The BigTwin Bikeshow was the chosen moment for the V8 to become public. Good timing, so close to the articles in BigTwin en MO.
This show is the most important custom show in the Netherlands and one of the best in the world.
One can expect early November to be rainy, but storm Ciaran was quite inconvenient.
On Thursday, November 2, 2023, the trip went to the Expo Hall in Houten. Neighbor Hannie lend her battery to winch the bike into the trailer. You can see from her hairstyle that there is already a strong wind. ;)
I didn’t trust our little Hyundai enough to pull the trailer safely through the storm. Micky fortunately lend me his solid van …
…and that was nice because the wind was really strong. Fortunately I was able to load and unload the bike dry; saves a lot of unnecessary cleaning-up.
Another special moment: this friendly guy was the first stranger to ever (ever!) take pictures of my bike.
Also funny: when they saw my compact trailer arriving, I was asked if I shipped a mini-bike. Well… not really. ;)
I immediately saw this beautiful bike that I had not seen in BigTwin’s line-up.
In that line-up – no less than 102 motorcycles – mine wasn’t present either. I consciously didn’t want that: the show had to be the scoop, not the internet.
They liked the bike, and it was given a prominent place.
The so-called ‘specs sheet’ was very limited, but fortunately it did mention this website, which provides just a little bit more information.
The V8 was surrounded by impressive ‘design studies’. I call them that because they don’t have a license plate and therefore are not allowed on the street.
At the rear left you see Dirk Oehlerking’s ‘The Crown’, based on BMW’s R18. And in the foreground the particularly refined electric bike called ‘Murata’, by Ruben Mellaerts. Really a beautiful machine, even though it is electric. ;)
The R18 is certainly an impressive engine. This one, ‘The Manager’, is a beast. And one that you can take on the road; quite an advantage.
Familiar faces were also present. In the background you see Onno ‘Beserk’ Wieringa, journalist and co-organizer of the BigTwin Bikeshow, and in the foreground German photographer-journalist Horst Rösler, some of whose photos you can see in this post.
Café racers, I love them. Simple, black and cool. So much better than the donor: the rather characterless Honda Silver Wing, from the early 1980s.
This also applies to this conversion of a Yamaha XV920; also so much more brutal than the original.
It was a nice reunion with Vic and Lin Jefford, from Destiny Cycles, England. I have known them for over 20 years, and this time they came with a beautiful hardtail Harley Sportster, with a front fork made from a Model T Ford.
Obviously I cannot show and discuss all bikes. Here a so-called ‘high neck’; apart from the fine black, not really my style, but still quite striking.
Saturday morning Erwin and I visited the show; he with his self-built sidecar bike, me with my trusty Busa.
I registered in the ‘Freestyle’ category, and upon arrival I was granted to move the bike ten meters forward, in Winners Plaza.
On Friday, November 3, the show was already very crowded; I didn’t really expect this because it was a ‘normal working day’. Special Guests that day were my sister Cécile and cousin Pim.
On Saturday and Sunday there was a coming and going of acquaintances. Here my brother Godfried, cousin Pieter and nephew Jonas. Motorcycle shows are of course part of a good upbringing.
Photo: Emma Nijs
Here I pose with my biker cousins Godfried and Wilbert …
… here we recognize neighbor Hannie …
… and my ever supporting wife Frederiek.
It was impossible to have everyone posing next to the bike; apologies if you were there but not on a photo. :(
Here you see my friend and former colleague René Kijne. He has no interest in motorcycles whatsoever, but he does have a passion for madness. And that is what bike building is.
Speaking of craziness: my crazy friends from the past (and fortunately: present!). With my very good friend Simon (to my right) and, next to him, V8-Projectforce-from-the-very-start Koen.
My brother Godfried, like me, loves photography and looks for special perspectives.
Photo: Godfried Nijs
Onno asked me to give a presentation on stage.
Photo: Horst Rösler
Transferring that much torque to carpet is quite a challenge. The ramp fortunately survived the weight …
Photo: Godfried Nijs
… but I almost didn’t. The bottom of the frame got stuck on the edge of the ramp, I wanted to correct the imbalance so I put my foot down … in empty space because the ramp was too narrow.
Photo: Horst Rösler
Mirror twisted but fortunately no further damage. I could start my talk. :)
Photo: Godfried Nijs
Exciting and fun, for an interested and professional audience.
Photo: Horst Rösler
Among other things, I told about the water-methanol injection, of which the swingarm is the reservoir …
Photo: Horst Rösler
… and finally there was an interview on film.
Photo: Mirjam Jentjens
And then I had to leave the stage. The frame, of course, scraped again, but this time it went well.
Photo: Horst Rösler
In the meantime, it had become busier at Winners Plaza.
Because I thought the specs sheet was too concise, I shared some more information on three A4 sheets. And they were studied and photographed many times.
Page 1 …
… and 2 …
… and 3. Including the Dyno results, and a QR code to this website.
There was a lot of activity around Winners Plaza …
… and a hustle and bustle with acquaintances. I picked this photo from bigtwin.nl: it shows my cousin Finn (next to the pole, with glasses), next to him Jan, then me, then Helen and Marcel, and on the right, with cup, Marc.
It was great to see dozens of friends, family, bike builders, colleagues and (former) students. Many of which actually have no connection to motorcycles. Or had. ;)
Photo: Onno Wieringa
The awards ceremony was on Sunday.
Photo: Finn van den Hoogen
What I really like about this motorcycle show is that the bikes that win an award actually have to ride it on stage. That may seem obvious, but many show bikes, in the Netherlands and certainly abroad, not only do not have a license plate, they also don’t even start.
If you can’t get the engine started and you have to push it, you will be made a fool of and chased by the dreaded ‘Chicken’.
Photo: Onno Wieringa
No matter how much I like it, it’s nice that my bike started. Because you really don’t want something like that happening to you. ;)
Photo: Horst Rösler
The photo says it all: the absolute grand prize, winner ‘Best of Show’! What an honor, among so much national and international quality.
Photo: Horst Rösler
I rode onto the stage, with familiar scratching. ;)
Photo: Marc Sanders
So proud!
Photo: Horst Rösler
Talked to the audience …
Photo: Horst Rösler
…and collected the most beautiful award I have ever won, and I already have 25 from the CBX. This one is made of stainless steel by former show winner Toine van Lieshout from Phoenix 3D Metaal.
Photo: Finn van den Hoogen
What a beauty.
Tower of strength since many years, Peter Scheepers, joined in the celebration.
Photo: Finn van den Hoogen
It was also very special that Melissa Sarembe, Klaus’ daughter, was there. His DNA is very present in my bike.
Photo: Finn van den Hoogen
A group photo with loved ones: from left to right Peter, Joe, Micky, Frederiek, Finn, Hannie, Aldert, Melissa and her friend.
Ally Niels was conspicuous by his absence. That was a shame.
Photo: Aldert Tjoelker
It was a really emotional day. Enduring your husband’s madness for over twenty years is no small feat.
Photo: Aldert Tjoelker
We tried to get the bike off the stage without a scratch; this required lifting the plate halfway. Because lifting the bike itself … well … not really. Not even by Micky. ;)
Photo: Finn van den Hoogen
Posing with direct competitor Dirk Oehlerking. He won ‘our’ Freestyle category.
Which is a striking example of a Dutch speciality called ‘polderen’: giving everyone a piece of the cake. Because it just doesn’t make any sense to win Best of Show and come second in your own category. ;)
Photo: Finn van den Hoogen
There was a whole set of prizes waiting for me, and the lot had to be photographed.
Photo: Finn van den Hoogen
Without me: okay …
Photo: Marley van Baaren
… with me: quite uncomfortable, as you can see. ;)
Photo: Onno Wieringa
A final moment with the show’s mastermind, Onno.
Photo: Horst Rösler
On Sunday evening I was supported by Micky, Marley (l) and Finn (r). A really nice team.
I had won, among other things, €1,500 prize money in Zodiac vouchers, and was allowed to select items from four kilos of their catalogues. Strangely enough, that wasn’t easy because I don’t belong to Zodiac’s target group: Harley custom builders. Motorcycle parts and add-on items such as handlebars, mirrors, stickers and bling are not for me. I manufacture all these parts myself so …
… I chose American tools, measuring instruments and polishing stuff. Thanks Zodiac! :)