I met for the 1st time custom builder Yuri Shif in 2010 when he became that year AMD World Champion Of Custom Bike Building in the Metric Class category with his Ural Dragster. The short man from Belarussia got a lot of metal fabrication skills and quite a few wild ideas that his pretty blonde muse named Stiusha is always encouraging and pushing to the extreme…

Yuri Shif is the new customizer king of the former “Eastern Block”. His talent is applied to many bike platforms in a very unique style that made him being noticed by the custom scene around 10 years ago. His creations (check again the Ducati Bastardo and Triumph Bonneville T140) always surprise, intrigue his fellow builders who admire his dedication to fabricating in steel the most complex parts of a motorcycle.

At the 2013 Custombike Show held in the spa resort of Bad Salzuflen, Germany Yuri Shif brought this new creation appropriately called “Full Metal Jacket.” As you can imagine, such a project could be completed only if you don’t have a deadline, are armed with unusual patience, ready to do and redo what would not withstand the rigors of the road. So much bending, so much drilling, so much reinforcing required to road proof a bike intended to be ridden very hard on the roughest roads of East Europe.

Yuri considers the Evo platform, engine & transmission, to be the next powerplant of choice for all builders who will want to build the “old school way” and is probably right about this. A Harley 1340 cc & 5-speed tranny are the only “classic” parts on “Metal Jacket.” From frame, a departure from the traditional Softail frame except for the pivot points, to swingarm and Springer type front end, everything his steel architecture and forming prowess. Just look at any of the parts and imagine the difficulties, the time involved to make them looking and working right.

Components have been torched for a “burned” look, then clear coated to prevent rust. Some others like engine, gearbox, the HD 16” wheels have been roughened up with steel wool to reinforce the “Metal Jacket” overall industrial look. The only somewhat shiny part is the custom stainless steel exhaust system and shields.

Before a thorough cleaning of his creation to compete in the bike show, Yuri could not resist taking a few spins around town in the forest of Westphalia. Motographer Horst Roesler was there to immortalize the scene. Yuri Shif Custom.

Tech Sheet:

Name/company: Yuri Shif Custom (YSC)

Builder: Yuri Shif

Location: Minsk

Country: Belarus

Bike Name: Full Metal Jucket

Year / Model: 2013

Engine Make: Harley-Davidson Evolution

Transmission: Harley-Davidson FL 5 – speed

Frame Make: / Type YSC

Front End: Type YSC

Rake: 40 degrees

Swingarm: – Type YSC

Wheels front: H-D 16”

Wheels Rear: H-D 16”

Tires Front: Avon 5,00 – 16

Tires Rear: Avon 5,00 – 16

Brakes: Front YSC

Brakes: Rear YSC

Gas tank: YSC

Handlebars: YSC

Seat: YSC

Foot controls: YSC

Electric system: YSC

Instruments: YSC

Painter: … ups

Color: The one of steel.