Overlook the clichés of the commuter hack or the pizza supply drone. When a gifted builder will get their palms on a scooter like a Vespa, a Lambretta, or perhaps a humble Honda Cub, the outcomes will be simply as breathtaking, difficult, and technically sensible as any large-capacity {custom} motorbike. There’s a quiet, totally addictive appeal to a very impressed {custom} scooter; a canvas for compact, intelligent engineering and unrestrained inventive imaginative and prescient. They power builders to work inside extreme spatial constraints, resulting in improvements that you just would not see on an even bigger machine. A {custom} scooter, in the proper palms, turns into a distillation of pure model and centered efficiency.
Over time, we’ve been graced by some mind-bending scooter customs—machines that defy expectation and rewrite the rulebook. They’ve confirmed that displacement is irrelevant when creativeness is the driving power. Listed below are six of our favorite {custom} scooters which have rolled by way of the Bike EXIF workshop, proving that generally, the good rides come within the smallest packages.
AFS Customized Bikes’ SYM Scorching Rod
Few bikes possess the cult reverence of the Honda Cub. A machine of straightforward function and phenomenal endurance, the scooter has clocked over 100 million, turning into the very definition of dependable, accessible transport. This tradition from Taiwan, whereas rooted in Cub DNA (particularly, a clone engine from SYM), is a radical departure from its utilitarian origins.
AFS Customized’s aimed to protect the basic Cub silhouette however inject a totally trendy, nearly alternate-universe vibe. The idea shortly spiralled, pushed by the client’s ardour for decent rods, leading to a machine that’s slammed, stretched, and uncompromisingly inflexible. Fashion was the clear mandate right here, obliterating any pretence of highway legality or sensible consolation.
The guts of this radical look is the gorgeous, handmade metal tubing chassis. The primary spine is cleverly built-in to function the gasoline tank, full with a makeshift sight-glass gasoline gauge and a tidy knurled aluminium fuel cap. The design is remarkably fluid and cohesive, significantly the single-sided fork and inflexible rear finish, which curve tightly across the 17-inch Bridgestone-slick-wrapped wheels. These wheels weren’t constructed from scratch however ingeniously re-engineered from a pair of automobile spare wheels.
The 90 cc SYM motor runs three gears and no clutch, permitting AFS to additional simplify the cockpit, which options nothing greater than grips, an inside throttle, and a hand shifter low down on the left. Completed in black with gold wheels and a bobber-inspired aluminium seat, this AFS creation completely channels the pure, harsh aesthetic of a drag-strip sizzling rod. [MORE]
ANX’s Piaggio NRG 50 Drag Racer
The mixture of ‘drag racing’ and ‘scooter’ seems like a punchline, however Nick Xiromeritis of ANX Prototypes and Mirko Toth of Scooter Centre turned it right into a lethal severe—and totally thrilling—endeavour. This plucky little sprinter started life as a mid-2000s Piaggio NRG 50 cc scooter, however now boasts almost 20 hp (and the potential for extra with a shot of nitrous) whereas weighing a feathery 56 kg (124 lbs).
The story began with a fateful eBay transaction between automotive designer Nick and engine guru Mirko. The Piaggio that Mirko acquired was a crude conversion. A hardtail body due to a metal desk leg that changed the rear shock. Nick and Mirko shortly mapped out a whole overhaul, repurposing a Kawasaki AR50-adapted tank and a {custom} carbon fiber tail from Nick’s different initiatives. The body acquired main surgical procedure: the crude hardtail was tossed, and all the new again part was fabricated. The entire chassis was stretched and bolstered. Aprilia forks have been put in and shortened to simply 80 mm of journey, whereas the bars are inverted ape hangers from a Honda V30 Magna, mounted on a mountain bike stem.
Mirko went to city on the motor, putting in a Polini Evolution 70 cc equipment, a stage six crankshaft, and a Metrakit Prorace exhaust. After intensive porting and flowing, the unique NRG motor now kicks out nearly 20 hp, launching the featherweight machine. The ace up its sleeve is the Dynotune NOS system, which is solenoid-activated and tuned individually from the motor to stop working lean, promising one other eight to 10 hp. Wearing a two-layer purple sweet paint over a chrome base—with {custom} hand-laid pinstriping by Von Maze, this Piaggio is a violent, vivid pocket rocket poised for the quarter mile. [MORE]
MAAN Motocicli Audaci’s Honda Helix Seaside Cruiser
Sardinia is a paradise of sun-drenched seashores and difficult twisty roads, and it’s the proper house for this quirky, surfboard-carrying {custom}. Constructed by Nicola Manca of MAAN Motocicli Audaci, this machine is a radical transformation of a Eighties Honda CN250—higher identified within the USA because the Honda Helix. Nicola, an aerospace enterprise advisor and eager motorcyclist, took a shot motor for €300, stripped it naked, and offered the unique plastics for greater than he paid for the bike.
The COVID-19 lockdown gave Nicola ample time for a affected person, detail-oriented construct. The unique body required intensive work, with a totally new rear part and rebuilt shock and radiator mounts. The aesthetic inspiration got here from the gorgeous wood Riva boats: the {custom} floorboards and dashboard panels characteristic teak inlays, handcrafted by Nicola from damaged backyard chairs destined for firewood. The chair frames have been additionally repurposed to trend the sensible, seaside-ready surfboard rack.
The cockpit exemplifies cleanliness, that includes 18-inch ape hangers with completely no seen cables or levers. The throttle is inside, the ignition and switches are tucked right into a decrease teak panel, and the entrance brake lever is gone, changed by a custom-built linked foot brake system that operates a cable-operated hydraulic pump.
Rolling on authentic wheels, the Helix now sports activities a full chrome suspension setup utilizing a mixture of Suzuki and Yamaha elements. Completed with ornamental paint and fabric by Matteo, Nicola’s Helix has efficiently shed its 80s jet ski persona for a carefree, classic seaside cruiser vibe, fulfilling Nicola’s objective of making a car that embodies freedom. [MORE]
Man and the Machines’ NSU Prima Drag Scooter
Within the burgeoning world of 1/Eighth-mile dash racing, something with wheels is a possible contender, however few are as uncommon as this hopped-up scooter from a defunct producer. This machine is a 1959 NSU Prima 3, which was constructed by Krzysztof Szews of Man and the Machines and Renstall Moto, and co-founder of the Rocket Race Membership. After seeing the response of crowds to the brand new scooter class at Glemseck 101, Kris—who’s been tuning classic scoots since he was 16—determined to enter the fray along with his personal, distinctive creation.
The NSU Prima 3 was initially constructed after NSU’s license to construct Lambretta scooters ran out. Kris liked the form and the sheer rarity of customising one. The construct concerned ditching the inventory 7 hp engine for an all-new mill constructed by a buddy. It incorporates a Casa Efficiency billet aluminium engine casing, prototype cylinder, and efficiency crankshaft, delivers a stunning 56 hp. To handle this insane power-to-weight ratio, Kris prioritised stability: he prolonged the wheelbase by 210 mm by trimming the unique body and constructing a brand new engine subframe, and moved the two.5-litre stainless-steel gasoline tank ahead between his legs to maintain the entrance finish planted.
The NSU forks have been changed with a modified Lambretta Collection 3 setup working shortened springs and adjustable preload. Braking is dealt with by a Magura HC3 grasp cylinder working a disc brake up entrance, whereas the 10-inch wheels are wrapped in PMT racing slicks.
Kris preserved the 65-year-old crimson patina, including solely sponsor decals and a particular contact: a WWII airplane nostril art-inspired dragon painted on the fender by his 11-year-old daughter, Ava. Although a rookie within the class, Kris’s wildly highly effective, splendidly styled machine walked away with the ‘Finest Fashion’ trophy at Glemseck 101, proving that the previous NSU has loads of velocity and character left in it. [MORE]
Python Lair Designs’ Vespa GT 200 Turbo
The trendy Vespa GT 200 is cute, iconic, and customarily thought-about ripe for gentle accessorizing slightly than heavy modification. It takes a daring creativeness to look previous the curves and envision a radical transformation. Fortunately, Adam Eldridge of Python Lair Designs in Austin, Texas, is blessed with an creativeness that operates on a distinct frequency. Commissioned by Guido DeVita for his enterprise, ilGaragista, Adam had complete artistic freedom to tear down the 2003 Vespa.
Adam took the Vespa right down to its engine housing, entrance fork, and wheels, utilizing 3D design software program to plan a totally new chassis. He then formed the brand new bodywork, an elaborate shell comprising 4 inside and 5 exterior items, by hand from sheets of aluminium utilizing conventional metalworking instruments. The ensuing aesthetic is a pleasant mix of influences: half Artwork Deco, half retro sci-fi, with nods to Piaggio’s legacy as an aeroplane maker and the aggressive look of mid-90s PTG Racing BMW E36 M3 race automobiles. The clear, flowing traces on the surface conceal a large shock between the rider’s ft: a bespoke turbo setup.
Engineering the turbo mounting and piping was a monumental problem, requiring plane hoses to account for the drive unit’s vertical motion. Adam additionally built-in a low-PSI regulator, a carry pump, a brand new ECU, and extensively modified the liquid cooling system.
To deal with the elevated output, the scooter acquired Frando brake calipers, Bitubo shocks, and Pirelli Diablo Scooter tyres. The cockpit options closely modified classic Piaggio handlebars with Motogadget switches and a modern speedo, with the brakes linked and operated by way of a {custom} foot pedal, eliminating the necessity for any levers on the bars. Adam’s rework of the fashionable Vespa is a staggering mix of artwork and engineering, proving that even a commuter scoot will be remodeled right into a rolling piece of conceptual design. [MORE]
Butcher Storage’s Vespa PX 150 ‘Escape’ Scrambler
Saint Petersburg’s Butcher Storage—run by Alex, Mitya, and Miha—are specialists in excessive {custom} scooters, and their Vespa PX 150, dubbed ‘Escape’, is an instance of their creativeness and technical ability. Collaborating with the German elements specialists SIP Scootershop, Butcher Storage got down to mix the ever-present two-stroke Vespa 150 with the period’s hottest development: the scrambler. Their objective was a motorcycle that mixed off-road functionality with sharp city design, a machine really constructed to flee town.
The transformation begins with the gasoline tank—a Nineteen Seventies Husqvarna unit that miraculously wedged into the Vespa’s chassis with minimal fuss. That is adopted by a {custom} seat designed to evoke the basic BSA perches. The chassis required large intervention from specialists Metallic DIY, involving a re-worked monocoque physique and a brand new head tube. This was essential to accommodate a long-travel pit bike fork and a 12-inch entrance wheel. The rear suspension was fully re-engineered, with a pair of SIP shocks working by way of the center of the scooter on a {custom} mount, providing twice the journey of inventory and balancing the visible house for the broad 130/90-10 rear wheel.
The PX 150’s conventional hand-operated twist shift was ditched in favor of a foot management and a sequential gearbox developed in-house by Butcher. This variation freed up the cockpit for a extra conventional setup, together with Fats Bars with a Domino quick-action throttle and a folding clutch lever.
The facility plant is closely hopped up with SIP-supplied elements, together with a Parmakit water-cooling system (radiator hidden within the physique), a Pinasco crankcase, and a 177 cc Parmakit cylinder. The standout characteristic is the ‘curly’ SIP race exhaust, which loops dramatically to extend the journey top and visually steadiness the proper and left sides of the bike. Completed in an aged livery combining SIP’s company colors, ‘Escape’ is a cracking little machine that makes a compelling case for a devoted Scooter EXIF. [MORE]
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