Gard Hollinger built a custom, almost sport bike 106-inch H-D Twin Cam (engine modified by Bennett’s Performance), with a Baker transmission and all the best goods for Keanu Reeves a couple of years ago, but after riding it around the Hollywood Hills, Keanu said, “Let’s make more.”
Here are the words from the Arch web site: The original Arch prototype was born in Los Angeles out of a collaboration between veteran motorcycle builder Gard Hollinger and actor Keanu Reeves. It’s a motorcycle inspired both by the machines of old and the shapes of the future. Now nearing completion, the first production model will soon be available to a select few.
This bike will be amazing with billet gas tanks, billet aluminum frame components, ISR controls, carbon fiber wheels (light as a feather) from BST (Blackstone Tek in South Africa), the finest suspension components, and you name it.
We snuck into Gard’s shop under the ruse of eating exotic Indian food and talking Ferraris. We mentioned hummus and he started to salivate.
Gard is a quiet, unassuming sort and he would rather not discuss the project much until he can talk Keanu into strolling up on a brightly-lit stage and telling the world they have 50 state-of-the-art motorcycles to sell. Gard will be out back tinkering on the next project and having a cup of coffee with a couple of bros.
The challenge of taking a one-off custom bike and turning it into a production model comes with a myriad of obstacles. With every step and component Gard improved on the original custom with the notions of manufacturing efficiencies, strength, rideability, longevity, and reliability in mind. This bike will be fully EPA-compliant, rubber-mounted, with the absolute best in braking and handling components.
In addition to a rubber-mounted driveline, the handlebars are rubber-mounted and the grips and pegs are designed for vibration dampening. The wheelbase is slightly shorter and the chassis more agile. The forks will be wider than the originals, with custom trees machined for dual radial discs up front.
The gas tank is the most bulletproof tank on the planet. Billet-machined, it is a structural frame member, that is fully polished, certified welded, and then polished again. It’s slightly wider than the original and has a 5-gallon fuel capacity.
The frame is made up of one piece that’s steel, and then several aluminum shapely machined chunks are bolted to it, including the seat frame and swingarm. “Ryan Boyd is our Oz of CNC machining,” Gard said. “He’s been instrumental at making these machines spit out the magic piece.” The front end is fully adjustable and the rear suspension contains a fully adjustable mono-shock system.
Gard is testing two S&S Twin Cam engines, one of which is the square 111-inch mill with 4.25 stroke and bore, which is known for smooth long miles. It’s considered the best performance package for touring models.
He has a 124-inch S&S hot rod in his current test model, which forced him to build a new, slightly modified exhaust system. Vibration is a consideration and the larger motor adds a buzz to the chassis.
The seat pan is structural and conceals the wiring system. The foam is molded to the pan and covered by some of the finest craftsmen in the business, High End Seats. He worked with Billy Mc Cahill, of Compu-Fire to design an Arch high amperage voltage regulator to match the Spyke charging system.
This is just a taste of the design moves and considerations as Gard and his team roll closer to a state-of-the-art ARCH production motorcycle. Gard and Chop also continue to run their low volume unique production parts, LA Choprods shop, making custom oil tanks, builder parts, and distributing ISR controls out of the ARCH facility.
What can I say? Like the Bikernet Team, this is a group of diehard riders who love motorcycles and love to build cool shit and have a blast during every stage of the process. We will bring you another report as soon as I can find an excuse to sneak into his shop once more. What’s for lunch?
