Ben Spies Replica

I mentioned some time ago that I was working on Ben Spies actual 2003 Supersport bike.



Here is the actual Supersport bike back in 03 with Spies aboard:

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We acquired it through some AMA contacts. I decided to update it and make it look like Spies last AMA title livery. Here is a picture of his last championship superbike:

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I started the project with just a few pics I found online (that's usually how I do all my projects actually).



Worked started, sanding, preparing, etc...

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When I started sanding, I thought, Jesus, how many times has this bike been painted? I put a fresh coat of primer.

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Continued with the paint:

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Taping up design and colors:

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Rear cowl number plate:

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Tank

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Placing sponsor decals:

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This is how the bike ended up looking.



The only decals missing were the "R gsxr" & Yosh" on the side. I ordered them but never arrived. (....... eGay).

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Like I said, this was the actual Ben Spies 03 Supersport bike. It had has stamps "SPEEZ" on several parts, frame, wheels, etc.

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There is no way I'm gonna do all this work on an actual race bike and not take it to the track. So here I am at the track.

(This is my fav pic. The water mark is because I'm to cheap to pay for the pic.)

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dude nice work...I was thinking of doing up my Fizzer-Fighter in a Rossi or Spies job ... i have other ideas... we should talk

Ok, well here is why I now have the time to post these pics. This weekend at the track I had a snafu. Have you ever reached for the brake and had a Kung Fu death grip on the throttle in such a way that when you applied brake the throttle got stuck open? Well that happened to me. Going down hill on a hard braking turn, I applied brake and the bike gassed forward. ....! I stood the bike up knowing I was way too hot. Tried to save it in the gravel until I fast approached a drainage berm. I've seen guys launch off the berm, not pretty, so I initiated ejection procedure, tapped the front locked the rear and down I went. Visor came apart and the rocks and dust plume began. When it was over ,for a moment I didn't know what I would find as the dust settled. Shot of adrenaline! I got up and ran away from the bike. A dude behind me fixated and crashed in the same spot. Moments later Cali Kid drives up as he was working the crash truck. "Ay homie, are you alright?"



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Once the adrenaline wears off you begin to feel the pain spots. Ribs, trouble taking deep breaths, shoulder, can't lift my arm, neck, did I sleep wrong or was it the 90 mph tumble I just took? Cali Kid says, yo, let me stick my finger up your ... to make sure you not bleeding internally. I'm like, yo, if that's what it takes to find out, then I'm dying before I let you do that. (jk) Nah, CK was like my little nurse, drove me home and everything. After an hour or so, CK says, hey let me get you something to eat to get your energy back. I hobbled over, I order a Philly Steak sandwich, took one bite and felt I was gonna puke. I'm like peace, I'm gonna lay down. I started seeing spots and ...., seriously thought I was gonna pass out. I laid out in the RV and just closed my eyes for a few hours. It went away. CK starts calling GatorDuc, but no answer. I muster up some energy and text GatorDoc (thinking, well if I do have broken ribs, at least he can give me the signs, that or its CK sticking his finger up my ...). No reply. I text Chopper for moral support; he's like 'man up dude, don't be like Casey.' (jk) So CK sees I'm hurting, in his infinite wisdom (and in the absence of professional phone-a-friend help), he remembers he brought a case of Pacifico beers, one of my favorite. Good call. We downed two each. Ah, its gonna be alright!



GatorDoc texts me the next day, "shortness of breath...etc." Thanks, I'm already dead. Haha (jk) Went to the local doc and got the xrays and ..... Separated shoulder, bruised ribs, damaged soft tissue in various places, swelling, etc. No big deal. Doc that saw me rides too. He literally said after his examination; "Dude stop being such a baby, get back out on the track." I'm like cool MF. You get it!



But for real, I'm good, just sore and ..... I counted my blessings. And a new appreciation for racers who ride hurt.

glad youre ok dude...next time break some ribs you .....

You're a ....... Legend jumkie, Not everybody gets to smash-up one of spies bike's It doesn't look as bad as i imagined given your drama queen description of it. Destroyed i think was what you said Looks re buildable , is the damage more than the pics show ?



Who needs a doc when you have Cali kid, he knew beer cures all

In Jumkie's Defense He was posting some impresive lap times before he went down, but thats how it always happens. I learned myself because i went down some time before Jumkie when I was at my fastest. I had a little incident myself the following day when a dude went down right in front of me, luckily I managed to grab enough brakes and go into the dirt before i smashed into him (he happened to be a friend of ours) or else I would have probably killed him and maybe messed myself up pretty bad. It's all part of the game of playing at the track, We'll be back out there next month

damn...that sucks that you crashed it right after all that work of getting it how you wanted. I guess it is a good think those stickers from Ebay did not come in before hand!!. I am glad you are ok and I hope you can get the bike back together. Don't tell Spies you trashed one of his old bikes.....he has enough on his mind with GP and getting sued, this might "break the camel's back!!"



I changed my avatar in honor of you.....a wounded kitten that will be back to playing around in no time!!



Rest up....I am sure there will be many posts I put up here that you will spend enormous amounts of energy to explain/show me how I am wrong!!

glad you're okay jums



fantastic work on the bike, my uncle's working on another spies replica on an R1

Jumkie, I'm glad your ok, you gave us a fright. Shame about the bike it was georgous, next project?

Gutted for you man,but you`re still breathing and coherent which is all good.

Bike looked good Jum's....but that's what they're for to be ridden and raced. Glad your ok and the bike doesn't look too bad. Is this the worse spill you've taken?

Glad you are alright Jumk! I'm sure that bike has seen worse days!

FACTORY said:

damn...that sucks that you crashed it right after all that work of getting it how you wanted. I guess it is a good think those stickers from Ebay did not come in before hand!!. I am glad you are ok and I hope you can get the bike back together. Don't tell Spies you trashed one of his old bikes.....he has enough on his mind with GP and getting sued, this might "break the camel's back!!"



I changed my avatar in honor of you.....a wounded kitten that will be back to playing around in no time!!



Rest up....I am sure there will be many posts I put up here that you will spend enormous amounts of energy to explain/show me how I am wrong!!

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unlike the kitty Jumkies arms and fingers are ok which means we will have to read his 250,000 word replys when he wants to make a point

Thanks guys, I'm feeling the love.



Curvs, I didn't break ribs put it hurts a hell of a lot when I sneeze (as I learned yesterday).



Compa, I spent the day looking for parts yesterday. Everything on the front end is shot. The problem is the frame, it might have bent. But even if it did, it might be repairable, I have a guy.



Fact, thanks for the big ups, I guess your not a jerk after all hahaha. Your new avi is very cute, broke leg and all, well done dude. Don't worry, I won't tell Ben, he's got enuf problems.



SDW, post some pics of that R1. Love to see it.



Bonnie, too sweet. I actually have several projects coming up. Plus I gotta get this one back together again. Will post when I get a chance.



Otis, that's bud. Yeah, walking away is the most important thing. A guy broke his arms rather gashly on that same turn earlier that day.



L8, thanks man. I've take way worse spills, but it happened on my mountain bike. For whatever reason, mountain bikes seem more dangerous. I'll stick to motorcycle roadracing...its much safer.



Travi, yeah maybe it has eh. I had the opportunity to go to Utah this weekend and turned it down. I think I should have gone now. Hahaha

The California Kid said:

unlike the kitty Jumkies arms and fingers are ok which means we will have to read his 250,000 word replys when he wants to make a point

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I heard that!

The California Kid said:

unlike the kitty Jumkies arms and fingers are ok which means we will have to read his 250,000 word replys when he wants to make a point

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CK, when he gets that way in the future,stick another finger in his ..., that will shut him up. Glad your ok dude!

povol said:

CK, when he gets that way in the future,stick another finger in his ..., that will shut him up. Glad your ok dude!

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Anything past 20 words and I'm sticking my whole fist!!!

The California Kid said:

Anything past 20 words and I'm sticking my whole fist!!!

Click to expand...

The California Kid said:

Anything past 20 words and I'm sticking my whole fist!!!

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You're gay.