Black Magic: Bunker’s bobber-style Triumph Speed Twin

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Modern Triumph customs are ubiquitous. And with the new Bonnevilles hitting the market, the trend shows no signs of slowing down.We’ve got a sweet tooth for vintage Triumphs though. Especially when they’re as beautiful as this liquorice-flavored bobber from Turkey’s Bunker Custom Cycles.

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It’s based on a 1961 Triumph Speed Twin 5TA, a machine infamous for its bulbuous ‘bathtub’ rear fairing. But builders Mert and Can Uzer had a different look in mind, and it’s a huge improvement.They’ve completely redesigned the back half of the Triumph’s frame. At a glance, it looks like the rear end is rigid—but it’s actually a soft-tail, with a pair of Burly Brand shocks. The front end has been radically revised too: It’s now set lower thanks to Suzuki T500 Titan forks.

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The Suzuki’s front disc brake was brought across too, for extra stopping power. New rims tweak the stance, with a 19F/18R combo replacing the stock 18F/17R setup.Bunker have also fabricated a tight rear fender from aluminum, capping it off with a brass tail light from Dime City Cycles. It’s neatly integrated into the mounting bracket.

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The Speed Twin’s tank is stock—along with the period-correct badges—but the solo seat is new, complete with brass springs. Other brass details have been tastefully sprinkled throughout the build—like the oil tank cap, and the adjusting screws on the controls.Bunker have done well to mix original Triumph parts with carefully selected aftermarket bits. The headlight’s off-the-shelf, but the bucket’s been modified to better suit the bike. Behind it is a set of Biltwell Inc. bars, sporting upgraded controls and a stainless steel brake line.

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Mods aside, the little 500’s had its fair share of restoration work done too.Highlights include a full engine rebuild (with new, high-comp pistons), tweaks to the wiring, and a full blast and re-coat of the frame.

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There’s also new oil tank, a small oil cooler, and a pair of stubby mufflers. And the ignition and kill-switch have been relocated to under the seat—just below the choke.

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The result is a compact, well-balanced bobber, finished in a glossy ‘sparkle black’ hue.And doesn’t it wear it well?

First published on www.bikeexif.com/

 | Images by Eren Göktürk and Kaan Eryürek

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Zonnevlek Harley-Davidson Street 750

During my visit to Japan with Harley-Davidson late last year, we were introduced to 5 Japanese builders whose workshops had been invited to each customise one of the new H-D Street 750's. The project was coined the "Street Build Off" and the 5 workshops involved included Cherry's Company, Asterisk, Duas Caras Cycles, Luck Motorcycles and Custom Works Zon. Only a few short months later the builders unveiled their creations at the Mooneyes Hotrod and Custom Show in Yokohama, where a panel of judges awarded one workshop as the outright winner. Taking home the prize was Custom Works Zon with their heavily customised 'Zonnevlek' Street 750 racer.


The Zonnevlek (meaning Sunspot in Dutch) was the brainchild of CW Zon duo Yuichi Yoshizawa and Yoshikazu Ueda. Since 2003 the pair have been building unique v-twin powered choppers and bobbers, gaining international attention in 2007 with their entry into the AMD Championship of bike building.

With the opportunity to customise Harley's newest family member the duo made the brave decision to depart from their usual traditional chopper styled builds. Inspired by the Street 750's already impressive 4.6 second 0-60mph acceleration and mid 13 second 1/4 mile capability they opted to build a motorcycle that would focus on improving straight line speed...with a modest sprinkling of aesthetic eye candy.

Taking a mere 3 months to complete the Zonnevlek is an almost complete redesign of the H-D Street with only part of the original frame and the stock 750cc engine remaining untouched. To make the most of the bikes power dropping weight was paramount, so the build began with a dramatic frame redesign. The standard half duplex frame was rebuilt using a single cradle design with custom made mounts and braces to secure the engine firmly in place. In need of a new home the bikes radiator was relocated to beneath the bike adding weight to its rear end for improved traction and a lower the centre of gravity.

The Zonnevlek's angular tank functions as a cover, concealing electrical components and the complex linkages of the "jockey" shifter. A single lever on the custom made handlebars actuates the front brake and engaging the clutch is left up to what was originally the gear selector pedal. Tucked beneath the seat is a fuel cell containing enough juice for a sneaky, backstreet burn or a few, flat out 1/4 time trials and the original instruments have been replaced by a function focused Autometer tacho.

Up front is a one of a kind set of custom made forks holding a 19 inch wheel wrapped in Avon Speedmaster Rubber. In the rear is a CW Zon signature style single sided swingarm with mono shock suspension and a 15 inch Rocket Racing wheel wearing a classic Hoosier drag slick. To free up a few more horses from the liquid cooled v-twin a custom made exhaust system and intake have also been added and fuelling remapped to suit.

As you study these photos more and more of the Zonnevlek's incredible details become apparent. From the alloy bushes, braces and panels to the brass highlights. It's the stark grey paint and contrasting gold leaf pin striping by Mr.G and the intricate engraving by 4 Dimension Studio that really push the boundaries on this build though. While straight line bikes aren't usually our thing, it's easy to see why this beast won over the Street Build Off judges. It's yet another example of why Japanese builders lead the way with their creativity and craftsmanship in the custom motorcycle scene and I can't get enough of it!

First published by returnofthecaferacers.com

Single Shot: Kruz Company’s SR500 hits the bullseye

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If there’s a bike deserving of ‘legend’ status, it’s the Yamaha SR series: the air-cooled single has been in production since 1978, with just a two-year hiatus. That’s 35 years on the market, and an incredible run for a motorcycle. The SR400 has always been the volume seller, but we’d take the SR500 instead: it’s essentially the same bike, but with a different crank and a longer piston stroke.

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It takes a lot to impress us with an SR these days, but we love this SR500 from Kruz Company, a small but perfectly formed workshop in Belgium run by friends Brice and Olivier.

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Belgium is a somewhat quirky country, and there’s an appealingly offbeat nature to this build. “The customer was really open minded,” the Kruz boys tell us. “He came to the workshop with pictures of Japanese SR builds, so we studied that sub-culture for two weeks before making the first sketches.”

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There’s a hint of chopper influence in the frame. Cut right behind the fuel tank, it’s been completely rebuilt in ‘sneaky snake’ style with chromoly tubes. For extra reinforcement, there’s a pair of bracing plates beautifully drilled to mimic bubbles.

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The fuel tank comes from a Yamaha RS 125, heavily modified to fit on the larger frame tubes of the SR500. Even more heavily modified is the rear fender, from an early Harley Sportster. A taillight and plate mount projects outwards: “Because we hate side mounts!”

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There are plenty of quirks elsewhere. The tiny front fairing is fashioned from an old Honda CB750 tank, and the hand-made seat—neatly bedded into the curved subframe—is finished with ‘upside down’ leather.

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The SR500 engine is strong, but occasionally prone to overheating if heavily tuned. So Kruz have limited the mods to a bigger Mikuni carb and a custom exhaust pipe terminated with a classic SuperTrapp Megaphone muffler. A discreet oil cooler sits to the side of the engine, providing a little extra insurance and peace of mind. Look closely, and you’ll spot an oil temperature gauge just ahead of the tank.

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The Kruz Company philosophy is to build “efficient and fun machines to ride.” Although Olivier learnt his trade on the European superbike race circuit, he values reliability as much as performance when building customs. The goal is to build “bikes that start in a flash every morning, and transport the rider with a certain class,” he says.
“A subtle balance between the modern and the old…”
Kruz Company | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Sébastien Nunes

first published by bikeexif.com

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

Rodsmith 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.

RODSMITH CUSTOMS

First published by returnofthecaferacers.com

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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.

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“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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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

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First published by bikeexif.com