Pertemuan Kedua (The 2nd Meeting)

In mid January 2014, I had a chance to visit Mas A the builder. I brought my wife along, and ask Kang A to join us in the city.

After presented several idea in a business meeting in a famous 5 stars hotel, I visited his workshop. After chitchatting, we -myself, my wife, Kang A, and Mas A the builder of course- had an hour discussion accordingly.

Here’s a brief summary of our 2^nd discussion.

1^st topic, where’s the rear spring?. I just can’t find it the sketch. Owh … it’s right under the seat Sir, relied Mas A the builder. Then we have discussed about the spring and frame configuration. A detailed discussion I should say. I emphasized to have a soft suspension. I’ll use it mostly on road, and in my town the road quality isn’t good enough. Then I approved several key design criteria.

Ok then, 2^nd topic. The front spring, 1 or 2 springs? I asked. If 1 then apply the bigger one. If 2, then use 2 smaller springs. We have spent 10 minutes discussing front fork, suspension and its mechanism, frame again, head lamp etc.

3^rd topics, tanks. We have spent almost 30 minutes on this particular issue. Both option present unique tank designs. 1^st A smooth curve from handle bar to underneath seat. The 2^nd option, is “fly” above frame. Then he told me which one is more classic as opposed to “naughty”.

From this discussion, I have learnt something. Tank plays a critical component in building a custom bike. Tank is the “nuance” of the bike. It really defines the bike. Tank often used to differentiate one bike to others. Two bikes with similar model, say bobber, the difference between both can be seen by as different by identifying tanks model and painting pattern. In Indonesia, the formal color of a motorbike written in Samsat (DMV) is exactly the color of its tank.

By this point, I decided to choose the 2^nd sketch. Tell you this, it was not an easy process. I really like the 1^st sketch, somehow I don’t like tank-frame integration. Can not tell you more details about this. It is indeed a unique idea, a genuine artist idea! The 1^st sketch bring classic nuance yet not too classical.

In the 2^nd sketch, I personally like the idea of a tank sort of flying on top of frame. It’s a genuine Mas A the builder idea. He already built 1 bike using the same idea. A thick classical nuance yet stylish –out of box approach- tank.

I asked so many things back and forth. Mas A the builder asked me several question as well, explored what do I really want. My Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 proved as a useful gadget! We easily swiped between both sketch. My wife took a nice picture when we was discussing using the gadget.

Once he thought that he get my decision, he asked me ok the 2^nd design. Yes, let’s decide, I pick the 2^nd sketch. Done, let’s move to another topic.

Next topic, rim and tire size. Both are main criteria in designing a modif bike. We should decide at before moving further on, he said. He suggested to have 18 in rim for both rear and front. Not using Yamaha Scorpio’s standard rim of course. We then have discussed and decided key issues among other having different or same tire size for front and rear wheel, pattern, suitability to maintain classical look, local or imported tires etc.

Engine, how about it?. I do want to have a powerful engine. Consequently, Scorpio engine have to be bored up, adding at least become 25 cc to become 250 cc. He softly again replied that Scorpio engine is powerful enough. For this particular design, no need to increase the cylinder capacity. Are you sure about that sir? I asked him. Yes sir, I have tried Scorpio on ascended slope, up to the mountain, he pointed the shadow of a big volcano over there. Yes we have to change the carburetor, tuning up, and apply new settings to provide optimal combustion, he concluded. Okay, let me think about it. I whispered to myself, he should be damn right on this particular issue!.

We will use the common carburetor, he added. Vacuum carburetor clearly won’t suit for this purpose. Common carburetor, karburator skep in Bahasa Indonesia. Keihin 28 or Mikuni? PE, PWK ? I asked. Yes, we can apply Keihin PE, PE is enough to support the engine. PE is enough. However, is quite difficult find Keihin carb lately in this town, he complained. We will find one in Jakarta.

Our discussion continued to other key issues like payment and work plan. Finally he asked me to send the donor bike. I will. I have been looking for it, my answer to him.

I did a brief wrap up of our discussion, emphasizing on a set of my approval and next steps to be taken. Salaam (peace).