2003 Suzuki Volusia 800 And 2006 Honda VT750 Aero - Metric Magic

The guys from AFT Customs make it much easier to do so whether you are well endowed or not. AFT has a reputation for clean work with a well-thought-out attitude and attention to details that most would overlook. So much so that some of the big manufacturers have been know to call in for their services. Drawing influences from all forms of vehicles, their bikes have design cues from hot rods, Harleys and sportbikes. Take a look at the bikes featured here, for instance. Anybody who is into bikes would be drawn to these beauties no matter which shore they were made on.

Not a new company by any means, these guys have been doing up metrics since 1987 when Jim Giuffra, who has been factory-trained by Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, started Amador Fine Tune, repairing and customizing all makes of on- and off-road motorcycles. From there, Jim partnered up with motorcycle craftsman Ron Abel, and together they started AFT Customs. Shortly after the doors were opened, they started building memorable metrics with a custom flare. With the ball rolling full speed on customer creations, AFT stepped up with a few their own show bikes, and in 2005, they were crowned World Champions of Custom Bike Building with their VT750-based bobber.

Since the beginning of AFT Customs, more focus was on performance than pimping out baggers, but as we all know, times and tastes change. The focal point has always been on making bikes work for their riders. In-house fabrication allows them to do full-on fabrication work from something as simple as changing foot pedal and brake lever locations to custom air-ride kits and advanced frame modifications. Don't think for one minute that AFT's bikes are just for show; they have a lot of go as well, with one of the best metric engine builders and tuners being Jim himself.

The two bikes we have here are a 2003 Suzuki Volusia and a 2006 Honda VT750 Aero, which are both very different than their showroom brethren. Dipping into parts piles from both American and metric motorcycles, the results have set the bagger world on their collective ears. There are things done to these bikes that were once thought impossible. On a Harley, due to the massive aftermarket support, all sorts of bolt-on custom upgrades are done with ease, but on a metric, it takes much thought, engineering and parts-robbing to do so. Take the Aero, for instance. It's water-cooled, so where's the big, ugly radiator? Tucked under the seat with an electric push fan. Isn't there a bunch of suspension where the True Dual exhaust resides on the Volusia? Yes, but major modifications were done to make it all work and look good while doing it. Check out the suicide shifter with hand clutch, which is another AFT custom touch that you won't see at your local Honda dealer.

These two bikes show that with AFT, simplicity and practicality win out over fluff and hype. Their fit and finish rival any of the world's top V-twin builders. It's only the hurdle of prejudice some people have against metrics that would get in the way of believing just how nice these bikes really are.