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A unique ride for a big price

Small sales may keep bills paid, but the specialty at Trik Daddy's Custom Cycles is custom bikes adorned with Jokers and Rolling Stones.

SPRING HILL - Even when parked, the machine looks fast.

From its sweeping handlebars that slope elegantly toward the bike's stretched yellow frame, to the gleaming chrome 130-horsepower engine bulging from beneath the hand-stitched leather saddle, the motorcycle gives every appearance of being one very cool ride.

If your heart throbs to the strains of Born to be Wild , and your wallet isn't bruised by a $45,000 price tag, then John Lamont will be happy to put you in the pilot's seat of the bike dubbed "Joker."

"I can guarantee you one thing with absolute certainty," Lamont says slyly. "You can ride it anywhere in the world and you won't see another one like it."

Inside the showroom at Trik Daddy's Custom Cycles, 13315 Cortez Blvd., where Lamont works as sales manager, the romantic notion of the motorcycle as the ultimate expression of personal freedom is very much alive and well. Sporty choppers and sexy, low-slung street bikes, all lovingly hand built, show how artful the marriage of form and function can be.

A customer favorite is a jet black chopper that pays homage to the Rolling Stones by sporting a fuel tank airbrushed with the faces of the band's members.

"It's all about individualism and what a customer wants his bike to say about himself," Lamont said. "A lot of our bikes are owned by people who are proud of them and enjoy showing them off."

Of course, to discerning buyers, the notion of owning a custom-built two-wheeler goes beyond fancy paint and optional chrome. Which is why Trik Daddy's prides itself in turning out creations built to exacting standards.

Everything from the customer's height and arm length comes into play, ensuring glove-like comfort while riding.

The entire construction of a bike is similarly scrutinized, from the steel chassis, fenders and fuel tanks - which are rolled and welded by hand, then covered with as many as 24 coats of paint - to the engine, transmission and accessories, which are precision matched and balanced.

All of this, of course, doesn't come cheap. At least two of the bikes that are currently under construction are destined to top out at more than $100,000, and will take anywhere between three and six months to complete.

"This isn't assembly line stuff," said Greg Ferrara, who works as chief fabricator for Trik Daddy's. "Customers get a bike that is not only unique, but is very ridable as well - a lot better than most of the production bikes on the market."

Once known primarily for its work modifying and customizing production bikes, Trik Daddy's has quickly risen to the upper echelon of the custom bike-building world - the popularity of which has been spurred on by television shows such American Chopper .

Owner John Neger set up shop off Cortez Boulevard four years ago with the purpose of offering customizing services for owners of production bikes. Two years later, Neger embarked on his dream of building custom-built machines by offering "kit" bikes for which customers could choose options. Over time, the shop was expanded to 10,000 square feet and now includes a state-of-the art fabrication shop, showroom and accessory store.

This summer, the company earned top honors at the prestigious World Custom Bike Build-Off in Sturgis, S.D., beating out 100 other entries from around the world. Two weeks ago, Neger accepted an invitation to show the winning bike, dubbed "Predator," at a motorcycle show in Germany.

Although much of the company's business is derived from accessory sales, service and the sale of less expensive bikes, the notoriety gained from Trik Daddy's presence at custom bike shows around the country has quickened the pace of the operation.

Though further expansion is probably not too far off, Lamont doubts his boss would ever leave Hernando County.

"We've worked very hard to try to build a loyal customer base," Lamont said. "To me, it's a great feeling to have someone drive up on a bike we built for them and see how much pleasure they get from riding it."

--Logan Neill can be reached at 352 848-1435 or lneill@sptimes.com