THE BLACK ATTACK STORY - Photo Gallery Here

The Black Attack II (named after Tom Motzko’s original Black Attack) started life in 1994. The bike was started as a customer project, but the budget grew past what the customer was willing to spend so the pile of parts resided on a lift in the back of the shop waiting for someone (me) to make a decision as to the outcome. Well, as anyone who has ever been self-employed knows, the cobbler’s kids have no shoes. We would get a little time every once in awhile to walk past the rusting pile and remark about how kool some addition would be and maybe bang out a part but by the time we would get back to the project we would change our minds or come up with something even better so zero progress was made toward anything that would finalize the deal.

I would like to thank all of you who supported us, believed in us and voted for us. Who would have thought that a skinny tired hot rod could have captured your hearts and won? This bike was a labor of love with over 1000 hours of labor in it and this is what keeps people like us in this business. After 40 years of getting up and going to work at a motorcycle shop, I still love my job.

Rodney

PS I left out a ton of stuff, so , those of you with questions can E-Mail me at sales@rodneyscyclehouse.com

Donna's Comments.....

It’s midnight and I have come downstairs to retrieve the empty tray of sandwiches this team has consumed. As I silently watch these 3, 56+ year old, talented guys pushing their years of experience at this piece of metal, that was defiant, unyielding, sassy, and daily raging war with them, I had to wonder – will it be worth it! Black Attack II was actually conceived 12 years ago, brought to a rolling chassis stage, then parked on her own lift until April 5th of 2005, when she was rolled off her pedestal, fighting and kicking, to be groomed, wired, polished and painted for her Grand Debut at the Thunder At The Rock Rally.

But, this story really isn’t about the bike, its about 3 friends, Rodney Roberts, Eddie Bunch, and Jerry Berryhill, along with countless friends in the industry, sharing products and an abundance of knowledge for a winning end result. Rodney started Rodney’s Cycle House in 1970 with a few nickels in his pocket and the love of motorcycles. A year later Eddie came on board with the promise of a nickel raise over what he had been making. Jerry arrived in the mid 70’s with the same passion for the industry as Rodney and Eddie. The talent varies with these three. Rodney’s love of paint, Eddie’s detail to bike building, Jerry’s ability to make parts. What a team! I was privy to a lot of laughter, cussing, hard thinking, beer drinking, staring, good jokes and an appreciation for each other and the talent they brought to this project. The nights were long, into the wee hours of morning before stopping, only to start over again, early the next day. Weekends, also, belonged to Black Attack II, she would have it no other way! Rodney worked on her coats of paint, compound, sanding, rubbing, sealing – Eddie would be intricately running wires, mounting parts, thinking steps ahead to the next phase – Jerry at the welder, cutting metal and creating his one of a kind pieces. A project like this doesn’t come without sacrifices, so to Peggy Bunch and Jeannette Berryhill, you have my deepest gratitude for the loss of your husbands during this project, you made it possible. Also, a large thank you to all our customers that supported us, with patience, during this period. Probably the greatest compliment came from Charlie, Rodney’s youngest son, when he looked at Black Attack II and said to them, “ You Old Farts still have it in you “. I personally want to thank Rodney, Eddie and Jerry for the great ride – It was awesome!

Donna