CUSTOM BIKES OF THE WEEK

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A Moto Guzzi V7 inspired by Kill Bill, a Ducati 750 SS cafe racer with Monster S2R suspension, and a bike we’ve never heard of before: A Gilera Nordwest 600. It’s a bumper selection this week.

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Custom Buell XB12R Firebolt Say what you will about Erik Buell’s business acumen—but there’s no denying his passion for motorcycles. Or creativity as an engineer. What he’s doing under the EBR banner is impressive, but it was the XB series bikes developed under Bar and Shield ownership that have always stood out for me. And apparently I’m not alone…

Miguel Padilla, a motorcycle enthusiast recovering from an off, decided his best therapy would be to craft an American cafe racer out of an old XB. Padilla found a wrecked BuellXB12R Firebolt and quickly went to work. The geometry of the Buell suited his tastes, so nothing was changed there—the wheels, swingarm, suspension and Zero Torsional Load brakes are all stock.

The rear subframe however, was a different story. Padilla crafted a bolt-on unit for the rear using chromoly tubing, before fitting a custom carbon fiber seat/tank/tail unit. He’s also created a custom airbox and a bespoke wiring loom, to neatly hide all things unsightly. [More, via Enginethusiast]

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Custom Gilera Nordwest 600 When it was introduced in 1991, the Gilera Nordwest 600 was ahead of its time. One of the first supermotos to hit the streets, it was designed to help fill the coffers for the Italian firm’s racing efforts. The 558cc thumper was powerful enough at 53 hp, but it was the Nordwest’s lightness (140 kg) and flickability that endeared it to enthusiasts. Those specs would also make it an excellent choice for a stripped down cafe racer.

Roman Studenčnik of Slovenia obviously had the same thought. And he’s gone to great lengths in building this gorgeous ‘RS03’ cafe racer. Unfettered by the original plastics, the RS03 is as minimalist as they come. The peanut-style tank, exposed triangle and revised rear subframe combine for a playful yet refined aesthetic. It helps that Roman took the time to black out all of the Gilera’s mechanicals—aside from the gold accents on the suspension and brakes, and those welded kinks on his stunning two-into-one exhaust. [More]

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Ducati 750 by XTR Pepo I’m convinced that Pepo Rosell is the Stephan King of custom motorcycles. Since shuttering Radical Ducati and re-booting under the XTR banner, Rosell has cranked out thirteen builds in roughly one solar cycle. And every bike to roll out of his Madrid garage has been impressive and unique.

‘Rider’ is Pepo’s latest creation, and started life as a 1998 Ducati 750 SS ie. And in typical Rosell fashion, it was built to ride as fast as it looks. The modified subframe allows fitment of a Monster S2R swingarm and a cantilever suspension set-up. The S2R’s front end was also recycled for this ride.

The L-Twin hanging from the trellis frame was ported and blueprinted, and high compression heads were bolted on. An external high-pressure fuel pump was also fitted, to help drain the new gas tank designed in-house.

Expect to see another jaw dropper from XTR Pepo in 3, 2… [More]

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Yamaha Super Téneré by MotoRè MotoRè is based in Rome and bills itself as a ‘recycler’ of motorcycles. Rather than splurging on freshly crafted and engineered bolt-ons, friends Alessandro Bongiovanni and Mauro Relli focus on restoring vintage parts and searching out the right pieces for a build,

Their first bike, a cafe’d Honda Dominator, won them acclaim at the 2014 Verona Motorbike Expo. But their latest creation, this revitalized Yamaha Super Téneré, looks even better. Sticking to their ethos of ‘reviving old glory from the 80s,’ MotoRè have focused on the essentials when customizing this former Dakar champion. That meant the plastics had to go—all of them—before the scrambler stance emerged.

The donor bike was stripped down completely before a new tail and hoop were grafted on, and the monoshock was upgraded. With the engine refitted, a custom exhaust was wound around it. Chunky TKC80 rubber and a set of LSL bars deliver control on the trail, and there’s a Monza-style gas cap atop the new tank. [More]

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Moto Guzzi V7II by South Garage Lord of the Bikes is a televised contest put together for Italian viewers by Moto Guzzi and Sky One. Each episode features ten teams customizing a Moto Guzzi V7II, and subject to the whims of a judging panel. The finalists eventually move on to work their magic on a new V9.

Black Cherry is an apocalypse-ready ride created by the skilled hands of South Garage Motor Co. There’s a Hattori Hanzō-inspired blade mounted to the triple trees, shuriken throwing stars stashed in the tank bag, and nunchucks in the panniers. Black Cherry is a take-no-prisoners machine designed with the discerning ninja in mind.

The Milan-based crew had Kill Bill in mind when creating this bike—specifically a third installment. It would feature Vernita ‘Copperhead’ Green’s daughter, seeking vengeance for her mother’s demise.

Everything on the build is completely reversible though, in case you need a stealthier escape. Although I’d opt to keep that Katana right where it belongs.

CUSTOM BIKES OF THE WEEK

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A sleek Honda Ascot tracker, a murdered-out BMW R100, and a sneak peek at the latest Yamaha Yard Built machine. These are the bikes that revved our engines this week.

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BMW R100 by K-Speed Garage Bangkok-based K-Speed Garage isn’t going about business in a typical Thai fashion. We’re used to seeing rolling art from SE Asia—but usually based on domestic market bikes, for obvious reasons. K-Speed does cater to the locals, but obviously has a thing for working with rare German boxers too.

This latest build is a cafe racer take on a 1981 BMW R100 and it ticks a lot of boxes. The subframe has been chopped in favor of the requisite racer’s tail, hoop, and humped leather seat. Suspension upgrades at the rear and a revised front geometry deliver stance, and the front cowl and matte black finish portray a sinister intent. While I’d rather see some more reliable rubber, K-Speed’s predilection for Firestones certainly complements the classic cafe racer aesthetic.

With bobber and brat Beemer builds already under their belts, we can’t wait to see whether K-Speed go tracker or scrambler on the next one. [More]

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Honda Ascot by MotoRelic There’s an undeniable appeal to the red, white and blue of Honda’s iconic race livery. It’s eye-catching and clean, and makes everything (shy of a Rune) appear to be in fighting shape. This is especially true when it finds itself on something as lithe and lively as this custom 1982 Honda Ascot.

Hailing from MotoRelic in Hamilton, Virginia, this featherweight street tracker has been through a major reconditioning stint. Sean Skinner, the man behind MotoRelic, has stripped the original FT500 bare—removing the rear frame rails and deburring before constructing a racer’s hoop. A tank from a Suzuki TS250 was then modded to perch atop the Honda’s spine. While much of the metalwork on the tank goes unnoticed, the hand formed aluminum tail, side plates and front number plate clearly show a master’s touch. [More]

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BMW R80/7 by Meister Engineering With over thirty custom builds already under his belt, Antoine Meister has developed an extensive client base and impressive resumé of builds, primarily BMWs. The achievement becomes even more astonishing when you learn that Antoine cranked out a couple of these stunners while pursuing a law degree. Your jaw hits the floor when you find out he’s only twenty-five and has no mechanical training to speak of.

Based just outside Zurich in the Swiss town of Bülach, Meister Engineering’s latest creation is a BMW R80/7 scrambler called ‘Geneva-Dakar.’ Long travel suspension, Heidenau K60 Scouts and that elevated beak give this airhead a take-no-prisoners stance the original Dakar probably wished it had.

The slender tank, humped and hooped rear and naked cockpit create a lean and aggressive presence. Check out the Domino throttle and Accossato risers and levers, and the minimalist switchgear and color matched plug wires and plumbing. Antoine’s attention to detail borders on perfection. [More]

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Triumph Bonneville by Tamarit Given the skyrocketing popularity of the scrambler style, the most surprising thing to come of Triumph’s reborn Bonneville lineup was its complete lack of a scrambler. Ducati is adding inhabitants to its land of joy by the hundreds, and BMW’s scrambled R nineT is hot off the press—but Hinckley is currently absent in the category it once owned.

No matter I suppose, as there’s no shortage of scrambled trumpets in the custom world. The latest to hit our radar is ‘Ronin,’ from Tamarit of Alicante in Spain. Typified by their function forward designs, Tamarit’s newest scrambler was actually built as a daily rider for team member Enrique Berna. Working with a 2004 Bonneville—preferring the 360-degree crank over the Scrambler’s 270-degree unit—the build took roughly forty-five days to complete.

It features a bevy of Tamarit’s in-house developed parts, including their Scrambler Seat and Great Bastard front fender. What that means for you is, aside from Ronin’s gorgeous in-house paintwork, Tamarit can sort out your own scrambler in a similar fashion. [More]

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Yamaha XV950 by Moto di Ferro Yamaha’s Yard Built program may prove to be the tuning fork brand’s most successful marketing venture in its 129-year history. More than that, it’s directed a spotlight onto some seriously talented fabricators and motorcycle visionaries from all over the world.

The latest Yard Built project is setting our spidey-senses tingling. It’s called Speed Iron and it’s a XV950 Tracker from Moto di Ferro of Venice, Italy. Builder Marco Lugato and his team have roots in off-road riding, track racing, blacksmithing and industrial design, and describe their goal in a very Italian way: “Making motorcycles designed to do what they want them to do, and say what they feel like saying.” One look at this XV and we’re pretty sure it shouts “Uscire dalla mia strada!” (Get out of my way!)

Transforming Yamaha’s factory bobber into a street tracker style is no easy feat, and the Moto di Ferro team has done an absolute bang up job. We’d love to share more with you at this point, but consider this an appetizer—the main course will follow in a couple of weeks.

via BIKEexif

CUSTOM BIKES OF THE WEEK

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A Mike Hailwood Ducati Scrambler tribute, the winner of Indian’s Project Scout program, and a killer Yamaha RD350 from Twinline Motorcycles. Meet the machines that got our motors running this week.

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Harley Shovelhead by Customs From Jamesville Typically, old Milwaukee iron comes to us either chopped to within a degree of collapse or bobbed strictly for boulevard cruising. There’s nothing wrong with either style—but it’s not our general cuppa. This 1974 FX Shovelhead, on the other hand, is right up our alley.

Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, James Roper-Caldbeck specializes in the restoration and customization of Harleys built between the Great Depression and that time we learned that ‘greed is good.’ It isn’t the first time he’s popped up on our radar and undoubtedly won’t be the last.

Working with the kick-start-only base FX, James has done some exquisite work on modifying the Shovel’s subframe to fit his custom, tapered tailpiece. The bellypan and front cowl give the bike a racer’s stance, while upgrades to the brakes and suspension boost the dynamics. If you were lucky enough to attend the Swedish version of the Mooneyes bike show, you’d have seen this beast in person—and the award Jamesville took home. [More]

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Mike Hailwood Ducati Scrambler Thailand probably isn’t the first place you’d think of to honor Ducati’s racing heroes of yesteryear. And yet, Ducati Thailand’s owner, Apichat Leenutaphong, is doing just that—quietly cementing relationships and creating ‘factory custom’ homages.

Apichat’s first work, the Paul Smart Scrambler sold out almost instantaneously, and we’re pretty sure this one will too. It’s designed to commemorate Mike ‘The Bike’ Hailwood’s ties to the Bologna brand, and sports a well-executed livery inspired by Hailwood’s incredible 1978 IOMTT-winning 900SS.

Of course, there are further changes to this limited edition Duc. A Termignoni exhaust has been fitted to help the 803-cc V-Twin sing, and custom plastics adorn the nose, side covers and tail (which features a commemorative Hailwood plaque). The hunger for factory customs like this is alive and kicking, and Ducati would do well to serve up their own offerings. [More]

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Indian Motorcycles Project Scout winner Indian’s Project Scout program has already impressed us with a number of standout builds. They’re not only rolling testaments to the builders’ abilities, but also to Indian’s commitment to individuality and creativity. The trophy hardware was recently handed out, and this board tracker from Terrebonne, Quebec, took home top honors.

Built by Motos Illimitees, it’s a tribute to the white-tired, board track racing Scouts of the 1920s. This homage runs on 26-inch wheels and features some meticulous woodwork: The footrests, grips and number plate are all fashioned from white oak, and the leather seat has been given a matching grainy treatment.

The copper accents are a vintage standout for me. And while I would lose the Jack Daniels branding, the marques are both celebrating milestone anniversaries and apartnership this year. [More]

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Honda CB Type II Concept If we had fears that the modern classic movement was about to stall, Triumph’s new Bonneville line has undoubtedly put them to bed. Add Yamaha’s brutish XSR family into the mix, and it seems like things are actually picking up steam.

And now, it looks Honda is poised to get in on the action. At least we hope they are. Why the greenlight hasn’t been lit yet is beyond us, but the Japanese motoring giant has just teased another stylized concept based on its CB1100.

It’s dubbed the CB Type II, and it looks the business. Clearly fashioned with the Ace Cafe in mind, the Type II features top-shelf components from Brembo, Öhlins and Showa—plus a sculpted Manx style tank and humped solo seat. Yes, that reads very similar to the spec sheet for the new Thruxton R that I enjoyed so much and, if Honda has managed to tweak some extra oomph from its bulletproof mill, the Type II should fight tooth and nail with that retro king.

Hey, Honda. Let’s turn the power of dreams into reality, then, shall we? [More]

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Yamaha RD350 by Twinline Motorcycles There’s a tasteful elegance to the builds coming out of Twinline Motorcycles. The Seattle-based shop thrives on clean, minimalist construction with an emphasis on performance. Their latest experiment with an oil-burner, a 1973 Yamaha RD350, exudes this to a tee.

This isn’t the first time that Twinline has turned the spanners on an RD, but it is the first time Jeff Pochodowicz has been at the build’s helm. To set this 2-stroke apart, Jeff aimed to maximize performance and reliability while refining every detail to the nth degree. A tall order, to be sure, but we’d say he nailed it.

Woodcraft clip-ons sit atop the Racetech-equipped forks, and shocks from Works Performance keep the polished alloy swingarm planted. The already lightweight bike was given a racers diet and muscle injections, too: The airbox and OE oil tank are gone and the engine’s been ported with Super Webco heads attached. [More]

via BiKEexif