Pertemuan Pertama (The First Meeting)

Told you that I heavily rely on Internet. I browsed a blog about a builder. He presents lot of pictures showing his works. I walked thru reading page by page, seeing picture by picture. I quickly got impression that a serious passion is there. His works proved that he is a modif master, e.g. doing various bike types, working in details, showing different character for each bike. An artist whom shows artisan work!.

The problem is that he lives in a city that 1 hour flying from Cengkareng (CGK) airport. Since this gonna be my first modif bike,  a lot of question about communication and controlling problem by arise due distance between us. After discussion with my lovely wife, she suggested “you’re looking for the best right?”.

In mid December 2013, I had a business trip to the city. Prior the trip, I send an email introducing myself and plan to pay a visit to him. No reply. I called him then, and had a good short discussion despite bad cellular connection. He said that the email being managed by his brother, better call him rather than drop emails. My 2^nd impression was he was a calm and humble guy. I told him about the trip, and welcome me to visit his workshop.

I can not focus during business meeting. Can not wait to meet the builder. Alhamdulillah (praise the Lord) it was a good and useful meeting. When it was over, I walk quickly to my rental car, ask the driver to pick my wife at hotel. Along the way I discussed with her, I personally his strength on two types: (i) (I call it) WW II, bobber style, and (ii) dirt bike, simple, light, bicycle like. WW II bobber style is his best.

In the car I called the builder again, his wife told me that he was in the mosque for afternoon pray. Wow … a religious builder!! As a moslem who regularly to mosque as well, a lever arm automatically works in my head.

He’s not a tall guy, long hair, the smiling builder. Let’s call him “Mas A”. Standard chitchat between us, where do I came from, Jakarta? No a suburb town of it. How do you know me? Laptop survey I replied. He then told us about bikes he’s currently working at. Explain everything, and a very nice talk smoothly happened.

Let me show you, my works. He shows design sketches (“render” probably the right word) of various bikes, all hand drawing. Told me various customer, yet never tell a name of them. This bike is a repeat order from a happy customer.

The discussion deeper and deeper, I explained considering two types: He analyzes both options. I asked my wife, she strengthen my conclusion WW II bobber style.

How about engine? My knowledge on engine is limited. He recommends Scorpio. But bikes that you’re working now using Binter Kawasaki right? I am working on 1 Scorpio engine,  let’s see inside. That was the 1^st time I saw Scorpio engine! Pretty big. Yes hes said. You may use Honda Tiger engine (200 cc) for bobber style, but create difficulty because the dimension is pretty small. Empty space appears under seat. Scorpio is bigger, easier to draw. Larger engine than Tiger, suggest bore up to 250 cc for larger power.

How about Binter Kawasaki? Finding spare part is more difficult. Coincidentally during my Internet survey bikes, somehow those bikes powered by Scorpio engine (See Choosing Preferred Builder). If I build a bike here, I’ll choose Scorpio engine. My 3^rd impression, smooth communication easy to achieve.

We bring my old time close friend, call him “Kang AB”. He was an industrial designer by education. Kang AB pointed an interesting design, spring beneath gas tank! I am a MTB rider, every Saturday cycling uo to mountaineous area. The position of MTB spring is horizontally front-rear. A very nice custom head lamp. I made it using CB 100 piston waste, Mas A replied while smiling. Kang AB said, man this gonna be add a story to the bike. My 4^th impression: he pays lot of attention in details. Kang AB supported my conclusion, and analyze other examples on sketches as well as on the bike he’s working on. Kang AB also made an important comment on boring and welding equipments. The facility is supported with adequate equipments, he whispered to me.

The discussion continues on frame structure, tank, metal chroming, rim, tire etc. He suggested domestic brand tires, bigger size, good quality. My daily job, among other, is about promoting domestic industries. I nodded quickly responding to his suggestion.

Last thing, Mas A admitted that he was a painter. Even joined painting exhibitions. All of his painting is about … bikes off course! He shows his painting hanging on the wall inside the house. The he became an airbrush artist, later on started a modif workshop. My 5^th impression, he is an artist!!

Say if we build here, with characters as we discussed during in the last hour, how much it cost? He said a number, excluded the donor bike. From the donor, we likely only need Scorpio machine. Cost may be decrease depends on our final design sketch. That the maximum number based on the discussion. Higher cost is likely possible if I preferred imported items. He recalled one case, the process delay due to late delivery of imported tires. Not only higher cost, but longer time. He proposed payment mechanism. I raised approval and monitoring issues.

I made the final comment, thank you for accepting us. A very nice experience for us. This is my 1^st visit to a modif workshop on may life. I am fully satisfied. Allow me to think pls, and inform him about my decision accordingly. Flew back to CGK.

A very nice trip!! Peace.