Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/601524
Todd would like to thank all the sponsors who helped out during the year and a half of the custom bike build: as Ballistic Performance Components, Russ Wernimont Designs, Enjoy Manufacturing, Biltwell Inc. and of course K&N air filters. All of Todd's hard work paid off when he entered the KZ440 bobber in the International Motorcycle Show (IMS) biker build off in Long Beach, California. Todd was again fortunate enough to be recognized for his creativity, this time with the Editor's Choice award. When asked if he had any plans to build another bike Todd stated that he planned to take some time off from building to spend as much of his free time as possible with family but, knowing Todd, his mind has at least already built the next two. In 2010, God used Todd White's Pancake (previous custom built featured in our July/August issue) to take him from a Honda salesman then, to be a K&N Filters hourly employee. He was soon working in the Machine Shop and within four years, he is now building programs for the C & C machines. He is leading the machine shop floor as a Tool Designer Engineer. Every hour from the 300 hours it took to built "Lunchbox" worship music was playing in the background. Many parts are one of a kind and custom made in the K&N machine shop. God is good...God is good ALL the time. You read Todd White's story...now what is "Your Story?" You can email it to: editor@GraceRiderMag.com. K&N offers air filters, and air filter kits for a wide variety of applications whether it's for a custom vehicle or stock from the factory. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. By Jeremy Templeman and Peter Kaye features many one off custom parts that he fabricated himself. Because most post World War II era motorcycles did not feature rear suspension, Todd designed a custom rear hard tail section married to the stock front half of the frame for that nostalgic bobber look. A custom support plate was fitted to the frame behind the engine to add support and a faux oil tank was installed underneath the seat. Vintage Triumph twins, as well as American made Harley-Davidson motorcycles, feature a dry sump engine design with a remote oil tank. The Kawasaki KZ440 is actually a wet sump design, however Todd added the faux oil tank to give his bobber that vintage look as well as give him a place to house the bike's electronics. The custom seat pan, wrapped in a bold gripper seat cover from Enjoy Manufacturing, rests on urethane bumpers and flips up to reveal a hidden storage compartment for personal effects. Todd's crown jewel in this custom bike build is the one-off springer front end with trunnion style rockers. When Todd couldn't find a springer fork that he liked the decision was made to build his own springer front end from scratch. The stock Kawasaki KZ440 gas tank was retained; however Todd sectioned and stretched the tank an additional three inches. A Russ Wernimont Designs rear fender hugs the nostalgic looking Duro Tires. Because the Ballistic Performance Components Lithium battery is almost a work of art in and of itself, Todd left the compact battery in plain sight and instead machined a custom mount to keep it in place. When it was time to choose the color Todd went with Kawasaki Flo Green paint, a traditional blocky Kawasaki logo, and custom striping to give it some additional flair. The bike's hand and foot controls were all borrowed from a Motocross bike, and the KZ440 bobber proudly wears the number 2 plate after the now retired 4-time Supercross / 3-time Motocross champion and Factory Kawasaki racer Ryan Villopoto. The engine, which Todd completely rebuilt himself, was blacked out using high-temp paint with the exception of the side and valve covers which were powder coated in a root beer brown. Working at K&N has its perks and when it was time to give the KZ440 bobber the superior airflow and superior performance it deserved, Todd built a carbon fiber topped dual flange K&N air filter of his own design to tie the two carburetors together. Todd's custom KZ440 is also equipped with a high-flow K&N Powersports oil filter, number KN-401. GraceRiderMag.com November/December 2015 33