Custom bike building is a long game. It’s easy to make a short-term
splash, but difficult to keep the momentum going over several years. In
Europe, there are a handful of companies with the requisite grit and
vision, and the Wrenchmonkees are one of them. This Triumph Thruxton is the 68th bike to roll out of their Copenhagen workshop.
For builders Per Nielsen and Nicholas Bech, the hardest part of this
project was finding a bike and working within a budget. Triumph’s more
recent ‘modern classics’ are in short supply in Denmark, and they hold
their value well. A Thruxton that is seven years old and has just 30,000
km on the clock can cost a steep $15,000, once tax and registration is
factored in.
After a lot of searching, the Monkees located a 2005-model Thruxton 900
for a fair price. They decided to give it a low-key scrambler vibe with
some vintage touches, going for maximum visual effect with minimum
outlay.
On the sheet metal front, they’ve added a rib to the top of the tank and
a vintage Kawasaki rear fender. The only frame work is a new rear loop
at the back, with a slight kick-up and a matching custom seat. The front
fender has been chopped, and the stock rims and hubs are powder coated.
The eye-catching tires are Heidenau K60 Scouts,
a 50/50 adventure-touring tire that’s built up a strong fan base over
the past couple of years. (“We know that the front tire is ‘the wrong
way’ round,” Per notes. “It’s not a mistake!”)
The Thruxton sits around an inch lower than stock, with the forks
dropped 25mm and slightly shorter Hagon Nitro shocks fitted at the back.
Progressive-rate springs improve handling dynamics up front.
Old-school motocross bars create a more upright riding position than
the original low-set clip-ons, with Pazzo Racing levers and Tarozzi
footpegs enhancing control even more. The 6½-inch headlight, rear light,
and LED blinkers are straight from the Wrenchmonkees catalog. The
instrument is a black anodized Motogadget Chronoclassic speedo and the
ignition lock, rectifier and horn have been discreetly relocated.
The exhaust system has been modified with help from the Italian brand Spark,
which regularly collaborates with the Wrenchmonkees and designed the
systems for the Yamaha Yard Built XJR1300 and SR400 bikes. Here, the
original headers were trimmed around three inches, and new midsections
created to mate with the subtly flared mufflers. The fit is
factory-level.
Deep, glossy mid-blue paint on the tank provides the finishing touch,
with a white Wrenchmonkees emblem just behind the off-center,
vintage-style filler cap.
Pure class, from front to back.
Monkee #68 is for sale at 145,000 Kr (around $26,900). View the Wrenchmonkees’ website and Facebook page.
The post Wrenchmonkees Triumph Thruxton appeared first on Bike EXIF.
When opportunity beckons what do you do? ... let it pass you by or seize it? Whilst the
decision for Henry didn’t make for completely smooth sailing, the potential
result was well worth the gamble. He was after a clean and unique bike to run down to the shops on
and something to check out the best surf breaks early in the
morning. What he initially found was a shabby ‘93 black Kawasaki ZR550
(Zephyr)... and a vision of how cool that bike could be. The point is
that Henry had some ideas, saw an opportunity, seized it and some time
later that vision materialized as the bike you see here now.
The Zephyr had seen better days and needed some work, but there was
still life left in it, so when Henry decided to go ahead with the
project Ellaspede started with a two-pronged aproach. The design team
generated a number of different aesthetic concepts while the build team
got to stripping and cleaning the Zephyr down. The motor was taken apart
for gearbox work and although it actually seemed ok the entire motor
was given a comprehensive rebuild. Oversized bore and pistons, new
engine and gearbox bearings, seals and gaskets were installed, specs
were measured and checked before the engine was blasted, painted and
then appropriately polished.
"One of the design requirements specified by
Henry was that he was keen to achieve a retro look, so naturally he
gravitated towards one of the spoke wheeled concepts we produced. If
only swapping mags out for spokes was as easy as selecting out of a
catalog!" Ellaspede’s industrial design background helped with the design of a new hub, brake and sprocket spacers which were
CNC machined from billet blocks and laced to Z900 rims. New brake rotors were sourced and Firestone Deluxe Champion 3.5
inch front and 4.5 inch rear tyres completed the wheel package and
added to the retro look Henry was chasing.
After some necessary adjustments, de-tabbing and minor modifications
the frame was blasted and powder coated in satin black along with many
other associated items. A custom made seat, trimmed in tan kangaroo
leather sits atop the frame and is complimented by a set of tan Posh
grips. The arctic white and warm grey paint scheme was deliberated on
for some time but Ellaspede decided that it sat very comfortably with
the rest of the bike, crisp and clean. The vintage scales graphic makes
reference to Henry’s vocation as a Barrister in combination with the
550’s ‘Zephyr’ title, with the signature style graphic being inspired by
the early Ford models of the same name.
Posh white-face gauges mount off the modified original top
fork clamp which now holds chrome drag bars. Posh indicators, a 6 inch
headlight and LED taillight illuminate the bike whilst an Ellaspede
‘Ninja Star’ plate mount adorns the custom made rear guard. The original
rear shocks were re-gassed and finished with white powder coated
springs to carry on the colour scheme. The 4 into 1 original exhaust has
be simplified and now runs 4 into 2 headers and shotgun style mufflers
with internal baffles.
For more images of the Ellaspede ZR550 Zephyr and the full build story check out issue 3 of Tank Moto.
Hoxton Moto, based in East London, are self-described ‘new kids on
the block’ with this ‘HM02′ CB550 Brat only their second build. Shaun
Fenton and Andrew Hunt, the two guys behind Hoxton Moto, have
backgrounds in broadcast TV. Shaun is a cameraman and editor responsible
for, amongst commercials and pop-promos, the 1998 self-financed
documentary about London motorcycle couriers Mad Dogs which was broadcast on ITV and the Discovery channel.
Shaun and Andrew were bitten by the biking bug early: Andrew’s dad
has an eclectic collection of motorcycles which seeded his interest in
early Ducatis; Shaun apprenticed at Ricardo engineering where rubbing
shoulders with engineers and fellow bike enthusiasts got Shaun “hooked on the freedom and excitement of bikes.”
Hoxton Moto started life as a YouTube channel creating short programmes
“for bikers by bikers” before succumbing to the lure of building their
own bikes. Shaun’s always been around bikes, doing maintenance and
repairs, but 4 years ago at the Vintage Motorcycle 1000 Bikes event
at Mallory Park he was inspired by the 1960s TT-winning Hondas to
create Hoxton Moto’s first build: a CB400/4-based race replica. “We’ve
always had a passion for motorcycles, classic, modern and dirt. I’m
torn between the garage and the need to produce TV, but I’ve recently
made more time in the shed to build bikes and set up Hoxton Moto.”
This time, the inspiration for their second build started with the
tyres: “after viewing many bikes on BSMC, one feature that stood out was
the classic tyres”. Firestone Deluxe Champion tyres were the first
purchase to compliment the donor bike, a 1977 Honda CB550 K3 bought
‘blind’ off eBay which Shaun describes as “regrettable”. On collection
it became quickly apparent that the bike had been neglected over the
years with oil leaks, odd wiring, and stripped threads ‘repaired’ with
self-tapping screws (never a good sign!). “As I rolled it into the
van I realised I’d made a major fuck-up and would have to strip the bike
completely and sort the mechanical problems before any design ideas.”
Hoxton Moto set out to create a simple, stripped-back, no fuss,
functional machine with a few standout features to make the bike
distinctive.
The engine was overhauled including repairing a cracked rocker cover,
replacing a bent exhaust valve, a new cam chain, some minor porting,
and a complete rewire involving a DynaTech electronic ignition and
coils. The original Keihin PD carbs were retained with RAM air pods
replacing the air box. The exhaust uses the original 4-into-1 downpipes
with a Universal Megaphone Reverse Cone silencer found at an auto
jumble: “the sound is noticeable and raw but the neighbours haven’t
complained yet.”
The guys stripped the rusted frame and chopped the rear end to
support a custom Glen Moger “brat-ish” (comfortable) seat in black
leather. The original rims and hubs were painted, re-laced with
stainless spokes, and shod with those classic Firestones (4.00-19″ up
front, 4.50-18″ at the rear). A Monza fuel cap was welded on to the
original tank, which was painted a black, red and white colour scheme
with “a hint of 70s Honda throwback.”
The distinctive rear light was salvaged from a BSA Bantam,
complimented by a renovated 1940s Villiers headlight and a Veglia
speedometer from a late ’80s Ducati SS (which also supplied the
mudguard) all held by custom HM brackets. “There’s plenty of grunt
in the 550cc engine, but the handling of the Firestone tyres takes some
getting used to, especially committing into bends. ’70s braking needs
anticipation, but that’s the character of the ride.”
So, what next from Hoxton Moto? “We’re considering building a smaller
twin or single cylinder bike. Similar style, but with more mods and
more unique features.” You can see Shaun and Andrew’s first build and
other short films about bike reviews, workshop tips and custom builds at
their YouTube channel, their website or Facebook page
Posted by Hugo Eccles on Apr 3, 2014 in Hoxton Moto
Some motorcycles just scream fun. Before the Honda Grom there was the
Yamaha TW200: A low-riding dual-sport bike that can’t decide if it
belongs on the beach or the farm. With low gearing and big tires, it’s
also at home on potholed city streets—as Maximilian Funk has found.
The TW200 has been around since the mid 80s, and in 1987 it became
the first motorcycle to reach the North Pole. Nothing much has changed
since, but Yamaha grudgingly upgraded it with disc brakes, an electric
start and a better carb just after the turn of the century.
Berlin-based Herr Funk (yes, that’s his real name) built this Yamaha on a
budget: the bike owes him less than 2,000 euros. It’s a 1999 model, but
it’s got the later front disc brake. Plus an XS400 tank in original
colors, which matches the stubby frame just perfectly.
Other mods include new lights, and a 220 kph analog speedo that’s
compact and optimistic in equal measure. (Top speed would be just over
60 mph on the Autbahn.) The chunky seat is a custom-made item, and
conceals a skateboard acting as a fender underneath. Mechanically, the
TW200 is stock apart from a stubby Supertrapp race muffler.
If there was ever proof that small capacity bikes can be fun, this is it.
The TW200 is still sold in some countries, including the USA.
The post Herr Funk’s Yamaha TW200 appeared first on Bike EXIF.
Our most recent Top 5 feature
showed just how versatile Triumph’s Bonneville is as a custom platform.
The venerable Bonny makes for as good a flat tracker as it does a
café-racer–so it’s easy to forget what a fine looking motorcycle it
actually is in stock trim.
This 2013 Triumph Bonneville T100 Black, from Turkey’s Bunker Custom Cycles,
proves just how much can be achieved with a well thought out nip and
tuck. As the name implies, the Black comes from the factory with a
predominantly black color scheme–right down to the engine and wheels.
“The T100 was already a very pretty looking bike when its owner brought
her to our garage,” says Bunker’s Mert Uzer. He and his brother Can
decided to focus on improving the bike’s visual balance as much as
possible. After sketching out their ideas they set to work, starting
with the rear of the bike. The stock fender and taillight assembly were
ditched before the subframe was shortened and finished off with a
loop–which was then trimmed to allow access to the seat mounting bolts.
To give the T100 Black a slightly more aggressive stance, the brothers installed 1” longer-than-stock Progressive Suspension
shocks, before fabricating a new seat with a slight bump in the rear.
The seat’s been upholstered in brown leather and features a Luimoto Gold
Gel pad, inserted under the cover for added comfort. They then fitted
hand-made aluminum fenders and a gorgeous one-off taillight–turned in a
lathe and designed with polished fins to echo those on the engine.
The airbox was removed and K&N filters added to help the engine
breathe better. The silencers are British Customs Predator units, and
there’s a new Dynojet Power Commander wired in. After re-mapping and dyno-tuning, the Bonneville is now good for 68.7hp and 71Nm of torque.
To accompany the new filters, Bunker cut slits into the standard side
covers and lined them with an aluminum mesh backing. They also trimmed
the front sprocket cover and fabricated an engine guard. Other touches
include a yellow lens and bespoke guard for the headlight. The turn
signals have also been relocated and low-rise Biltwell bars fitted, with
grips wrapped in the same leather as the seat.
The factory black paint scheme turned out to be the perfect match for
the Uzer brothers’ well-executed mods. The result is a refined, yet
brooding Bonneville T100 that’s begging for a nighttime cityscape to
blast through.
Follow the adventures of Bunker Custom Cycles via their Facebook page.
The post Triumph Bonneville T100 by Bunker appeared first on Bike EXIF.
Perception is a funny thing. It can be the difference between a
positive or negative outcome, between liking or not liking something or
someone and often the cause of missed opportunities. To change
perception usually takes a change of mindset or to be shown there may be
more to something than meets the eye. Until recent years, BMW R-series
bikes from the 1980s could have been considered in a similar light. A
bike for old guys into function more than form. Solid, dependable, but
neither exciting nor innovative. Or at least that was a guy called
Bruce’s perception of them when he visited Brisbane’s Ellaspede Customs
as a customer. But that was a view which was soon to change – especially
after eyeing a certain R-series on a little site called Pipeburn.
Bruce is a good mate of Ellaspede and visits regularly. Whilst
hanging around the workshop he gained an understanding and appreciation
of the build process and formulated a plan to build his own custom
bike. As mentioned, his view of the R series changed after seeing their
stripped back simplicity, along with the exposed airhead boxer twin and
figured his 1979 BMW E21 coupe needed a German companion in the garage…
so the search began for a suitable donor.
Not long after, he rolled in on a stock ’87 R65 mono. He could have
kept searching for an R80, 90 or 100 but the smaller frame of the 65
lent itself more so to Bruce’s vision, so work began. Bruce had a clear
idea of what it would look like and instructed us to “make the frame as
minimalist and smooth as possible”. Like most standard bikes this meant a
lot of cutting and grinding to rid it of the items that were excess to
requirements.
Bruce supplied a Nitrohead seat, headlight, indicators and mufflers.
Ellaspede made the frame suit the seat and suitably mounted the other
items. The captured forks limited the ability to lower the front so they
custom fabricated a top clamp to allow this, giving a tougher
stance. Part of the vision included an under-seat battery/electrics
tray, now occupied by a new lithium-ion unit, and many other electrical
revisions.
Along with a new custom rear guard, Ellaspede ninja star plate mount
and modified sparto-style tail light, other small adjustments were made
to the frame before other friends of Bruce’s that own a panel shop
applied all the paint work. “They are amazing guys who were able to
execute exactly the vision I had. I particularly love the
wheels. I didn’t want to build a black on black bike. I wanted a really
subtle bronze/gold/flat finish and left it with them… and they nailed
it”. The assembly stage saw help from yet more of Bruce’s mates as they
wrestled the boxer twin and freshly rebuilt gearbox back into place.
Bruce’s vision took shape with each piece secured and part of that
vision was the clean, tough look up front achieved by using one inch
bars, Harley switch blocks and controls custom-wired through the bars to
an Ellaspede aircraft-grade loom. Pirelli Scorpion tyres are the tarmac
interface, which also helped the tough appeal. A 130 tyre may find its
way onto the rear in the future. Pipe work is custom Ellaspede with the
aforementioned short reverse cone mufflers giving a surprisingly deep,
metallic note.
There are plans to replace the Bings and airbox with Mikuni carbs and
pod style filters but in the meantime, Bruce has a very cool ride and
while isn’t a patch on many of Bruce’s former bikes speed-wise, it has put the world’s biggest smile on his face.
The story of Bruce’s build is one of friendship. It happened through
the work of many of Bruce’s mates coming together to achieve something
of value and satisfaction. Whatever your view of BMW’s, custom bikes or
the result rendered here, we’re pretty sure that this could only be
perceived as a damn good thing.
[Photos by A.J. Moller Photography]
first appeared in http://www.pipeburn.com/home/2014/3/28/87-bmw-r65-ellaspede-customs.html
After several years of no fixed abode, and therefore no motorcycle
(the horror!), Derick finally settled down in New York where he was at
long last able to rekindle his love of bikes by getting an American
driving license and a British scrambler. The mods that he carried out
on his Triumph attracted so many compliments, that it persuaded him to
turn a hobby into a full time passion. This Scrambler, the T2, is what
Derick considers to be his first ‘proper build’.
Derick grew up near Florence in Italy. As a result, he spent his
formative years hooning around on dirt bikes in the Tuscan hills – the
lucky bugger. When he was legally allowed onto the road he did so on an
XR600R, a bike as famous for its ankle breaking kick starter as its
grin inducing single cylinder. And the dual purpose bike is
where Derick takes his inspiration from. The freedom to go anywhere you
want, but with road manners that make the city commute a doddle.
One of the most striking features of this build is the tank. It was
stripped down to bare metal and the rust process was speeded up with the
help of a vinegar/salt solution to create a real patina that would
normally have taken years to appear. The headers were shortened,
wrapped and fitted with two mini GP style mufflers, leaving the original
bracket as a support for the ammunition box – a genuine surviving piece
of military hardware from the Vietnam war. Derick says it’s perfect
for carrying a picnic and a 6 pack.
The paint used for the new fenders and several parts of the bike is a
bedliner protective coating, giving an added rugged texture and
durability. The original instruments have been replaced by a mini led
speedo which has been fitted to the left side of the engine with the
ignition key relocation, leaving space for the Renthal ultra low
handlebars. The low profile seat covers the tubular frame just up to
the end, where LED indicators have been fitted and wired inside the
frame for a super clean look. An LED Bates style light sits at the
back, and up front is a yellow headlight filter protected by a black
grille for that proper rugged, go anywhere look.
Suspension has been upgraded with
adjustable Hagon shocks at the rear and progressive springs at the
front. The oversized Continental TKC80′s offer a higher centre of
gravity, which helps make an already great city bike even better. And
with the added power of the new exhaust, K&N filter and shorter gear
ratios, it must be an absolute riot to blast around NY’s crazy streets on.
Right now VDBMotos is a one man operation, but judging by the quality
of ‘proper build’ number 1, and the fact that there are plans afoot
for a pop-up shop, clothing, accessories and events, its going to
require a lot more than one man very soon. Keep us posted Derick.
See more from VDBMotos on their Website, Instagram & Facebook.
Originally posted in thebikeshed.cc by Ian Heartfield
This is the real Mad Max motorcycle - built form a Ducati and presented in BikeExif. This is one of the most interesting project seen in the last months.
When a Ducati 900SS rolls into a workshop for a big-budget overhaul, it
usually leaves a few weeks later looking just like it did when it rolled
off the production line in the 90s. But not this one: only the most
eagle-eyed Ducatistas would recognize it, with the engine cases being the giveaway.
The builders at the Galician workshop El Solitario
march to the beat of a different drum, and a very seductive beat it is
too. ‘Petardo’ means firecracker, and El Sol’s latest custom is an
explosive celebration of two-wheeled mechanical complexity.
When pushed to describe Petardo, El Solitario main man David Borras
calls it a reaction against the current trend for minimalism. He doesn’t
believe in hiding the paraphernalia of a bike, so all the “organs”—like
the switches, pumps, regulator and hoses—are on the outside. “We wanted
to embrace the veins and arteries that move the body!”
Curiously, it works. The panel of Stack gauges on the tank is
mesmerizing in the metal, reminiscent of the interior of a Group B rally
car. As well as speed and revs, you get readings for lambda, exhaust
gas temperature, volts, and oil pressure. The cabling and hoses snaking
around the engine invite you to explore the machine. It’s easy to
imagine the forces at work inside.
The effect could have been busy and disjointed, but it’s not. Finished
in shades of black and raw metal, Petardo looks like a prop from a Fritz
Lang or Christopher Nolan movie.
Fuel is carried in a 10-liter jerry can at the back, and propelled to
the engine via an external pump and dry-break lines. The heavily
modified frame is actually from a 600SS, with a blueprinted 900SS motor
shoehorned in and hooked up to a sinuous, custom-fabricated stainless
steel exhaust system. The bodywork is hand-beaten alloy, contrasting
with black chrome and powder coat elsewhere.
At every point in their career, a motorcycle builder creates a
masterwork—the machine they will be remembered by. This is El
Solitario’s finest hour, and by their own admission, “Excessive in
capital letters.”
Head over to the El Solitario website for more images—all shot by Kristina Fender.
Since these studio shots were taken, Petardo has been upgraded with
Desmosedici Öhlins forks, a custom Öhlins shock, and a full brake system
from ISR.
Check out the Bike EXIF Google+ page for a stunning image gallery of the bike in its latest incarnation, being ridden in anger.
First appeared in bikeexif.com
