Tony Starita named his latest creation Illuminati. According to the dictionary, Illuminati means: the masterminds behind events that will lead to the establishment of a New World Order. Now I don’t know if Tony is a conspiracy theorist or if Illuminati is a nice sounding Italian word. What I do know, is that Tony makes some outstanding custom motorcycles. The first time I met Big Tony Starita, I was reminded of a line from the movie “Roadhouse”. “I thought you would be bigger!” If he is Big Tony then how big is Little Tony? All kidding aside, Big Tony’s Chopp Shop builds some amazing ground-up bikes.
Illuminati is powered by a 139” R&R Cycles Evolution-style motor. Take one look at this oversized billet motor and you know it means business. With a PSI carburetor and a custom exhaust from Stainless Creations, this monster motor produces 160 horses. A drag racing certified Billet 4-U open primary delivers that power to a Baker right-side drive transmission. The Softail-style frame has an additional seven inches of radius in the backbone. The teardrop downtube has been reduced by two inches and the swingarm has been stretched an additional two inches. The neck rake is 46° with an additional six degrees of rake in the triple trees. The frame has a four inch drop seat, so you sit down in the frame and the bike is easier to maneuver. Custom Cycle Control Systems SAS air ride handles the rear suspension. The front sliders are two inches over stock to offset the additional rake.
Up front resides a 21” Xtreme Machine 3D wheel that is wrapped in Avon rubber. If you thought Tony was riding without a front brake, check again because he is rolling on dual 360 Brakes. Out back is a monster 18 x 10.5” Xtreme Machine 3D wheel with a 300mm Avon tire. Rear braking is handled by a Jaybrake J-Four Tranzbrake.
You can always spot a BTCS custom by how clean they are. All of the lines, cables, wires etc. are hidden. The handlebars have been reworked by BTCS and feature Thunder Cycle Design grips. The headlight is from Headwinds and the license plate mount and brake light are from Jaybrake. The sheet metal is from Fat Katz and has been modified by BTCS. The forward controls are from Accutronix and feature Thunder Cycle Design pegs. Xtreme Kustom Paint Works sprayed the six shades of Barbie’s Candy Tangerine over Pagan Gold and applied the lowrider graphics.
Illuminati has won numerous bike shows. According to Big Tony, it’s the finest bike he has ever built. Tony said he stole the curves and colors for Illuminati, from his wife Barbie; this is one woman that I need to meet!
For more information on Big Tony’s Chopp Shop, call 708.558.0173 or visit www.bigtonyschoppshop.com.
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