First Custom Bike and A Journey Of A Lifetime!

by Sorgeloos Jurgen
(Belgium)

Amigo’s,

I live in Belgium and I’m building my first bike ( Chopper ) right now. Everything started 3 years ago when I came back from Daytona Bike Week.

I considered selling my 1998 Fat Boy and my 1958 Chevy Pick Up to build my own custom bike. A new adventure was born, and I was ready for it. I started choosing some parts. I ordered in several bike shops all over the USA. Most are in California...wheels, engine, transmission, headlight, forks, air cleaner etc.

OK, I spent about 15000$. I had to pick up all those parts myself except the parts outside California. Those were shipped to a friend who lives in Las Vegas. Las Vegas here I come! All the parts that I ordered outside California were already there when I arrived. I rented a car in Vegas and hit the road to LA, not knowing what to expect. It was just perfect!!! Everything was ready to pick up, and the people in the shops were very helpful. They give me a tour and a lot of explanation how they make everything.

After loading the car I went back to Vegas. I stopped in a Home depot and bought some wood to build a crate. It took good day to make a strong and functional crate. Finished, and put all my parts in it. They were ready to ship and I had an agreement with a Belgium company to take care of the shipping. But when I arrived in Belgium the company was BROKE!

After a lot of phone calls I found another Belgium company that could help me. Only one problem...they were located in North Carolina ( Monroe ), and I had to ship the crate first to their place.


I called a lot of company’s in the US to ship it from Las Vegas to NC. Monroe? I was surprised, and it was more expensive than when I did it myself. So I flew to Atlanta, rented a car, and drove to Vegas in 2 day’s. The crate was still in my friend’s garage that I built 6 months ago...

I put everything in the minivan and hit the road, but because I still had 6 day’s to be in Monroe I decided to go first to Daytona bike week again. I stayed for 3 day’s, and to make use of it I bought some other parts.

After having a lot of fun, I drove to NC. Monroe...finally I arrived with the minivan that was about to explode. After unloading I went back to Atlanta and flew home. I drove about 6000 Miles in one week! And had the time of my life! If I have to, I would do it again.

2 months later, the company contacted me, and the parts were arrived. I drove to them very soon afterward, and finely I could start building my own bike.

He isn’t finished yet, but I see the end very soon. I never did something with bikes except ride them. But for now, everything went fine. My friends tell me I'm crazy. All this trouble for a bike...maybe their right...but I don’t care!

Sorgeloos Jurgen.
Belgium.
Have a nice day!!!....I love your country!!! I wish I was born there!!! I’m always looking for a place to stay... ... ... .