check them out at www.dusolddesigns.com. By the time the show airs our bolt on parts for the Rocket should be ready.
CC: As far as a build, is there any particular metric bike that is your favorite platform to start with?
Mike: They are all their own challenges. I like working on all bikes; it doesn't matter which one to me.
CC: Which is more satisfying to you, building or painting?
Mike: I think that they complement each other. I like doing a little bit of everything. I think building helps my painting which helps engineering new parts. Thinking outside the box is thinking outside the box no matter what you are doing.
CC: I was blown away by the paint on Jerry Covinton's bike featured in this month's Easyriders, as well as the paint on Jaxon's bike Anamorphic. Do you have any high profile jobs in the shop right now?
Mike: I have some super high end jobs in the shop right now, one is for T-Fab in Oklahoma. The bike is going to be super cool.
CC: Will you be painting any of your competitor's bikes?
Mike: Yes, I will be painting Jaxon's bike and I've got to say that the bike is incredible.
CC: Would Jaxon Fyffe's bike Anamorphic have won the Rat's Hole without your paint?
Mike: Yes. If I hadn't have painted it, I'm sure that he would have chosen another good painter. However, if his bike had some simple two-tone on it I don't think it would have won. Paint is just too important; it has to have substance, balance, purpose, and detail.
Interview by Loney and
Stephanie Wilcoxson
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