Lean, stretched, and filigree, is the design of the long smooth-lined bike called “Mantis”. Fine bowed tubes, no hoses or fairings, no bad looking details to be covered or hidden. The drop-styled tank hangs beneath the spinal looking upper tube like a body part; organic and physically fitting. And the body parts of model Sam match perfectly…
Clean and visible from all angles, the technical details are fine planned and overwhelmingly beautiful placed inside the wriggled tubes. Point out what you want, you might find a really convincing solution.
To start with, the frame is custom built by the makers of this unique bike, the German company “Independent Choppers” from Düsseldorf, the states capitol. Frank Sander, head honcho of that bike-garage, states, “The aim was to build a bike that is capable of rolling lots of miles while looking as if it almost couldn't.
This bike was designed with the appearance of a trailer- queen, but with the attitude of miles to solve. At first we planned on a tricky air ride, but the swing we designed at first was much too heavy and bold to fit into this picture. So we refused to build a soft ass scoot and came up with a completely new designed frame.”
And they did very well with that.
The single downtube flows into three further tubes that hold the motor, the foot controls and at the rear end they guide the wheel. Just a triangled middle-mount looks out of the tank to hold the cylinders. A custom cover hides the ignition coils and flatters the eyes.
Everything is either smooth without edges or diamond-shaped. And everything looks precious and valuable.
The seating position of the pilot is the most discussed thing when people see this chopper. And let me tell you – as being 6.3″ tall myself – I experienced it as being very comfortable. I can sit straight up, the arms below shoulder level, the head up, and comfortably expecting the adventures to come along. Almost like sitting in a huge car, nothing bent or bowed to make it uncomfortable or stressing. And Frank built this bike for himself. Being about my height he really will do fine on tour out in the country.
The engine is a RevTech 88 and breathes through a Mikuni HSR 42, free and not filtered at all. While driving through bad air-conditions, there will be filters attached, made by “Pistor”. The manifolds are custom made and asbestos-wrapped for a mean and little vintage style.
As a transmission, Frank chose a right-side-drive to gain a balanced and different look, being able to let the pipes' ends look out on the left side; a very unique but fine solution. The high front end comes from SJP, the triple tree clamps are custom modified Pro-One-models, and the handlebar-halves are attached in a very tricky way. They sit beneath the upper clamp and so they are in the best position to grab them in a perfect ergonomically correct way- if you're tall enough. And, hey, it looks great!
The wheels are PM-“Gatlin”-rims and look almost as if they were made for this concept only. The sophisticated color was designed by well known master-artist, Wild Air Hörby. The color choice underlines the valuable design and follows the lines and the presentation.
All cables and wires are hidden in the frame.
Luckily our pro-model Sam didn't hide anything.
Her all natural body parts as well show lines we all dream of (And those who don't need to be checked out for a therapy).
She loves to play the erotic goddess and matches perfectly with the bike.
Both are erotic and exotic dreams, descended from the throne of late night biker wishes to materialize in front of us.
Enjoy the moment and take care. Dreams only sometimes come true. We had them at our studio, sorry that you couldn't join in that day….
Bandit's Cantina Happy HourTech Sheet
Make and Year: Independent Choppers (IC), Düsseldorf, Germany
Builder: Frank Sander, owner
Engine: Rev Tech 88 cui, year 2002
Carb: Mikuni HSR 42, open, no filters, sometimes some of brand “Pistor”
Exhaust: manifolds custom IC, pipes Kodlin
Transmission: Zodiac Right Side Drive
Primary Drive: chain
Secondary drive: belt
Frame: Independent “Deep”, rake 43°
Frontend: SJP tubes in modified Pro One clamps including IC- stabilizer
Wheels: front PM Gatlin 2,15 x 21 with 90/90-21 Metzeler
rear PM Gatlin 10,5 x 18 with 280/35-18 Metzeler
Brakes: front and rear PM, on the rear the “Driveside”-model gastank, oiltank, fenders, handlebar everything and much more IC footcontrols PM/NYC
colour and design: Wild Air Hörby, colour and beatgold, 8 and more, layers of clear varnish
Links:
author and photography: www.wikinger.com
bike builders: www.independent-choppers.de
colour and design: www.wildairhoerby.de (flash-site, cool!)
Model: Samira, to be found on the wikinger.com – website
