Daytona77 Photo 01There are times when writing about bikes is the best thing in the world. This was one of those times. I have been fortunate enough to interview one of the best builders in Germany, Rainer Budnik, of Budnik Cycles. Rainer is from Germany, and english is not his native language, but we had a chance to communicate via e-mail and I was able to get in a quick Q & A session with the man. So read-on for pictures and the interview.

Daytona77 Photo 01: Click for larger view

The Streetfighter Blog:
When did you first get involved with motorcycles and riding? What was your first bike?

Rainer Budnik:
My first Bike was an Yamaha DT80 LC2 . With 16 Years , Because i loved the Motocross Scene. I modified the DT with another exhaust , Handlebar , cross tyres, and every Weekend i trained here in a Motocross Court.. With 18 Years an the "Big" Drive License i buyed an Kawasaki ZX 7 RR .. I Also modified it short with another paint , exhaust an what the equipment in this time get.. But it was an short drive. 2 Weeks after finishing the Bike i had an accident. The Bike was destroyed and I woke up in the hospital.. after this scene I had an break from driving like 2years. And then comes the Streetfighter Virus…

The Streetfighter Blog:
When did you first get involved with streetfighters? What made you want to build your first streetfighter?

Rainer Budnik:
My first “contact” was the Streetfighter Magazin “Fighters” here in Germany. It was awesum what Guys do with his Bikes. I Loved the modifications. To make from a normal Racing Bike an Beast. With my own Hands and Ideas like no other. And that was in my mind. That’s my next project. To build an Bike what no other one do before as basis. And the Triumph was an Bike which was in the scene not so popular and I buyed one and customized that. It was the Daywalker Triple on My Website which was in some Magazins and 3rd place by an contest from Thunderbike.de

Daytona77 Photo 02: Click for larger view

The Streetfighter Blog:
Your website is Budnik Cycles. Is this a personal part-time job; or are you a professional, full-time builder? If not, what do you do for a living?

Rainer Budnik:
Budnik-Cycles is only my Hobby , to show other people all over the World a little bit from my Work. My fulltime Job is in Shiftwork by the Rexam Beverage Can Corporation which is all over the World the biggest Canmaker.

The Streetfighter Blog:
Of the streetfighters you have built, which one is your favorite?

Rainer Budnik:
I love all the Bikes that I build. But my favorite I think is my actual Triumph 77 seventy seven

Daytona77 Photo 03: Click for larger view

The Streetfighter Blog:
Out of all the other streetfighters that other people have built, do you have a favorite?

Rainer Budnik:
Yes , it’s the KaSuDuc from Dirk Langkamp, The Martek from Timo Power Fighters, The Rau from Wolfgang Bayernfighter, Hani Triumph, Roland Sands KR V5 Tracker and The Glory Stomper

The Streetfighter Blog:
Is there another builder who you look to for inspiration?

Rainer Budnik:
Roland Sands , Jesse Rooke, Matt Hoch , Markus Walz

Daytona77 Photo 04: Click for larger view

The Streetfighter Blog:
The streetfighter scene is well established in Germany, while it is just getting started here in the US. What are your thoughts on the differences between the German and US streetfighter scene?

Rainer Budnik:
I think the Streetfighter Scene in US is very young and in the childrensteps, but the Chopper Scene is very very big and quality very very high and that’s where the fighter scene must looking forward. The same thing was it in Germany. First the Streetfighters was awful dirty rat bikes, which was after an accident striped and run. Now in Germany are Streetfighter very quality Custombikes with very good ideas , clean , and more Show and Shine. And that’s where often we can look from the Chopper Scene.

Daytona77 Photo 05: Click for larger view

The Streetfighter Blog:
Your Triumph Daytona 77 is a work of art. Did you have the final design in your head from the start? Or has the bike gone through several revisions?

Rainer Budnik:
Mostly ist the Final Design finished in my Head. Little Details comes by building the Bike.

Daytona77 Photo 07: Click for larger view

The Streetfighter Blog:
Can you please list the modifications you have made to the Triumph Daytona 77?

Rainer Budnik:
The bike is a 1999 Triumph Daytona 955i. Mods include:

• Rear Construction Budnik Cycles with an MartekStyle Cover
• Iron Cross Rearlight and Shinyo Turnlights
• Rizoma Shield-holder
• Elektrik with Microcontrol and Microtaster on Handlebar integrated in Clutch and Breaklevers from Arlen Ness
• Trigger inside the handlebar
• Handlebar from Walz Hardcore Cycles
• The complete Frontend with Covers are Designed by Budnik Cycles and Russky.
• Frontlight Budnik Cycles
• Exhaust Handmade by KaSuDuc with Slashcut end
• Footrest from ABM
• Custom paint by Budnik Cycles

Daytona77 Photo 06: Click for larger view

The Streetfighter Blog:
Do you have any future projects coming up that you are excited about?

Rainer Budnik:
I think in the next Time when I sell the 77 .. I like to do everything with a v-twin...
I love the Performance and the sound and maybe I will buy an KTM 990 Superduke or an Buell ?? Maybe an Harley Sportster … I have many ideas in my Head. I hope my Familie , the Time And the Money let me do something more.

I want to thank Rainer for taking the time and effort to allow me to interview him. He is not fluent in english, and I don't speak any german, so Rainer had to deal with translations just to reply to my questions.
The Daytona 77 isn't the only bike that Rainer has built. If you would like to see the rest of his work - I know you do - then jump on over to his site and peruse through his gallery.