MadMyk’s Firefighter’s Motorcycle Blog

Cyril Huze’s “The Bravest”  Built for International Association of Firefighters

 “The Bravest” has many characteristics which make it very special to Cyril Huze.  First, it was commissioned to benefit the IAFF (International Firefighters Association) Burn Foundation.  How many times in his professional life a custom builder can do what he loves and at the same time benefit a great human cause.  Second,  this new vintage bike has,  evidently,  a fire truck theme. 

“The Bravest” bike was built through a partnership with International Association of Fire Fighters.  This bike’s design depicts a vintage look at the Firefighting profession dating back to the mid 1900’s.  The bike will support fundraising for IAFF’s Burn Fund, a program dedicated to burn prevention,  education,  research and improving the lives of burn victims.  Special guest and speaker at the event will be IAFF’s General President Harold Shaitberger.  President Shaitberger will travel from the IAFF’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. to Cleveland to unveil “The Bravest” bike.

Cyril says, Do you remember the surge of adrenalin we all felt as kids when a big red fire engine roared down the street?  sporting delicious red paint,  sparkling gold leaf and screaming sirens?

Daily, firemen experience high speed dashes to roaring flames. The business of firefighting is steeped in high adventure, danger & heroism.”

Third,  this bike is partially built using authentic firefighter apparatus from the mid 40’s that I had to discover,  win in auctions (what a pain),  and fit on the bike without making it look gaudy.  Since all my bikes are commissioned, they leave the shop as soon as they are road tested.  And I always miss them so much.  It’s when I see them again ridden by my clients or featured in magazines that I get an objective view of my work. 

 I just looked at “The Bravest” featured on the cover and as the centerfold of the Jan/Feb issue of Barnett Magazine.  Builders don’t look at their bikes the same way readers see them.   I can look at each part of my bikes and remember the frustration, the struggle and the joy it was to succeed its fabrication.   I can look at each curve,  at each detail and remember the hesitation,  the doubt and the final certitude that it was absolutely right.   I can look at each intricate detail of the paint job and congratulate myself for convincing the client that I was right before he knew I was.

Everything was tough.  Design, fabrication & paint…  About the extinguisher, it was used in the mid 40’s to extinguish electrical fires & when I won it in auction,  it still contained its original content.  Something smelling like strong ammonia.  We had to flush it and let it vent during 3 days before we could work with it to fabricate a cradle welded to the frame to hold it without risk of vibrations. 

The piece is gorgeous, in chrome with brass inlays inside the text engraving.  The bike features several vintage parts coming for ‘40s US firetrucks: extinguisher,

 search light, radiator cap, etc.   The brand of these fire trucks were “America LaFrance”

 The Bravest Will Be Auctioned To Benefit IAFF Burn Foundation.

 Cyril, this is one of the most detailed and beautiful bikes ever made to honor firefighters. What a great job.

THANKS!