September Update. We’ve been a bit quiet on the socials and comms over the last month. We’ve used this time to allow ourselves to step back, take a little break and get our focus on our mental health, and we hope that you guys have managed to do the same.
Now that we’re feeling fresh and have some exciting projects starting to take shape, we’ll be back on the socials and emails, keeping you all excited about getting back on the tools and out on the road!
This ended up a long post, but I guess we have all got plenty of time! If you want to skip to bits that interest you the most – click the sections below:
THE VIRTUAL KOMMUNE. BUILDING THE FUTURE OF DIY.
We’ve scored grants from our local council and Amazon to help us build a Virtual Kommune.
THE NEW (AND IMPROVED) HYDROBLASTER
New addition to the Kommune workshop equipment. You can now strip paint and clean parts to a “as new” finish!
XV750 GIVEAWAY BUILD – NEXT LEVEL!
Ok, we haven’t forgotten about this one, in-fact we’re taking it next level and whipped up a custom triple in the CNC.
ONE FOR ALL THE FILM MAKERS – SCORE $50,000 WITH TAC SPLIT SECOND
Are you a film maker or have a great idea? TAC have launched the SPLIT SECOND Film competition where you can score a MASSVIVE 50 GRAND!
IT’S DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMANS RIDE TIME!
It’s DGR this month! Join the team, raise awareness and ride solo. Same, same but different for 2020.
THE “BIG FOSSATI” K100 BUILD BY KOMMUNE
We built an epic BMW K100 that has a beautiful back story story. Featured on Pipeburn.com.
A VIRTUAL KOMMUNE. BUILDING THE FUTURE OF DIY.
We’ve been chipping away at building the virtual future of Kustom Kommune and have been lucky enough to be awarded two grants to help with development of our online offering. We managed to secure a eCommerce development grant from Yarra City Council and an Amazon Web Services Startup grant that gives us access to some of the best web technology in the world, along with support to turn concepts into reality – and a very generous credit for AWS products. An incredible headstart!
Our goal is to take everything we do in the workshop online: Online Training courses, Video-based 1-1 sessions, Tool delivery services and one of the most comprehensive parts catalogs available. Giving you every opportunity to wrench, ride, repeat… no matter what’s happening in the world.
We’d love to hear your feed back on what you’d like to see on the new digital platform. If you’re keen to help shape the future of Kommune and have some brilliant ideas on what would help the DIY community, shoot us an email for a chat.
XV750 GIVEAWAY BUILD – NEXT LEVEL!
It’s ok, we haven’t forgotten about it! The Virago 750 that was very generously donated by member Simon Todd to help us raise funds and recover from COVID-19 shutdowns, is offically off to paint this week!
What started as a “lets tidy it up, get it registered and raffle it off” turned into a complete custom build, and I really do mean custom. Everything from frame, suspension, bodywork and electronics have been customised or re-created. We cannot wait to start assembling this build and see it take shape.
One of the big ticket items we’ve been working on is a custom tripple tree to suit the GSXR front end we fitted up. The custom top tripple houses a LCD dash unit donated by Axel Joost in Germany. Luke S whipped up a CAD file and then Michael cut it on the in-house CNC machine. This is such a great example of where Kommune is heading and what members can achieve! Next level stuff.
Being that we had a bit of extra time up our sleeves with the Stage 4 Restrictions, we decided to do a top end inspection and rebuild. We’ve torn the engine down and doing rings, valves and all new gaskets to ensure the Virago will be reliable… and fast!
We’ve had heaps of messages asking how you can enter – whilst we’re still working on exactly how we do it (legally), it will likey be along the lines of a trade promotion eg “Buy X to go into the draw”. Unfortuntaly, direct raffles are not allowed without relevant licences. However we do it, someone is going to win a build that has hundreds of hours of labour and thousands (…and thousands) of dollars of parts that have all been generously donated. It’s going to be epic.
It’s off for paint this week, so stay tuned for the assembly process and how you can enter to win this #KOMMUNEBUILT machine.
Shout out to THIRD GEAR MOTORCYCYCLE ACCESORIES /AXEL JOOST ELECTRONICS / SIMON TODD / LUKE STEIGER / MICHAEL SCHELLER / CAM MCFARLANE
THE NEW (AND IMPROVED) HYDROBLASTER.
We had a few builds lined up for blasting, so instead of outsourcing the job we decided to put the funds towards building a Hydroblaster (of epic proportions). While it’s been a massive learning curve converting a Sand Blasting unit into a wet blaster, it’s safe to say that we have f#%king nailed it!
Our goal was to build a unit that would clean parts and strip paint, whilst being large enough to fit a frame. It’s taken 4 different pump set ups, 3 different media trials and a ton of media mixing systems, but we are finally there!
Our new blaster is now stripping factory paint off of wheels, engines and frames with Aluminium Oxide with zero effort and then with a simple system flush and bucket swap it will clean parts such carbs and engine cases, bring them up as good as new using a glass bead mix.
It’s been a very challenging project, but so massively rewarding!
And yes, this blaster is here for members to use when restrictions are lifted. In the meantime we’re very keen to help with blasting parts for your project, $75ph and 20% off for members. Just shoot us a message.
Massive shout out to everyone that chipped in to help us fund the build. Thank you!
ONE FOR ALL THE FILM MAKERS – SCORE $50,000 WITH TAC SPLIT SECOND
We all reckon our machines belong on the big screen. Well now’s your chance to write a short film about riding and have it shown in Village Cinemas across Victoria.
This year’s Split Second Film Competition is here, with the winner scoring a $50,000 budget to make their flick plus $5,000 for themselves. Logie-winning actor Firass Dirani will star in the film. You’ll even get a private Gold Class screening.
If you’re aged between 18 and 25, submit your idea for a 45-second film addressing the issue of distracted riding or driving. Entries close September 23 so stop riding and get writing.
Find out more and submit your idea at: tac.vic.gov.au/split-second
IT’S DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMANS RIDE TIME!
JOIN THE KOMMUNE TEAM – Same cause, different approach.
We will still be riding this year on Sunday the 27th of September, however, it will look a little different to what we’re used to. It has been a difficult year, but the show must go on! The 2020 ride will be a solo event to comply with all local social distancing restrictions. The DGR’s focus this year is to bring riders from around the world together, even if you are riding alone, we’ll all still be connected globally through our love of motorcycling and the cause.
We realise funds are tight and many people are struggling with mental health at the moment, so raising awareness should be our focus this year. For me, breaking down the stigma around talking about mental health, particularly in Men, is such a big focus. If you have a story to tell, or you need some support, I encourage you to open up and talk. Whether its publicly or to a mate, next time someone asks “How are you doing?” – open up, even just a little bit and let them know whats happening. If a friend needs some support, give them time and let them know that you’re there for them – don’t feel like you need to offer advice, most of the time just knowing someone will listen is enough.
If you have a story to share on socails – maybe how motorcyles have helped improve your state of mind? tag us @kustomkommune so we can share with the community.
If you do have the ability to make a donation – we’d love for you to chip in to someone in the Kommune team and help us reach our goal for the 2020 DGR!
THE “BIG FOSSATI” K100 BUILD BY KOMMUNE
We had the pleasure of delivering @sam.fossati his dream K100. A long term project here at Kommune, where we helped Sam convert his BMW into a highly customised Scrmabler. There’s so much that’s gone into the build that you’d never even notice and it is hands down one of the best sounding K’s we’ve ever heard.
Sam dedicated this build to his Nonno;
“My Nonno had a very extraordinary life. He was a hunter, adventurer, CEO of Hella Lights in Italy and was chased by the Red Army and the Italian Mafia to the Swiss Border. In Italy he was known as ‘Fossatone’, which translates to ‘Big Fossati’. An absolute badass!” Sam recalls fondly. “The K100 was built to become my ‘forever bike’, and to be 100% dedicated to him, his life, and our Italian heritage. Everything on this bike is a nod towards him, so much so that his nickname and the name of the bike is embroidered into the side of the seat next to the Italian Flag.”
We hope it does Nonno proud and it keeps the Big Fossati spirit alive!
Check out the full write up on PIPEBURN.COM
We hope everyone is doing ok, we’re looking forward to catching up, building some bikes and going for a ride!
Stay safe in the wastelands.
Jimmy G & Nina G.
