Why Some Builds Take Forever — The Ugly Side of Custom Motorcycle Builds

Or, Why You Should Calm the Hell Down and Stop Asking “Is It Done Yet?” Every 14 Minutes

So you decided to get yourself a custom motorcycle build. Congratulations! You've officially entered the magical world where your dreams, Pinterest boards, and late-night Instagram scrolling collide with engineering, fabrication, and physics—you know, reality.

Now let me ask you something, when you ordered your custom-built bike, did you also happen to order your custom-built patience? No? That explains so much.

Because here's the cold, greasy, spark-spitting truth no one told you (probably because they wanted your deposit first): Custom motorcycle builds take forever. Not because your builder is sitting around sipping beer and scrolling memes (though let’s be honest, we all need a little of that), but because this is not Amazon Prime. And it definitely ain’t build-a-bike Barbie time.

Let’s break it down, shall we?

Fabrication ≠ Microwave Dinner

Somewhere along the line, “custom” got confused with “quick.” Listen closely: fabrication takes time. You can’t just hand us a picture of a 1948 Harley-Davidson, a few scribbles on a napkin, and say, “Make it look like this, but cooler, and also fit my 6'4” frame, and use my buddy’s leftover Sportster tank.”
Yeah. No.

When Bryce fabricates something, it’s not a “throw this on the bike and pray” situation. It’s calculated—as in actual math. Gearing ratios, compression, rake angles, frame geometry, airflow, weight distribution... these things matter. You know what doesn’t matter? Your cousin Kyle saying it “shouldn’t take that long.”

Parts Shortages & Sourcing Nightmares (a.k.a. The Scavenger Hunt From Hell)

Welcome to the wild world of global supply chain issues. Ever tried finding a 1970s oil tank mount that was only made for six months in one factory in Milwaukee and is now hoarded by some guy named Gus in Arizona? That’s our Tuesday.

Sometimes we can’t start until we have very specific parts. And no, we can't “just use whatever.” Would you tell a heart surgeon to “just grab any ol’ valve that’s lying around”? No? Same energy.
Every piece on your bike has a reason, a function, and often—get this—a backorder status. Add 3-6 weeks to your timeline. Now add a few more for shipping errors and customs delays. Still with me?

Paint, Powder, Polish: Pick Two… In Four Weeks

Do you want it shiny? Do you want it done right? Great, then you don’t want it done fast. Quality finishes take time.
Powder coating? That requires prep, cure time, and if someone touches it while it's curing—congrats, we’re starting over.
Paintwork? That's a delicate dance of layering, curing, sanding, detailing, and then sitting in a sealed room praying a speck of dust doesn’t land on it.
Polishing? That’s not waving a rag around like you're detailing your mom’s Corolla. We’re talking hours with compounds, wheels, and sore wrists. (Settle down.)

“My Buddy Did It In A Weekend”

Oh, we LOVE this one.

Your buddy probably also zip-tied his wiring harness to a beer can and calls it a chopper. That’s cute. He also didn’t rebuild the engine, measure his sprocket offset, or check his axle alignment. But hey, he got it running just long enough to do a burnout at a poker run. Super inspirational.

If you want a weekend bike, you always have the option to go to a weekend builder. But don’t act shocked when it rides like a shopping cart with one locked wheel.

Unrealistic Expectations: The #1 Build Killer

This one’s for the dreamers—the folks who think we’re just sitting here, twiddling our thumbs, waiting for your creative vision to arrive in a Red Bull-fueled text message at 2am.

Here's a thought: If you expect a hand-built, one-of-a-kind, “never-been-done-before” motorcycle to be completed within 3 weeks, under budget, and ready for your cousin’s wedding photoshoot…
You’re not dreaming. You’re delusional.

We love you. We really do. But building a bike from scratch—or heavily modifying an existing one—is not something you rush. Every weld, every cut, every bolt is a deliberate, meticulous decision. And Bryce? He doesn’t half-ass anything. Ever. He’ll run the numbers 14 different ways before he commits to a single part. The guy recalculates gearing like he’s trying to land a rocket on the moon. That’s how much he cares.

So if he says it’s going to take another 3 weeks, it’s not because he’s lazy. It’s because your bike is being built by someone who actually knows what the hell they’re doing.

Setting Realistic Expectations (So We Don’t All Lose Our Minds)

If you’re going to commission a custom motorcycle, here's how to avoid being that customer:

1. Ask questions. Educate yourself about the process.

2. Listen to your builder. If they say it’ll take 6 months, it’s not a dare—it’s a timeline.

3. Have a budget cushion. Custom = Unpredictable.

4. Understand that parts, fabrication, and finish work are not overnight miracles.

5. Stop texting “any updates?” every 3 days. You’ll get an update when there’s something to update. We promise.

Know Before You Go (Full Custom)

Before you dive headfirst into the custom motorcycle fantasy, do your homework. Know what you’re asking for. Understand what goes into it. Appreciate the craftsmanship. Or at the very least, don’t be a pain in the ass.

Want a build that stands out, lasts, and performs? Then trust the person building it. Bryce pours heart, soul, sweat, and precision engineering into every single bike. He’s not building your dream out of a catalog—he’s creating it from scratch, using metal, math, and magic.

So pump the brakes, future road warrior. It’s not that we don’t want to finish your build—we just want to finish it right.

And if you really want it done fast?

Might I suggest a pre-owned scooter and a set of vinyl decals?