What is your dream job? A flippant question that seldom requires any
thought to deliver an equally flippant answer. Me? A Motorcycle Racer.
You? Probably the same. Or potentially a pro bike builder. Meet Johnny
Angel, Ex Racer, new Pro Builder. In his 2 and a half year racing career
Johnny achieved 64 podiums in 70 races, claiming top spot on the podium
37 times. If you were amongst the 40,000 spectators at Snetterton for
the 2007 British Superbike meet you would have witnessed his greatest
victory, 1st place in the Superstock class. Now he builds custom
motorcycles. Legend.
When financial circumstances curtailed Johnny’s Racing career it was
inevitable motorcycles would feature prominently in his next venture. He
teamed up with his father who like him was a graphic designer by trade
(any other skills Johnny?) to form Johnny Angel Customs. Here they
present their third project, hot on the wheels of a pair or XS650
Bobbers, a BMW R80 named GARA AL CAFE.
GARA AL CAFE translates as “race to the cafe” and hints at Johnny’s
racing pedigree which the pair aim to instil in their bikes. Based in
the Kent village of Hawkhurst the duo set to work on redesigning and
improving the venerable R80. The frame, wheels, and shaft drive were
stripped and repainted and the existing good condition of the engine was
refreshed with a service.
The rear frame was modified and delugged to accommodate the new seat
unit that features a removable cowl that hides a pillion pad trimmed to
match the white piped brown leather of the primary perch. Repositioned
custom pillion pegs hint at the tail sections secrets. Dropped bars
provide the cafe racer stance and are finished with classic low slung
mirrors.
The new seat along with the tank, battery box, shortened mudguard,
headlight mounts and clocks received the full benefits of the graphic
design wing of the company, Angel Design & Print. Royal White was
the chosen colour, combined with orange and gold flake graphics topped
with a coat of lacquer. The white and orange livery and race number 4
recall the bike Johnny rode to victory at Snetterton that glorious day.
Here at the shed we love welcoming a new builder to the stable and
wait eagerly to see the development of Johnny Angel Customs. The Ducati
Monster concept displayed on their website www.johnnyangelcustoms.com
shows that like in his racing career, Johnny is anxious to get to the
front of the pack.
You just know if Johnny was riding, this is the only the view you would get of Gara al Cafe…
Firs appeared in thebikeshed.cc
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