During FighteRama 2002 Mick 'NOSfearatu' Hüby, journalist Sabine Welte and me planned to visit the 'VII Fantasy Show Bike' at Sestao, Spain. Due to work obligations we left for Sestao on the 3th of July and returned the 7th of July: biking more than 3000 km in five days would be pure masochism so for once we put NOSfearatu in the van and the CBX on the trailer.
The first 200 km though I rode the bike to Ennepetal (D), where Mick lives. Obvious it poured down all the way. My 'Show Bike' transformed, like always, into a 'Dirt Bike'.
Shortly before we left Mick fixed the 220 HP Kawa's turbo. Some oil spilled in the exhaust so the machine smoked like hell.
NOSfearatu being fixed, the van appeared to spill diesel. Anyway, short time after we were heading for Spain.
The CBX trialered, next to Sabine's SZR660. I know, I know, it's against my principles.
NOSfearatu neatly stalled in the van.
The weather during the trip to Spain was familiar.
The CBX had to be 'de-mudded' after we arrived in Sestao. Mick (on the left, with drink) was very helpful pointing out dirty spots.
Afterwards he himself did some Kawa polishing.
Being spick-and-span we put them face to face in front of the van.
A camera crew from the Spanish channel 'Bilbo Vision' came by for an interview, and took some shots for a report.
The female reporter was ... well, her T-shirt says it all.
Most competitors were on the camp site. Like this Waltz Hardcore, powered by a 2100 cc engine.
And there were less flashy bikes with appropriate bikers.
Sestao was flooded with colourful bikes and no less colourful owners.
Talking about colourful: Spanish toilets ... I'll spare you the details.
The hall was packed with bikes and visitors.
So was the city of Sestao.
A local stunt hero showed some skilled demolishing: first the rear tyre blew, than the cooling system exploded.
NOSfearatu got its share of torture as well.
The Spanish public seemed to enjoy the shows.
The rear tyre showed some wear and tear after five days of burnouts and donuts.
But not only bikes were heavily tested.
The Scotsmen that won last years prizes at the Bulldog Bash, came from Barcelona to Sestao. The Harley of former Best of Show Charlie Beaton had an even bigger handlebar and some fresh paintwork.
Incredible detailed airbrush. Beautiful.
His brother-in-law Logie won 'Best of Show' in Sestao. I prefered Charlie's bike though.
I entered the CBX in the category 'Custom', Mick entered NOSfearatu as 'Streetfighter'. Or, the Spanish variation: 'Streefhigter'.
One wasn't allowed to touch the bikes ('NO TOCAR'), but, like always no one complies (like three pictures before this one).
Bulldog Bash's 'Best Streetfighter' 2002' joined the show as well. This time a huge Metzeler ME880 decorated the back, the same 280 tyre that will be on my next V8 project. This V-Max won second best streetfighter.
Sunday morning all bikes rode to the centre of Sestao where the prize giving ceremony took place. The square was already crowded with visitors.
Each of the five categories had a first, a second and a third place. I won 'Best Custom'.
Mick won 'Best Streetfighter'. On his left Sabine takes pictures.
We both got a trophy and 600 Euro.
The Spanish newspaper 'El Correo' reported almost immediately about the show. Although my Spanish is poor, I understand that one Oto Nijs (!) has an ultramodern aluminum (!!) custom bike worth more than 90.000 Euro (!!!).

Click the picture to read the report.
Monday morning we took pictures at the Bilbao Guggenheim museum. A beautiful location, although the weather and the Spanish authorities weren't very cooperative.
At that time Jeff Koons had an exhibition: here you see our bikes together with one of his huge colourful creations.
Sabine tried out her new digital camera.
At certain moment liquid nitrogen was put in the water around the museum. Little by little the museum (and the bikes, and we) were surrounded by a thick, white fog.
This resulted in a quite mysterious atmosphere ...
... until, well ... yes.
Other cameras found us here as well.
On the way back the weather was fine.
We put our trophies against the van's windscreen.
Tuesday morning we unloaded the CBX near to Maastricht (NL); Mick and Sabine travelled home via Kologne. Then cylinders 3 and 4 decided to strike. One ignition coil was suspected to be the spoilsport, and we found out it was. A friendly custom-house officer offered his help to find a replacement coil for my custom. I then provisional installed it on the bike.
This officer directed me to Rosa Motoren in Eijsden, where I got the CB400 coil for little money.
Owner Ludo Roosen offered me a run on their Tovami dynamometer; afterwards the CBX was declared healthy.
The trip from Maastricht to Nijmegen brought me home at 17.30 h.