Custom Bikes

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Honda CB750 Starrider

If you think about it, the Honda CB750 ranks as one of the most customized bikes of the last few decades. So by now you’ve probably seen every variant there is to be made from this ride. But not so fast.

Pictured above is the Honda CB750 Starrider, from brothers Lion and Ben Ott of Munich-based shop Motoism. The Honda Starrider is a mix of retro and modern; it’s classic but upgraded with high-tech innards plus heavy heapings of carbon fiber.

We’re not kidding when we say the result looks sick. The Ott brothers approached it wanting to create a ride mixed with elements of a flat track, speedway racers, and cafe racers. They put a full rear-wheel disc, carbon fiber parts including a lightweight tank, and enduro handlebars.

“It’s probably the lightest CB750 tank in the world!” says Ben. “It’s entirely made from carbon fiber, and we developed a clean shape following the characteristic lines of the original tank.”

At the heart of this precious two-wheeler is a fully refurbished engine. Which comes, by the way, with a four-into-one stainless exhaust system and matching silence. In all, you get 77 horsepower.

With nitrous injection system, the Honda Starrider gains an additional 7.7 horsepower. That’s small enough to remain within TÜV regulations. The bike also boasts a carbon fiber headlight nacelle with an LED lamp. But actually, you can crank that up to 23 horsepower. The bottle hides underneath, as do much of the electrics. There’s a Bluetooth-powered Motogadget module to control the electronics, as well.

CHECK IT OUT

Photos courtesy of Motoism

July 4, 2019 / Comments Off

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Ducati Alaskan Junior

The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is one of the company’s most formidable off-road-ready bicycles. And it’s also beloved by the moto community thanks to its sheer beastliness. After the iconic Alaskan build, which pushed the envelope even further, Alex Earle, based in Los Angeles, has decided to come out with a worthy sequel. Meet the Ducati Alaskan Junior.

The Alaskan Junior, as the name implies, hews from the base inspiration and plays off the bike’s many merits. Suffice it to say that it’s not a better bike by any stretch of the imagination. However, it does have the same design principle, silhouette, and powertrain as its father. That means it’s every bit as powerful and off-road-ready.

The reason why the Alaskan Junior exists is that Alex and his team at Earle Motors wanted to make a bicycle that’s not as intimidating as their most recent ride. So they went back to the drawing board. They reinvented the platform and made a stripped-down version that’s just as brawl-ready when put on the desert.

The main highlight of this custom job is the set of swingarm extenders. This enables the implementation of true off-road wheels and tires. That means riders get to enjoy Pirelli Scorpion XC rubber and performance-oriented Ducati hubs.

If you have a Desert Sled and this looks scrumptious, hit the link below to know how to dress your ride with Earle’s refined parts. We imagine it’s not going to be cheap, but do inquire to get a full list of options and pricing.

Photos courtesy of Earle Motors

July 3, 2019 / Comments Off

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MotoRRetro BMW R100 RS

Customization options for motorbikes can turn your two-wheeler into an entirely different machine. The possibilities are almost endless for tweaking our rides with some going for a futuristic look, while the others want to back in time. With the former, the results are often out-of-this-world, which could be a good or bad thing. However, the latter approach usually produces stunning vintage aesthetics that makes our jaws drop. Call it perfect timing because the MotoRRetro BMW R100 RS is pure nostalgia on two wheels.

The shop responsible for this project is based in Australia, but it’s clear that they’ve done their homework. That is pertaining to their sources of inspiration for this retro ride. It’s clear that the form factor is an impeccable homage to Airstream and Auto Union design. Vaughn Ryan and Georgio Rimi are the Aussie pair working on the BMW R110 RS remodel. Thanks to their handiwork, the motorcycle is even more aerodynamic than the original.

What’s amazing about this build is the manual effort that went into its bodywork. Most of the alloy body panels are fashioned with the help of mallets, blocking hammers, dollies, and other tools. Another detail that we just love about the MotoRRetro BMW R100 RS are the rivets holding the panels down. This adds a stylish vibe that reminds us of a modern aircraft that’s about to take flight on the runway. Ultimately, this beauty just proves that this old-school design language holds up pretty well over the years and won’t be dying out anytime soon.

Visit MotoRRetro for more details

Images courtesy of MotoRRetro

June 3, 2019 / Comments Off

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1977 Yamaha XS 360 “Falkor” By Panache Customs

Panache Customs took a 1977 Yamaha XS 360 tuned it up a great deal, and turned it into this sleek-looking road beast. The build, care of Panache’s Charles Murillon, literally found this inside a barn and began riding it as his daily driver shortly thereafter.

Unimpressed with its state, he had a lot of imaginations to customize the bike. He began unscrewing parts and soon after he was full-on tweaking anything there was to tinker with. Murillon certainly took his time. The bad boy you see above took two years to reach this current state. They even called it Falkor because it was a never-ending build. The craftsmanship is immediately palpable, and that’s because Murillon was meticulous about all the changes.

For instance, he purchased only the best parts he could find. Amazingly, he event spent a year at Diamond Atelier just to learn everything he could about bicycle customization. Sure enough, it does look like he culled some influences from the shop’s BMW R100R. To be fair, though, Murillon’s Falkor is in a league of its own.

With minimized wiring, Motogadget electronics, and dual front disc brakes, this one fits the modern rider. Add to that a master cylinder upgrade, an overall cleanup, and some custom stainless side panels and you got yourself something really sinister. Murillon’s 1977 Yamaha XS 360 is the perfect example that with enough work, you can turn a barn find into a contemporary badass. Hit the link below to check out more pictures of the bike.

VISIT PANACHE

Photos courtesy of Panache Customs

April 8, 2019 / Comments Off

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Yamaha Virago XV920 Café Fighters By Moose MotoDesign

The past few days, we’ve taken the opportunity to discover some of the best retro custom bikes available. There was the Federal Moto Two Scoops, a Zephyr 750 by November Customs, and the Vagabund Moto V11. Each one is proudly showcasing notable brands such as Honda, Kawasaki, and BMW respectively. It made us want to experience more, so we continued our search and luckily struck gold all over again. This time, we have not one, but two awesome rides—the Yamaha Virago XV920 Café Fighters from Moose MotoDesign.

Forgive the mouthful, but as you can see, these machines are a perfect pair that just scream for attention. Under the expert hands, of Tom Moose, the two bikes ooze with personality, yet it’s better with the presence of the other. Just like a band that broke up and still do great as solo artists, nothing can replicate their stage presence when together.

The donor bikes are both vintage models from 1982 and 1983 with several alterations on board. These include Tokico brake calipers alongside custom disk brakes, MV Agusta Sachs rear shocks, and a whole lot more. According to Tom, each one represents two sides of the coin just like good and evil. In our opinion, both are equally, hence should always remain a pair.

The choices of muted colors match perfectly side-by-side and it would be a shame to see one without the other. It’s an uncommon encounter to have restomods like the Yamaha Virago XV920 Café Fighters form Moose MotorDesign. Nevertheless, it just proves that the best things usually come in twos.

Images courtesy of Moose MotoDesign

Moose MotoDesign

February 14, 2019 / Comments Off

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The Vagabund Moto V11 Is One Classy Machine

Let’s shy away from Japanese brands for a bit and take a look at some of the best European custom bikes around. Here is the latest project from Paul Brauchart and Philipp Rabi, the Vagabund Moto V11, which is a beauty to behold. Most of the machines that this Austrian duo work on are BMWs and it’s certainly their forte. The newest two-wheeler to roll out of their shop shows just how creative they can be.

The pieces that they normally churn out sport an adequate blend of vintage and modern designs. Despite working on the same donor bikes most of the time, the two manages to make each one unique. Although there a couple of futuristic-looking rides that came from the shop, retro seems to be where Vagabund shines. That’s clearly on show with the Moto V11 alongside plenty of vintage touches compared to their earlier works.

The donor unit is a 1991 BMW R 100 R with a new bespoke fuel tank and subframe. You’ll notice a stylish custom brown leather saddle that apparently holds a leather bag just below. Austria legally requires owners to have a first aid kit available when driving, which explains the extra holding space underneath the seat. Little details like these often have the biggest impact on the shop’s clientele.

The stock 18F and 17R wheels remain untouched except for a new pair of Dunlop Trailmax rubber on each one. The speedometer and bar-end turn signal lights come from Motogadget. The Vagabund Moto V11 likewise gets an engine tune-up service and SuperTrapp muffler. This is one custom bike that looks even better than the original.

Visit Vagabund For More

February 12, 2019 / Comments Off

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Kawasaki Zephyr 750 By November Customs

Thanks to the efforts of experts who have a penchant for restoring and modifying rides, we get to witness vintage works of art. Most of these items were the most popular models of their time, while some cater to a discerning few. Nevertheless, after these mechanical artists get their hands on one, we can look forward to breathtaking results. One in particular that we find fascinating is the Kawasaki Zephyr 750 by November Customs. Judging by the looks of it, you can almost feel the effort and passion that went into this remarkable project.

Lately, we’ve been noticing that Honda, is mostly getting all the love from the restomod community. That’s why it’s a breath of fresh air to see another Japanese name make it into the front pages. It’s true that most customization jobs on retro models often result in something that’s just a shadow of the original, However, it is impressive to see something that manages to hold on to most of its former flair. Hence, that’s what makes this specific Zephyr 750 so amazing.

The original is reportedly a popular choice among riders in the UK back in the day. Now, for the intimate details, this started off as a low-mileage half-finished machine. According to reports, this Kawasaki Zephyr 750 by November Customs is the personal ride of one of the shop’s owners. The swing arm is taken from a Honda CB900 with YSS shocks. You also have Ducati yokes, a Ducati 848 front end, and Ducati 748 clip-ons. Despite the amalgam of parts, you can still clearly see the overall aesthetics of the donor bike.

Images courtesy of November Customs

Witness Its Transformation

February 11, 2019 / Comments Off

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The Federal Moto Two Scoops Is A Custom Vintage Beauty

Usually, when we’re talking about custom rides, most of the time people assume its always about cars. However, you should know that there’s a healthy number of awesome motorbikes that also get the custom treatment. One such beauty that caught our eye is the Federal Moto Two Scoops restoration and modification. This project starts off with a rare Honda two-wheeler and the resulting machine is striking beauty to behold.

According to sources, this unique project takes 1983 Honda CX650, which saw a limited release period in the United States. Michael Muller helms this project and the resulting ride looks fantastic with its mix of peach, white, and mint paint job. There’s also splashes of chocolate brown, which adds a playful accent of colors on the grips and leather seat.

Viewing the bike from the front, you have anodized black forks taken from a 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 as well as the brakes. Meanwhile, the rear is sourced from a 1988 Honda Shadow to complete framework. You also have a pair of Buchanan Spoke & Rim 17-inch Sun aluminum wheels with Metzeler Racetec RR tires.

To ensure that the Federal Moto Two Scoops performs as well as the original, the engine gets a thorough rework. New components help the 100-horsepower V-Twin powerplant run smoothly. Equally important are the tailor-made tail section and tank by Craig Rodsmith. Japanese switches, Koso digital speedometer, LED lights, and Motogadget electronics with Bluetooth connectivity are all on board. The result is a combination of vintage looks with modern technology that’s ready for the open road.

Images courtesy of Federal Moto

Lossa Engineering Ducati 900SS

Jay LaRossa has been running Lossa Engineering since 2007. It’s a small Long Beach, California shop that makes custom café racers based on Japanese, Italian, and British bikes from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Though he’s been plenty busy with manufacturing hot rods and customizing trucks of late, he recently returned to form with this tuned Ducati 900SS.

LaRossa purchased the bike in 2009 for a “dirt-cheap” price but spent years figuring out how to customize it. Some tinkering fixed stuff the previous owner couldn’t, but the bike was toast. So he called up Scott Waters at Motoservizio to help him with splitting the cases, prepping the whole bike, then reassembling it.

Waters gave the cylinders new Nikasil coatings and put a pair of high compression pistons. He also ported and polished the heads, fitted oversized valves, and “degreed” the cam. It all came together with APE heavy-duty cylinder studs and an STM crankcase breather. Waters then upgraded the transmission, a known weak point of the Ducati 900SS.

Why stop there? LaRossa took it further, turning the 900SS into an ultimate performance beast. “I scored a 999 front end and bought a new Öhlins rear reservoir shock and steering damper.” He knew it should have a proper Öhlins setup, just like any Ducati.

It took LaRossa nearly a decade to finish this project. To be fair, he not only tried to settle the upgrades, he also battled cancer twice, and hit development roadblocks. He almost gave up on it, too. Thankfully, LaRossa heard an upcoming about a bike competition called The Golden Bolt show. He decided to finish the passion project, but he only had two months left. He did manage to finish the bike. Unfortunately, he didn’t win.

“But I met a bunch of good people. Miguel Galluzzi was the third judge, and I believe the only one who really got what this bike was about,” said LaRossa.

LOSSA ENGINEERING

October 30, 2018 / Comments Off

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