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Fornarelli Motorsports' custom 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo next to two other custom bikes at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021
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The Vintage and Award-Winning Custom Bikes of IMS Chicago 2021

The International Motorcycle Show in Chicago 2021 may have been held outdoors, but it still featured a vintage motorcycle display and J&P Cycles' custom bike competition. So, in case you missed them, here are the vintage and award-winning custom bikes of IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021.
by Matthew Skwarczek
Published on
4 min read

Demo rides of new bikes aren’t the only things you could check out at the 2021 International Motorcycle Show in Chicago. Just like many car shows, IMS Outdoors Chicago was also a venue for displaying vintage and custom bikes. But it wasn’t just a display—the custom builders were also going head-to-head in a special contest. Given how many things there were to see and do at IMS, some might have missed the contest and the classic display. Luckily, MotorBiscuit has you covered there.

J&P Cycles’ custom bike competition returned for IMS Chicago 2021

IMS Chicago custom bikes with Yaroslav Lutsenko's custom black 2019 Harley-Davidson FXBB in front
IMS Chicago custom bikes with Yaroslav Lutsenko’s custom 2019 Harley-Davidson FXBB in front | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit

The J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is a staple of IMS in Chicago and elsewhere. Now in its 12th running, UBCBS is one of the US’s largest custom motorcycle competitions, Cycle News says, and gives both professional and amateur builders a chance to stand in the spotlight.

As before, UBCBS entrees are divided into three classes:

  • Custom Street Class
  • Custom Classic Class
  • Freestyle Class
  • Fornarelli Motorsports' custom 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo next to two other custom bikes at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021
    Fornarelli Motorsports’ custom 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo next to two other custom bikes at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • Fornarelli Motorsports' custom brown-and-black 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo right side view
    Fornarelli Motorsports’ custom 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo right side view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A closeup view of Fornarelli Motorsports' custom 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo's V-twin engine and exhaust
    A closeup view of Fornarelli Motorsports’ custom 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo’s V-twin engine and exhaust | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • Fornarelli Motorsports' custom brown-and-black 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo left side view
    Fornarelli Motorsports’ custom 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo left side view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit

IMS Chicago attendees vote on their favorite custom bikes in each class, as well as for the People’s Choice Award. The winners get cash prizes and entry into the UBCBS championship round in Atlanta, Georgia. And whoever wins the grand prize there is also crowned ‘the Ultimate Builder.’

The 2021 IMS Chicago UBCBS stop featured roughly a dozen custom bikes over the three-day event. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to snap photos of every single one. However, I did get photos of the winning motorcycles.

Behold Chicago’s 2021 UBCBS winners

  • The left side view of Robert Catanese's blue Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021
    Robert Catanese’s Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X left side view at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A low-angle rear 3/4 view of Robert Catanese's blue Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X
    Robert Catanese’s Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X low-angle rear 3/4 view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A closeup view of Robert Catanese's blue Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X's front brakes, engine, and chromoly-steel frame
    A closeup view of Robert Catanese’s Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X’s front brakes, engine, and chromoly-steel frame | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A rear overhead view of Robert Catanese's blue Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X
    Robert Catanese’s Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X rear overhead view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A closeup view of Robert Catanese's blue Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X's handlebars and gauges
    Robert Catanese’s Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X handlebars and gauges closeup | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A rear view of Robert Catanese's blue Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X's fuel tank and handlebars
    A rear view of Robert Catanese’s Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 R1X’s fuel tank and handlebars | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The front view of Robert Catanese's blue Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 headlight and cowl
    Robert Catanese’s Framecrafters 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1 headlight and cowl front view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • Mateusz Kubak's custom blue 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer
    Mateusz Kubak’s custom 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer bike | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The side view of Mateusz Kubak's custom blue 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer
    Mateusz Kubak’s custom 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer side view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The rear 3/4 view of Mateusz Kubak's custom blue 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer
    The rear 3/4 view of Mateusz Kubak’s custom 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A close-up view of Mateusz Kubak's custom 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer's engine and exhaust
    Mateusz Kubak’s custom 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer engine and exhaust closeup | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A close-up view of Mateusz Kubak's custom 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer's gauge and handlebars
    Mateusz Kubak’s custom 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer gauge and handlebars closeup | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The side view of Mateusz Kubak's custom 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer's headlight and left handlebar with another custom bike in the background
    The side view of Mateusz Kubak’s custom 1974 Honda CB550 cafe racer’s headlight and left handlebar with another custom bike in the background | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit

The topmost image features Yaroslav Lutsenko’s custom 2013 Harley-Davidson FXBB (Street Bob) in the foreground. His bike, with its carbon and black engine covers, riser handlebars, Cobra exhaust, and custom paint job won the Custom Street Class. Meanwhile, the runner-up was Fornarelli Motorsports’ 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo. Owned by Yovani Montoya, the cruiser has custom handlebars, stretched fenders, air suspension, a 23” wheel, and a paint job by Luis Lopez.

Meanwhile, local builder Mateusz Kubak scored the Custom Classic Class win and Mike Prete earned the runner-up award. Kubak’s 1974 Honda CB550 café racer took the win thanks to features like the custom pinstriping, Delkevic 4-into-1 exhaust, Motogadget switches, and a custom rear end. As for the second-place 1998 Suzuki Intruder VS1400, Prete hand-hammered all the copperwork out of salvaged water pipe. And it’s been his daily rider for over a decade.

  • The side 3/4 view of David Moreno's custom purple-and-black 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide
    David Moreno’s custom 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide bike side 3/4 view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The seat and speakers on David Moreno's custom purple-and-black 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide bike
    David Moreno’s custom 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide bike’s seat and speakers | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A close-up view of the metal filigree on David Moreno's custom purple-and-black 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide bike's V-twin engine
    A close-up view of the metal filigree on David Moreno’s custom 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide bike’s V-twin engine | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The engraved front forks and front wheel on David Moreno's custom purple-and-black 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide bike
    David Moreno’s custom 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide bike’s engraved front forks and wheel | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A close-up view of the engraved headlight on David Moreno's custom purple-and-black 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide
    David Moreno’s custom 2013 Harely-Davidson Street Glide’s engraved headlight closeup | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • Mike Prete's turquoise-and-copper custom 1998 Suzuki Intruder
    Mike Prete’s custom 1998 Suzuki Intruder | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The rear 3/4 view of Mike Prete's turquoise-and-copper custom 1998 Suzuki Intruder
    Mike Prete’s custom 1998 Suzuki Intruder rear 3/4 view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The close-up view of the hand-beaten copper flames at the rear of Mike Prete's custom 1998 Suzuki Intruder
    The close-up view of the hand-beaten copper flames at the rear of Mike Prete’s custom 1998 Suzuki Intruder | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The close-up view of the fuel tank and right handlebar on Mike Prete's turquoise-and-copper custom 1998 Suzuki Intruder
    Mike Prete’s custom 1998 Suzuki Intruder’s right handlebar and fuel tank closeup | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit

Finally, the Freestyle Class award went to Robert Catanese’s 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1, customized by Framecrafters. Dubbed ‘Yamaha R1X,’ the sportbike has a custom chromoly-steel frame, aluminum axles, a titanium exhaust, as well as various switches and gauges from Motogadget and MotoGP suppliers. Plus, it has Dunlop Q4 Sportmax tires, Berringer brakes, and bodywork inspired by the Ducati 750 SS.

However, while David Moreno’s 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide was the Freestyle Class runner-up, his custom bike earned the People’s Choice Award. So, his Street Glide, with all its speakers, John Booth paintwork, air suspension, and 26” front wheel, is going to Atlanta, too. And so is the cruiser’s hand-carved metal filigree.

Vintage German and British bikes were also on display at IMS Chicago 2021

  • A gray 1969 BMW R69S at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021
    1969 BMW R69S at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The rear view of a gray 1969 BMW R69 S's handlebars
    1969 BMW R69S handlebars rear view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The left side view of a gray 1969 BMW R69S at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021
    The left side view of a gray 1969 BMW R69S at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • The side view of a blue-and-red 1983 BMW R80 G/S
    1983 BMW R80 G/S side view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A closeup view of one 1983 BMW R80 G/S's cylinder heads
    1983 BMW R80 G/S cylinder head closeup | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A white-blue-red-and-black 1987 BMW R80 G/S Paris Dakar at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021
    1987 BMW R80 G/S Paris Dakar at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A close-up view of a white 1987 BMW R80 G/S's handlebars, autographed fuel tank, and red-trimmed gauges
    1987 BMW R80 G/S Paris Dakar handlebars and gauges closeup | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A low-angle side view of a white-black-red-and-blue 1987 BMW R80 G/S Paris Dakar's rear half and engine
    A low-angle side view of a 1987 BMW R80 G/S Paris Dakar’s rear half and engine | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
  • A black-and-gold 1974 Norton Commando 850 to the left of a green-and-white 1971 BSA A65 Thunderbolt at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021
    1974 Norton Commando 850 (left) and 1971 BSA A65 Thunderbolt at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit

The International Motorcycle Show also regularly includes a vintage bike section in all of its stops. And IMS Chicago 2021 was no different. There were actually more classic motorcycles present than the photos suggest, but I couldn’t snap all of them in time.

Even so, the vintage metal that was still there on Sunday afternoon was worth checking out. Classic BMW motorcycles were well represented with a 1974 R69S as well as several R80 G/S bikes, including a genuine Paris-Dakar model. There were also several vintage British bikes on display, including several Norton Commandos and a 1971 BSA A65 Thunderbolt.

However, even if you didn’t get a chance to check these bikes out at IMS Chicago, the outdoor format will return next year, RevZilla says. So, mark your 2022 calendars so you can see custom and classic motorcycles like these in the sunshine.

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Matthew Skwarczek

Matthew Skwarczek started blogging in 2015 and focuses his writing on motorcycles and engineering science. A graduate of Northwestern University, where he earned his Master’s in Chemical Engineering, Matthew served as an applications engineer for BASF before joining MotorBiscuit in 2019.

In Matthew’s words, the visceral nature of riding requires you to be in the moment. Combined with his fascination in the analytics surrounding the building and designing of cars and bikes, both modern and classic, you’ll find his voice blends functionality and phenomena. He rides motorcycles and bicycles often, photographing them as well.

Matthew has contributed to Oppositelock and is now an alumnus. He plays Dungeons & Dragons and reads sci-fi and fantasy in his spare time, and appreciates the works of Peter Egan, Sam Smith, Brandon Sanderson, and Alex Goy.