Bike Builder Magazine : KawiForums.com Kawasaki Forums: Kawasaki motorcycle forums

Flexxx · 11-15-2012, 11:45 PM

So this is basically a thought coming into words...

I currently do the graphic and layout designs for a magazine my family started and I now run. It is a state-wide magazine that covers the state of NC as well as the edges of the boarding states (VA, TN, SC) about horses(trail riding to be exact).

Well bikes are definitely my passion, so I've been thinking about the possibility of a bike builder magazine. Here are my thoughts...

We all love watching other people's builds. Anywhere from crazy bike morphs to awesome performance mods. So why not have a magazine that includes a few awesome bike builds together each month for everyone to enjoy in the palm of their hand? Let YOU GUYS write some articles about your know-how. And have some exclusive deals from our wonderful vendors.

I'm thinking I would mainly dedicate it to bike builds, but also have sections to keep everyone updated on specific race tech, standings, the "important" news updates, etc. All solely on sportbikes. The biggest thing, I would LOVE for it to make it nation-wide.

If I can get enough positive feedback on this, I'll spend my next year to see if I can get this thing started.

It would probably be a 12 month subscription, getting 12 issues, for $40-$50? (These are just quick-thought numbers. It solely depends on advertisers and support)

It does cost a lot, and it's a risk, so feedback is KEY.

Again, I'm just throwing my thoughts out there. What do you guys think?

whitehendrix · 11-16-2012, 11:42 PM

sounds bitchin to me. theres alot of local talent here as well.

Flexxx · 11-16-2012, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitehendrix

sounds bitchin to me. theres alot of local talent here as well.

Very much agreed. The few big wig bike magazines out there focus on the bike wig bikers and builders. There's too much talent in the community garages to let it go unseen. And I think it'll keep the audience intrigued. I mean, who doesn't love a sweet bike build...? Gives you ideas, eye candy, and just a smile to see such creations. Just my .02

whitehendrix · 11-16-2012, 11:49 PM

well, remember that racer X is not around as well, so something highlighting any track events of any sort are gonna be key, too. i can get you in VERY tight with NCCAR and TPM, and it aint nothin to network with VIR, CMP, the local drag strips, camp lejune, local shops and builders.. lots of potential for sure. just gotta outweigh what paper will do as opposed to having it online.

Flexxx · 11-16-2012, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitehendrix

well, remember that racer X is not around as well, so something highlighting any track events of any sort are gonna be key, too. i can get you in VERY tight with NCCAR and TPM, and it aint nothin to network with VIR, CMP, the local drag strips, camp lejune, local shops and builders.. lots of potential for sure. just gotta outweigh what paper will do as opposed to having it online.

I just noticed, you're right around the corner in Wilmy. We need to stay in contact for sure...

My strategy for the magazine being more inviting than the internet is being able to have all the info, all the pictures, all the articles, in ONE book. Whereas on the internet, it's spread through the whole web. You won't have to spend time searching numerous different track updates or bike builds, they'll come to you each month in the mail.

whitehendrix · 11-17-2012, 12:03 AM

oh def true man. i am a builder as well. you might get a kick out of some of the shit i get into. lol i got some shit on facebook under "various builds and such". i always liked actual pages you can grab and drool on in the on the plane on the way to a show, or in the car waiting for a hooker to finish giving you head.. places where laptops or phones aren't always the best bet. of course overhead is a killer, and all printed industries are suffering bad. news mainly, but i think magazines still have a decent hold for now and will for a while due to the convenience factor.
i got mad connections all over the place so.. ya man if you're ever in town, we'll hit up downtown, grab some lunch and talk hot girls and business!

Flexxx · 11-17-2012, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitehendrix

oh def true man. i am a builder as well. you might get a kick out of some of the shit i get into. lol i got some shit on facebook under "various builds and such". i always liked actual pages you can grab and drool on in the on the plane on the way to a show, or in the car waiting for a hooker to finish giving you head.. places where laptops or phones aren't always the best bet. of course overhead is a killer, and all printed industries are suffering bad. news mainly, but i think magazines still have a decent hold for now and will for a while due to the convenience factor.
i got mad connections all over the place so.. ya man if you're ever in town, we'll hit up downtown, grab some lunch and talk hot girls and business!

Now that sounds like one helluva plan. Right now, work is a biotch and my weekends have been stacked with two builds I got going on right now. Haha. But as soon as some free time comes up, I'm sure I'll need a trip to get me the hell out of this town.

whitehendrix · 11-17-2012, 12:22 AM

i feel ya man. i got 12 motors on my plate. a few of them mine, but.. i think its 12.. lets see.

06 R6
94 9R (complete bike build)
90's kdx200
90's yamaha liter race-spec frankenmotor (yzf/fzr1000 mating, 6 speed trans and lowe cases with 1000 top end and jugs)
potentially a few race spec motors at my doorstep for a winter rebuild
AWP series 1.8T for a big turbo A4. building for about 400whp.

(my shit)
99 zx7r NA motor ( APE adj. cam gears, cosworth pistons, knife-edged crank, efi conversion)
00 zx7r turbo motor with efi conversion
86 kx125
77 honda z50
(2) honda VTR 250 race-spec motors, both cammed, ported/polished. 1 of which is 1.5mm over making ( i was told but cant find a dyno sheet to prove it) 54HP

yeah. most of it is mine, but still. lol the frankenmotor will probably end up mine as well. the rest of the shit, who knows man. this industry is all over the place anyway. i have fuckin so many builds under my belt i cant even keep track any more.

Flexxx · 11-17-2012, 12:30 AM

Yea I just looked at your build pics on Facebook. Impressive tig skills.

whitehendrix · 11-17-2012, 01:34 AM

thanks man. i do that shit for a living ( as well as being a machinist) i semi-retired from the bike stuff, but still do alot of consultation and builds anyway. i cant get away from it! haha its all good tho. i hate working on street bikes any more so i am focusing more on race shit than anything. race and show stuff is where its at anyway. and some of those tig pics are old. man i got a shit ton better after doing it for work.. same with mig. my mig was usually on point and decent. i just welded up 100 valve guards for GE Nuclear and each one had 6 bigass welds on them. man i tell ya, my shit about halfway thru was lookin almost robotic. i was on point once i figured out a few finer points on mig welding i never applied before. but i think to be a bike builder you HAVE to be great at everything. theres no room for error anyway regardless and no matter how ya slice it. someones life is on the line, as well as much of their money. and if you fuck up the wrong person's shit, your life is on the line, too... and i've seen that personally with another local shop i sadly used to work for.