Spotlight - Guus Both @deathbird_cycles

Hobbies are sometimes considered interests that evolve into passions. What starts off as an exploration of something new often emerges into a lifelong pursuit of maintaining an activity that brings immeasurable pleasure.

Guus Both, 35, can attest to this sentiment.

As a current resident of Breda in The Netherlands, Guus 's love of motorcycles emerged from his love of skateboarding. Hanging around a group of skateboarders and looking up to pros like Max Schaaf, Heath Kirchart and Jason Jesse who dabbled with choppers on the side inspired Both to check out the biker scene himself.

"I was addicted from day one," Guus declares. "Started with a sportster 10 years ago, who I still ride."

Pictured above is Guus' Harley Davidson 1981 FXE Shovelhead. It features a stock swingarm frame and is kick only. The front is 4" over 39mm with a 21-spoke wheel, and the rear features 11" shocks with an 18" XLCR 1000 mag wheel, and both are covered with Avon tires.

"Determine the lines," Guus replied when asked about his favorite part of the building process. "Fuck things up, and the welding!"

For aftermarket parts, Guus used a super narrow peanut tank, on which he welded "Black Sabbath" onto. He also used a sportster fender narrowed down to 1", which he welded up a bit around the edges and had the crazy idea to make a mini frank fender. There's a Boyle custom air cleaner with a Mikuni HSR 42 Carb and Biltwell Slimline Risers Guus extended himself.

"I did all the things by myself," Guus explains of the bike's custom fabrications. "The mid-controls, pegs, piecut handlebar, risers and piecut exhaust are all stainless. The seat is customized diamond-stitch, with upholstery by Silvermachine Holland. The open belt drive is also customized, and I painted bike myself!"