The new @hookieco Yamaha XSR700 Kit is dialed in and looking very freshLimited kits available, contact them directly for details > [email protected] . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #yamaha #xsr700
Custom Bikes & Cafe Racer
- Thread starter DaveM
- Start date
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Good looking bike. Simple and not far out.
The perfect little city ripper, @kleidermacher’s Yamaha SR250 built by @hookieco does the job right Thanks for sharing Dominik! . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #scrambler #yamaha #sr250
From the builders of Manny Pacquiao’s Lambretta!
Elmer R. Reyes is a Filipino Canadian who dropped out of his third year of law school to pursue his true passion: designing, building, and restoring motorcycles. He founded his shop, Laguna Choppers, with his godson, Russell — to help keep Russell off the streets and teach him valuable mechanic skills. As their shop motto goes:
After a few years in business, they restored a Lambretta for none other than World Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao, unveiling it on his 32nd birthday! Says Elmer:
Four years ago, Elmer opened the Laguna Choppers Institute of Technology — a school that takes students from poor neighborhoods and teaches and trains them in the shop. They now have 27 scholars enrolled in the school, and the bike you see here was built by out-of-school youths that Elmer trained in his shop. They’ve also built two custom bikes for the History channel, displayed at History-Con Manila in 2016 and 2017, as well as the “Marawi Heroes” build:
“Regardless of religion, we are one.”
This 1984 BMW R65 — “Sulyap” — was built for the owner of a hotel and restaurant in the shop’s hometown of San Pablo City, Philippines. We especially love the hardwood accents and highly-modified R100 tank, which houses fuel on one side and the bike’s electronics on the other. Below, we get the full story on the build!
BMW R65 Tracker: In the Builder’s Words
About the Shop…
Here’s a little info about my me and the shop. I’m a Filipino Canadian, 50 years old. I started my shop in 1995 as a hobby, after I dropped out of law school in my 3rd year — I didn’t see myself as a lawyer. Right after that, I embraced what I really love doing — it’s designing and restoring motorcycles. I named our shop Laguna Choppers, which came up after a few bottles of brew with my friends here in our little town called San Pablo, in Laguna, Philippines. I enrolled myself in a motorcycle mechanics school in metro Manila, though it wasn’t enough since they were just teaching me about small engines. It was all self study after that, reading books and watching Youtube really helped me, but in those days the internet was not yet available, so I relied on the old school ways. Reading books
.
I started my shop with my godson, his name is Russell, he was 12 years old then. His dad, who is a dear friend, could not afford to get him to have a good education and asked me if I could help him enroll his son in high school to get a formal education — very talented and smart boy, but his high school was short-lived, didn’t last. I went back to Vancouver for several months and when I came back the principal told me that he always skip classes, Then that started the shop in my garage with very few tools. I told him if you’re not going to study, you have to have skills for you to be able to make a living.
So I thought him slowly, from small bikes to scooters, to choppers, cafe racers, bobbers etc. — anything that we can lay our hands on just to make a living and keep him off the streets and getting into trouble. God is so good that after a few years, we restored a Lambretta scooter for World Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao and unveiled it on his 32nd birthday — photos are on our website.
Unveiling Manny’s custom Lambretta scooter!
After Manny Pacquiao, the shop flourished. An idea then came to me of opening up a school for kids from the poorest of the poor. It was not easy opening a school, besides the funding — so much documentation has to be submitted but God is always on our side providing us with what we need — never late never early.
We opened the Laguna Choppers Institute of Technology Inc four years ago and we now have 27 scholars, some companies and private individuals help for their tuition and I teach them together with my wife. My passion for motorcycles went to a different level — it became an advocacy. We got the attention of History Channel for two consecutive years and we did two custom bikes for the HISTORY-CON MANILA last 2016 and 2017. We also built a bike called the MARAWI HEROES, which was featured at HISTORY-CON II. The bike is a tribute for the fallen soldiers of the war in the south of the Philippines — we will donate the proceeds for the education of the children of all the fallen soldiers of that war. Photos are also in our website.
Our shop does not have high tech tools like CNC and other stuff — everything is hand crafted or pure artistry and craftsmanship. Twenty-four years now and still getting stronger also teaching PWD kids.
About the Bike…
We started this BMW R65 Tracker project a year ago for a hotel and restaurant owner here in San Pablo City, Philippines. The owner wanted to have a bike designed to blend in with the theme of his hotel and restaurant, which is filled with antique wooden houses.
So I decided to put wooden accents on the bike. Levers, suspension covers, fender trims, and the speedo case are all handcrafted hardwood trims, with leather tooling for the seat and copper accents that I made for the brackets and other parts.
I love the R100 tanks so I used it for the project instead of the original R65 tank, which is slimmer. I cut the tank and made it smaller but it still retains the R100 tank contours, so I can hide all the electricals and the battery to make the bike nice and clean with very minimal wire that you can see without sacrificing the beauty of the original R100 tank.
The engine head covers are from an R50 model BMW to give that more classic look that minimizes the straight lines. The engine back cover is fitted with a plastic aftermarket cover that I got from a supplier in UK to make it look slimmer and lighter and highlight the beauty of the boxer engine.
The tank left side is were the fuel goes; the right side of the tank is hollow and that is were we placed all the electricals. We made our own mufflers to give that shorty but chunky look on the drag pipes.
The genuine leather is made by a friend John Perez and an Artist Leather tooler Dragoro Draginzo. The hardwood accents are made by our master wood craftsman Orlando Cosico. My shop chief mechanic Russell Caberos, master mechanic Teotemo Caberos, master metal fabricator Roger Marasigan, lead electrician Noel Purganan, Mechanic II Rusty Dela Cruz, and head painter Ritchie Dela Cruz are the guys who put their talents into building this project. We made an entry in our yearly bike show called the MOTOBUILDS Pilipinas and luckily we got the championship trophy!
Follow the Builder
- Web: www.lagunachoppers.com
- Facebook: @LagunaChoppersOfficial
Source...
Throttle Roll Motorcycle Show 2019
Photography by Nick Fraser.
After a two year hiatus, the Throttle Roll Motorcycle Show was back with a vengeance last weekend, as the sound of rockabilly music and motorcycles reverberated through the back streets of Waterloo, Sydney. This year, Throttle Roll was held in an old paint factory that’s been turned into an ultra-hip creative warehouse space called Commune – and that name and venue is fitting for the show. The definition of a commune is a close-knit community of people who share common interests, and we definitely saw a community of liked minded individuals who came together over their love of custom motorcycles, music, food, beer and just having a bloody good time.
This was, by far, the biggest Throttle Roll show yet, spread over multiple levels with something for everyone. But first and foremost this was (still is) a motorcycle show, so there were over 50 of Australia’s best custom motorcycles on display. Not only were we blown away by the quality of these builds, but we were surprised we hadn’t seen or heard of some of these bikes or builders before – which makes it exciting times for the Australian custom scene.
Nearly every bike manufacturer was represented, showing their latest and greatest wares. Royal Enfield showcased their beautiful 650 Twins, Ducati featured their range of scramblers, including the new Scrambler Cafe Racer, and BMW Motorrad had an interesting display, featuring their airhead motor while artist Kentaro Yoshida painted a chopper backdrop. The word on the street is that the metal wizard Nigel Petrie from Engineered to Slide will be making a chopper using their 1800cc airhead engine soon.
Indian Motorcycles brought their internet-breaking FTR1200s, which had everyone frothing at the mouth. Sol Invictus showed off a fresh build in partnership with Panhead Brewery, as well as their new ‘Apollo’ cafe racer. The guys from Gasoline Motor Co. brought a super sweet Ural sidecar as well as their crowd-pleasing BMW R65. And some lucky bloke won a brand spanking new 2019 XSR900 thanks to Yamaha Australia.
The Mutt Motorcycles cinema was a popular hang to chill out and watch a number of short films, like ‘Keluarga’ by Stories of Bike, and also a sneak preview of the ‘Oil in the Blood’ film by Gareth Roberts – which Pipeburn is organising the Australian premiere with Sabotage Cycles and ROTCR. If you’re keen to see the full feature film and see the director and Aussie bike-building legend Craig Rodsmith in the flesh, then buy tickets here before they’re gone.
All Mullets and Mo’s at the Mutt Motorcycles mini cinema.
It’s always hard to describe a motorcycle show in words, but as someone much wiser than me once said, “A picture is worth a thousand words” – so here’s 30,000 words to save me rambling on. We’re just hoping the shows organiser, Mark Hawwa, doesn’t wait another two years to put on the next one.
The Douglas Board Tracker by Sabotage Motorcycles
Cops are tops
Supercharged SR400 by Oily Rag Customs
Photography by Nick Fraser.
After a two year hiatus, the Throttle Roll Motorcycle Show was back with a vengeance last weekend, as the sound of rockabilly music and motorcycles reverberated through the back streets of Waterloo, Sydney. This year, Throttle Roll was held in an old paint factory that’s been turned into an ultra-hip creative warehouse space called Commune – and that name and venue is fitting for the show. The definition of a commune is a close-knit community of people who share common interests, and we definitely saw a community of liked minded individuals who came together over their love of custom motorcycles, music, food, beer and just having a bloody good time.
This was, by far, the biggest Throttle Roll show yet, spread over multiple levels with something for everyone. But first and foremost this was (still is) a motorcycle show, so there were over 50 of Australia’s best custom motorcycles on display. Not only were we blown away by the quality of these builds, but we were surprised we hadn’t seen or heard of some of these bikes or builders before – which makes it exciting times for the Australian custom scene.
Nearly every bike manufacturer was represented, showing their latest and greatest wares. Royal Enfield showcased their beautiful 650 Twins, Ducati featured their range of scramblers, including the new Scrambler Cafe Racer, and BMW Motorrad had an interesting display, featuring their airhead motor while artist Kentaro Yoshida painted a chopper backdrop. The word on the street is that the metal wizard Nigel Petrie from Engineered to Slide will be making a chopper using their 1800cc airhead engine soon.
Indian Motorcycles brought their internet-breaking FTR1200s, which had everyone frothing at the mouth. Sol Invictus showed off a fresh build in partnership with Panhead Brewery, as well as their new ‘Apollo’ cafe racer. The guys from Gasoline Motor Co. brought a super sweet Ural sidecar as well as their crowd-pleasing BMW R65. And some lucky bloke won a brand spanking new 2019 XSR900 thanks to Yamaha Australia.
The Mutt Motorcycles cinema was a popular hang to chill out and watch a number of short films, like ‘Keluarga’ by Stories of Bike, and also a sneak preview of the ‘Oil in the Blood’ film by Gareth Roberts – which Pipeburn is organising the Australian premiere with Sabotage Cycles and ROTCR. If you’re keen to see the full feature film and see the director and Aussie bike-building legend Craig Rodsmith in the flesh, then buy tickets here before they’re gone.
All Mullets and Mo’s at the Mutt Motorcycles mini cinema.
It’s always hard to describe a motorcycle show in words, but as someone much wiser than me once said, “A picture is worth a thousand words” – so here’s 30,000 words to save me rambling on. We’re just hoping the shows organiser, Mark Hawwa, doesn’t wait another two years to put on the next one.
The Douglas Board Tracker by Sabotage Motorcycles
Cops are tops
Supercharged SR400 by Oily Rag Customs
Looks like the bikes are starting to roll in for the @bikeshedmc show this weekend. Looking forward to seeing what everyone brings through social media, have fun! . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caceracer #bikeshedmc #london
BACK TO THE FUTURE. BMW Motorrad Concept R18
The cat is finally out of the bag. When we say cat, we mean big black purring panther. We caught a glimpse of the BMW 1800cc airhead engine in Austin, Texas last month at the Handbuilt Show. Revival Cycles did a stellar job showing off this beautiful 1800cc boxer engine in the titanium framed ‘Birdcage’. Now here is the highly anticipated BMW Motorrad Concept R18 in all its glory. Launched at the very fitting Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, this R18 concept motorcycle has put a modern twist on BMW’s classic boxer engine design from the 60s and the classic lines of the BMW R5 from the 30s.
As soon as you lay eyes on the bike, it screams BMW. With its unmissable boxer engine, cradle frame, exposed universal shaft and stunning drop-shaped fuel tank, it has all the makings of a BMW modern classic. Everything has a purpose and everything is proudly on display. “The biggest challenge in the design is to render everything visible. Every part has a functional purpose. There are not many who would dare to take such an absolutely honest approach,” says Bart Janssen Groesbeek, designer of the concept bike.
The lines on this concept bike are seamless and make a classic silhouette – very similar to the vintage R5. From the steering head, to the tank, straight along the frame and under the seat to the rear back wheel – they all flow better than Italian Prosecco at the Concorso d’Eleganza.
The new prototype flat-twin engine is the highest capacity boxer motorcycle ever produced. BMW Motorrad have consciously designed it to look like the flat twin engines they used to build, only with a much larger displacement and modern air/oil cooling.
Germans being Germans, they made sure the devil was in the detail of this big prototype boxer: the engine block and transmission are made of glass bead-blasted aluminium, as well as hand-polished aluminium components, belt guard and valve covers. They also chose Solex dual carburettors, which are similar to those on the classic BMW 2002 cars – which is a nice tip of the hat to the brand’s heritage.
Another visual focal point is the exposed, chrome-plated universal shaft that connects the back wheel to the drive. We love how there are no covers anywhere on the bike, which proudly puts all the engineering on show. In addition, all the electronics have been simplified to nothing more than the starter and lights.
Just like everything else on the R18, the colour is classic BMW with a slight modern twist. The black paintwork on the tank and fork have a metallic shimmer, which adds to a more custom look and feel. A more vintage white, which has been hand-applied on the fork and fuel tank in combination with the black base colour, represents the BMW of old.
With all the restrictions and laws different countries impose on motorcycle manufacturers these days, we just hope the R18 gets the green light to go into production and comes out of the BMW Motorrad factory looking as close as possible to this wonderful concept.
The cat is finally out of the bag. When we say cat, we mean big black purring panther. We caught a glimpse of the BMW 1800cc airhead engine in Austin, Texas last month at the Handbuilt Show. Revival Cycles did a stellar job showing off this beautiful 1800cc boxer engine in the titanium framed ‘Birdcage’. Now here is the highly anticipated BMW Motorrad Concept R18 in all its glory. Launched at the very fitting Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, this R18 concept motorcycle has put a modern twist on BMW’s classic boxer engine design from the 60s and the classic lines of the BMW R5 from the 30s.
As soon as you lay eyes on the bike, it screams BMW. With its unmissable boxer engine, cradle frame, exposed universal shaft and stunning drop-shaped fuel tank, it has all the makings of a BMW modern classic. Everything has a purpose and everything is proudly on display. “The biggest challenge in the design is to render everything visible. Every part has a functional purpose. There are not many who would dare to take such an absolutely honest approach,” says Bart Janssen Groesbeek, designer of the concept bike.
The lines on this concept bike are seamless and make a classic silhouette – very similar to the vintage R5. From the steering head, to the tank, straight along the frame and under the seat to the rear back wheel – they all flow better than Italian Prosecco at the Concorso d’Eleganza.
The new prototype flat-twin engine is the highest capacity boxer motorcycle ever produced. BMW Motorrad have consciously designed it to look like the flat twin engines they used to build, only with a much larger displacement and modern air/oil cooling.
Germans being Germans, they made sure the devil was in the detail of this big prototype boxer: the engine block and transmission are made of glass bead-blasted aluminium, as well as hand-polished aluminium components, belt guard and valve covers. They also chose Solex dual carburettors, which are similar to those on the classic BMW 2002 cars – which is a nice tip of the hat to the brand’s heritage.
Another visual focal point is the exposed, chrome-plated universal shaft that connects the back wheel to the drive. We love how there are no covers anywhere on the bike, which proudly puts all the engineering on show. In addition, all the electronics have been simplified to nothing more than the starter and lights.
Just like everything else on the R18, the colour is classic BMW with a slight modern twist. The black paintwork on the tank and fork have a metallic shimmer, which adds to a more custom look and feel. A more vintage white, which has been hand-applied on the fork and fuel tank in combination with the black base colour, represents the BMW of old.
With all the restrictions and laws different countries impose on motorcycle manufacturers these days, we just hope the R18 gets the green light to go into production and comes out of the BMW Motorrad factory looking as close as possible to this wonderful concept.
One beefy lil’ Honda CX500 built by @rcmotogarage That wheel and tire setup really gives us a nice stance. Thanks for sharing! . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #honda #cx500 #custom
Who’s looking forward to the Superveloce? . . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer
A gorgeous Triumph Thruxton posted up in Miami’s @imperialmoto cafe shop. Love the white and tan leather color combo! . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #triumph #thruxton #miami
That is just flat gorgeous!
Inspired by the world’s most famous steam locomotive…
The Flying Scotsman, built in 1923, earned its name hauling the extremely long and heavy London-to-Edinburgh passenger train. The three-cylinder, 96-ton, 70-foot engine was the first steam locomotive clocked at 100 mph and went on to set the longest nonstop record for a steam engine at 422 miles…in 1989, 66 years after it was built! It’s regarded as the world’s most famous locomotive and, after extensive restoration, continues to haul mainline specials in the UK.
Enter JM Customs of Perth, Scotland, whose Kawasaki Z1000 “Flatliner” and BMW R80 street scrambler we previously featured. Says founder James Moir:
Recently, the team welcomed a very special project into the shop. Client and racer Iliyas Campbell — owner of Scotland’s motorcycle magazine, 56’N Bikes — brought in a 1986 Moto Guzzi V65 Florida that had been his father’s:
Iliyas and his father had originally planned to rebuild the bike together, which was in about six boxes, but, as is often the case, life got in the way and now Iliyas wanted to surprise his father with a truly special gift — his old motorcycle, rebuilt into a scrambler with clean lines, minimalist wiring, and a seamless blend of old and modern components.
The original Flying Scotsman.
Given that Iliyas and his family are the Scottish islands of the Hebrides, the team wanted to incorporate some Scottish heritage into the build. Recently, James had been reading up on the Flying Scotsman locomotive, so he allowed the great steam train to inspired the colors and the fixtures of the build. Then he designed some side satchels made from Harris tweed — a major industry in the Outer Hebrides. Viking Motorcycle Seats in Kent brought the satchels and seat to life. Says James:
Overall, we absolutely love not only the design and execution of this build, but the heritage and family behind it. Says James:
Below, we get the full details on the build from James Moir of JM Customs himself!
Moto Guzzi V65 Scrambler: In the Builder’s Words
A wee bit about us…
We are JM Customs, based in Perth, Scotland. We are a grassroots custom shop that houses two workshops: a fully-equipped service and repair centre, as well as a paint booth and custom design and fabrication workshop. Whilst keeping the local motorcycle community rolling, we also design and build all manners of custom Motorcycles, from café racers to choppers.
I, James Moir, owner and lead designer, along with my team, create these beautiful machines. We bust our ass everyday to do what we love, to build bespoke motorcycles that you can ride hard every day! No ornaments in our shop haha. Although for an independent like us the struggle is real at times, we are growing from strength to strength and most importantly having a blast doing it!
Now for the bike…
The bike in question is a 1986 Moto Guzzi V65 Florida. It arrived with us at JMC in six boxes of old rusty parts. But it wasn’t the build that initially drew our attention, it was the story that came along with it. Our client Iliyas had brought his father’s bike to us. They had previously attempted to work on the motorcycle together, but life took over and like many projects, it fell to the wayside.
We listened to Iliyas talk of his father, of the sacrifices that he made to ensure his family were taken care of, how as a boy he recalled his father working tirelessly as a welder in the oil industry. And now he wanted to give something back to his father. This kind of gift from a son to a father is something truly special. And we wanted to make sure it was the very best surprise. We were very honoured that he wanted us to be a part of this.
Design Concept…
We discussed the basic design, which was to be a scrambler with clean lines, minimalist wiring, and a seamless blend of old and modern components. And so, it began. Once we built up a rolling chassis, we could see more clearly what we were working with. We had to raise the rear frame in order to create a more parallel look. I had recently been reading about the locomotive, the Flying Scotsman. I was intrigued by the history, and more importantly the design — the colours and the fixtures. I wanted to also tip my hat, so to speak, to the great steam train. Being that Iliyas and his family are from The Hebrides, we also wanted to incorporate something into the design which tied to the bike to their heritage.
Work carried out…
Engine/ Drive train
We carried out a top end rebuild of the motor, replacing the clutch assembly at the same time. Then we fully detailed the engine, giving it a fresh new look with matte black and polished accents. The engine has been fully serviced too. And runs fantastic!
We stripped, cleaned, and rebuilt the carbs, installing modified choke plungers so as to avoid a thumb choke. We installed DNA Performance filters in place of the old (enormous) air box. We stripped and rebuilt the bevel box, installing new bearings and seals.
Electrical
We built a custom wiring loom for this bike. Upgrading the charging system with an SK502 system from Electrex World meant we could lose some of the older components and run a modern regulator/rectifier. We also replaced the old motoplaat igniter boxes for two modern alternatives from Carmo Electronics in Holland.
The Cockpit
The switch gear is by CRK — these are beautifully simplistic in design, with billet casing that allows for internal bar wiring. They look stunning and minimalist. Bar end indicators, aftermarket levers, and Domino race throttle. The speedo is a Velona by Daytona. Also, the instrument light bar is Daytona.
We installed some fat riser bars which really lend themselves to the scrambler style. All of the wiring runs through the steering stem, keeping everything clean and simple.
The Front End
The USD forks and lower yoke are from a K7 GSX-R750. The top yoke is a custom piece so we can install risers and fat bars. The headlight is a retro scrambler unit with a nice tinted lens, which I really thought matched the colour of the lights on the Flying Scotsman locomotive.
The front mudguard and mounts were hand-crafted in house. We used the original wheels, but while installing the new forks and radial calipers, we designed and CNC-ed custom wheel spacers and disc carriers. This allowed for correct function of the brakes. We installed twin KTM Duke discs up front and brake lines from HEL Performance. We also designed and turned a custom front axle and spacers.
Frame
We chopped off the tail section of the subframe and welded on a loop and seat mounts. We also welded an additional plate to the suspension mounts to hold indicators. We fabricated an aluminium battery box and mounts, covered by a neat leather cover. Again, we ran all the wiring internally so that no unnecessary cables/wire were on display. We also took the gear shifter and rear brake lever and modified those, repositioning them to the rear of the lower frame rails for a cleaner look and more functional position.
Rear End
We installed some new YSS rear shocks to tie in the modern suspension up front and to raise the frame line to sit in a parallel position. We installed some retro indicators and the rear mudguard, tail light bracket, and plate mount were hand-made in house at JMC. The original rear brake system was reconditioned and powdercoated, and we installed an HEL Performance brake line.
Upholstery
We fabricated a seat base and designed some side satchels. We wanted Harris tweed and leather — the Harris tweed would be the element that really tied this bike to Iliyas and his father’s heritage, being that they come from The Hebrides.
Our designs were brought to life by Viking Motorcycle Seats in Kent — the team there went above and beyond with these beautifully crafted pieces. They even drove 7 hours to ensure that we had these parts in time, which is bloody marvelous service! Top lads.
The Tank
The tank deserves its own wee section haha. We couldn’t use the old tear drop tank for obvious reasons — it would not fit in with the design. Ghastly looking things. So, the search was on to find a tank that would fit the bill. We used a tank from a 1981 Suzuki GS850, but we dished the sides to really transform the shape of the large tank — it gives the bike a waistline. And, well it just looks awesome haha. We had to fabricate new mounts for the tank, a blank for the sender unit, and we installed a new petcock and filler cap.
Exhausts
We used the original headers and fabricated new pieces to extend them. We installed some stainless megaphones and finished the exhausts in titanium heat wrap. We also fabricated custom exhaust hangers.
Paint and Art
Our friends at JW Autobody took care of the paint, laying out the most beautiful metallic British Racing Green. It looks like an emerald in the sunlight. Once we got it back, our in-house airbrush artist Aaron De La Haye created what I feel is the real highlight of the bike: a super realistic tank badge that appears to be riveted in place, emblazoned in the traditional font of “The Flying Scotsman.”
He also airbrushed the filler cap from stock chrome, to look like it too was old and handcrafted. The blend of colours and textures, from the paint to the Harris tweed and leather is something really lovely. A real touch of class.
Tyres
Front: Mitas Rock Rider
Rear: Bridgestone Trail Wing
What are we proud of…
We are particularly proud of the detail work on this bike. The blend of modern and old components that doesn’t detract from the overall vintage design. With all of the subtle handcrafted items there’s something new to find every time you look at the bike. It is a real joy to ride, responsive and comfortable. In our opinion it’s our very best work to date. We are very passionate about what we do. If I had to choose one thing in particular that I am proud of, it’s that we created something truly meaningful for Iliyas and his father.
Follow the Builder
Facebook: @jmcustomsperth
Instagram: @jm_customs
Photo credits: Oliver Young
Owner of the motorcycle:
Iliyas Campbell Company: 56’N Bikes
Source...
No shortage of incredible bikes at the @bikeshedmc. We’ll be sharing photos of the show along with a story coverage by @arjanvandenboom Have a good time! . Photos by @alexjcorona. . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #bikeshedmc #harley #london
The Moto Dream 
Who knew you could ride in space? An incredible photo taken by @wander.da. . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #milkyway #adventure #royalenfield #galaxy #photography #inspiration #travel
Who knew you could ride in space? An incredible photo taken by @wander.da. . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #milkyway #adventure #royalenfield #galaxy #photography #inspiration #travel
@72_cycles_performance’s ‘Bumble Bee’ BMW K100 cafe racer Looking tough, great job! . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #bmw #k100
@ziggymoto Yamaha XV750 looking nice and tidy on display at the @bikeshedmc show Looking good! . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #bikeshedmc #yamaha #xv750 #virago
A North Carolina hot-rodder sets his sights on a rare, US-spec NX650…
In recent years, the Honda NX650 Dominator has become one of Europe’s most popular platforms for customization, but this 44-horsepower, XR-based dual sport is uncommon in the United States, as it was only available here for two years: 1988-1989. In stock trim, the “Dominator 650” — as it was commonly known in Europe — offered a small bikini fairing, electric start, twin mufflers, and an enlarged version of the XR600 engine with gear-driven counterbalancer. Said Rider magazine in a recent retrospective:
Enter Matt Butts, a project fabricator for none other than Detroit Speed, the North Carolina-based company that builds high-end muscle cars, hot rods, and related components for clients across the world. For his first two-wheeled project, Matt decided to track down a US import of the NX650 — a search which ended up taking a couple of months. Finally, he found a low-mileage example a couple of hours away, picked it up, and began stripping it down after a short run around the block. Matt says of the design concept:
Four months later, working on a tight budget out of his two-car garage, Matt had built one of the few American-made NX650 scramblers we’ve seen…and she’s a doozy. We especially love the CL tank, the custom 80s-inspired decals, and the TIG-welded exhaust — all built using scraps from the factory unit! Given the rarity of the Dominator in the USA, along with the level of customization, the bike is an object of curiosity among the riding public. Says Matt:
Of course, we we knew what it was as soon as we saw the bike and were immediately intrigued. As many of you know, BikeBound is headquartered in the American South — Wilmington, North Carolina, just a morning’s drive from Detroit Speed. Interestingly enough, we first discovered Matt’s build while perusing our local Craigslist ads, back when Matt put the bike up for sale. Since then, his wife has earned his motorcycle permit and claimed the bike as her own — lucky lady!
Below, we get the full story on the build from Matt himself, along with some incredible photos from Alex Stivaletti (@alex_stiv_fxdb).
Honda NX650 Scrambler: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’ve been into fabrication and mechanic work pretty much my whole life. I learned a ton from my dad who restored quite a few cars during my childhood. That pretty much lead me into my current job of 8 years as a project fabricator for Detroit Speed. We build high end muscle cars and hot rods for clients all over the world. I’ve had a handful of project cars over the years and decided it was time to change it up. I’ve always liked motorcycles, in particular scramblers and dual sport bikes so I decided to build something for myself.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
1989 Honda NX650.
• Why was this bike built?
I knew since it was going to be first motorcycle and two wheeled build it needed to be cool and something that would stand out. I initially was considering building a cafe style bike, but in my searching of the world wide web I kept seeing these really rad Honda Dominators that people were building in Europe. A little more research and I found out that these bikes were sold in the states for two years as the NX650. I searched for a month or two without much luck until a mint ’89 popped up within two hours of me and only 2,300 miles on the clock. I picked it up, brought it home and rode it around the block once. I had it completely stripped by the end of the week.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I wanted to keep it super simple and somewhat true to the scramblers and trials bikes of the 70s. No mirrors, no speedo, no frills.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
-Fuel tank from Honda CL.
-Shaved and shortened rear subframe.
-Random 1980s Yamaha fender ebay score.
-All wiring was de-loomed and pulled back to the underside of the fuel tank and electronics tray under the seat.
-17” wheels. Factory rear wheel was laced to the front hub and I purchased a NOS Africa Twin rear hoop and had it laced as the new rear wheel.
-Relocated the battery and ignition components.
-Custom decal that pays homage to the 70s Honda styling and proper Dominator script.
-Hand fabricated and TIG-welded exhaust with a Yoshi rs4 pipe, all coated with calico high temp treatment.
-Pro taper bars.
-Custom seat pan and foam job.
-Knobby tires for getting rowdy.
-Gray paint is an OEM late model Chrysler color.
-Standard round headlight, LED brake and turns.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Nope, but people constantly ask me what it is.
• How would you classify this bike?
Scrambler.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I did it on a pretty tight budget and start to finish the build took me 4 months. I did everything myself with the exception of laying down the color and clear on the tins. Also the entire exhaust is built using all scraps from the factory dual exhaust. It was built in my two car garage at home with pretty basic stuff. It turned out so good that my wife has now claimed it as her own.
Source...
‘Chilli Mussel’ Triumph T100 by Heiwa Motorcycles
Written by Martin Hodgson.
On the port of Hiroshima, in a nondescript two-story building with rust marks staining the roller doors, you’ll find the headquarters of Heiwa Motorcycles. Here amongst the crowded chaos of vintage motorcycles and associated parts you’ll find the team building some of Japan’s best classic customs. For fortunate Western Australian Tony Wong, a friendship with the company’s head honcho, Kengo Kimura, has resulted in a brilliant road going revival called ‘Chilli Mussel’. From the bare bones of a 1963 Triumph T100SS comes this gorgeous classic that’s full of subtle flavours.
“I’ve always loved the Heiwa Motorcycle builds and style and became friends with Kengo when we met at the 2015 Mooneyes Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show. We’ve become really good friends since then and have met up at the Yokohama Show every year since,” Tony tells us. “I help organise the motorcycles for the annual WA Hot Rod and Street Machine Spectacular. Last year was the first time in its 22 year history that we had motorcycles represented in a more prominent way, so we brought Kengo over with his show winning ‘Master Peace’.”
Throughout their friendship, Tony has visited Heiwa HQ a number of times, and the pair have discussed a custom that Kengo could build his friend and ship back to Australia. Sitting down one day the builder extraordinaire told Tony about the ’63 T100 that he picked up on a trip to the USA and said it was perfect for him. How could you say no to a legend? And the build was commenced with the trust so great between the two that no real brief or instructions were required.
But there was one aspect that would differentiate the process from any other bike that Kengo has built to date: Tony wanted to ensure that the Triumph would be fully road legal in his home state of Western Australia. And with some help from the authorities, he was able to give the Heiwa team a list of must-haves to ensure it had all the usual show winning quality, with the ability to hit the streets without a worry from Mr Plod.
Like all Heiwa builds, the T100 has been stripped down to its last nut and bolt and follows the familiar path of part restoration, part customisation. The frame is perfectly cleaned up and, with a new coat of black paint, looks better than the day it left the factory. While the front forks have been fully rebuilt, they also get a drop in height by a considerable 70mm that gives the build a flatter look. More modern progressive coil shocks at the rear make for a drastically improved ride.
To turn the bike into a roller, the hubs have been renewed front and rear, and with the classic cable-operated drum brake it’s all nostalgia with a mechanical charm. A new set of rims, 19″ front and 18″ in the rear, are wrapped up in Kengo’s choice of Adlert Classics in 4.00 and 4.50 respectively. With the unusual step of a Heiwa bike wearing a full-length custom front fender, one of Tony’s friends was worried: “Oh no, he’s forgotten to remove the front guard!”
But his fears were quickly allayed as he explained that this was part of making the bike both street legal and a truly unique piece just for Tony. The rear fender is another custom piece, but the true genius is laid bare with the stunning one-off fuel tank, subtle in style and yet somehow clearly communicating the distinctive Heiwa lines. The seat, with the perfect pick of rich leather and bold stitching, too highlights the sagacious selections of Kimura-san.
The Triumph twin has been pulled down and purrs, with Heiwa treating it to a thorough going-over so Tony could have miles of trouble-free fun. The era’s own Amal carb sucks in the air via a stunning hand-turned velocity stack that is only overpowered by the exhaust, a fitting combination of sweeping header pipes flowing backward to a barking mad megaphone muffler, while the soft lines of a ’50s oil tank provide another vintage touch to the classic mechanical package.
To give the bike its bobber touch, the raised bars get the result without being needlessly overpowering. With a small Bates headlight and Heiwa’s own custom tail light unit finishing out the bolt-ons before Six Shooter laid down the flawless paint, Tony couldn’t be happier: “I love my Heiwa bike because to some it may look like a stock restoration; to others they will see the subtle customisations.” But he is still yet to caress her lines, with the ship carrying Chilli Mussel now halfway between Singapore and Australia. Tony is understandably like a kid before Christmas.
Written by Martin Hodgson.
On the port of Hiroshima, in a nondescript two-story building with rust marks staining the roller doors, you’ll find the headquarters of Heiwa Motorcycles. Here amongst the crowded chaos of vintage motorcycles and associated parts you’ll find the team building some of Japan’s best classic customs. For fortunate Western Australian Tony Wong, a friendship with the company’s head honcho, Kengo Kimura, has resulted in a brilliant road going revival called ‘Chilli Mussel’. From the bare bones of a 1963 Triumph T100SS comes this gorgeous classic that’s full of subtle flavours.
“I’ve always loved the Heiwa Motorcycle builds and style and became friends with Kengo when we met at the 2015 Mooneyes Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show. We’ve become really good friends since then and have met up at the Yokohama Show every year since,” Tony tells us. “I help organise the motorcycles for the annual WA Hot Rod and Street Machine Spectacular. Last year was the first time in its 22 year history that we had motorcycles represented in a more prominent way, so we brought Kengo over with his show winning ‘Master Peace’.”
Throughout their friendship, Tony has visited Heiwa HQ a number of times, and the pair have discussed a custom that Kengo could build his friend and ship back to Australia. Sitting down one day the builder extraordinaire told Tony about the ’63 T100 that he picked up on a trip to the USA and said it was perfect for him. How could you say no to a legend? And the build was commenced with the trust so great between the two that no real brief or instructions were required.
But there was one aspect that would differentiate the process from any other bike that Kengo has built to date: Tony wanted to ensure that the Triumph would be fully road legal in his home state of Western Australia. And with some help from the authorities, he was able to give the Heiwa team a list of must-haves to ensure it had all the usual show winning quality, with the ability to hit the streets without a worry from Mr Plod.
Like all Heiwa builds, the T100 has been stripped down to its last nut and bolt and follows the familiar path of part restoration, part customisation. The frame is perfectly cleaned up and, with a new coat of black paint, looks better than the day it left the factory. While the front forks have been fully rebuilt, they also get a drop in height by a considerable 70mm that gives the build a flatter look. More modern progressive coil shocks at the rear make for a drastically improved ride.
To turn the bike into a roller, the hubs have been renewed front and rear, and with the classic cable-operated drum brake it’s all nostalgia with a mechanical charm. A new set of rims, 19″ front and 18″ in the rear, are wrapped up in Kengo’s choice of Adlert Classics in 4.00 and 4.50 respectively. With the unusual step of a Heiwa bike wearing a full-length custom front fender, one of Tony’s friends was worried: “Oh no, he’s forgotten to remove the front guard!”
But his fears were quickly allayed as he explained that this was part of making the bike both street legal and a truly unique piece just for Tony. The rear fender is another custom piece, but the true genius is laid bare with the stunning one-off fuel tank, subtle in style and yet somehow clearly communicating the distinctive Heiwa lines. The seat, with the perfect pick of rich leather and bold stitching, too highlights the sagacious selections of Kimura-san.
The Triumph twin has been pulled down and purrs, with Heiwa treating it to a thorough going-over so Tony could have miles of trouble-free fun. The era’s own Amal carb sucks in the air via a stunning hand-turned velocity stack that is only overpowered by the exhaust, a fitting combination of sweeping header pipes flowing backward to a barking mad megaphone muffler, while the soft lines of a ’50s oil tank provide another vintage touch to the classic mechanical package.
To give the bike its bobber touch, the raised bars get the result without being needlessly overpowering. With a small Bates headlight and Heiwa’s own custom tail light unit finishing out the bolt-ons before Six Shooter laid down the flawless paint, Tony couldn’t be happier: “I love my Heiwa bike because to some it may look like a stock restoration; to others they will see the subtle customisations.” But he is still yet to caress her lines, with the ship carrying Chilli Mussel now halfway between Singapore and Australia. Tony is understandably like a kid before Christmas.
@thericheproject on his sleek Triumph Thruxton R Love the touches bro bro! . Photo by @diariesofacaferacer. . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #triumph #thruxtonr #thruxton
@winston_yeh’s Carbon fiber clad Royal Enfield 650 on display at this past weekend’s @bikeshedmc show. Love the lines on this one . Photo by @alexjcorona. . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #caferacer #bikeshedmc #royalenfield #gt650 #650twin
