This is Part 5 of a 5 part series discussing the parts used on a stunt bike. As stunting has progressed as a sport, so has the technology that allows the rider to execute certain tricks and protects their motorcycle. At first glance a stuntbike may appear to be a confusing Frankenstein of a metal, but in reality stunters spend countless hours modifying, perfecting and maintaining their bikes. Stay tuned to learn the tricks of the trade.
Stunting introduces a lot of new scenarios and all too often while trying to execute some amazing trick you’ve conceived you find yourself saying, “If I only had a peg/bar/traction right here.” While some modifications are technical or safety oriented, some are just to help riders to the tricks they want to.
If you’ve ever seen a stunt bike I’m sure you’ve immediately noticed the top of the tank has been dented down. Stunters dent their gas tanks –literally with a hammer, so they can sit or stand on it for a variety of tricks. They also normally line the tank with a skateboard grip tape or turf grip, so they don’t slide around while on one wheel.
A lot of tricks involve standing “seat stander” on front and passenger seats. Some motorcycles have a weak plastic support between the two seats, so stunters have constructed a seat saver. A seat saver is a metal plate which offers a sturdy platform between front and rear seats. It bolts to the subframe under the front seat. Stunters also cut a hole in the passenger seat for added variety of tricks. The hole is sawed out and sometimes riders have the seat reupholstered so the padding doesn’t fall out.
Similar to the hole in seat, riders put their foot in the twelve o’clock bar (if they run a “flat bar”) for tricks far to the back of the bike. Another BMX inspired mod is pegs on the front axle. This obviously allows riders to move around to the front of the motorcycle for tricks over the front wheel. Tandem stunters, or rider who stunt with two people, also add a variety of bars and platforms for the second rider to brace herself or hold onto.
That wraps up our series on freestyle parts and I hope the quizzical stunt bike has been demystified to a degree. While I can’t explain why stunters do what they do in general, the very strategic modifications they do to their bikes can be explained. With stunting, where there’s a will, there’s a way and hats off to them for creating a entire industry out of a will.
This article is 1 of 5 in our Series on Stunting. Be sure to check out the rest of these articles from Leah.
Part 1 - Handbrake | Part 2 - Crash Cage | Part 3 - Stunt Bars | Part 4 - Safety | Part 5 - Modifications
