Custom Builds From Bikebrewers

[DaveM]

Fascinating Dull Boy

Once upon a time in the Winter Dark

SCANDINAVIAN countries are known for their long dark winters.
Causing those Viking knights to take refuge in their homes, only to come back out again in Spring.
As a Head of Design at a Norwegian distillery, Swedish born (but 1/4th Norwegian..) David Höök is dealing with liquor all day long, so rather than drinking those dark freezing nights away, he was looking for another way to get through the winter period.

Only a couple of years ago he took up the art of customizing when he suddenly had space available after buying a new house.

Softie for Softails

David is a softie for Harley softails and he decided to use this frame for his winter project. The combination with a late generation Evo 1340cc engine felt like the right choice for him. Upon making his mind up he locked himself up in his shed only to reappear in Spring with this ‘Dull Boy’!

‘Dull Boy’?

The nickname got us wondering where he got the inspiration from.
Looking at the way the bike came out, we would have expected stuff like ‘mean machine’ or ‘nasty nailer’.

David explains: “At first I considered to make it look like a newer H-D Breakout, but then I saw a late night re-run of the 1980’s movie “The Shining” with Jack Nicholson and it has one of my favourite movie scenes of all time where the proverb “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is central.”

“I decided there and then to build the bike based on that and it felt natural to make it look like it had been through a lot. I always plan my builds thoroughly in advance to the smallest of details so I had the everything pretty much worked out to before I started on the bike.”

Please elaborate

Whilst on the subject of sources of inspiration, Bikebrewers team decide to pry a little bit deeper.
On our query where his vision for this build originated the Viking builder retorted:

“Being the bike nerd I am, I spend a lot of time looking at bikes on Instagram, Pinterest, etc., picking up ideas here and there. Last year I came upon the work of Joe Morris (Jmoto Speedshop and Gallery) and something clicked.
His work really opened my eyes to drawing and painting on bikes, instead of just painting everything black as I had done on my previous builds. As a kid, I used to spend a lot of time drawing and worked as an illustrator for quite some time, but lost interest in this art along the way.

Thinking of bikes as a “canvas” provided me with at creative outlet that I didn’t know I had missed.”

“Gentlemen, roll up your sleeves and light those torches”

With the creative part in place, it was time to get dirty and dive into the technical stuff. According to David he did not meet too many serious challenges working this project. The only minor obstacle was fitting the Road King rear wheel into the frame. It took him a lot of lathing and grinding to get the job done, but other than that things went fairly easy.

Meeting hurdles during a build often requires outside insights before being able to take the next step. “So David, when was the moment you needed an extra hand? “ we asked him.

“My brother, who has a lathe, helped me turn down the rear pulley to fit the 20mm belt and I left the seat to an upholsterer to cover it in leather. I’ve started to learn to do this kind of work myself now though. I like to be able to do everything on my builds, and I really enjoy working with leather.”

Final words
• What do you like the most?
o “The spare fuel bottle”
• Anything particular we need to know about this project?
o “It has “All work and no play makes make Jack a dull boy” written in places you would never think of…”
• Last but not least, how does it ride?
o “Like a dream”

Details of the build

• Estimated budget: € 13-14K
• 1998 Harley Davidson FXSTC, nicknamed “Dull Boy”
• Stock Evo 1340 with S&S Super E carb, Andrews EV-27 cam, adjustable pushrods and Crane Cams single fire ignition
• Cycle Shack drag pipes
• Lowered 1.5-2″ front and rear. Progressive shocks and springs
• Wheels are from 2009+ Road King. 17×3 with 130×80 in the front and 16×5 with 200×60 in the rear.
• Pulley is modified to fit a 20mm belt.
• Lower fork legs and brake calipers are also from 2009+ Touring models
• Handlebar is a 40″ Highway Hawk Fat Flyer bar.
• Headlight a 6.5″ housing modified to house the stock H-D 5.75” headlight.
• Mirrors are Arlen Ness mini ovals.
• Extended forward controls
• Braided brake lines from HEL Performance
• Kellermann Atto DF tail/indicator lights
• Front indicators are small LED’s from Dock66.de
• Custom made seat
• Custom made rear fender
• Left swingarm bag is from bikebeauty (I’ve added the wear and the lettering).
• The right one is from bikersgearaustralia

Builder’s details:
• Name: David Höök
• Location: Oslo, Norway
• Day job: Head of design at a distillery.
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Website: www.dullboycustoms.com
• Facebook: dullboycustoms
• Instagram: davidhook

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[DaveM]

A songsmith tuned Triumph

“The hills are alive with the sound of Triumph!”

THIS SLIGHTLY MODIFIED opening line from the world renowned theme from the ‘60’s movie ‘The sound of music’ sort of illustrates the origin of this build.

Although his name might suggest otherwise, Gabriel Alares is a Stockholm based wrencher who is a trained producer/songwriter turned mechanic.
The 36-year old Swede gave up his profession about two years ago as he was lured in to the garage by the Sirens of bike building.

All his life he needed an “outlet for his creative itch” as he describes it, and for years he found it in songwriting. Being a songsmith and trying to make a living out of it is not an easy thing. Many gifted minstrels had to turn to other professions to feed their families over the ages.

But, the editors at Bikebrewers are happy that Gabriel switched paths two years ago and decided to scratch his itch by focussing on modifying bikes.

Choosing the right bike

“So why a Triumph?” we asked him.

“I love to work on the Triumph bikes”, the builder answers.
Continuing, “They’re easy to modify. I love the looks of the air cooled modern classic Triumphs between 2001 and 2015.

But sometimes, in my opinion, they look a little bit too classic in the sense that they almost become “old man’s bikes” if you know what I mean”, he says laughingly.

He goes on: “I like to modify them so that they are still Triumph modern classics, but with a more edgy approach so that they look more contemporary and maybe attracts younger riders. This was my thought with this build too.”

This particular Triumph was born in 2008 as a Bonneville.
When the builder came across it, the bike only had 8000 kms on the clock but the tyres were really bad and it had a bit of a warped front brake disc. He managed to get it for quite a good price he tells us and, even though the bike was in another town, the previous owner kindly offered to deliver it to Gabriel’s garage in Stockholm, making it a relatively easy decision to purchase it.

Origin of thought

When we talk to creative minds, we always are curious about the spring of their vision. We dig a bit deeper into the mind of our man from Stockholm and pry open his box of Pandora.

“I guess as I mentioned above, I felt inspired by the thought of making something that looks very classic and old fashioned into something more contemporary and edgy!

Usually I love bikes with a slightly left of center and modern look, whilst staying true to solid retro colour schemes. This was also my initial thought on this build.

I thought it might be cool to black out the lower part of the, such as the engine, the exhaust, wheels and fenders, but to top it off with a solid retro white or grey tank with some colourful stripes or something.

But whilst in the middle of the building process, I met an artist who wanted a one of a kind motorbike that he could bring down to his new home in Spain. When visited the garage he loved the look of the ongoing build on the lift so he decided to buy the bike even though it wasn’t anywhere near finished at that time.
As the client’s decision prevails, he opted for a matte black bike with his own name on the tank. Who am I to say no, when that is not such a bad idea after all?”

Solidly riveted to inspiration is transpiration.

“so what were the major stumbling blocks on the road to finishing this project?” we continued our interrogation of the Stockholmian.

“Well I think a major headache was when I had cut the whole electrical loom under the tank in half to shorten it down,” he counters.

“Triumphs have a lot of wiring in the headlight housing and because I swapped out the original headlight to a smaller Bates-style light with no space in the housing whatsoever, I had to pull everything backwards under the tank.

I think I cut down around 65 small wires and soldered everything together. Then comes the moment of magic when your turn the ignition key and nothing happens…

After 2 days of sweating and a lot of swearing and being close to putting myself into the mental hospital, I managed to solve the problem. I had mistaken one black and white wire for being another cable with the same colour, which made the Motogadget gauge act funny. I had to go through every single cable in the loom to find where I had made the mistake” he laughes.

Outside help

The paintwork is outsourced to a neighbouring paint shop. The rims are powder coated and an upholstery shop helped out with the black leather seat cover. Looking at the bike we think that there is a slight room of improvement with the seat. There are a few folds that should not be there and the smooth surface may make a rider slide back and forth when accelerating or braking.

Gabriel adds: “I’ve also gotten a lot of help from TEC Bike Parts in England. I love their line of products and their customer support is just amazing.”

Famous last words

“I must say I love the upswept 2-1 exhaust from TEC bike parts that I had ceramic coated black and to top everything off, the Kismo Motors logotype lasered in.

Just that more people should get into modifying their bikes. The feeling when you’re out ripping asphalt with a super cool, loud bike that you have modified with your own hands is just amazing!

Last but not least, the bike rides great!!

The engine is breathing so much more than it did before the performance upgrades and the suspension from TEC Bike Parts make such a difference.
When I’ve been around town with the bike for an hour and get back to the garage, it feels like I’ve been on a workout.

It’s just a rock ‘n roll bike and fit for the artist who now rides it around Spain!
You have to tame it.

Modifications:

• New brake discs from Braking.com.
• Gold chain from DID
• Front sprocket cover from British Customs
• Chain cover from squaredeals
• New rear and front sprockets
• New black aluminium engine cover bolts from Pro Bolt UK
• Front fender: from an old Japanese bike modified and new brackets
• Side covers, piggy back shocks, exhaust, progressive front springs, rectifier, horn relocation bracket and paddock stand bobbins from TEC Bike Parts
• Airbox intake cover from Triumph Twin Power
• K&N high flow airfilter Triumph Twin Power
• ECU remapped with higher perfomance tune from Triumph Twin Power
• Original air intake removed
• restriction plate inside the air box to maximize the power
• Subframe cut down, rear fender and seat base by JvB Moto
• Custom made registration plate holder
• Bar end indicators and gauges are from Motogadget
• Custom made registration plate holder

• Gauge drilled onto LSL handlebars. Wiring inside bars
• Ignition key relocation from Motone
• loads of spray painted smaller parts like brackets, “carb”-tops etc plus lots of blacked out bolts

Builder’s details:

Company: Kismo Motors
Name: Gabriel Alares
website: under construction
e-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: Kismo Motors
Instagram: Kismo Motors

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[CarlS]

Good looking bike

 

[DaveM]

‘There’s a Starman waiting in the sky’

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE STARRIDER made me think of David Bowie’s 1972 ‘Starman’ song. Magical but haunting at the same time. It will stick in your mind forever. Just like this quintessential storyteller did musically, the Ott brothers understand what it takes to excite a bike rider.
Combining their talents for industrial design and engineering, they have been at it for a while. First as worker bees for big automotive corporations, now liberated and free to choose their own direction.
And they obviously aim for the stars!

These guys rightfully take themselves and their builds very serious. Looking back at their previous build, the Honda GL 500-JPN series, and the way in which they present the fruits of their minds, you can only agree that they are right in doing so.

When you look at the communication fired up to present the ‘STARRIDER’, it feels as if one of the bigger brands is launching a whole new range of motorcycles. Ben Ott and his brother know exactly which buttons to push.

Motoism are a Munich-based company specializing in rebuilding and redesigning motorcycles. While staring at a virginally white piece of paper on their drawing board, the brothers recognized the need in the market for bikes that escape the definition of a classic cafe racer – they felt the urge for something different that is comfortable to ride and delivers high performance, but also embraces ‘the dark side’.

The STARRIDER, a customized bike designed for riders looking for the balance between high performance, functionality, and looks. As the customized motorcycle came to life, the STARRIDER upholds the MOTOISM principle of merging a classic style with a modern touch and high-tech components. According to the Motoism gang: “There wasn’t a bike we found that smoothly delivered both on functionality and design, so we decided to push the limits of what’s already available on the market.”

Born in the 1980’s as a Honda CB750, the STARRIDER is a now recreated as a whole new bike, slightly reminiscent of the 1987 ‘Robocop’. The Munich based outlet took the bike apart, piece by piece, only to completely rebuild it with dramatic changes both structurally and stylistically.

Studying the STARRIDER, we are struck by its clean lines and the eye for detail. The iconic heart of the machine makes it instantly recognizable as a Honda, but it may well have been designed today. It just wears nothing but the bare essentials to guarantee an exhilarating orbit for its rider.

Tastefully tucked in the back is the canister that lifts the veil to the purpose of the STARRIDER. Just yank the throttle and let the Nitrous Oxide System (NOS) do what it is supposed to do. Launch you to the galaxy and back.

The custom made duo leather seat matches the shape magnificently, but you may need to maintain a solid grip on the handlebars when playing around with the Nitrous Oxide. You would not want to see your bike leave without you.

Inspired by flat track racers, motorcycles made for speedway tracks and circuit dirt tracks, the STARRIDER features details such as enduro handlebars, a fully covered rear wheel, plenty of carbon fiber components and the rejection of mudguards. MOTOISM then adds street racing components to the bike with Continental tires and the before mentioned NOS. Yeah! We like that!!

It all comes together as a street ready bike with flat tracker aesthetics – appropriately dubbed a “street tracker” or simply the STARRIDER, as the Ott’s affectionately refer to the tarmac tracker.

The Honda has a phenomenally clean look and it feels as if it is a brand new 21st century design. A real eye catcher is the tank. Maybe not so much by its design, but more due to the thinking behind it.
Ben Ott explains: “Our fuel tank is probably the lightest CB750 tank in the world. It’s entirely made from carbon fiber, as we developed a new, clean shape following the characteristic lines of the original fuel tank”.

With their background in big automotive brands, it is not surprising that Motoism have a somewhat different view on producing bikes. Rather than going for a unique ‘one off’ build, they set out to design something original and aim for a series of similar bikes, that still maintain that very special composition. Different and daring, we think.

Technical data:

• Donor Bike: Honda CB750 K
• Engine: Four stroke, DOHC air-cooled straight 4 cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder
• Capacity: 743 cc / 45.3 cu-in
• Bore and Stroke: 62 mm X 62 mm – 2.4 in X 2.4 in
• Torque: 66 nm at 7.000 rpm
• Power: 77 hp / 57 kw at 9.000 rpm + n2o-system 7,7 hp / 23 hp
• Cooling System: Air-cooled
• Starter: Electric
• Transmission: 5-speed
• Clutch: Wet multi-plate

Extra added Motoism magic

• N2o-system: Optional additional 7,7 hp (street-legal with German TÜV)
• or additional 23 hp (race- track only) if required
• custom carbon LED headlight, high / low beam and n2o activation LED
• custom full-carbon fuel tank
• custom full-carbon rear wheel rim caps
• motogadget digital tachometer
• LSL cross handlebar & mounting
• push button controls
• motogadget LED turn signals front & rear
• unique WIG-welded subframe
• custom electronic component housing with integrated n2o bottle holder
• motogadget digital control unit (m.unit blue) with alarm system & bluetooth control
• LSL aluminium foot pegs for front and rear seat
• custom leather dual seat
• LED backlight

Suspension and Brakes
• Honda CB750 fork with dip tube enhancement
• Custom Öhlins double rear shock & baseline-tilt
• Brembo double disc brakes with custom adapter plate and custom spacer

Tires
• Front: Continental Classic Attack 19”
• Rear: Continental Classic Attack 18”

Engine and Exhaust
• engine inspection and measurement
• replacement of wearing parts
• engine soda blast and paint
• 4 to 1 stainless steel exhaust system and
• stainless steel silencer

Interested in proudly owning one?

MOTOISM GmbH
Zenettistraße 2
D-80337 Munich, Germany
[email protected]
Phone: +49 89 588 084 98

Website: www.motoism-customs.com
Instagram: motoism_world
Facebook: @motoism.world

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[DaveM]

Hornet morphes into Butterfly

NO BREAKING NEWS ABOUT A RECENTLY DISCOVERED INSECT, but a new star shining brightly in the custom building Universe.
This is only his first bike, but we expect to see much more of the Bulgarian builder in the future.

Kyustendil (Bulgaria) based Bull Moto Custom and its owner Ivan Mushev, are relative newcomers to the custom galaxy. For his maiden project he was inspired by the BMW R nineT built by Kaichiro Kurosu (Cherry’s Company) about 5 years ago.

Instead of the German brand, Ivan decided to go for a more affordable Honda 600 Hornet as a donor vehicle for his project. As he describes it: “Doing something with a smaller budget, but for a larger audience”.

Although there are similarities in the looks of both bikes, the Hornet is a very different machine altogether. It is named “Sekekama’ after an African lion starring in a National Geographic series. Hearing the Honda roar we immediately understand the connection that Ivan made in his mind when working on this project.

The 600cc Hornet engines pack a respectable 100+ horsepower which are thunderously available around 12.000 rpm. Most of us are probably familiar with this popular bike, which can be ridden in comfort at lower speeds. When revving over 7.000 rpm we enter the comfort zone of this particular bike. It is upwards from this point where the design of Sekekama really fits its performance.

The Bulgarian built machine is spectacular form the first moment you lay your eyes on it. Biggest eye catcher is the front, with the fairing bearing obvious similarity to the Kurosu R nineT. It fits the overall design of the Honda perfectly and the lines of the tank and the rest of the machine.

We investigate a bit further and ask Ivan what he had in mind when he switched on the lights in his workshop and walked around the Honda. He explains: “The idea was to combine a caféracer and a street fighter. I just wanted to get the most exciting bits from both genres and mix them together. As a result this ‘caféfighter’ came to life. Gathering form the reactions I have had, it worked. He smiles broadly”

“I can design what I want and how I like things best. This does not automatically mean that the rest of the world agrees. Proof is always in the eating of the pudding. In this case it was a German gourmand who immediately fell for the bike at first sight and bought on the spot. Need I say more?” Ivan now laughs out loud.

One of the hurdles the Bulgarian and his friend/colleague Svetoslav Kostadinov had to take, was to keep it a comfortable ride whilst staying within the design lines they had determined. Adjusting the front suspension helped them achieve their goal. The suspension and shaving off quite a lot of weight resulted in an augmented sprightliness ride. The new owner has already clocked quite some miles on it and was very complimentary in his feedback about the comfort, even on longer rides.

Another challenge was finding a spot for the cooling liquid reservoir. Their solution was to position it under the seat and make it look like an extra exhaust pipe.

Further changes to turn the Hornet into this beautiful butterfly; a reworking of the exhaust system, which was born a Leo Vince but required adaptions and had to be shortened. The frame was completely redesigned by Innox. The builders also included elements of some well-known brands for the project, such as Rizoma, Daytona, Puig, RD Moto, M Factory and Pro Bolt. Everything in the body of the bike is hand-crafted by the two building buddies.

Listen to the roar!
Is just reading about this build just not enough for you?
As a premiere we connect with our friends from Racer TV this time.
Follow this link and enjoy video footage for the Sekekama on this unique platform with its consummate and elaborate commentary.

Builder’s details
Facebook (company): Bull Moto Custom
Facebook (builder): Ivan Mushev
Instagram: Bull Moto Custom Garage
Email: [email protected]

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[DaveM]

Pure & Crafted Heritage

“AMSTERDAM, HERE WE ARE!”

On September 28th the well-respected festival ‘Pure & Crafted’ landed on the shores of Amsterdam. After three legendary events in Berlin and one year on the road, the party capital of the Netherlands was selected to host the quinquennial celebrations.

In spite of the fact the milestone festivities were only officially announced late in the summer, the place was buzzing with positive vibes. The BMW sponsored event was benefiting from a lull in the abysmal weather conditions, which caused many events (including some Distinguished Gentleman’s Rides the day after) to be cancelled or postponed.

Even though food trucks and watering holes which were located outside, visitors were well protected from the occasional shower by tents and porch roofs. But for the largest part of the day they were even able to warm themselves in the autumn sun which was shining mildly.

R Nine T anyone?

The majority of the displayed pieces of arts in the shape of custom bikes were safely tucked inside several halls with a lovely ancient industrial atmosphere.

It was very clear BMW Motorrad are the driving force behind this new bash on the Dutch motorcycle calendar. There was no way of avoiding the Bavarian brand. In spite of an array of builds brought in by the builders invited, it would be nice having a little more variety for the next edition.

Having said that, never before has the Bikebrewers team seen such a collection of the marvellous R nine T in such diversity! The design itself is already iconic, but when modifiers leave their mark on a bike, the results are often prodigious.

Royal beauties

Royal Enfield managed to balance the scales a bit displaying a few of the new Interceptor and Continental GT models. Not that they were easily recognizable as such. All three bikes presented were absolute gems and the results of pure craftsmanship. Worthy participants in the exhibit.

Well known builders such as Winston Yeh (‘Midas Royale’) and Harris Performance (‘Nought_Tea’) left their fingerprints on the two bikes shown here, turning them into Royal pieces of art.

More from Munich

Across the hall we were able to spend some quality time with the boys from Motoism. Having just published a post on their ‘Starrider’ last week, it was a treat to admire this exquisite build up close and get a P.O.V. feel for this ride. We pocketed the invitation to visit Munich when they are opening their new workshop later this year and get an opportunity to test the bike on the road. Something we can already look forward to.

We love the smell of Nitrous Oxide in the morning!

Soukh and music

Apart from the refined collection of striking builds, the event was livened up by a busy market place where merchants displayed their expedient goods fitting this show like a glove. A nice change from bike events where visitors are bombarded with all sorts of cheap or irrelevant apparel.

A wonderful addition to the event were the bands that performed throughout the day. Pure & Crafted have managed to distinguish themselves by presenting young and upcoming talent with a raw edge. Included in the line-up were names such as Indian Askin, Swedish Death Candy, Bad nerves and headliner Blaudzun.

Not your average bearded rock band, but interesting tunes bouncing from nu-punk to garage rock, blues inspired rock all the way to shimmering psychedelic influences. A treat for the serious music lovers.

Brand new Heritage

Whilst on the subject of clothing; BMW used the occasion to present their new Motorrad Heritage Collection 2020.
Another breath of fresh air! Rather than premiering this awesome line of clothing at Eicma, they decided to give Amsterdam the scoop.

BMW Motorrad are expanding their involvement in the Heritage segment and launching its own Ride & Style collection on the market for the first time. The BMW Motorrad Heritage Collection 2020 features a wide range of new items, from leather jackets to denim outfits, as well as motorcycle gloves and signature boots.

Inspired by timeless classics and iconic BMW Motorrad details, the new Heritage Collection combines traditional style with the best of what contemporary and authentic motorcycle lifestyle clothing has to offer. All the materials and textiles used are robust and long-lasting and they fulfil the highest standards of safety and functionality.

Having been able to use all our senses, the Bikebrewers team can confirm that buyers may expect the highest quality, analogous to the level of their automotive products.

History in the making

We are all aware that the history of BMW Motorrad dates all the way back to 1923. The first BMW motorcycle to go into production was the R32 – naturally equipped with an air-cooled, two cylinder flat-twin boxer engine. In 1978, BMW Motorrad became a very smart pioneer in a completely new field, as one of the first serial-production manufacturers in the world to introduce its own rider equipment range.

The Heritage segment was established with the market launch of the BMW R nineT in 2014 and has since become one of the most important segments of the BMW Motorrad brand, which makes us very happy.

Even happier we feel about the segment being set to expand into fully new dimensions next year. BMW Motorrad has announced the launch of a serial-production motorcycle for the second half of 2020, which will mark its entry into the cruiser segment. Another reason for Bikebrewers to schedule a road trip to Bavaria.

Yes, we really like many items in the collection, but for a change all Bikebrewers editors shared the same preference. We are all smitten by the jackets. Prime examples of how cool motorcycle gear can look. We are certain this gear will not come cheap. But looking cool always comes at a price.

Did we have fun?

In conclusion, having spoken to a great number of motorcycle aficionados at the event, Pure & Crafted is unanimously embraced by the community. We all hope that this first edition will be the prelude to many more in the future.

So ‘Yes!’, we all had a great day and feel sorry for all those who have missed this first edition.

Photo credits:
Remko van Diggelen

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[DaveM]

Silent Thunder

NO ROAR, BUT JUST A HISS is what you can expect when you mount the Droog Moto scrambler and twist the throttle. No, not to worry. There’s nothing wrong with the engine. Keeping up with the times this is the first ever electrical bike that Max and Erica built.

As the Droog Moto team are regulars on our pages with their breath-taking devices, we are curious what made them swerve to volts rather than stick with petrol ignited horsepower. Max retorts: “ This build was commissioned by a client who wanted to turn his Brammo Empulse R into a brutal electric machine!”

Pavement Princess

He continues: “The main idea behind the build was to give the customer the opportunity to take his pavement princess and give it the abilities to tackle all sorts of terrain. We wanted this bike to have a Droog Moto look with an off road touch and came up with this silent but deadly ride. Hence the name ‘Silent Assassin hahaha!”

We have seen the Brammo’s around at shows but hardly ever on the streets. Not really a surprise as the motorcycle division of the Oregon based manufacturer was sold to Polaris Industries in 2015 and stopped producing under the name ‘Brammo”. In spite of the fact the term ‘pavement princess’ may sound a bit derogatory, we know exactly what the Droog team are trying to explain. It seems the bike has woken up from a reverse beauty sleep which has turned it into the Beast hitting the streets now.

Yes, we will all have to get accustomed to the lack of roaring engines heralding the arrival of a cool looking bike, but on the Droog Moto version you will get people hissing with excitement too when you pull up to the pavement.
All beginnings are difficult and builders are looking for ways to endow their designs with the sexiness that has for so long been the domain of combustion engine propelled machines. Not an easy task we think.

The Washington State based outfit set out to design a two wheeled monster that would be able to hold up its own against the previous brutes that saw daylight in the Droog Moto workshop.
“For that the bike needed all new body work” they explain. “It consists of a new handmade faux tank to cover the bulk of the electronics. Flowing with the main frame is a new subframe and seat which houses an electrical component you can see from below.”

Continuing: “The front end consists of a new 7” LED headlight and tracker plate that is mated up with a sleek front fender. The bike was equipped with a skid plate to aid in vital protection which also has been helped by our new swingarm shock mounts and stiffer spring.

The build was also lifted a few inches for better off road riding. Knobby enduro tires are a must on all of our builds so that’s a given. We placed our 1 1/8 DM fat bar and new grips on the bike giving the rider a wider stance.”

So what were the biggest challenges the two were facing when construction their vision?
The team counters in harmony: “The build itself wasn’t all too challenging. The biggest feat we had to endure was working around the electronics controlling this beast.
Unlike a traditional bike with much less electrical components, these electrical bikes use nothing but controllers and yards of wiring to make everything work together.

A lot of the parts had to be kept in place which resulted in us having to work around it. Typically we remove everything and do whatever we want”, they say laughing out loud.
With Droog Moto’s vast experience working mainly with gas engines, according to the wrenchers this bike was interesting to work with. It has so much torque in all gears and having it with a 6 speed transmission kept the riding enjoyable!

The Bikebrewers team have chosen the faux tank as our favourite. It still has the latest DM attitude with aggressive angles and some neat detailing. An electrical bike with the bite of a powerful black stallion, ready to gallop across twisty country roads.

As can be seen in the video, whisking away and hitting the tracks is a damn blast. It is clear it handles smoothly on road and kills it in the dirt no doubt!

Interested in having Droog build one for you too? Either check out their own website or go to The Arsenale to get an idea of the rating of their machines (and start saving).

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[ChrisAnglophile]

Silent Thunder

NO ROAR, BUT JUST A HISS is what you can expect when you mount the Droog Moto scrambler and twist the throttle. No, not to worry. There’s nothing wrong with the engine. Keeping up with the times this is the first ever electrical bike that Max and Erica built.

As the Droog Moto team are regulars on our pages with their breath-taking devices, we are curious what made them swerve to volts rather than stick with petrol ignited horsepower. Max retorts: “ This build was commissioned by a client who wanted to turn his Brammo Empulse R into a brutal electric machine!”

Pavement Princess

He continues: “The main idea behind the build was to give the customer the opportunity to take his pavement princess and give it the abilities to tackle all sorts of terrain. We wanted this bike to have a Droog Moto look with an off road touch and came up with this silent but deadly ride. Hence the name ‘Silent Assassin hahaha!”

We have seen the Brammo’s around at shows but hardly ever on the streets. Not really a surprise as the motorcycle division of the Oregon based manufacturer was sold to Polaris Industries in 2015 and stopped producing under the name ‘Brammo”. In spite of the fact the term ‘pavement princess’ may sound a bit derogatory, we know exactly what the Droog team are trying to explain. It seems the bike has woken up from a reverse beauty sleep which has turned it into the Beast hitting the streets now.

Yes, we will all have to get accustomed to the lack of roaring engines heralding the arrival of a cool looking bike, but on the Droog Moto version you will get people hissing with excitement too when you pull up to the pavement.
All beginnings are difficult and builders are looking for ways to endow their designs with the sexiness that has for so long been the domain of combustion engine propelled machines. Not an easy task we think.

The Washington State based outfit set out to design a two wheeled monster that would be able to hold up its own against the previous brutes that saw daylight in the Droog Moto workshop.
“For that the bike needed all new body work” they explain. “It consists of a new handmade faux tank to cover the bulk of the electronics. Flowing with the main frame is a new subframe and seat which houses an electrical component you can see from below.”

Continuing: “The front end consists of a new 7” LED headlight and tracker plate that is mated up with a sleek front fender. The bike was equipped with a skid plate to aid in vital protection which also has been helped by our new swingarm shock mounts and stiffer spring.

The build was also lifted a few inches for better off road riding. Knobby enduro tires are a must on all of our builds so that’s a given. We placed our 1 1/8 DM fat bar and new grips on the bike giving the rider a wider stance.”

So what were the biggest challenges the two were facing when construction their vision?
The team counters in harmony: “The build itself wasn’t all too challenging. The biggest feat we had to endure was working around the electronics controlling this beast.
Unlike a traditional bike with much less electrical components, these electrical bikes use nothing but controllers and yards of wiring to make everything work together.

A lot of the parts had to be kept in place which resulted in us having to work around it. Typically we remove everything and do whatever we want”, they say laughing out loud.
With Droog Moto’s vast experience working mainly with gas engines, according to the wrenchers this bike was interesting to work with. It has so much torque in all gears and having it with a 6 speed transmission kept the riding enjoyable!

The Bikebrewers team have chosen the faux tank as our favourite. It still has the latest DM attitude with aggressive angles and some neat detailing. An electrical bike with the bite of a powerful black stallion, ready to gallop across twisty country roads.

As can be seen in the video, whisking away and hitting the tracks is a damn blast. It is clear it handles smoothly on road and kills it in the dirt no doubt!

Interested in having Droog build one for you too? Either check out their own website or go to The Arsenale to get an idea of the rating of their machines (and start saving).

The post Silent Thunder appeared first on BikeBrewers.com.

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The Hype is always , No Gearbox Required for Electric Bikes.
This one has a 6 speed gearbox.
Does it have a Clutch.
If not, then its a stop and change maybe.
One of the reasons , elected motors have a lot of mass and are difficult to slow down ???

 

[DaveM]

The Hype is always , No Gearbox Required for Electric Bikes.
This one has a 6 speed gearbox.
Does it have a Clutch.
If not, then its a stop and change maybe.
One of the reasons , elected motors have a lot of mass and are difficult to slow down ???

I would still love to have a go on one of these bikes. It must be an experience if nothing else.

 

[ChrisAnglophile]

Electric bik

I would still love to have a go on one of these bikes. It must be an experience if nothing else.

Electric bikes are lapping Isle of Man at 110 miles an hour now. 37.3/4 miles.

 

[DaveM]

Electric bik
Electric bikes are lapping Isle of Man at 110 miles an hour now. 37.3/4 miles.

I noticed that but what a pity they don't have much of a range before needing to recharged. I think this is still the big show stopper for electric vehicles.

 

[ChrisAnglophile]

I noticed that but what a pity they don't have much of a range before needing to recharged. I think this is still the big show stopper for electric vehicles.

Yes, that's very true.
They only do ONE lap of the track in the race or 37.3/4 miles.
The lead bikes are always the 2 Mugans...
A company set up by Mr Honda's son.
Not that much very strong competition, research is always lagging.
Have no idea , what the next battery breakthrough will be.
Or even after the event what is so obvious.
Technology really not moved much from the first battery info 150 years ago.

 

[DaveM]

Guzzi Outback Express II by RH Motorcycles

Let’s try something completely different!

THIS IS LIKELY TO BE THE INITIAL THOUGHT of any builder when they start work on a new project.
However, in this case it is our editorial team who suggested we take a different approach ourselves for this post.

Not quite awake yet after a heavy night of partying during the 2019 edition of Wheels and Waves in Biarritz (France), we literally stumbled across a Moto Guzzi that was parked prominently in the middle of the road.
It was the brainchild of Dutch master builder Roy Holtman that was screaming for attention.

To start up our day properly we decided on a strong cup of coffee with Roy and the owner of the bike who had decided to join the builder for the annual beach bash as well.
Once the caffeine kicked in and anecdotes were flying, we suggested they both put their words on paper themselves. Following is the story told from both ends, the owner and the builder.

Moto Guzzi California 3 – The owner’s story

“A few years ago after having ridden a lot of bikes, I ran into a very ugly California 3. It had all the parts I never had. A big windscreen, two separate enormous seats, King and Queen seat
they told me later. It had enormous trunks on either side, like; drive a bike and bring your complete wardrobe with you!

I think I made my point, it wasn’t love at first sight. A nice big girl, but with the weight not exactly where you’d want it.”

Then sparks flew

“Unexpectedly something magical happened when I turned the key and pushed the starter button. The thing came to live shaking from side to side and then it hit me; “that’s why people ride a Guzzi!”

I decided to buy the Guzzi for the sound of the 2 cylinder and the way it handled all roads from straight highways to little curvy ones. But definitely not for the looks!

I rode it for a few years, had a number lovely holidays with it, but after the clutch broke down it became a shed project. I took it apart to repair it, but lack of time and other interests caused it to never happen. It became the ‘3 euro pallet project’, named after the number of pallets it took to carry all the separate parts.”

Pick up the pieces

“The pallets were just laying there for a few years until I met Roy and asked him to repair the bike, make it road worthy again with the intention to sell it. The idea was born to buy an old Harley and rebuild that into something sexy.

Luckily Roy convinced me stay loyal to the Guzzi and turn the big girl into an attractive model. “Harleys galore all over the planet” he said. “But Guzzis are nice and interesting bikes to work with”.
 
New life

Showing me a Guzzi he had just finished I became excited. This was the start of what is now the ‘Outback Express II’ project.

We took our time. Between setting out to repair a clutch and going all the way to a complete re-design was quite the ride. We had a lot of discussions about the how, what and why. It bounced up and down from cafe racer to maybe a scrambler and all variations in between.

It was glad that Roy was around to guide me through the process and advising me on all important decisions.
With a result like this I decided to travel to Biarritz in style. I prepared my Renault 4F4 to be a little camper but also to act as towing car for the Outback Express II.

So what has the builder to add to all this?

“Indeed it landed on my workshop floor as a jig saw puzzle on pallets.” Roy laughs.

“When it did I decided to convince the owner to turn it into something really special. He needed to digest that thought at first, but many espressos later he did agree to my point of view. We both feel that this bike has more cultural sex appeal (as most Guzzi’s do)
then a Harley’s do. After all they are warm blooded Italians by birth.”
“No offence to Harley lovers intended!” he quickly adds with a wide grin.

So what was your idea or vision?

“The name of this build is the ‘Outback Express’.
It is a running concept at RH Motorcycles. We regularly build rugged looking bikes based on a Moto Guzzi California III. Each time with minor changes and personal touches compliant to the persona of the specific owner.

I strive to give every bike its own uniqueness, tailored to its owner, but still with a signature appearance instantly recognizable to those who are familiar with my work.”

Client involvement

“Most of the inspiration for this bike originate from the persona of its owner. As he had no specific wishes it gave me the opportunity to mould the Outback Express concept to him as a character.

This client has a rugged, adventurous vibe to him. Staying young seems to come natural. Even at a slightly advanced age he is still curious and is constantly seeking to experience new things. He loves to road tripping, surfing and live life to the brim!

So we needed to get him a bike to fit him like a glove.”

Any interesting challenges?

“The most interesting fact about this bike is probably the lack of major changes to the rolling
chassis. Most parts are fabricated to fit the OEM frame and some are even reshaped from
original parts. So no, not really.’
 

So what DID you change?

“A complete technical rebuilding of the chassis. Engine overhaul was quite necessary too. The transmission, clutch and cylinder heads were rebuilt. A custom fitted gas tank originally from a Suzuki GS750 from the 70’s was reshaped and customized where necessary.

Custom made seat pan, and seat and tank strap. Custom fabricated side panels, reshaped
fenders, off road tires, stainless steel exhaust, Hella (spot) and a lot of other smaller modifications.

What do you like the most?

The colour scheme of silver, grey and black with the red sparkplug (signature AREAGE)
details.

Anything in particular you want to share about the project?

Immediately after delivery the client decided to join us on our trip to Wheels and Waves 2019. There the bike you stumbled over was officially released.

He took about two weeks to get there, enjoying his classic Renault 4 trailering the bike and taking it off occasionally to enjoy the countryside, ocean view roads and other parts of France he particularly liked.

After the bike was done he offered the idea to hand paint our branding on his daily ride, the
classic Renault R4F4 just for fun! HOW GOLDEN IS THAT!!”

Famous last words: how does it ride?

Less lazy than on OEM specs! It’s not a (cafe)racer but a bike that is enjoyed by cruising around the country side, or city with an unpaved road now and then.

Outsourced work

As a custom motorcycle studio most work is done in house. Al the stuff that really requires a specialist’s hand was outsourced within our trusted network.
Examples: all our upholstery is done by Miller Kustom Upholstery, and powder coating by
Custom Coatings Hellvoirt.

Builders details:
website
facebook
Instagram

The post Guzzi Outback Express II by RH Motorcycles appeared first on BikeBrewers.com.

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[DaveM]

Indian Scout Bobber road tested

Bad Boy Bobber
On the same day my fellow rider/photographer Vincent Burger and I were throwing the FTR 1200S around, we also had the chance to take the Scout Bobber with us. Comparing the two is not really logical. The engines come from the same mother, but they are definitely not twins. FTR is the jock in the family whereas the Bobber is the dandy looking one, but with less muscle power.

However, this is not a problem whatsoever. With a 100 hps there is ample power in the Bobber. This is more than enough to get you around town swiftly and riding on the highway you will definitely not be the slowest bike on the road. The little Road Devil will take his place on your shoulder and loudly whisper in your ear to twist the throttle. Following his mischievous advice may actually put you in awkward positions explaining your behavior to law enforcement representatives.

Relax and enjoy the ride
This brings us to the subject of the best use for the Scout Bobber. We think it is an excellent bike to ride around town and it comes to life on country roads with slightly longer curves. It behaves the way a Bobber does when hitting a sharper bend in the road you will easily find yourself scraping another half inch of the foot pegs. It is the bike’s way of telling you to relax and enjoy the ride.

Straining necks
And right it is. So slow down a bit and look at all those heads turning as people notice this baby. This agile lane splitter is the bike you want to be seen on in town. The engine picks up nicely and can be aggressive should you wish it to. The torque kick in really easy and the red line does not come in view until you rev it up to 8000 rpm’s. Not bad at all for this type of engine.

Nice pair
We particularly like the engine casing and the overall style of the V-twin. It has a nice and slightly raw industrial sort of look to it. This is amplified by the cut up front and back fenders and the single seat. Wherever you park it, people will come up to you and start asking questions and taking pictures. That’s Bobber life for you. Enjoy it.

It is built nice and low and we love the lowered suspension. The ergonomics are quite OK, as long as you are not planning to go on long miled cross country rides. As much fun as it is to ride this Scout, you will be appreciating the couch in the evening more than you have done in a long time.

It is nimble and swift, but above 120 km’s an hour you will start feeling the strain on your back and in your arm muscles after a while. Consider it just a good total physical workout. This includes the facial muscles as riders are bound to continuously grin from door to door.

Competition
As mentioned, comparing the Bobber to the Indian FTR 1200 does not make sense. So who are the competitors? The most obvious one is the Triumph Bobber 1200, shortly followed by the Harley Davidson Forty Eight Sportster.

They all are pretty close to one another and we can imagine it would be hard to make a choice. All thorough breads from heritage brands. Alike, but yet all with their distinctive characters and loyal fan bases.

Hold on tight
Riding the Indian is a pleasure in spite of the minimal rear suspension. Yes, it can be adjusted, but the difference is hardly noticeable. When taking speed bumps at a higher speed than intended, the rider will have to hold on with all his might to prevent being ejected from the bike. Parachutes are not provided as an accessory.

Put on an extra disc
One thing we think has room for improvement is the front brake. Triumph’s Bobber also only comes with one disc, whereas the Bobber Black is fitted out with two. Having tested both these bikes when they came out, we feel that the Indian would be better off with a a stereo set too. Riding a bike with lots of torque at hand may unexpectedly get you in trouble when traffic in front suddenly slows down.

The FTR scores very well in this area, but when throttling the Scout we would recommend to prepare for any sudden changes in front of you. Braking is fine under most circumstances and the disc does what it needs to do, beware of your Road Devil playing with your testosterone level .

Conclusion
For the Bikebrewers team it is clear that the Indian is a serious contender in the growing Bobber market. It is a very cool looking bike with a sufficient amount of sexiness and power to lure in a great variety of riders. Large and small, male and female. It will offer you a seriously pleasant time on the road, tempting you to take the long way home each time you climb on board. The toughest decision to make every day is which helmet to wear to fit you mood of the day.

We’d love to see more of them on the road. Even better, it would look great in our shed as soon as we can find a carpenter to help us expand it

The post Indian Scout Bobber road tested appeared first on BikeBrewers.com.

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[CarlS]

Really good looking bike. I like it.

 

[DaveM]

Swiss volcano

BORN IN JAPAN IN 1996, this Honda VT600 now has escaped its own shadow and had started a new life as an old style Salt Racer inspired beauty amongst the Swiss Alps.

It took a Swiss mechanic to turn this nearly thirty year old cruiser into the ‘Silberpfeil’ it is today.

Interestingly the VT600 are usually great donor bikes when you want to build a Bobber. It has all the characteristics that will allow a builder to achieve this with minor modifications. Just strip it bare, get rid of all the plastic that comes with the bike and you are well on your way.

Still even as a Bobber there are plenty examples of Honday Shadow projects that have not managed to create a head-turner. Patrick Rohr of ‘Angry Motors’ has managed to forge something quite of the ordinary and give this cloud a silver lining. It is hard not to give the bike a good second look when it passed you in the street.

We like the overall look of the bike and the daring step to turn it into the racer it is now. However, there are a few minor points that could possibly have created an even sharper look. The silver exhaust wrap fits the design, but wrapping all the way up to the silencer and displaying a gape when looking at the bike from the front makes is look as if the builder was in a bit of hurry to ‘call it a wrap’.

We would have loved to see pictures of the bike being ridden, as the footrests are still in the original forward position. A bit to close for comfort to Bobber style to be typified as salt racer, but it may well be that a ‘knee forward’ position is to unpractical for riding the Honda on regular roads.

When we enquire with the builder about the riding position he retorts: “Unexpected comfortable even when there is almost no travel (about 1 inch on the rear). I am 186cm, but admitted it may be not the same when you`re smaller. The reach is pretty stretched.”

When interviewed Patrick told us he was looking for a ‘new challenge regarding bike modification’. The adventure he set out on definitely led him down an adventurous mountain path. But we are very happy he decided to embark on the journey that brought us this magnificent machine.

He bought the ’96 Honda at a good price on the internet and wanted to spend no more than CHF. 6.000 (approximately € 5.400) on the project. He managed to stay within budget by doing nearly all the work on the bike himself.

“The only work which was outsourced was the powder coating”, according to the Angry Motors proprietor. “There was a moment however, I wished I had given the someone else the job of replacing the electrics which are hidden under the seat. It is quite a nightmare having to work within the very limited space made available in the original design.”

“I wanted to have as much of a clean line as possible and hide the wiring and other electrical stuff as much as I could.”

Having commented on the few points we do not particularly like earlier in this piece, it is also fair to mention that we are fans of all the all the stainless steel braided wiring Patrick added to the VT600. It looks really good and fits seamlessly with the shining appearance.

 
It is pretty obvious a lot of work was put into the Honda. The list of modifications includes:
• New Wiring Motogadet M-unit Blue
• replaced all Cables and tubes with stainless Steel braided ones.
• Stainless Bolts overall.
• Replaced Filler Cap.
• Created new seat
• lowered bike 2 inches.
• Built Headlight Shield Cover.
• Replacing the electrics (underneath the seat)

Also added were:

• Motogadet M Unit Blue
• Shin Yo Elipsoid Headlight
• Kellermann Rear lights
• Biltwell Whiskey Throttle and Grips
• Rearview Mirror (no brand specified)
• Pirelli Tyres
• LSL Bar
• Tank and Seat modification
• Quad footpegs

Builders details:

Name: Patrick Rohr
Location: Scharans – Switzerland
Angry Motors
Instagram

The post Swiss volcano appeared first on BikeBrewers.com.

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[DaveM]

Indian FTR 1200S – Awesome Powers!

Oh behave baby!

IT HAS BEEN A LONG WAIT since the first official introduction in the fall of 2018.
When Bikebrewers colleague Vincent and I received the call from Indian inviting us to go out and test the FTR 1200, we obviously grabbed the earliest opportunity to get out there and ride this baby.

Just for fun sake we decided to dual test, adding the Scout Bobber (for post on this bike click here) to our mix. A nice way to compare two bikes that do not have a lot in common.

FTR 1200S
The bike clearly has its roots deep in flat track country. No other brand has succeeded in adapting a hardcore flat tracker into a street legal champion. Yes, Harley Davidson made a half-hearted attempt a decade ago with the XR1200, but failed at making this model a success.

From the moment the Indian was shown to press and public for the first time, reactions have nothing been but favorable. Our post on October 3 2018 was not an exception. It was love at first sight.

The ride
From the moment we got on the bike it was clear we were in for a real treat.
Everything about it is impressive, attractive and inviting you to behave badly. Just the way the Bikebrewers team like it.

Just a slight warning before releasing the clutch; go easy on it for the first time. This baby is a ‘Torque Master’ which is clear immediately. It takes of like a rolling thunder and just keeps on going. Getting used to all that power is quite easy actually.

The FTR 1200 handles phenomenally well under all circumstances. No matter what the road conditions are, it is a stable ride and is very forgiving should you misjudge a curve. Just lay her down and flick the right wrist.

In spite of its massive appearance and the long wheel base, the Indian is very nimble and a true joy cornering twisty roads. The torque is readily available in areas, making it a fun to challenge anyone on the road. In a review it was said this is “a bike for red blooded riders with a rebellious streak”. Hell yeah!

Indian really delivered on their promise to build a stylish motorcycle designed to be used in a variety of different riding conditions. It fills a gap in their line of bikes and any comparison to Harley Davidson bikes is irrelevant. This bike was born on the dirt track and it just oozes that heritage.

Torque Master
Having said that, the true natural habitat of the FTR is on the road, not in the dirt. With a weight of over 215 kg it is heavy for this kind of job. Contrary to other reviews we believe this would be a cool bike for longer distances. We understand that long, straight and boring US roads are no fun to ride this bike, but Europe is different.

Take it out on twisty national roads and you will be smiling all the way. On the highway the cruise control comes in as very handy and is very easy to use. It also gave us the opportunity to test the stability of the FTR by riding without hands on the handlebars. Absolutely no problems there. It just rides like a charm.

Fits any mood
Now what do we really like about the Indian FTR 1200 and what are things making us less enthusiastic?
Let is be very clear. We absolutely love this bike! It is sort of a Swiss army knife; you can use it in a variety of ways suiting your mood. Leisurely touring or challenging sports bikes to a sprint or slicing through corners. Just have it your way.

Earlier on we mentioned a comparison with HD does not make sense. We believe the Triumph T120 or perhaps even more, the new Triumph Scrambler 1200 are the ones which come closer in terms of performance, handling and power. This actually makes the Indian perhaps slightly more European than American.
Possibly Indian has built this bike with the rest of the world in mind. Harley Davidson seems to be struggling to innovate and Indian have grown over 40% abroad.
That looks like an opportunity right there.

In short:
• Unique looks
• Awesome power
• Fantastic handling
• Massive stopping power
• Easy to use TFT screen on the ‘S’
• Excellent riding position (once you get used to the slightly forward position)

Room for improvement
We rode the FTR on a scorching hot day. Riding is OK, but once you have to stop at a traffic light the heat of the rear cylinder is really off the charts. We understand that problem may be hard to solve, but we would really welcome some innovative engineering in this area.

The gearbox does what is required, but it is a bit on the rough side, especially when shifting gears swiftly.
The gas tank is located beneath the seat, which is great for the balance of the bike and the center of gravity. Unfortunately it leaves us with an average range of 150-180 km’s depending on your style of riding. That’s a bit on the low side.

We had a ‘round robin’ at the editors office and discussed what we would change if the bike were ours to keep. First thing out the window were the mirrors. They do what they need to do, but make the FTR look cheap.

Next in line were the pipes. We could not reach consensus on what to replace the with, but it was evident that something needed to be changed.

Verdict is still out on the rims. Some of us opted for the currently mounted set, others swore they would have chosen rims with the black rims and the aluminium spoke set that are available as an option. Perhaps even changing the aluminium spokes for stainless steel ones.

All in all this is the bike we all wanted to take home with us and add it to our respective personal collections.
We love what Indian have done and see a bright future for this star of the show.

Photography and co-rider: Vincent Burger
Vincent on Instagram

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[CarlS]

Not my stile; but it is an awesome bike. Indian is definitely aiming at the younger market.

 

[DaveM]

XTR Pepe’s Moto Morini Peperoni!

Moto Morini 1200 Corsaro Veloce

WE LOVE LOTUS CARS for their basic simplicity and straight forwardness. They are built for driving and nothing else.
The same goes for this bike. It is clear that the only place for it is on the road or on a track. It is built to thrill and give its rider an adrenaline kick as soon as he or she gets on it and brings it to life.

Regular guest
It was only a few months back when we published a post on another exciting build by our friend Pepo Rosell from Spain (‘Spiced up paprika’). The colours of that Ducati were also our inspiration to start this piece with the name of a famous car brand.
Although Pepo has decided to hang around Italians a bit more for this new project, it is based on a brand that we seldomly see on the road.

Which is a shame.
But it is even rarer to have one featured in the columns of online custom bike platforms. In fact, this is the only one we could find.

Birthday gift
Celebrating its 10th birthday, the Spanish outlet decided to give the 2009 produced Italian a complete makeover as a birthday gift. In spite of the fact the Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 Veloce was treated with some proper TLC in Pepo’s salon, it rolled into the daylight looking like a beast.

It looks and is a radical bike, reminiscent of the classic Bol d’Or racers of the past. Even with the classic racer look, the XTR Pepo team has managed to put their signature stamp on this build.

Glemseck inspired
The commission for this project was agreed on during the Glemseck 101 festival and it was for the pure power of this machine that the Moto Morini was chosen as a donor vehicle.
It packs a respectable 140 Hp and 123Nm, which should be sufficient to launch you off the planet.

Endurance racer
It is clear a lot of effort went into the process of producing a racer that holds its own. The front end was lowered and a whole new subframe was welded on.
This forces the rider in a permanent racing position, which is actually the only way you’d want to ride this baby.
‘Aggressive’ is the only word fitting enough to describe it.

Fairing enough
Adding impact is the front fairing. Originally mounted on a Suzuki RG 250, it found its way to the Moto Morini after some modifications.
The headlights are original, but now mounted on a simple and racing heritage reminiscent aluminium frame.

The heat is on
As rider body temperature may well rise when riding the wild Italian, the engine still requires proper cooling.
The original design of the Moto Morini radiator was not fitting to the picture Pepo had in his head. It was exchanged for a Ducati 999 part.

Eyecatcher
When stripping the Duc, it was decided the tank would look good on the Morini too. But why do it the easy way if you can produce a stunner with some extra effort?
A striking billet aluminium twin-cap filler by Fuchs workshop was inserted in the fuel reservoir and no less than 20 bolts hold it in place, further boosting the race look of the Corsaro 1200.

We just love all the little details of this particular bike and the numerous hints that bring back fond memories of tough guys trying to keep control of their savage machines in the 70’s and ‘80’s during those magical endurance races.

We can only say; “Keep on bringing it on Pepo. We love it!”

Modifications and added parts:

• SP aluminium cnc machined 4 clamps yokes
• FG Racing regulable aluminium cnc machined clipons
• XTR regulable and foldable aluminium cnc machined brake and clutch levers
• Frentubo brake lines
• Frentubo clutch line
• XTR front bracket
• Modified Suzuki RGV 250 front fairing
• RC Racing wáter radiator hand made
• XTR hand made metal shaping fuel tank
• Fuchs workshop doublé gas cap aluminium cmc machined.
• XTR solo seat
• LIPO battery
• XTR Rear subframe
• Led rear light
• XTR front light
• Repositioning of the electrical wiring
• OEM aluminium cnc machined pilot footrest
• OEM head exhaust system + Wolfman 2 in 1 tube
• Spark megaphone
• Pintumoto painting
• Dante stickers.

Website
facebook
Instagram

Pictures : Sergio Cardeña Diaz

The post XTR Pepe’s Moto Morini Peperoni! appeared first on BikeBrewers.com.

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[SavannahJack]

This is a beauty, no doubt about it!
However, that is clearly an R-bike, not a K.

Still, nice build.


RnineT by UNIKAT 1/1

Always build in CAPITALS!
Our friends from the Polish outfit have every right to write their company name in capitals.
But just as much to use the capital ‘T’ indicating their latest build!

The creativity of this gang from the Southwest of Poland is extraordinary. The bikes that leave the UNIKAT 1/1 Motorworks shop share one common denominator; the unparalleled eye for detail and the unique design making it really stand out from the crowd.

It had been a while since we wrote about the builds by the Wroclaw crew.
The subject at the time was a BMW K1100.

Head turner
Again the brand from Bayern was used to showcase his creative taken on things. It made us very happy to receive news from Grzegorz Korczak earlier this week announcing the birth of the UNIKAT RnineT Beemer.

There are many ways to build a ‘head turning’ bike. But when it is done with a clear aim for perfection it just adds so much joy for the eye. From the rims to the leather grips, everything is in balance and increases to the power of its design.

Making new friends with a bike like this is not going to be hard. But the bad news for prospective lady pillion riders is that there is no pillion to ride on and the Polish team removed the passenger foot pegs as well.

Virtually designed, hand crafted
A trained cinematographer, Grzegorz uses his skills from this profession to fire his passion in the ironmongers workshop. All designs are conceived in the virtual world.
He sets out on each designing journey behind the screen of his powerful computers.

Once satisfied with the composition on the screen the builder and his crew set out to bending the pixels into proper steel images. Every bit of the build has been well thought through. The direction is clear and the results picture perfect.

Why spend many words describing this dream baby when the pictures can do all the talking?
Feast your eyes and spark your fantasy.

scope of changes:
• belly pan from AC Schnitzer,
• LSL drag bar,
• m.balze disc turn signals,
• m.viev race mirrors,
• short levers from Womet-Tech,
• handmade leather grips with gold thread,
• black leather seat with gold thread,
• trifunctional LED strip (rear light, STOP, turn signals) mount on handcrafted bracket,
• handcrafted licence plate holder,
• removed passenger foot pegs,
• powder coating (exhaust, cam covers, bar risers, parts of subframe, etc.),
• paint job of front mudguard, windshield, tank, belly pan, seat cowl and rear rim.

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