Spotlight - Austin Hill @shooksoda

Austin Hill, known by his Instagram handle @shooksoda, drives a 2020 FXLRS Low Rider S.

Underneath this beauty's stunning exterior is a compelling story of transformation, hard work, and an unyielding passion for two-wheeled machines.

An Arizona resident, Hill, 30, became interested in motorcycle customization at a young age. He would watch with curiosity as family friends constructed makeshift dirt bikes with engines from Harbor Frieght. These friends would build the frames of the bikes up in order to place the small 13hp engines inside.

"I think I might have been six or seven when I first jumped on two wheels, and instantly fell in love with any two-wheeled machines," Hill reminisces. "Ever since then, from 16 years old onward, I have almost always owned a motorcycle."

Hill compares the endeavor of customizing motorcycles himself to working with a giant LEGO set. In other words, Hill has found he can create a look all his own by mixing and maching a variety of different parts. He knows that customization is essentially a never ending process, and the most enjoyable part is taking the bike out for its first test spin.

"I would have to say that first ride with the boys after it is all put back together after waiting for parts," Expresses Hill. "Like, taking it around the block to make sure it isn't pissing oil is a fun ride, but I do not really count that one as really getting to get the bike back out and enjoy it like intended."

Over the years, Hill has been the proud owner and builder of countless bikes. To name a few, he has customized an R1, some Sportsters, a Dyna and an FXR that is presently a mere frame but will be constructed for a cross country adventure.

Check out Hill's Low Rider S:

"It has definitely gone through a few evolutions and styles, from the look of a T-Sport to FXRT, to now bare bones," Hill explains. "The bike is currently torn down a bit. I am adding a few more things before hitting the road full time."

The bike's exhaust is a Trask 2-Into-1 Exhaust System. The seat is an iconic Saddlemen Step-Up Seat, and the frame and chassis consists of Cross Thread MX Pegs, an Imzz Elite Rear Passenger Peg and Crash Bars. For suspension, there is an RWD RS-1 Monoshock, Hairy Customs Two Over-Front Fork Shims, Ohlins NIX30 Drop-in Front Shocks and a Bung King Front Highway Bar.

The FXLRS utilizes a Speed Kings Chain Conversion Kit as well as Cali Raised Baha Designs LP6 Light in Amber. As for the handlebar section, Hill installed the Deadbeat Customs Tracker High Handlebars in Red, Speed Kings 10" Aniston Risers and an FXR Divisional Dual Gauge Mount. Hill's bike also has Arlen Ness Mini Stocker Mirrors in Red.

"My boy, TJ [@tjsharleyservice], has been a massive help with working on this bike," Hill points out. "He has helped to answer just about any questions I had. "He also helped me install the FXRT fairing when I had it installed previously on the bike. The rest has been the typical bunch of friends in a garage helping out, or it has been done by myself."

As far as Custom Fabrication goes, Hill says that, because the bike is a 2020 M8, the only true custom fabrication was merely a custom block-off plate he made with his friends from CMMoto Shop. Hill adds he had to think on his feet since he had to make his own spacers in order to mount the gauge relocation kit. He observes M8 models are incomparable to choppers or even FXRs.

The paint job was done by @triplespaintworks.

"'When it is finished...' We all know that is a lie," Hill chuckles about the building process. "They are never finished, there is always something else to do."