Saturday, November 28, 2015

BikeBiz R nineT Sun Kist



One of the biggest concerns for owners of new motorcycles wanting to customise their rides is warranty voidance. To tackle this many manufacturers now offer their own range of aftermarket parts which can be fit by dealers without affecting warranty terms. If you're wanting to swap out your mirrors or fit a new exhaust system then they'll usually have you covered, but if you're looking for something really unique you're going to be disappointed. In Sydney, Australia motorcycle retailer and aftermarket parts supplier BikeBiz have taken things a step further. Leveraging their in house team of builders they've put together a radical BMW R nineT custom that's ready to order and completely covered.



According to Mark Condon of BikeBiz “Our team really know their bikes, so depending on the customer we can give some direction on design and performance, supply a BMW and parts and let them build it themselves, or we can really get hands-on and custom-build the whole bike from scratch” With this bike the latter is definitely the approach that's been taken. Designer Alex Bianchini-Kometer teamed up with experienced BikeBiz builder Boris to put together the unique, on-request custom build for customers who are looking for something out of the ordinary.



The R nineT which BikeBiz have aptly named 'Sun Kist' is their homage to the legendary BMW R90S designed by Hans Muth in the 1970's, and it's available by special order and comes complete with a full factory warranty. The Sun Kist R nineT features the unmistakable yellow to orange fade paint scheme of the R90S with additional red pinstriping. At the pointy end they've mounted a retro styled half fairing and in rear there's the R nineT optional Cafe Racer tail with bum stop seat pad. The frame has also been treated to a new candy red paint scheme and the stock wheels are pinstriped red to tie it all together.



So as to not detract from that awesome paintwork BikeBiz have also blacked out a few of the nineT's parts and stripped those unsightly, Australian compliance reflectors from the bike. Lighting has been replaced by ultra small, ultra bright Rizoma items, but the dash remains stock, which isn't all that bad as it fills the space inside the fairing perfectly. A short rear fender has also been added and you'll get mirrors and chunky foot pegs from Rizoma. To finish the package off performance has been tweaked with the addition of a custom 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust system that exits through a pair of super short mufflers under the tail.



If the R90S inspired Sun Kist isn't quite your thing the BikeBiz crew have also put together an M Series supercar  inspired racer that wears a red and blue race livery. Prices are available on request, but with the R nineT's standard price of around $22,000AUD you can expect to slap at least a few grand on top of it.

BIKEBIZ     |     Photography by Saxon Shing
First published by returnofthecaferacers.com

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Rodsmith Kawasaki KZ750 Cafe Racer

Kawasaki KZ750 Cafe Racer
The art of coachbuilding and metal shaping is a dying artform. Finding skilled individuals who can take a flat piece of metal and fashion it into a fuel tank or custom fender is getting more and more difficult. Thankfully the demand for such work is on the rise thanks to the popularity of the custom motorcycle scene and people like Craig Rodsmith are leading the way. Craig's an Aussie living in Illinois and he's been manipulating metal for hot rods and custom motorcycles for the past 25 years. One of his latest 2 wheeled creations is this '79 KZ750 Kawasaki Cafe Racer and I had the opportunity to speak to Craig about its creation.


"I was born and grew up in Melbourne, Australia." Craig explained "I spent a lot of time amongst the Elizabeth Street motorcycle scene and was a member of the Hartwell Motorcycle Club. I did a lot of road racing, on TZs and RDs, at Winton Raceway, Calder, and other regional tracks."



"I bought this motorcycle as an almost stock Kawasaki KZ750 twin from a guy in Wisconsin and decided to turn a mundane bike into something interesting. When I took off the stock fuel tank I liked the shape of the top of the bikes frame so, going outside the box, I decided to make a tank that accentuated that line."



The KZ was a neglected relic that had been sitting unloved in a garage for over a decade. Thanks to Craig's handy work it would soon have a new lease on life. "I like the challenge of giving a bike another chance by restyling it. Like most of my bikes, I like to bridge the gap between traditional styles and something unique and unusual. With this particular build I wanted the exhaust to be a part of the bike and not just an add-on, which is why I snuck it into the frame to hug the engine."



Every builder approaches their projects differently and Craig's is defined by his skill set. "When I approach a build I plan the entire bike in my head straight away, then I build it accordingly. I make minimal changes to my idea along the way depending on what the bike requires. I do every aspect of each build myself from disassembly, to design, fabrication, engine building, electrical, metal forming, welding, polishing, painting and tuning. This means I don’t need to do sketches or delegate the build requirements. I can just get on with it."



"With the body work on the Kawasaki I used traditional tools (many of which I made), such as hammers and dollies and, obviously, an English wheel. I usually do a mockup with cardboard outlines before I form the metal. Every piece of aluminum on the KZ started as flat stock.  I like to make as many pieces myself as practical, on this bike that includes the rear sets, brackets, exhaust and air cleaners.  I designed and constructed the seat to have a simple, clean look and kept the sewing at a minimum (Yes, I can sew as well). The tailpiece houses an EarthX lithium battery and the electronics.

I used an early model driving guide light and made the fairing screen to match. I like the contrast of the polished aluminum with the raw cast look so used a mix of these finishes on the bikes alloy parts. As with a lot of my builds, I like everything simple and clean so every piece of this bike has a purpose.I also have my own electroplating setup so I nickel plated the spokes and all of the bikes engine brackets."



When I asked Craig which part of the build was the most challenging he replied " The fairing was a pain in the ass! I wanted it to look seamless, while flowing aesthetically with the rest of the bike.  The shape was a major challenge because I very rarely use forms or bucks to shape the metal." Regardless of the stress it put him under the fairing remains Craig's favourite part of the KZ. "I was struggling with whether or not I should even build it. I couldn’t imagine the bike without it and it ended up being the finishing touch." and we'd have to agree.

Kawasaki KZ750 Cafe Racer
First published by returnofthecaferacers.com

Sunday, November 8, 2015


Most people associate motorcycles with speed. But this pretty little SR250 SE from Hookie Co. is all about slowing down and enjoying life. With just 20 horsepower on tap, a mid-80s SR250 isn’t going to break any speed records. (Braking is via good old-fashioned drums.) But that’s just fine for Nico Mueller, the Dresden-based designer and builder of this bike.

The speed of everyday life steals away creativity and ideas. So why not slow down, relax more, and concentrate on whatever you love to do?” he says. “For us, that means pottering around on motorcycles, being outside, and enjoying life.”
The SR250 SE is Hookie’s twelfth build, but the first in a planned collection called ‘Slow Down.’ “We got the bike in very good condition,” says Mueller. “The chrome was perfect, and it had just 10,000 km on the clock.”
As the Hookie crew stripped the SR250 SE down, they began collecting ideas. “We found most of our inspiration from classic Triumph bobbers—the solo seat, a clean rear section, and a peanut tank,” says Mueller. “We wanted to build a comfortable, practical and reliable motorcycle. And one that only reveals all the custom details on the second look.”

The peanut tank has been tunneled and massaged to get the cleanest possible lines, with the petcock discreetly hidden. The stock SR250 SE is a bit of a high rider, so the next job was to lower the forks by almost three inches. The shocks are YSS Eco-Line. The welding gear came out to create a new rear frame loop, with brackets to support the classic solo seat—and keep a pair of luggage straps in place.

Another pair of straps lash an insulated Thermobottle to the frame, perfect for keeping a supply of hot tea or coffee to ward off the chill of a cold German winter. A new wiring loom completes the restoration. It’s hooked up to a tiny Antigravity 4-cell battery, which powers the equally compact headlight and even smaller blinkers.

Hookie Co. bikes are always beautifully finished. At first glance this one looks ‘basic black,’ but there’s a twist: an ultra-glossy ‘black chrome’ finish on the tank. It’s one of many neat, thoughtful touches. “This isn’t a big bike with tuned carbs or bored-out cylinders,” Mueller says. “It’s a daily driver, and then your ride to the woods or the beach. It doesn’t matter how slow you drive, as long as you don’t stop.”

In an increasingly frantic world, that sounds like a philosophy we can happily adopt. Hookie Co. website | Facebook | Instagram | Images by David Ohl
First published by bikeexif.com

HPnineT‬



This year the BMW Hp nine-T bike design will be unveiled by BMW Motorrad Netherlands at the bikeshow at Rosmalen. BMW was surprised to hear I was already building the actual design for the BMW Soul fuel challenge myself in the garage. They were immediately enthusiastic about my other project bikes after seeing them in real life and felt confident about this build.


 

 



Wrench Kings Suzuki GS450L


“Guys!! Is the Suzuki still for sale??” That’s the question we received a couple of months after we sold the Suzuki GS450L he was referring to.
So no, the bike he was looking for was long gone. But of course we can make something that looks alike. Not exactly the same, as each bike should have its own unique features, but something similar.





Rens, that’s the guy we’re talking about. A very friendly bloke who lives at the west side of The Netherlands, the glasshouse area of Holland (you know, where you get all your beautiful red tomatoes from…).
Rens was very particular on his wishes; the triangle underneath the seat not too open and vintage blue and yellow colors on the tank. And with that basis we started.



Searching the Kingdom we found a perfect Suzuki. It required some on-the-spot maintenance to get her up and running again (old petrol and very dirty carbs), but the bike itself was in a perfect condition. No rust anywhere and hardly any mileage on the odo. A rare find in a country as wet as Holland!
We drove the bike back via country side villages and back roads, as we didn’t want to be seen on it in its original state… Kidding, it just makes for a fun drive and we had all the time of the world!



We stripped her, cleaned her, chopped everything off that wasn’t required and powder coated everything that was left over. We dare to say that the bike in its current condition is better than original (and a hell of a lot better looking!).
And driving! What a nice machine it is now!! The Tarrozi pegs are placed to fit with the new seating and this definitely adds to the handling. Flat through the corners and more than enough power to have a race feeling!
The Japanese builders boost about their original design and the road handling features already. “Because the low placement of the handle bars and the rear set foot pegs, the rider is put into a racer position when cornering” (not our words). We replaced the original high handle bars with low tracker handle bars and placed the pegs higher and more to the rear, which makes it a completely different type of bike. The old chopper is transformed to a classic racing machine now, perfectly suitable for people with average height.
The sound of the bike is typical for the air-cooled, two cylinders, four stroke engine. You’ve got to love the sound! But at the same time we managed to reduce the sound in such that you will still be able to attend the neighbour’s barbecue.


The main modifications on this bike are:
A complete blacked out look whereby really everything is powder coated.
Customized sub frame to fit the seat
A custom box underneath the seat for the ignition key and light switch
A new wiring loom whereby the visible wires in front are made of classic fabric material.
All electric components hidden underneath the seat
Clear and visible battery, purposely kept on its original location
Clean handle bars, with only a custom switch for the blinkers
Slick shorty dampers (with additional modifications to reduce the sound)
Of course a Wrench Kings paintjob on the tank
Progressive rear coils
Tarrozi foot pegs, including a custom brake and gear system
Lowered and more progressive forks
A shitload of subtle custom brackets (blinkers front and back, blinker switch, speedo, electric components, etc). And of course these are all powder coated as well.
In other words, a complete new bike! Rens needs a few weeks to recover from a busted knee, but we’re absolutely sure that he will have a blast of a time with it! Summer is coming!!












Up to the next build! We’ll keep you posted!
Pictures are taken by Bas Duijs (Facebook: @Basduijsphotography Instagram: @Basduijs). Bas is a master in portraits and film stills and with his graphic design background he has a clear eye for concept, light and detail. For more info on his work visit his website at www.basduijs.com.


First published by rocket-garage

Desert Flower: möto Dubai’s Royal Enfield Bullet


You’re more likely to spot an exotic sports car in Dubai than a classic custom motorcycle. Still, the bustling desert oasis hosts an eclectic blend of people—and a blossoming custom scene. It’s also the home of möto Dubai: a relatively young outfit that recently took top honours in the recent Bikers Cafe build-off, with this unconventional Royal Enfield.
Desert Flower: möto Dubai's Custom Royal Enfield Bullet 500
möto came together when South African Antonie Robertson and German Marco Möller connected over a Honda CB350, that the former had been working on in his apartment. “I remember Antonie showing up at my house early one day with the frame,” says Marco, “and we set about cutting off the tabs and cleaning the welds up in my front yard. I think it was a week day, and I ended up being late for work. It was total fun.”
Desert Flower: möto Dubai's Custom Royal Enfield Bullet 500
When Bikers Cafe Dubai and Royal Enfield UAE donated three Royal Enfield Bullet 500s for a build-off, the guys were invited to compete. At the same time, Marco and fellow German Frank Ortmann were in the process of setting up ‘möto space’ (a workshop and general moto-enthusiast hub), but it was far from ready. So, for three months, möto worked their day jobs and spent nights in a dusty, half-finished workshop. “It was a tough stretch,” says Marco. “Work the day job, wrench till late, sleep a couple of hours, rinse, repeat!”
Desert Flower: möto Dubai's Custom Royal Enfield Bullet 500
möto achieved a lot in those three months, reworking every aspect of the Bullet from the ground up. The bike was stripped down and the frame detabbed and redesigned. The backbone was extended, and an exquisite subframe built that now houses a recessed tail light, number plate light and turn signals. The frame was also tweaked to take the new fuel tank—a “new old stock” 70s Honda unit, sourced from the US. A panel was fabricated on top of it to house a Motogadget Motoscope Mini speedo, along with the “idiot lights.”
Desert Flower: möto Dubai's Custom Royal Enfield Bullet 500
The guys also ditched the Enfield’s EFI system and installed a Hitchcocks Motorcycles Amal carb conversion kit—allowing them to tidy up the wiring significantly. The new TCI was tucked into a custom-made housing between the swingarm and engine, and the battery moved to a new hand-made battery box. The stock, bulky ignition switch was retained though—just to keep the original Enfield-branded key in use. The engine’s exterior received a significant refresh too, with the fins being hand filed to a perfect edge, painted and polished again. The unsightly starter motor was hidden behind a hand-shaped cover, before Marco spent the better part of sixty hours engraving various bits. A stunning, stainless-steel exhaust was welded up to top it off.
Desert Flower: möto Dubai's Custom Royal Enfield Bullet 500
A Royal Enfield Electra front-end was fitted to give the bike a more scrambler feel, while keeping things brand-focussed. It’s matched to a set of new rear shocks from Dime City Cycles. The wheels are new too: they’re a pair of 18” Excel rims, laced up with stainless spokes by Buchanan’s in California and wrapped in Shinko rubber. möto polished up the hubs before sending them over, then polished the rims afterwards for a mixed, gloss-and-matte finish. Up front, the original, boxy rear license plate mount was re-purposed to house the headlight and front turn signals. The cockpit’s finished off with refurbished Honda CB350 controls, internal wiring, Biltwell grips and a Nissin master cylinder with a Goodridge braided brake line.
Desert Flower: möto Dubai's Custom Royal Enfield Bullet 500
When it came to the last few parts, Marco and Antonie’s attention to detail began bordering on obsessive. The rear wheel hugger is a completely custom affair, the foot controls consist of off-road parts welded to the stock mounts, and there’s even a hand-made bash guard, mounted on extended engine mount brackets. And if you look really closely, you’ll notice various bolts, caps and bushes—each machined from either aluminum or stainless steel, and each serving a specific purpose. The final piece of the puzzle is the one-off seat—upholstered in locally-sourced camel leather.
Desert Flower: möto Dubai's Custom Royal Enfield Bullet 500
It’s no surprise that möto took first place in the build-off, but Antonie and Marco’s pride in their project runs deeper than just a trophy. On the left hand side of the engine, the Royal Enfield now carries the initials “NSK”—a tribute to Nelson Suresh Kumar. “Nelson was the Godfather of the UAE Royal Enfield scene,” explains Antonie, “and sadly passed away unexpectedly two years ago. He was a close friend to the growing alternative motorcycling scene in Dubai, and is widely missed by all who knew him.”
Desert Flower: möto Dubai's Custom Royal Enfield Bullet 500
möto’s ‘NSK’ is fitting homage, and a worthy winner. Pat yourselves on the back, gentlemen. Antonie and Marco would like to extend their thanks to the Dubai community who supported them, particularly Djalal from Gecko Motorcycles and Frank Ortman.
Follow möto Dubai on Facebook | Instagram | Photos by Antonie Robertson
Desert Flower: möto Dubai's Custom Royal Enfield Bullet 500
First published on bikeexif.com