Kommunal Kustom Build, Week 7

Blastin, scrubbin, bendin & flexin…

Week 7 of our Kommunal Kustom Build kicked off with tall tales from the weekend’s Get High Road Trip, which saw a bunch of our Konnections crew hit the road to explore 1300 kilometres of Victoria’s staggeringly beautiful alpine region on an eclectic mix of machines. From heavy Harley’s to nimble dirt bikes, the Ragtag Crew as they’re now known (Steph has even made hand-embroidered patches), brought back enough good vibes for the entire workshop and then some- the rest of us are stinging with envy for the next adventure! Not even the threat of shocking weather could dampen the pre ride buzz, perhaps because of Rick’s prophesy in which he revealed that he is in fact an unrivalled good weather charm of the Moses calibre and has the ability to part rain clouds just by looking at them. A huge proclamation indeed but everyone was convinced, so the van was loaded, Dave the Last Minute Legend hopped in the driver’s seat and the rest of the story unfolded up there in the clouds. Read about it down here at sea level, thanks to Steph and her recollections.

Massive shout out to Ross for orchestrating the adventure and making sure every leg ran seamlessly. If you see him around the workshop, give a reverent little bow and offer him a cold Panhead. Also, everyone agrees that Lee is a secret badass who whips his DRZ around like a damn Quidditch veteran- your secret is out brother! Here’s to Ross and Lee joining forces to plan our Kommune Weekend Rides for the rest of the year. We cannot possibly move on with the news and views from build night before giving a big up to Jake for capturing the journey in characteristically cinematic fashion, all while riding Oxford Street’s new Harley. Obviously, shooting from the van would’ve been waaaaaay too easy for ol’ Jakey!

Ok, what happened on Week 7 of the Kommunal Kustom Build?

With the BBQ warming up, both teams took to the street with a pressure washer to hose down their naked frames and engines, followed by some all important rust assessment. Nothing gets the crew going quite like the aroma of sausages and paint stripper at sunset.

There was concern about some pitting inside the scrambler frame but after some head scratching and risk assessment between Michael, Kyle and Paul, the frame has been deemed worthy; just needs a bit of a scrub and some made-to-measure bracing around the head stem. Phew. 

Tookey, Doris and Oskar got busy chopping, bending and shaping their pipedreams in the fabrication area, while Brendan boldly faced the tracker wiring loom with the kind of calm focus most of us can scarcely muster; what a man. Lee and Rachel opened up the XT600 forks to drain the oil and assess their condition- another clean bill of health and another original part that just needs a bit of elbow grease. Like moths around a flame, Jon and Steph were hypnotised by the glowing window of the hydroblaster and Leah may have found a new bike! Al is reluctantly selling his beautiful GB500TT and was giving it a bit of a spit ‘n polish, much to the curiosity of Leah who lost her shit when the beast was fired up and those custom pipes filled the air with a warm growl. It’d be terrific to see it remain in the Kommune family and pass from one loving owner to another. Watch this space.

That about wraps up Week 7, so thanks as always to both teams for your unfailing enthusiasm and commitment to Konnections and thanks to @Jake Simkin, the man behind the lens who preserves the moments that matter.

In next week’s blog we’ll touch on the history of Flat Trackers and go into more detail about our idea for a Moto Swap Meet here at Kommune. Dig out the dusty treasure in your garage and roll out the bike you know you really ought to sell because there’ll be someone who wants what you have!

Check this page if you’re keen to learn more about our Kommune Konnections program funded by the DGR and Movember.

Written by Tom Ansell