Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Road Kandy Streamliner

Road Kandy Streamliner

Well, it’s not really called the Streamliner, but when Blake Adams of Road Kandy Customs sent through these studio shots he simply described it as ‘The Red Bike’ and, of course, that’s exactly what it is. But his reference for the build was the design ethos of the 30’s which sought to create vehicles with as little air resistance as possible: high speed trains, boats and land speed record-breaking automobiles. So the ‘Streamliner’ moniker seemed a more apt title.

Once again, the amount of custom fabrication and machining that the Road Kandy team has injected into this work of art is awe-inspiring. Based on a 1938 Men’s Elgin, the entire frame from the bottom bracket up has been re-created, including the pedal platforms, handgrips and valve caps, which been lathed from bowling balls. The seat pan is hand made and upholstered in Rolls Royce tan leather. The horn and battery tank for the headlight (a restored Buick backup light) is CNC milled and based on a front engine top fuel dragster.

That rear suspension is a masterpiece of engineering, adjustable by the two bullets at the top of the springs. But the work that’s gone into that paint is also a star of the show. The first coat is a White Pearl, then Candy Red with Gold and Red Pearl topcoats. It’s then been accented with Pearl Ivory on a Tan base with Gold and White Pearls. Finally, it’s been hand pinstriped with Caramel Tan one shot.

The Road Kandy Streamliner has been recognized for what it’s worth: it took top honours in the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show and is now actually a working bike. The Hanna, Crietz and Donovan Nostalgic Drag Racing Team use it as their pit bike at annual events in Formosa CA and Bowling Green KY.

Another testament to the skill of the Road Kandy crew is the collaborations. Tom Markus (known for painting the famous Falcon Motorcycles) did the paint, while Tom Hanna is a builder of some of the most beautiful front engine top fuel dragster bodies and donated the tank. Corey Conyers literally built and fabricated everything on the Streamliner… perfectly straight, without a jig.

Road Kandy Streamliner
Road Kandy Streamliner
Road Kandy Streamliner
Road Kandy Streamliner
Road Kandy Streamliner
Road Kandy Streamliner
Road Kandy Streamliner
Road Kandy Streamliner
Road Kandy Streamliner