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downsidecustom · 7 years

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downsidecustom · 8 years

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Operation Octane - 2016 Victory Octane Build

2016 saw the unveiling of Victory Motorcycles newest member of the cruiser range. The Octane.

At a glance it's evident that Polaris has pulled a number of design attributes from their tried and tested Indian Scout. A middleweight V twin but this time with a true 1200cc capacity boasting 104hp from the box, puts it around the early V-rod for performance.

Always with their ear to the ground, Brisan Motorcycles of Newcastle New South Wales, had a custom build in mind for 'Operation Octane' Where Victory motorcycle dealers from around the world compete to build the best Octane on the planet.

After initial meetings, a plan was set for us to collaborate and put together something cool for the win.

A set of Performance Machine Paramount rims in 18" front and back were ordered with Dunlop K81's. We awaited delivery.

After the rims were delivered and fitted by the handy lads in the service department at Brisans, we took delivery of a stripped down 2016 Octane. A blank canvas. Time to dream.

The design for the rear was something I've had in mind for a while. I was just waiting for the right build to try it out. Inspiration i'd taken from the Japanese chopper/bobber scene.

A rough wire former was laid out to bring the idea to life and see if it would suit.

After a few changes to fit the constant curves in the lines of the bike and to compliment the long drawn out fuel tank, the form came together. I decided on aluminium for this rear due to the shear size and potential weight. Almost every part of this bike is cast in alloy.

As this bike was pristine and there was a budget, there would be no stripping down and re-powder coating the frame before final assembly. I had to ensure the frame finish was untouched, not an easy task when you're shaping and welding for weeks on top of it.

With the rear finished it was time to design an exhaust system to make this build stand out.

During one of my many visits to Brisans, Shaun found a new Arrow exhaust system for a Triumph Thruxton lying around the shop and suggested it might make a nice muffler for the Octane build.

As soon as I got it back and sat it in place, it looked perfect! So with a muffler to build from, it was time to start my most ambitious exhaust design to date.

There is barely a straight line to be found on this bike, so conventional mandrel bent tubing was not going to do. I wanted the exhaust to have a continuous flow to move with the rest of the bike.

After studying hours of Yoshimura traditional pipe bending and trawling through the feeds of my long time idols Autofabrica, I came to the harsh reality that there just wasn't enough room (or talent) for that type of finish, and a lobster back design would be the only way to achieve the look I was after.

With a quick stint on the lathe and mill, some one off flanges where made and I got the work on the exhaust.

With the exhaust finished, next on the list was a front fender to keep the custom feel through the entire bike. Shaped from 1.6mm alloy with some styling lines folded into the design and keeping it nice and snug to the rubber, I was content with the look.

The last request was somewhere to mount a number plate and tail light. Another design I've had in mind for some time was a single sided plate holder. Made from 2mm stainless, this thing is rock solid and finishes the bike of nicely. Drawing out the overall line of the bike to further accentuate the 'low and long' theme I wanted.

With everything finished up, it was back to Brisan Motorcycles for a strip down, pre delivery checks and some colour.

Big thanks to Cam form Insight Auto Electrics for the work on the new LED headlight.

The finished product.

A quick photoshoot for the Operation Octane Build Off and it was off to the Melbourne Motorcycle Show.

I was absolutely stoked to pick up 2nd place in the International class of the Operation Octane Build Off.

Finally, a huge thanks to Brisan Motorcycles for the opportunity to be involved in the build.

If anyone is interested, this machine is currently for sale! Contact Brisan Motorcycles.

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downsidecustom · 8 years

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