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If you have ever met Bootsey, I think you'll agree with me when I say that he is not exactly your shy retiring type who hides his light under a bushel. And although it would be wrong to suggest that all custom bikes accurately reflect their owner's personality, I would argue that Bootsey's bikes do. Take a look at Venom for example, a Z650 lowrider. It drips with chrome and gold plate, trick purple paint and intricate engraving — and it goes like stink. Bootsey builds 'em loud, in every sense of the word and like 'em or loathe 'em, you can't ignore 'em! Venom was originally featured way backin issue 24, after which Bootsey took it off the road and practically started again. |
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Because the KZ motor proved to be as
temperamental beast in the initial build up, it
was totally rebuilt (it had gone through
three heads and thirty five pistons!) and
was finally sorted by Alan from the LBMC:
who got it running sweet as a nut; For some extra security, Bootsey also had the
innards nylon coated by Armours from Letchworth. The frame was constructed, in house, at Desperate Dans, the brief being to go as; low as possible and still handle, |
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Chris Ireland took charge of that, and once he was finished, all the welds were hidden by finger moulding executed at JGS by Ian King. Ian was later to take care of all the paintwork and muralling too, clever chap! Into the 1 GPZ1100 front end went an Ltd front wheel. The matching wheel snuggled into the back end, though off which Limited Edition Kwack they came, I've no idea. Most of the other details are covered by the spec sheet below, but a special mention must be made of Jeanette from Basingstoke who was given a free hand over the engraving. She designed and executed the engraving to a fantastic standard and it sets the bike off beautifully. Rather than cover Venom's every metal surface, she chose to concentrate on specific areas and avoid the expensive over-kill seen on some machines. Despite that, restraint is not a word to be used when trying to describe the machine. It is designed to look and perform over the top. it is colourful, loud and outrageous, exactly, you could argue, like its owner. By Rich |
Name of bike: Venom Owner: Bootsey Engine: KZ650, totally rebuilt Frame: Rigid, Desperate Dans Front End: GPZ1100, Ltd wheel, 3.25-19 Metzeler Back End: Ltd again, 150-80-16 Metzeler Bars: Drag Plating: Chrome, V&G Platers, Arsley Gold, Desperate Dans Engraving: Jeanette, Basingstoke Paint and Murals: Ian King, JGS Customising Seat: Leather — John Tearle, Desperate Dans Tank: Mustang (twin cap) Oil Tank: Dummy, Houses electrics Electrics: Steve Cleaver, Desperate Dans Engineering Details: Hoses and Cooler, Goodridge, Belly Pan, Lintek Engineering: Chris Ireland, Desperate Dans Polishing: Ferret, Desperate Dans Lights: Bates and Cats Eye Exhaust: One off, by guess who Cissy Bar: Low Cathedral Construction Period: 21/2 months Other Thanks to: Flavel, Desperate Dans: John, JGS; Little Dave, Ayiesbury |
Venom Appered in Back Street Heroes Issue number 54 Click Here to Visit the main BSH site The Text above is the text that appears in that issue |
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