Because the frost begins to retreat and the driving season beckons, we discover ourselves trying again at a very vintage-heavy month within the archives. March 2024 was a interval of high-contrast brilliance on Bike EXIF, bridging the hole between small-capacity Thai street-scramblers and meticulously engineered Japanese Shovelheads.
On this version of Flashback Friday, we’re revisiting ten machines that outlined the zeitgeist of the spring of ‘24. Let’s dive again into the highest ten customized bikes from March 2024.
Triumph 400 Duo by Okay-Velocity
Thailand’s K-Speed has lengthy been the undisputed king of constructing small-capacity bikes appear to be they belong in a post-apocalyptic road brawl. When Triumph Thailand handed them the keys to the freshly minted Scrambler 400 X and Velocity 400, founder Eak utilized his signature “Diablo” contact to the Bajaj-partnered singles. The result’s a brooding duo that proves Triumph’s entry-level platform is an distinctive canvas for personalisation.
The Scrambler 400 X was handled to a drastic subframe chop and loop, topped with a quilted leather-based saddle that flows right into a customized rear fender. Okay-Velocity leaned into the “darkish titanium” aesthetic, stripping the forks and repainting the facet covers to match a menacing gray livery. With Motoz Tractionator Journey tires and a high-mount ABS plastic fender, the pint-sized Triumph appears to be like able to punch properly above its weight class.
To not be outdone, the Velocity 400 sibling acquired an analogous remedy however with a road-focused edge. It ditched the headlight cage for a cleaner look and swapped the gray for a deep gloss black paired with brown upholstery. These builds did not simply function showpieces for the Bangkok Worldwide Motor Present; they functioned as rolling prototypes for a large catalog of bolt-on components now out there to the general public. [MORE]
Royal Enfield Continental GT ‘HH5’ and ‘HH6’ by Hardheads Motostudio
The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 was already a darling of the fashionable basic scene, however Mexico Metropolis’s Hardheads Motostudio felt there was nonetheless some fats to be trimmed. Their twin builds, HH5 and HH6, are workouts in excessive “paring down,” with 200 hours of labor poured into every to realize a minimalist silhouette. By axing the passenger lodging and shortening the subframes, they’ve remodeled the approachable Enfield right into a centered classic racer.
The visible centerpiece of every bike is the complete fiberglass fairing, completed in silver to accent the factory-optional chrome gas tanks. Beneath the leather-upholstered saddles, a hand-crafted electronics tray hides a downsized Lithium-ion battery and pod filters, making a “see-through” aesthetic within the heart of the body. The juxtaposition of the lithe rear and the aerodynamic entrance fairing provides these bikes an simple “Golden Period” racing vibe.
Regardless of their shared DNA, HH5 and HH6 diverge within the particulars. HH5 leans towards a modern-classic mix with a Motogadget speedo and blacked-out rims, whereas HH6 retains the unique dials and uncooked alloy wheels for a extra conventional really feel. Each bikes profit from a burly two-into-one S&S Cycle exhaust system, making certain that these Mexican-built beauties sound as aggressive as they give the impression of being. [MORE]
1968 Harley-Davidson FL by Sureshot
Takuya Aikawa of Sureshot is not any stranger to the winner’s circle, and this 1968 Shovelhead was meant to be a trophy magnet. Constructed to be a thin hardtail that’s truly straightforward to trip, the bike encompasses a narrowed shovelhead body mated to a inflexible rear triangle. It’s a beguiling mixture of conventional chopper aesthetics and fashionable efficiency engineering, a trademark of the Tokyo-based workshop.
The mechanical ingenuity on show is staggering. Aikawa-san relocated the transmission up and ahead to centralize mass, a transfer that necessitated a conversion to a hydraulic clutch system. The forks have been poached from an ‘Auto Race’ bike, Japan’s asphalt-oval speedway machines, and lengthened to go well with the Harley’s stance. To keep up a clear, classic look, Sureshot hand-finished billet aluminum components to provide them the textured look of old-school sand-castings.
Efficiency was by no means removed from thoughts, with the 1,200 cc motor receiving an Andrews cam, Kibblewhite valves, and an S&S L-carb. The wheels are a masterstroke of fabrication: strong billet models that have been hollowed out and laced with handmade turnbuckle spokes to imitate classic trial bikes. It is a machine the place each bolt has been thought of, proving why Sureshot stays a dominant drive on the Yokohama Scorching Rod Customized Present. [MORE]
Buell XB12S Lightning by Matao
The Buell XB sequence was a mechanical oddity of the early 2000s, that includes gas within the body and an oil-bearing swingarm. Steven Lucas of Matao, based mostly in France, determined to strip away the “translucent plastic” aesthetic of the unique 2008 Lightning and change it with one thing rather more brutal. By changing the blocky subframe with a hand-crafted tubular metal unit, Steven immediately modernized the bike’s stance.
The fiberglass tank cowl is a bespoke creation that pays homage to the unique’s sculpted traces whereas exaggerating the bike’s forward-heavy, “streetfighter” proportions. A Baja Designs LED sits low on a metal quantity board, mimicking the inventory twin-headlight placement however with a considerably greater lumen depend. The luxurious continues with an Alcantara seat by La Sellerie Fleury and a hidden Öhlins shock tucked beneath.
Whereas the “fuel-in-frame” chassis stays, the engine was despatched to Twin Bikes France for a full rebuild to make sure it has the ‘go’ to match its ‘present.’ Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC tires and Beringer controls sign that this can be a machine constructed for the twisties of the Quiberon peninsula. It’s a minimalist, unapologetic redesign that captures the spirit of Erik Buell’s imaginative and prescient with out the early-2000s litter. [MORE]
BMW K100 ‘John Participant Particular’ by Motocrew
Customizing a BMW Okay-series is notoriously tough resulting from its ‘flying brick’ engine and blocky structure, however Chris Scholtka of Motocrew has discovered the key sauce. His K100 café racer is a low-slung tribute to the long-lasting John Participant Particular Method One livery. It’s a subtle mix of 80s heritage and 2024 efficiency parts.
The chassis is a Frankenstein of BMW’s greatest bits, that includes a K1200S rear wheel mated to a K1100 swingarm. The entrance finish is much more unique, sporting the solid wheels and adjustable Showa forks from a 2019 Ducati Panigale, an improve that price twice as a lot because the donor bike itself. Chris added “wings” to the gas tank to easy out the touring fairing indents and put in his signature Motocrew subframe to sharpen the silhouette.
Revolutionary particulars abound, such because the vertical LED taillight that runs over the again of the tail bump like a backbone. The engine breathes by means of 3D-printed consumption manifolds and screams by means of a customized four-into-one underslung exhaust. Completed within the timeless black-and-gold JPS colours and rolling on rain-tire-inspired Heidenau rubber, that is arguably some of the cohesive Okay-series builds we now have ever featured. [MORE]
Yamaha XV750 Virago by Function Constructed Moto
Tom Gilroy of Purpose Built Moto initially hesitated to tackle one other Virago, however the enthusiasm of his consumer and the promise of an aggressive under-tail exhaust received him over. The 1981 Midnight Particular was utterly remodeled, beginning with the binning of the ‘ugly’ square-tubed swingarm in favor of a customized trellised chromoly unit. The stance was additional corrected by lengthening the R1 entrance forks to forestall the bike from sitting too low.
The engine acquired a large displacement bump to 1,050 cc, courtesy of the store’s efficiency division. With high-compression pistons and larger valves, the V-twin now produces a “nasty bark” akin to a cammed Sportster. The facility was so vital that it started slipping the clutch on the dyno, necessitating a swap to Barnett efficiency plates.
The aesthetic is dominated by a metallic olive inexperienced paint job by PopBang Classics, which pops brilliantly in opposition to the bronze powder-coated wheels. The stainless-steel exhaust headers snake by means of the tubular subframe to exit in twin field mufflers, creating some of the distinctive rear ends within the Virago scene. It’s a motorcycle that Tom claims will pull the entrance wheel off the bottom with ease, a uncommon feat for any Virago. [MORE]
Kawasaki W650 ‘Nut Kwaka’ by Deus ex Machina
This Kawasaki W650 has lived many lives over the past sixteen years, however its this incarnation because the ‘Nut Kwaka’ is its most irreverent. Resident wrench Jeremy Tagand of Deus Australia mixed Japanese and American bobber influences to create an offbeat fusion. The bike encompasses a hardtail conversion and an identical set of 16-inch wheels wrapped in chunky Firestone Deluxe Champion tires.
The entrance finish is especially ‘sano,’ with DNA Customs machining a large set of yokes to accommodate the outsized rubber. The handlebars are ‘rabbit ear’ type, flowing straight from the fork caps with all wiring routed internally for a seamless look. A Harley Sportster tank sits excessive on the body, which has been liberated of all pointless tabs and gussets to emphasise its chopper silhouette.
The end is a creamy livery with delicate inexperienced graphics, accented by brass particulars all through, together with the caps the place the swingarm bolts as soon as lived. A sissy bar by Hypnic Jerk Customs arches over the rear fender, housing the license plate and taillights. It’s a unusual, character-filled construct that proves the W650 stays some of the versatile donors within the customized world. [MORE]
Indian FTR 1200 ‘Pikes Peak’ by Freeride Motos
Pierre Dhers of Freeride Motos wished to seize the “form-follows-function” vibe of a Pikes Peak hill climb racer with this 2019 Indian FTR 1200. Collaborating with Surplus Motos, the aim was to make use of as many repurposed components as attainable. The entrance finish was poached from a KTM 1290 Tremendous Duke R, offering a large improve in braking and suspension adjustability.
The bodywork is a shocking carbon fiber and fiberglass monocoque, created utilizing a mould from a 1996 Honda RS 250 tailpiece. This unit sits atop an aluminum gas cell that doubles because the bike’s subframe. The aggressive, upright driving place is maintained with ProTaper handlebars, whereas a four-day “pie-cut” stainless-steel exhaust system supplies a soundtrack worthy of the “Race to the Clouds.”
Each element is purposeful, from the CNC-machined entrance quantity board to the repurposed Öhlins rear shock tucked right into a braced swingarm. The carbon fiber is completed in a easy, gloss clear coat, permitting the weave to point out by means of. It’s a gritty, high-performance tracker that feels prefer it’s ready for the flag to drop on the backside of the mountain. [MORE]
Yamaha XS400 ‘Roadster’ by Roman Juriš
This Yamaha XS400 is a masterclass in novice excellence, having been inbuilt a tiny Slovakian workshop over 5 years. Roman Juriš got down to make a motorcycle that appeared like a manufacturing unit prototype reasonably than a customized creation. After collaborating on the design with the legendary Oberdan Bezzi, Roman spent 3,000 hours bringing the Roadster to life.
The bike encompasses a patented inverted entrance suspension system of Roman’s personal design. The axis of the entrance wheel is pushed ahead to remove wheelbase shortening, and the system isolates braking and spring forces to forestall dive. This engineering feat is housed in a customized tubular body that suspends the engine as a harassed member, paired with a YZF-R125 swingarm that has been shortened and modified.
The aesthetic is a tribute to 70s racing Yamahas and the Slovakian-made Jawa 90 Roadster, that includes a purple body and minimalist white bodywork with conventional pace blocks. Roman hand-shaped the fiberglass panels utilizing modeling clay, hiding a steel reservoir beneath the tank cowl. It’s a beautiful achievement of hobbyist engineering that rivals the work of the world’s greatest skilled outlets. [MORE]
Moto Guzzi V7 Particular Restomod by Unikat Motorworks
Restomods are a darkish artwork, however Poland’s Unikat Motorworks has discovered the proper rhythm. Beginning with a 1969 Moto Guzzi V7 Particular in police trim, the group stripped away the heavy fairings and panniers to search out the trendy cruiser hidden beneath. The bike was rebuilt with slim, handmade fenders and a wise leather-based saddle, sustaining the soul of the ’69 donor whereas sharpening its traces.
The unique wheels have been rebuilt with new San Remo rims and fashionable rubber that retains a classic tread sample. Whereas a lot of the bike appears to be like period-correct, fashionable reliability was baked in with contemporary wiring and Motogadget LED flip indicators. The cockpit stays basic, nonetheless, using the unique handlebars and a civilian-spec V7 dashboard to keep up the genuine interface.
The paint is a muted, all-black scheme that eschews the chrome and pinstriping of the period for a extra modern, stealthy look. It’s a restrained and tasteful construct that honors the beginning 12 months of its proprietor whereas offering a driving expertise that’s far superior to the unique police-spec machine. It’s the good word to finish our March 2024 retrospective on. [MORE]
Trending Merchandise
