Author: Matt Neundorf

Custom Bikes of the Week

Post author By Matt Neundorf
Post date January 31, 2016

A pair of ‘official’ Ducati customs, a stunning Indian Scout from France, and a Honda Dominator from a Finnish automotive engineer. Meet the motorcycles that got our motors running this week.

Ducati draXter concept The Diavel has always been a bit of a mystery to me. Riding one, I found it extremely comfortable, delivering copious amounts of grunt and just nimble enough to find its way off the boulevard cruise. But I dare say it’s never been a looker. At least not in my eyes.

The Ducati draXter, on the other hand, fully embraces its steroidal persona. It’s a dragster concept based on the new XDiavel cruiser, and instead of trying to blend in amongst the screaming eagles, it wears its Affliction T-shirt with pride. Raiding the parts bin, Ducati’s Advanced Design unit picked out the Panigale’s suspension and braking components—and then the stylists took the bodywork to the extremes.

The swooping line from front fender to tail is exquisite, and I can’t think of a more entertaining way to melt 240-series rubber. [More]

Honda VRX 400 by La Busca Motorcycles Racing’s past is rich with machines of inspiration. This 1998 Honda VRX400 was built in tribute to the Harley KRTT that Roger Reiman rode to victory at the first Daytona 200 race held at the speedway in 1961.

Crafted by Jez and the lads at La Busca Motorcycles of Lancaster, England, Riff Raff looks like it’d be right at home tackling Daytona’s old beach course. Thanks in part to the Full Bore AT tires and its tracker stance this completely re-built VRX400 can probably handle any terrain you wish. The engine was brought back to within spec, and the carbs re-jetted—to maximize the gains from the slash-cut exhaust. (An admittedly cleaner design than Reiman’s originals.)

The front number board has integrated project beam headlights to deliver a modern, roadworthy touch, but that sprung seat is period correct—so you’ll want to stand on the pegs when heading off-piste. [More]

Mr Martini Peace Sixty2 As everyone knows, the Scrambler has been a huge success for Ducati. It occupies a rarified space: it’s excellent in stock form, and it’s also a stellar base for customization. The dust has now settled after the launch of the 400cc Sixty2 variant, so Ducati has enlisted a handful of builders to show what the smaller Scrambler is capable of.

‘Peace Sixty2’ comes to us from the talented Mr Martini and the retro vibe is strong with this one—check the sixties-era fiberglass fairing, the rainbow racing-stripe, and the John Lennon lyrics surrounding its racing number. In profile, it looks a stunner. But I can’t decide whether I love the simplicity of the headlight treatment, or wonder why the lamp isn’t fully integrated.

Regardless, the work to the subframe and tail looks the business. And if that fairing became a factory option, I’m sure it’d sell like hotcakes. [More]

Indian Scout by V-Twin Garage The Indian Scout is another excellent new platform for riders and builders alike. We’ve already seen a few stunning Scouts on these pages, but this one is ‘official.’ Called Tomahawk, it’s from Bordeaux’s V-Twin Garage and was created for Project Scout, Indian’s global dealer contest.

Thirty-five different dealers are transforming the entry-level Indian, with only one caveat: each dealer must use a minimum of three official Indian accessories. It took four of V-Twin Garage’s builders four weeks to turn Tomahawk into a rolling reality. All the metalwork has been done by hand, including the narrowed tank and the one-piece seat and tail.

Top shelf components from Motogadget, Roland Sands Design, Joker Machine and others are fitted, plus four pieces from the Scout catalogue. Voting for the winner closes February 19th. [More]

Honda NX650 by Janne Hietakangas Proportions on a custom build can be tough to get right—especially your first time around. But Finland’s Janne Hietakangas may have had a slight advantage: he’s an automotive design engineer, which explains why this Honda NX650 Scrambler sits so perfectly.

Being able to manipulate ideas in photoshop and CAD, Janne took his time to dial everything in digitally before breaking out the grinder. Working with his stock Dominator, Janne stripped what wasn’t desired or needed and sold the parts to fund his build. With $550 in his pocket, he set to work using scrapped parts whenever he could, and tackling everything else himself.

The finished product may fall outside of the realm of calendar grade customs, but it’s bloody impressive and incredibly inspiring. Hyvä työ, Janne! [More]

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Custom Bikes of the Week

Post author By Matt Neundorf
Post date January 17, 2016

A bespoke scrambler with MV Agusta power, a stunning Honda CB550 cafe racer from France, and a track-ready Ducati Monster S4R tribute to Mike Hailwood. These are the machines that revved our engines this week.

Honda CB550 by Bad Winners A few weeks ago we were taken aback by Lossa Engineering’s candy-apple Honda CB550. This time around the red CB we’re drooling over with comes from Bad Winners of Paris, France.

This deeply crimson hued cafe, entitled the Racing Rose, is the fifteenth creation to roll out of Walid’s shop. He’s used an English Wheel to hand roll the seat and tail unit to a faultless finish; the subtle upward sweep, transitions and lines are perfect, and the mark of a true master.

You’d be forgiven for not looking at anything else, but details abound. There’s the powder coated, snaking four-into-one exhaust, the clever internal wiring, and the 60mm chop at the front forks. Everything has been well planned and properly executed. [More]

Viba Lara 800 There is no denying the extreme rise in popularity of scrambler styled bikes. The pitch is so fevered that even the OEMs are cashing in on the trend. Thankfully, their involvement has caused builders to up their game—and some will mass-produce their creations.

The Lara 800 is what happens when French craftsmen shoehorn an MV Agusta triple into a bespoke trellis frame, with the desire to create the ultimate 125 horsepower scrambler. Both the swingarm and one-piece tank are aluminum units, helping to keep Lara’s weight down to a mere 355 lbs. The top shelf forks are from Marzocchi—with an Öhlins upgrade available upon request—and a custom coil-over Elka unit handles the rear. The carbon fiber radiator guards are handmade, as is the three-into-one, ceramic coated, high mount exhaust.

With only 23 examples available at a starting price of €32,310 (US$35,000), exclusivity doesn’t come cheap. But we’re sure they won’t last long. [More]

Ducati Monster S4R MH Tribute We’re no strangers to Paolo ‘Tex’ Tesio’s creative abilities. His body kits for the ferocious S4R version of the Ducati Monster turn the dial to eleven, delivering a modern take on Bologna’s classic.

Tesio has now created a clothed version of the naked archetype, and christened it the S4R MH Tribute. It goes without saying that the ‘MH’ refers to motorsport legend Mike Hailwood, and the attention to detail and level of execution is worthy of the name. The MH adopts the same rear subframe and seat design as before, but eschews the fork guards in favor of Hailwood liveried bodywork. Being specifically track prepped, those fairings are lower and more slippery works of art than anything else you’re likely to see in the paddock. [More]

Honda CB750 by Thirteen & Company Los Angeles-based Thirteen & Company were briefed to create a post-apocalyptic, Mad Max-style ride for their client. This 1972 Honda CB750, named The Russian, is what they delivered.

The hand-formed metal fairing is flanked by two HID projector style headlamps, giving a dash of modernity to this re-imagined road warrior. The patinated finish is chemically induced, coating the cowl, tank and hand-rolled tail. American buffalo was used to upholster the seat, and its diamond stitch pattern—a Thirteen & Company hallmark—seems almost too refined for the overall package.

While many might turn up noses and fall back on ‘rat bike’ dismissals, it must be remembered that this build was brokered. Successfully delivering someone else’s actualized dream is no easy feat, especially when its aesthetic falls outside of your norm. And even more so when you consider the builder, Kyle Vara, is only twenty-three. [More]

Moto Guzzi 1100 Sport by Eduardo Nauiack It seems obvious that this 1995 Guzzi cafe racer comes from the hands of an industrial designer. Its mechanical vibe speaks to Eduardo Nauiack’s obsession with extracting function over form.

When you learn of the trials and tribulations he faced, the rawness of the bike begins to make sense. The Brazilian-cum-Californian builder spent months correcting previously flawed modifications and hunting down electronic gremlins, before starting work on the custom rear subframe and component upgrades.

A Motogadget m-Unit defeated the gremlins, so Eduardo could install the rear seat and tail. Lifted from a Ducati 900SS, the unit looks right at home—despite its weathering, or maybe because of it. The project isn’t quite finished: Eduardo is planning to add a half-fairing of his own design, to be 3D printed as part of his Master’s Thesis. [More]

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Custom Bikes of the Week

Post author By Matt Neundorf
Post date January 10, 2016

A Triumph Bonneville that sold for over $100,000, a slick Honda CB750 tracker from Argentina, and a return to form from former Radical Ducati boss Pepo Rosell. Meet the custom bikes that have got our pulses racing over the past few days.

The $100,00 Triumph Bonneville desert sled Utter the names Bud Ekins and Steve McQueen and you’ll immediately have a captive audience. The stuntman-and-star duo created the most iconic motorcycle stunt in Hollywood history and regularly competed for glory on two wheels.

Three days ago, this 1963 Triumph Bonneville desert sled, built by Ekins and piloted by the King of Cool himself, sold at Bonhams in Vegas for a staggering $103,500. (That’s nearly $20,000 more than a previous sale price of $84,240 in 2009.) Painted by Von Dutch, this machine captures the ethos of the King of Cool—and is something of a blueprint for what continues today. Ekins chopped the rear fender and hoop, grafted on a high-mount, zig-zag exhaust, and added a proper set of bars to keep those knobbies from getting too squirrely.

Most of us couldn’t imagine parting with that kind of cash for a vintage Bonnie. But the provenance and pedigree of this hard-ridden example speaks for itself. It’s just a shame that it won’t get dirty ever again. [More]

Honda CB750 by Herencia Custom Garage The street tracker movement is on fire right now. Spurred by pioneers like Richard Pollock, builders are attempting to raise the bars of ingenuity with each new creation. This CB750 from Argentina’s Herencia Custom Garage is one of the finest examples to date.

If Herencia sounds familiar to you, it may be because they’re showcased weekly on the Latin American Discovery Channel. Don’t let that tidbit dissuade you, though. These guys are the furthest thing from OCC abominations.

Fully decked out in HRC livery, this CB750 is a work of art. The remote, pro-link style rear suspension is refreshing and unique—and so is the minimalist, tubular rear brake reservoir. Every component of the four-into-one exhaust system is exquisite, right down to the HCG rearset hanger. [More]

Triumph Speed Triple by XTR Pepo Since Pepo Rosell returned to the garage after closing Radical Ducati, he’s been cranking out hit after hit. This latest build went under Pepo’s torch as a 2005 Speed Triple and emerged as the appropriately named ‘Extreme Speed.’

In typical Rosell fashion, many of the new parts on this weapons-grade build are XTR originals—including the fairing, subframe, seat and license plate bracket. The carbon fiber rear hugger and front fender are both homebuilt units as well. The clip-ons are Tommaselli and the blinkers, footrests and sprocket cover are sourced from Rizoma.

The only thing I’d change would be the gold mags, for a set of blacked out Alpina spokes. But who am I to chide a master? [More]

Honda XLR250 by Ask Motorcycles Very little about this machine appeals to the rider in me. It’s not that I wouldn’t swing a leg over and give it a try—I just don’t know that I could without hurting myself. Or worse, without damaging a work of art.

Such is the genius of Ask Motorcycles’ Rad Yamamoto. This latest build, ‘Mother Machine,’ was prepared for the 2015 Mooneyes Motorcycle Show in Yokohama and features some of the most intricate metal work we’ve seen for a long time. Every turned piece of brass was fashioned on Rad’s lathe. The tank was shaped using hammers, dollies, and even sandbags. The result is one of the thinnest (and lowest rides) to grace these pages.

The Mooneyes show requires that all bikes entered are functional, rideable machines. Thanks to Honda XLR250 power and some ingenious linkage work by Rad, this thing runs, shifts and brakes just as it should. [More]

Stanley Tang’s Honda XR650L Five years ago, when Stanley Tang was entrenched in the finance business, he decided to turn his hand to bike building. Five completed bikes later, the quality of his work speaks for itself. This XR650L is Stanley’s latest creation and recently grabbed the attention of master builder Roland Sands.

To streamline things, Stanley swapped the XR’s tank with a slimmer unit from a Honda CG125. The seatpan and fenders were fabricated to match, as well as to accentuate his custom work on that rear subframe. The engine was completely torn down and rebuilt to factory spec, then repainted, slotted back in, and hooked up to a gorgeous reverse-cone exhaust system. A pair of Excel rims went on, with a slightly larger rear hoop optimized for street use. And all superfluous switchgear was binned, to deliver an incredibly minimalist cockpit.

The financial world obviously lost an asset when Stanley jumped ship. But I’d say the rest of us are better off. [More]

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Custom Bikes of the Week

Post author By Matt Neundorf
Post date January 3, 2016

A street tracker with a woodgrain finish, a pair of very different Honda CB450s, and a new build from Deus’ Californian wizard Michael ‘Woolie’ Woolaway. Here are the custom bikes that got our motors running over the Christmas break.

Suzuki GSX400F by Shaka Garage Exchange monocles with someone who has ridden in the back of a Rolls-Royce, and the topic of wood grain will inevitably arise. But wood is not something we motorcyclists are normally impressed with—until now.

Crafted by the skilled hands of Shaka Garage from Bari, Italy, the appropriately named Wood Tracker is artfully adorned with dark veneer accents on its tank and side pods. Against the matte green paint, the look is exquisite. But don’t be fooled, it’s actually airbrushed on.

Thanks to the knobby rubber and upgraded Öhlins suspension, this 80s-era Suzuki GSX400F scrambler should feel right at home amongst real trees. The tailpipes are handmade units and the engine was completely overhauled to ensure raucous, trail-roosting fun. I’m not convinced the side-mounted tach would last long with me behind the Tommaselli bars, but standing on pegs beats backseats every day. [More]

Honda CB450 by Vagabund Moto You can often identify a builder’s work by a commonality of theme. Down & Out prefers a wide-wheeled look, El Solitario explodes molds, and Auto Fabrica delivers clinically clean aesthetics. Now Vagabund Moto is becoming known for its obsession with detail.

The Graz, Austrian builder’s BMW R100R had us gobsmacked with its intricate and distinct style, and this Honda CB450 is doing much the same. The bare metal finish on the front end, tank, engine casings and exhaust exudes raw aggression. Softened ever so slightly by the subtle sea-foam green paint, saddle brown leather seating and black accents, it’s clear that Vagabund hasn’t lost any focus. The stance is spot on and despite not echoing the same style of perfection from that BMW, this Honda easily captures its ethos.

From the expertly shortened rear sub-frame with its integrated LEDs to the playful use of a 20s-era Colgate & Co shaving tin, this cafe racer has me smitten. [More]

Honda CB450 by Steel Bent Customs Maybe a cafe racer isn’t quite your cup of Honda CB450 tea? Then maybe this scrambler ready for the single tracks is more appealing. It’s a 1976 model from Florida’s Steel Bent Customs, dubbed Dirty Jersey, and the recipient of Michael Mundy’s expert handiwork.

The frame was sliced and looped to trim the stock excess, and longer-travel, progressive rate rear shocks were added to balance the stance and raise the ride height. A svelte gel battery is hidden under the well-padded, diamond-stitched seat. The finish is classic, austere and damn near spotless. My favorite touch is the cocktail shaker treatment on the unequal length, high-mount exhaust.

Oh, and the fact that the high-gloss clear coat should be easy to wipe clean after a day near the Newark Watershed. [More]

Yamaha XT600 by Lab Motorcycle For five years Portugal’s Lab Motorcycle have been quietly assembling an impressive collection of custom builds. The latest creation from the Setubal-based shop is a trail-ready Yamaha XT600 that simply oozes the company philosophy—“Just For Fun.”

The rear subframe has been hooped, the battery shrunk, and the tank swapped out for a Honda CG unit. But the XT’s original, enduro-friendly geometry has been well maintained. The suspension has been upgraded to soak up unwelcoming conditions, and the Reagan-era plastics have been binned for recycling. The stock rectangular, halogen headlight has been put back into a K-Car in favor of a more stylish 5¾-inch round unit with a shield.

The Ténéré-style paint job drops a hint—this machine is likely to be a riot on either street or trail. Listening to the thumper blasting through the Arrow exhaust could be the perfect cure to a New Year’s hangover. [More]

Kawasaki W650 by Deus Customs Given the classic dirt racer look of this latest Deus build, it’s no surprise to find that it hails from the Venice, California workshop. SoCal has embraced the dirt like few other locales in North America, and this Kawasaki—named W-`ühini—is the perfect weapon.

If you’re wondering about the name, the ‘W’ is for the W650 motor and `ühini is the Hawaiian name for grasshopper. The motor has since been overbored to 800cc and slotted into a hand-made chromoly frame. The rake and trail have been set with humps, bumps and dirt in mind—allowing the rider to catch air and slide soles through corners with ease.

The tank and tail are both hand-shaped aluminum, bead-blasted in some areas and brushed in others. Then fourteen (yes, fourteen) coats of yellow and blue candy paint were applied. The contrasting surfaces create a unique shimmer depending on lighting and positioning. [More]

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Custom Bikes of the Week

Post author By Matt Neundorf
Post date December 20, 2015

A street tracker Harley Dyna, a supercharged Nimbus from Denmark, and a stunning Triumph Bonneville tribute to Eddie Mulder. These are the bikes that revved our engines this week.

ClayMoto Suzuki SV650 The SV650 has long been regarded as one of the best bikes for new riders—and enthusiasts on a budget. Its torquey v-twin is almost bulletproof, and what it lacks in style, it makes up for with comfort and performance.

Munich-based Nick Graveley runs ClayMoto, a design house specializing in clay model mock-ups for BMW Motorrad, Honda, Norton and Triumph—plus the big three German automakers. He’d long wanted to take on a personal project, and the SV650 fits his riding needs like a deerskin glove.

‘Fun under a ton’ was the theme behind the build, although the sculpted bodywork makes it look like it’s doing 200mph at a standstill. There are few words that can do justice to Nick’s deft handiwork: the multi-faceted surface of the tank and details on the split tail and headlight are phenomenal. Seeing this makes me wish I’d never sold my SV1000. [More]

Kraus Motor Co. Harley ‘Dynamite’ Satya Kraus is a builder focused on high-end engineering, crafting the in-house components that bear his name. But occasionally he’ll use his Santa Rosa, California workshop to build a mean test bed.

Based on a 2001 Harley-Davidson Dyna, Satya and his team started this build by shedding the Harley’s Midwestern weight and pushing it in a street tracker direction. The twin-cam big twin features larger chambers and a week’s worth of headwork to deliver 8,000 rpm of thunder between shifts.

To quell any Milwaukee slop, Kraus has installed a USD Öhlins fork, hooked up with their proprietary bolt-on Dynamoto front end kit. The rear is suspended by Öhlins as well, to keep the machined swingarm and carbon fiber wheel well planted. Aesthetically the bike looks like the screamer it is: The stance, saddle and tail absolutely nail it. [More]

DuongDoan’s Design Suzuki GN250 Just three weeks ago, DuongDoan’s Design snagged our attention with their rough and tumble Suzuki GN250 scrambler. Now the Hanoi-based shop is wowing us with their elegant side: this GN125 cafe.

From the methodically knurled grips, pegs and shifter to the expertly tapered mini-Manx style tank, this Suzuki is an absolute stunner. Riding on Firestone rubber, the bike tempers the delicacy with a decidedly fat-tired vibe. The loop on the modified subframe matches the profile of the humped (and comfy looking) seat; then form meets function with a chopped rear fender that furthers the hump’s silhouette.

The red and white paint, brown leather and raw steel finish is classic—although we’d probably lose the ‘cafe racer’ tank badge and opt for ceramic coating over pipewrap on the swooped header. [More]

Odin’s Fury: Nimbus Bonneville racer Piloting a piece of handmade, functional, engineered art along a bed of salt, in search of speed, will never cease to captivate. Aside from the landscape, the pursuit itself may be the essence of motorcycling: It’s pure and simple.

Few creations sum this up as veraciously as Odin’s Fury. Built to run in the home built, 750cc class at Bonneville, Lars Neilsen of Gonzo Engineering wanted to see what a 22hp Nimbus could really do. To help the Copenhagen-built four-banger top its original 75 mph speed cap, Lars has strapped a Subaru supercharger on board and shed every ounce of redundant weight.

The frame is bespoke, the forks came from a Sportster, the wheels from a Goldwing and the tank was once atop a moped. If it runs as solid as it looks and sounds, Lars should be in for a treat. [Facebook]

Eddie Mulder Tribute by British Customs I daydream about taking a turn behind the bars of every build in this series from British Customs. It seems only natural to imagine how well they would perform, if given the chance. With this new street tracker from the Gardena, California company, I don’t need to dream: I can tell you exactly how it rides.

Built as a part of their Legends Series, this 2007 Triumph Bonneville was built to honor Eddie Mulder and his Pikes Peak winning ‘Triumphant.’ The tank and tail are carbon fiber units, the stock geometry has been modified, a tracker wheel kit installed and the engine has been breathed on to uncover additional ponies. Riding through the winding roads of Big Sur and the dirt tracks of the Old Coast Road, I can tell you this tracker definitely goes.

It’s easily lighter, faster and more flickable than any stock Bonnie and the upgraded suspension works absolute wonders. Now I just need to convince Eddie to let me borrow his ride, again. [More]

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Custom Bikes of the Week

Post author By Matt Neundorf
Post date December 13, 2015

A bullet-ridden BMW from Sicily, a stunning Honda cafe racer from GT-Moto, and Ducati Scrambler tweaked an an Italian eyewear company. These are the bikes that got our motors running this week.

BMW R100 by Svako Motorcycles Apocalyptic and unorthodox: Those are the first two words that come to mind when I see ‘Sbang,’ a BMW from Sicily-based Svako. This is especially true when you compare Sbang to the last BMW we saw from Svako, a gentlemanly Paris Dakar replica.

Some may turn up their noses to the aesthetics of a bullet-riddled tank, but not me. Touches like that—and yes, they are real bullet holes—and the Heidenau K67 tires show that this is a bike built to be ridden hard. But that doesn’t mean it lacks finer detail. All of the wiring is hidden within the pock-marked tank, ahead of the fuel cap, which was fashioned on a lathe from an old flywheel.

If Mad Max-meets-the-Mafia is your cup of Chianti, Sbang is your bike. [Facebook]

Triumph T100 from Down & Out Cafe Racers Shaun and Carl from Down & Out Cafe Racers have an obsession with stance. The signature wide-tired style of the Yorkshire, England shop is aggressive and brash—a little like the lads themselves. So it’s no surprise that when Shaun put together a bike of his own, he worked his fingers to the bone to shoehorn in the 180-series rubber.

Fastec Racing was tapped to machine the unique triple clamps to accommodate that beefy front wheel. Rake was decreased by 0.75 degrees, and CBR1000RR forks slotted in. Then the fenders were hand-rolled on an English Wheel to help block any mud slung from the Continental TKC80s. The T100’s electrics were ditched to make way for a Motogadget unit, and D&O’s own micro LED signals were installed up front. It creates a sparse and incredibly clean cockpit on a Bonnie I’d love to get dirty. [More]

GT-Moto’s Honda CB450 There is little doubt that Sofi Tsingos is one of America’s most talented builders working today. We were still drooling over the BMW R75/5 she and her father created when this CB450 popped up.

This is officially GT-Moto’s first customer build. The little Honda is essentially a ground-up restoration, and hands have found their way into every nook, cranny and crevice in the quest for perfection. The engine has been balanced, blueprinted and overbored to 485cc. The front suspension is now an external-spring type set-up. And at the back, the tail and signal lights have been seamlessly integrated—by hand no less—to lie imperceptibly within the rear fender. Similar treatment was applied to the top clamp. This package is, in a word, flawless. [More]

Palatina Dreambikes T15 With the rebirth of Triumph’s Bonneville lineup, the British marque’s ‘modern classics’ have returned to liquid cooling. Prior to the Bonneville’s resurrection in 2001, Hinckley’s Thunderbird and Legend TT models were powered by a liquid-cooled, 885cc triple. This bespoke cafe racer, the T15 from Germany’s Palatina Dreambikes, is a stunningly detailed build that honors those Bonnie-less years.

The particulars of this build are gorgeous. From the iconic and emblematic headlight shroud to the Keihin flat-side carbs to the exhaust’s playful final exit, there’s little that doesn’t impress. The subframe is a one off carbon fiber unit, the single-sided swingarm is of Italian descent, and all componentry is top shelf. Staring at it makes us wonder: had the parallel twin not replaced Triumph’s triple, could this have become our new Thruxton R? [More]

Ducati Scrambler limited edition The Ducati Scrambler is a runaway success. It has power and agility at the right price—making it a no-brainer for riders seeking simplicity and fun. In the looks department though, not everyone has been on board. So the eyewear company Italia Independent has partnered with Ducati to tweak the visuals just a little. And the result is a knockout. Even better, this build isn’t a one-off: just over a thousand units will be made.

Revealed at the Art Basel show in Miami, there’s a hint of cafe racer style in this subtle execution. The blacked-out engine features brushed aluminum fins. The frame and wheels are coated in a gorgeous copper hue. And the tank and shortened fenders are matte black. Other touches like the bar end mirrors and snubbed nose fairing finish off the look. [More]

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Custom Bikes of the Week

Post author By Matt Neundorf
Post date December 6, 2015

A drop-dead gorgeous BMW from Austria, a KTM from Columbia, and a machine with the worst name ever given to a motorcycle. These are the bikes that got us excited this week.

BMW R100R by Vagabund Vagabund is a new Austrian workshop. Established only this year, their design philosophy is simple: to enhance the essence and magic of classic motorcycles, and create unique pieces of art. And judging by this BMW R100R, we’d say they’re doing an impeccable job.

From one hundred yards out, you can spot this bike is special. Every line is clean. Every angle is complemented. The two-tone tank is understated, and perfectly juxtaposed to the airhead below. And speaking of that engine… Every silver-trimmed fin, from header mount to block, shows levels of restraint usually reserved for industry veterans. The headlight and tail are otherworldly. The smooth yet raw exhaust and eccentric fork-mounted mirror are playful.

These guys get it. And they’re just getting started. [More]

Gas Department Bultaco Despite its omnipresence in the custom world, the ‘cafe racer’ takes many forms. The rules that govern its definition, although geometrically strict, leave much room for interpretation. This is a very good thing. It allows builders the freedom to create brutish bikes like Maria Motorcycles’ XJR1300, as well as skinny little imps like this 1964 Bultaco Mercurio 155 from Barcelona’s Gas Department.

During the build process the Bultaco’s stock components were stripped, cleaned and restored before painting and plating. Even the headlight is original, although it now boasts a yellow tint. The front forks feature exposed springs, and a pair of shocks from a Yamaha Virago found their way to the rear. The tank and tail are Bultaco units, but originally called a TTS home.

This spartan Spanish build is mechanical simplicity at its finest—and a nod to days gone by. [More]

KTM Duke by Garaje 57 The KTM Duke has quickly become the prototype streetfighter. From the maniacal 1290 Super Duke R to the entry level 390, the Austrian bikes are applauded for their ability to tattoo smiles on riders’ faces—even when bone stock. A fact that made this ‘Silver Arrow’ 390 build from Bogota, Columbia’s Garaje 57 more than a little tricky.

Its compact size complicated matters still further: The 390 is a tiny bike. To accommodate a taller rider, Garaje 57’s Esteben and Gustavo targeted the riding position. After ditching the plastics, the rearsets were moved further back and the custom subframe installed. Finished with a raw bare metal look, the peanut-style tank flows smoothly—before tapering abruptly to make room for knees. The changes create a package that exudes a boisterous supermoto vibe. [More]

Motorieep Voxan Voxan motorcycles are a rare breed. Despite some exquisite designs and a sonorous 100 hp, 996 cc, 72-degree V-twin motor, sales were slow. After barely a decade of production, the French firm was liquidated in 2009. And with it, those lovely motors.

Thankfully, shops like Paris’ Motorieep have decided the Voxan is worth celebrating. The touches on their Scrambler are minimal but impactful. The underslung rear suspension, hand-hammered pancake tank and exo-skeletal frame are accentuated by an inconspicuous rear subframe and minimalist seat. It draws the eyes to that exquisite engine, designed with help from racing legends Sodemo Moteurs.

A decidedly French agreement capped the Voxan’s original horsepower at the century mark, but Motorieep has included a high-pressure pump so riders can up the ante. [More]

Mondial Hipster It’s not a custom build but the Hipster (yes, really) is too stunning a bike to not share. More importantly, this futuristic scrambler/cafe hybrid marks the return of the storied Mondial badge to our two-wheeled landscape.

Available in either 125 or 250cc formats (with 15 hp and 25 hp respectively) neither bike will excite the knee-dragging crowd. But that’s exactly their point. Styled in the aesthetic flavor of today’s trendiest builds, this single cylinder Mondial knows its target audience well. The beauty is deeper than just a high-mounted exhaust, though. You also get inverted front forks, remote reservoir rear shocks and radial mount calipers. And with a 130 kg (dry) weight, this entry level Italian should be both competent and popular.

Regardless of whether its name makes you chuckle or scowl, we’re hoping this Hipster movement means that Mondial is back. [More]

BikeExif BMW R nineT Custom Bikes of the Week Custom Motorcycles Harley-Davidson Sportster Kawasaki motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs

Custom Bikes of the Week

Post author By Matt Neundorf
Post date November 15, 2015

A slinky BMW R nineT from Holland, a textbook Honda CB from the USA, and a Harley Sportster engine shoehorned into a Yamaha SR frame in Japan. These are our favorite customs from the past week.

HPnineT Cafe Racer by High Octane. Everything created by Jeffry Sol and the Dutch High Octane team radiates speed. Like their absolutely mad, 1005 hp, Audi Sport Quattro, for instance. However, Sol’s clearest vision of velocity emanates from his latest creation: the slippery silhouette of this HPnineT Cafe Racer.

Science suggests that symmetrical patterns please human eyes most. But the asymmetric detailing here is achingly gorgeous. The tank, lower fairing, rear cowl, exhaust and headlight are all off-balance—and each of them worthy of a roped-off area at the Museum Of Modern Art. Every weld and panel was hand filed—twice. Once blended smooth, the bare metal was sanded for over a week before polishing to its current luster.

The resultant flowing lines create the finest remodelling of the R nine T I’ve seen to date. I’d bet it’s even quicker than that Audi, too. [More]

Honda CB550 by Lossa Engineering Jay LaRossa is renowned for sweating the small things. It doesn’t matter if the SoCal-based team are completing a one-off build, or developing a new bolt-on part—no detail is insignificant. Just lose yourself in this candy-apple red CB550 for a few minutes, and you’ll know what I mean. The finishing touches are exacting.

For example, take a peek at the piggyback shock upper mount. The cowl was notched ever so slightly to make things fit—but its radial gap is as precise as the workings of a Patek Phillippe watch. Not a single line was disrupted. To show off the expert pinstriping (by Tom McSweeney from Kustoms Inc.) on the seat pan, the saddle was cored and upholstered with each tuck-roll lining up perfectly. Then every nut and bolt was either chromed or re-plated.

But this CB550 is more than just a showpiece. The engine has been bored, ported and polished, and is now a fire-breathing 608cc mill. A Megacycle cam, Keihin CR carbs and a Lossa exhaust system were added. Then the beast was blacked out and bench-tuned to perfection.

Jay insists that was partly to sort out one last detail—so he can roast those Firestones, and get a real set of tires. [More]

Gazzz Garage Kawasaki Zephyr Tracing its roots to the game-changing Z1, the Zephyr continued Kawasaki’s admirable trend of stuffing superbike engines into naked standards. Had the Zephyr line survived Y2K and the Mayan Doomsday, we’re pretty sure it would resemble this machine—an immaculate re-imagining by Nazar Poznyakovsky of Ukraine’s Gazzz Garage.

It’s only Nazar’s second build, but the Zephyr 750 looks like it rolled right off Kawasaki’s factory floor. Partly because Nazar had to park his grinder and maintain the OE frame configuration—and partly because everything needed to be done twice. This bike was built up using a 1991 model, and then dismantled and packed-up for a 3,000 km ride to France, where the parts were installed on the client’s 1992 Zephyr.

Therefore the one-off fiberglass seat and tail needed to be expertly crafted and test fitted to ensure the seat lock would work, before the rear LEDs and license holder were integrated. The custom-machined top clamp and smaller, retro gauges were fitted, tested and removed. The clip-ons, liberated from an old SV650, slid in and out of place nicely, as did the new side pods and bespoke front fender. The process is a remarkable feat of remote engineering. If I worked for Kawasaki, I’d be calling Gazzz for the rights to these kits, right now. [More]

The Outburst by Studio Motor The latest build from Indonesia’s Studio Motor began life as an unassuming factory streetfighter. Regarded as not being tough enough, this brand new Kawasaki Z250 was completely stripped before rebuilding. And when the concept sketch was green-lighted by its owner, the Jakarta-based garage went to work.

The tank and tail section are both completely hand-formed, using 1.2mm galvanized plate steel. The bench seat was also built in-house, and upholstered to give a flat tracker look. Handling was upgraded with a front-end swap from a Suzuki GSX-R750, and there’s a custom 2-into-1 exhaust system to boost grunt and sound. A set of Renthal Fatbars improve control, and new number plate/headlight combo finishes things off.

The package has shades of the Faster Wasp, but smaller and in black and white. And that’s not a bad thing at all. Although, given the color scheme, we might have called it the Bald-Faced Hornet. [More]

Rocket Boy SS by Berry Bads Bikes bearing the Bar and Shield have been on Japanese soil for over a hundred years now. So builders from every Prefecture have worked with Milwaukee’s finest. This XL1200 is a cut above, though, and comes to us from Berry Bads of Otsu in Shiga.

Last week’s Harton leaned heavily on the British aesthetic, but Rocket Boy SS has toes in many waters. The frame is a heavily modified Yamaha SR unit, and the tank is an aftermarket Norton Manx type. The engine of course, started life in a Sportster. In digital ink, the combination reads unlikely and maybe even ill-advised: The tank, which had to be notched just to fit the breather for the big twin, looks dented. The seat and cowl appear as supple as cold granite. And the clip-ons sit low enough to warrant an on-call chiropractor.

But this is a case where the whole is greater than the sum of those parts and well, pain is temporary. Berry Bads has created a Frankenstein monster with a raw metal finish that is brutish and unapologetic—a bike that will either turn your head, or cause you to scratch it. What can I say—it turned mine. [More]

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Custom Bikes of the Week

Post author By Matt Neundorf
Post date November 8, 2015

Suzukis from Russia and Italy, Norton Commandos from England and the USA, and a French BMW: there’s a distinct multinational air to this week’s selection. Matt Neundorf provides the translation.

Suzuki ST400 Tempter by 53 Fast Living This one’s apparently inspired by the aircraft piloted by Japan’s flying aces in WWII. The Moscow-based builders from 53 Fast Living have created one of the most fun looking scramblers we’ve seen to date.

With only 27 horses on tap from its single-cylinder mill and a decision to maintain the stock drum brake set-up, every ounce of excess was shed to optimize performance and maneuverability. The airbox was eliminated completely. A rear loop was created, topped with a slender, scrambler-style seat. Below is a relocated, minimalist battery box to fire up the most juvenile amusement that can be had on two wheels. I’m especially keen on the manner in which the three-piece rear fender affair was sorted—the visual voids it creates without sacrificing essential protection are simple bliss.

Whether it’s roosting across single track or splitting lanes through the urban sprawl, this ST400 should give reason for Suzuki to consider putting the Tempter back into production. [More]

Harton by North Leicester Motorcycles Based in the English Midlands, NLM pride themselves on their abilities to rework vintage Italian steel. Their Mediterranean resume is impressive, but it’s this British/American hybrid that’s caught our eye.

Working with a Norton frame and donor motor is nothing new; Tritons are almost a brand unto themselves. However, stuffing one of Milwaukee’s finest big-twins into a Birmingham featherbed frame is a touch rare.

We have seen this type of behavior before but the lads from Leicester have taken things to a new level with their Harton. Powered by a first-gen single-cam 1,340cc Evolution motor, the Harton packs enough grunt to rival a period-correct TT racer. It also melds American and British custom techniques expertly: The exposed, belt-driven primary and air-charger intake scream Sturgis, but twin-drum front brakes and the streamlined Manx tank harken back to the Isle of Man. [More]

BMW K100 by Ed Turner The instructions were limited—”make it blue and in a tracker style”—and the budget was even tighter. So Karl Renoult of Ed Turner Motorcycles had his work cut out with this BMW project. But like any true professional, Ed took up the challenge to create this stunning sky blue K100 tracker.

Ed naturally wanted to shed some of the Bavarian’s heft. So the plastics were ditched and a slender new single hoop was welded on. The all-new seat was designed to accentuate the tubular frame’s aesthetic: tucking and rolling the fabric eliminated overhangs. Coupled with the K-Series’ signature rear shock set-up, it creates a look of incredible lightness at the rear.

To keep the same theme up front, the factory K-Series fuel cell was swapped for a slender old 125cc unit, sitting above the frame rails. Just goes to show that if you get the details right, even a budget build can render extraordinary results. [More]

Suzuki GS550 by Brat Box The GS550 is a popular choice for builders looking to create a reliable and stylish cafe racer. This 1979 model from Italy’s oddly named Brat Box Caferacersalento isn’t revolutionary, but it’s certainly well executed.

As their name should imply, the “brat” and “cafe” styles are major influences to their design direction. In this case the GS’s rear profile is flattened by the requisite thin and flush saddle, exposing the rear loop—with a subtle kink. The mismatched Avons, with a MKII at the back, hint at ventures down a dusty path—but the Speedmaster up front, directed by clip-ons, tells a different tale. There’s confusion to be sure, but it comes together in a package that just seems to work. And set off by that gorgeous matte red tank.

Brat Box recently took home a second place trophy for an ultra clean Honda CB build at the August Redneck show in Mancaversa, so we get the feeling we’re going to be hearing more about these guys. [More]

Norton Commando by Vintage Steele The indoor seclusion of an icy winter has fueled a motorcycle build designed to conquer all terrain. When Vermont’s Vintage Steele stumbled upon a rough Norton Commando with a ‘72 frame and ‘70 motor, they knew it deserved more than the scrapper.

Hidden in the warmth of their garage, the crew went to work. The frame was shortened to create a classic scrambler stance, and the tank was swapped for a CB400 unit. Powder coating and paint were outsourced, but the Norton’s finicky Lucas electrics were patiently re-routed and replaced by in-house. Caleb Matthiesen upholstered the new seat, and a very pretty custom oil tank was fitted. The ubiquitous high-mount exhaust was the final piece to fall into place.

When Vermont thawed out, the Commando was fired up and pointed in all directions. The raw and vintage aesthetic is a reminder of its roots—plus its newfound abilities to make the most of any terrain. [More]

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Custom Bikes of the Week

Post author By Matt Neundorf
Post date November 1, 2015

This week we’ve got a panhead from superstar Japanese builder Cherry’s Company, a BMW R60 built by a nonprofit organization, and a Kawasaki Ninja that’s part scrambler, part streetfighter.

Cherry’s Company Chronos Kaichiro Kurosu has been building and repairing the Bar and Shield’s offerings for over two decades. When it comes to custom work, his abilities are rivalled only by his vision, which is constantly pushing boundaries. This is the Chronos, a rigid Panhead, and a perfect example of what happens when boundaries are broken.

I challenge anyone to find a missed detail on this build. Whether it’s the hand-hammered headlight shroud and seat pan, or the freshly rolled and formed tank, or the intricately run oil-lines, nothing was left untouched by Kurosu’s hand. If you’re still not convinced, pore over the perimeter front disc for a spell. Then follow the lines of the girder style springer front end, and let your eyes rest on one of the most beautiful gas caps ever created.

The words ‘exquisite’ and ‘impeccable’ get tossed around quite a bit nowadays, but Cherry’s Company may now own the rights … [More]

Worth Motorcycle Company BMW R60 This BMW R60 from New York is much more than just a stunning cafe racer: it’s the product of education and inspiration. You see, the Worth Motorcycle Company is a nonprofit garage that works with at-risk youth, giving them skills and a knowledge base they can apply to build better lives for themselves.

At the helm of this build was Worth’s founder, Jeremy Malman. His direction to his students was simple: create the essence of a cafe racer with optimal performance. The hand-formed seat and tailpiece took care of the R60’s silhouette, while the suspension was modernized (and lowered) to enhance handling. A trained eye will also catch the R100 gas tank that was swapped in.

While we’re smitten with this R60, the mission behind it is what’s truly moving. This isn’t the first bike to roll out of Worth’s garage, and thanks to their incredible program, it won’t be the last. [More]

JvB Moto Yamaha XSR700 The XSR700 is one of the most exciting motorcycles to be headed our way for the 2016 season. And based on this version from Germany’s JvB Moto, we’re pretty sure we’ll be seeing quite a few customs popping up in no time at all. But rather than prophesize, let’s celebrate what Jens vom Brauck, founder of JvB Moto, has already created.

As a part of Yamaha’s Yard Built Program, ‘Super 7‘ continues the tradition begun by Shinya Kimura’s “Faster Son” MT-07 build. The headlight, indicators, speedo housing and side covers are all original JvB units, as well as the seat and exhaust mounts. They deliver a stripped down, retro vibe that bolsters Yamaha’s original intent. Best of all, since it’s a Yard Built project, that means is the parts you see here on the Super 7 will soon be available as bolt-on upgrades for new XSR700 owners.

With no welding or cutting, Jens was able to take the XSR to a new level of modern classic interpretation. While we don’t typically focus on builds of the bolt-on sort, the Yard Built Project serves as an exemplary starting point for custom houses looking for something entirely new.

Fuel Haus Deadvolt It’s not often that builders look to Reagan-era crotch-rockets when starting a new project. Which is a shame really, since those bikes were designed with performance as their raison d’être. But Philadelphia’s Fuel Haus figured this out very quickly when they produced Deadvolt.

Working with a 1987 Kawasaki Ninja 750, Deadvolt is a take-no-prisoners machine with hints of both scrambler and streetfighter attitude—complete with a 110hp mill cradled by a mid-eighties interpretation of a featherbed frame. The bike itself is a bit of a departure from Jeff Yarrington’s previous work—when he helmed Saint Motor Company—but I like the new direction, and he hasn’t lost his touch.

The frame was kept stock down low, but the upper is bespoke. The lines are accentuated by the modified Benelli tank, and one of the most intriguing seat/tail combos we’ve come across in a while. The rear sprocket was swapped from a 47-tooth unit to a 60-tooth, making the bike accelerate like the urban weapon it resembles. [More]

Kentauros ‘Penelope’ Francesco Bellesi is the man behind this nimble little Yamaha XT600 build. He’s best known as the digital designer behind Spirit of Zeller, Officine Sbrannetti’s custom BMW R nineT, but under his Kentauros nameplate, he likes to get his hands dirty.

Only the engine and part of the frame remain from the original Y2K Yammie. Everything else has been modified to give this enduro the strength and ability to conquer trails in convincing fashion. It begins with the trelliswork along the rear frame: bolstering the XT to handle punishment, it’s the very definition of form meeting function. The front forks come from a Honda CRF450, as does the modified swingarm, to deliver long and supple suspension. The tank saw original duty on an AMF Harley, as did the (heavily modified) front fender. And the seat is upholstered in leather stolen from a Citroën car.

With levels of execution this exacting, we can’t wait for the next time Francesco decides to log off the computer and pick up the spanners. [More]