Once the extensive metal fabrication was complete, the parts were entrusted to Iassics Custom Paint to treat the metal to a Giger-esque graphics scheme. In keeping with the Predator theme, skulls, skeletons, and snakes were painted all over the bike, including the frame, sheetmetal, and handlebars. Being on a strict timeline Iassic pulled off the paint job in a mere eight days, albeit with a 21-hour work schedule that started early each morning.
After getting the frame and tins back, Trik Daddy's own Terry and Derek had two days to assemble the bike for its show debut. To get the chassis rolling, an inverted Mean Street frontend was bolted up to the 50-degree neck tube. The massive chrome tubes hold a Weld wheel with dual Hawg Halters calipers bolted on either side. A futuristic-looking headlight from Eurocomponents blends perfectly into the triple-trees. On the rear Weld wheel a combination drive-side pulley and brake rotor reside on the right side of the massive rubber. Hand controls that are devoid of wires, cables, and hoses (for the hydraulic clutch) keep the handlebars clean while accentuating the paint. Keeping track of running speed is a single Dakota Digital gauge that sits in the middle of the bars. A pressure gauge and a switch for the AirRide shock system reside on the left motor mount.
Once the metalflakes finally settled, the Trik Daddy crew sat back to admire their handiwork. It was a grueling three months from the radical concept in John's mind to the sweat of his guys to make it all happen. Judges across the nation agreed that Predator was worthy to win contests from Florida to Sturgis and beyond. In fact, Predator was one of only a few American bikes to be invited to the International Automotive Show in Essen, Germany. We think they made a smart choice.