Builder Spotlight - Adam Munzinger
We thought it would be fun to ask our builders to answer some questions so we can get to know them a bit better. Below you will find their un-edited responses & some photos that represent them and their work/life. Show these folks some love!! Say hello when you see them in the crowd at the Show!
Name: Adam Munzinger
Nickname:
Name Of Shop/Business/Nickname (If you don't have one, type NONE): Milkhaus Speed Research
Instagram : @speed_research
Website Address (Type NONE if you don't have one: None
Email Address: milkhaus.mke@gmail.com
What's your daily rider? And Why? Any mods you have planned for it in-the future?
My daily is my Daytona 955i. I bought it off the showroom floor in Feb 2000. I love how it sounds, and it is a very enjoyable machine to ride quickly. And I can still ride it in my mid 40's. I would love to redo the seat, but I have been saying that for 20 years.
What bikes do you currently own?
A few Harley's, a Triumph Daytona, a couple Yamaha's, some Suzuki's, and some minibikes.
Favorite part you have ever used, fabricated or bought?
That's a tough one. I have been blessed with getting to work with some pretty epic machines over the years so choosing a favorite is hard. But if I had choose, it is whatever was the last part that was needed to get any particular project done.
Best Track you have ever Raced on? Why?
Flattrack would be Plymouth, with a close tie to SpeedZone in Oshkosh (RIP). Both of those tracks have the banked turns, plus the surface is so well prepared (along with the crowds in the stands). Dragstrip would be Great Lakes, I haven't ventured to too many others to really be able to talk surfaces, but the history of that place is incredible and I have met some really amazing people there. Plus the sounds....you *feel* the Dragstrip, ya dig?
Podcast Suggestions? What are you listening to these days?
I often work in silence. But, I highly recommend Dork-O-Motive; Brian Lohnes definitely does his research and shares some fantastic history and obscura to all things gearhead.
Is there anything you are working on currently that you're excited about? Does not have to be a motorcycle. House project? Jumps in the backyard for the kid? TreeHouse? Custom Chopper? Custom Meat Smoker?
I sure do! I have been chipping away on a longbike chopper for some years now, and the thing is currently blown apart for final. I did a bunch of trickery to the powerplant and I hope to make heat this year. Still gotta paint the tins, but that's a springtime thing.
Best Experience at a motorcycle event? Which Event? (Please don't feel like you have to say MT/FOF. This is not about that!)
Maybe the load-in day at Oak Canyon for BF-6? All these whales of industry are there, and we have the BLKBK on the grass. Just surrounded by all these super-talented dudes and big-shots....They all wanna hear it, so I go thru the start procedure and kick that fugger to life on the first lunge. And it RIPS. There were a lot of dumbfounded / excited looks on some pretty recognizable industry faces....that was a very satisfying experience.
Rank your TOP Motorcycle activities. Street? Bar-Hopping? Flat Track Racing? Single Track? FMX? Ice Racing? Looking cool in front of the ladies and or gentleman? (Choices not limited to these suggestions)
1. Building them. I was a huge Lego kid, so my favorite is playing motorcycle. They are just adult Lego anyways and have no limits. 2. Drag racing. It is really all you, and there are so many variables to control, it is so challenging. Nevermind the feeling of being shot out a cannon when it all works. 3. Flattrack. It is exhilarating and a completely different challenge for consistency and rhythm and flow.
What is your earliest memory related to motorcycles? Or what was your first moto/mini bike? Do you still have it?
My Dad had a BSA when I was really little. I loved being anywhere near or on it. My older brothers had a color picture book of motorcycles and The BarnJob was in it. That machine fuggd me up in so many great ways, I would look at those images for hours.
Is there any questions we have not asked yet that you have been dying to answer?? Now is your time to shine. Let us have it.
Q: Are bikes your business or a hobby? A: Bikes are my past-time, but I heavily invested in myself and organic capabilities. I enjoy the catharsis that comes from personally doing all the various disciplines involved to create the machine and engines are my specialty.
Best Motorcycle Crash? Good or Bad? Still riding afterwards?
Well, there is an amazing capture of me mid yard-sale at Azzy, turn 4. Looks terrible, but I was OK....after I straightened my forks out and put my shitbox back together, that night I took 5th. Out of 5.
How did you get started fabricating/painting/building/collecting?
I think I just gravitated towards it as a kid. My class selections were autoshop / metalshop / work release. And the path I chose in life exposed me to some things I thought were neat, and I wanted to integrate said neat things into other things. The first "chopper parts" I made was in '96, a set of seat springs for my brother Zingers solo saddle on his hardtail. I made 'em from some Pratt and Whitney radial engine valve springs.
If you could invite a Builder/Bike to Mama Tried, who would that be?
Well, Clem Johnson but he is long gone. Jasin Phares comes to mind, that dude has quite the repertoire.
What other stuff influences you? Books, architecture, cooking, painting, hot rods, movies, etc?
Mechanical objects and machines. Anything that is unadulterated machinery, but that has a refined elegance to its design. Things like warbirds, nostalgia dragsters, vintage racers.... all that stuff didn't have any fluffery and if it was on it, it was there for a purpose; but it was finished and purposeful.
If you could travel to any country, where would you go and why? (This could be a place you’ve already been)
Sweden. Those dudes know how to build longbikes and BIG strokers.
If you had 6 months where you didn’t have to worry about financial, professional or personal obligations, what would you want to do with that time?
Travel the USA on a longbike.
Favorite book that comes to mind?
Meh, not really
If you had an unlimited budget, what bike would you buy/build?
A Topfuel Dragbike built from the ground-up by me and obtaining all the tooling and capital equipment it takes to do it.
What's your most memorable road trip and why? And what’s an item you always bring?
I went to B/C Smokeout in Salisbury, I think in 2006? We stayed at CJ's in Kentucky along the way for a few days and met up with a bunch of SoCal dudes, they brought Pat Leahy with. I got to hang out with CJ and Pat and listen to them tell GNARLY stories. RIP to both those men. Met a bunch of people on that trip who I am still close friends with today. I always bring my sunny disposition.
Favorite Restaurant? Why?
It was Fritz's. Best fish fry, ever.
Favorite sandwich?
It was the Reuben from Comet. I am still searching for a suitable replacement and nothing even comes close. Dang.
Any Brand Loyalty when it comes to motorcycles? Or do you operate ur collection like a Swiss Army Knife? Please Explain.
I like whatever bike has my interest at any given time; I consider myself an equal opportunity motorcycle enthusiast. But I do enjoy playing with older Harleys since they are merely a canvas, plus the power they can make is pretty fun.
3 favorite bands (off the top of your head)?
Orange Goblin, Melvins, High on Fire
Anyone to Thank, give props, talk shit or say hello to?
Thanks to those members of my family who have ever supported me and the silly things I pursue. Plus, thanks to anyone I have ever had a conversation with that drew a smile and had a laugh. I do this stuff to put a smile on my face, and when I meet people who are doing it for a similar purpose, there is usually a connection there.