Custom Motorcycles

30/07/2018

02/08/2017

31/07/2016

Ultimate skills.........(Y)

09/12/2015

Black Pearl, a Custom Motorcycle Powered by a Steam Engine, how cool!

24/01/2014

Garage Project Motorcycles have been on the Australian custom scene for a while, inspired by the likes of Deus and an integral part of the Australian Cafe Racers and deeply involved in events like the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. It’s fair to say that Rex Havoc and Co definitely punch above their weight when it comes to their presence in the cafe/brat custom culture.
This Honda CX500 is their latest build, and was originally commissioned as a very low budget build by a guy from Adelaide, over 2,500kms away from their shop. After an initial consultation they ended up with a choice between a BMW R80 and the CX (which was ironic because he’d wanted something slim) for the same money. They went with the CX because it’s smaller and he wasn’t a big guy.
The guys were about to begin the build when the customer called back to say he’d lost his job and wanted to sell the bike. However, it wasn’t all over for the CX as a new customer turned up: James wanted an “industrial” bare-metal cafe racer, and he was also on a very tight budget. The guys at GPM were snowed under with other projects, so they had a chat with Brett at Hand Made Vintage Kustoms.
After a three-way chat James agreed to go with Rex’s design and Brett’s work. The donor bike was a 1982 Honda CX500 which had been recently restored to standard condition.
Rex stripped the bike the next week and designed a seat pan to fit the custom style tank. James had wanted a two-up ride, but it wasn’t possible to achieve that and get the look he wanted, so they gave up on it and Brett built the solo seat pictured instead. Brett put a in lot of work in to get the seat unit just right, and it paid off.
Chrome Dunstal Replica 27″ stainless reverse cone mufflers were initially ordered. They were swapped out for 12″ stainless reverse cones but those would have needed a totally new exhaust system made up, which the budget didn’t allow for, so Australian ingenuity stepped-in and a pair of Harley mufflers were adapted instead, and they ended up looking and sounding great, while staying within budget.A CX500 really benefits from removing the airbox but again, the budget didn’t allow for all the work involved, so the guys painted the side covers matt black to blend them in to the rest of the bike.
The biggest dilemma faced by Brett was the rear fender. In Western Australia the police love picking on bikes that don’t have a fender which reaches to 45 degrees from the axle. The guys thought about a rear hugger, which Rex liked but Brett hated, so instead Brett fabricated a little fender that will be added later later.
When the guys removed the bikini cowl and headlight they realised there was going to be a lot of wiring that needed to be hidden, and the small triangular chopper headlight they’d chosen for the build wasn’t going to help them. In the end most of it got tucked away under the tank.
Rex had wanted the headlight the other way up to accentuate the V of the engine but Brett preferred it this way, and as it was his build Rex didn’t argue. They tell us it’s probably the part of the bike that is most polarising but either way up it’s a unique look for a modern cafe racer and we think it looks great.
James was never going to be up the front of the pack with Perth Cafe Racers so they decided Firestones were more than adequate for his abilities. Add a bit of pipewrap the bike was ready for it’s first burnout.
Gotta say, for a budget build on a modest donor, it looks superb.
Photos were taken at the local cafe meeting spot – Green & Co, Leederville by Scott G Trenorden

24/01/2014

Dustbin fairings, like the example used on this 1963 Garelli 50cc record breaker, make me very happy. This Garelli was built in November 1963, 2 of the bikes were built and specially prepared by Italian engineer William Soncini, the engines were running on ethanol-alcohol fuel, they were equipped with large-capacity gas tanks and that brilliant, hand-beaten dustbin.
All in all the 2 Garellis set 8 world records at Monza in ’63, including a new 24 hour mark at an average speed of 108.83kmh (67.59mph), which to this day has still not been broken.

The riders were Gianemilio Marchesani, Luigi Pastori, Robert Patrignani, Giulio Parnigotti, Luciano Spinello and GianPiero ‘Zubani’. In order to wring every last ounce of speed from the 50cc machines, a second set of footrests was fitted on brackets extending back towards the rear wheel, enabling the riders to obtain a lower, more aerodynamic riding position.
With an estimated value of $67,000 – $100,000 this bike is heading for the Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais Auction on the 7th of February

08/12/2013

03/12/2013

How many like for this man *Mihail Stupak* for making this 3D model........! If you want to utilize any of his skill contact him on that link..
https://www.facebook.com/mihailstupak

27/11/2013

The latest ‘Yard Built’ custom from Yamaha is this epic race-themed XJR1300 from Deus’ Milan workshop. Inspired by the endurance machines of the 1970s and 1980s and nicknamed ‘Eau Rouge,’ it’s a modern reinterpretation of those iconic retro racers.
Deus has added a modern twist to the semi-faired 1970s style, with straight lines and angular aesthetics. The seat unit, tank and ‘cyclops’ nose cone are hand-made, and finished in a special paint that replicates bare metal.
The stock XJR1300 is no slouch, but Eau Rouge has been upgraded to match the racing theme. The forks are retro-styled Öhlins, the wheels are iconic Marvic five-spokes, and solid discs and engraved Discacciati calipers complete the look.
A short titanium 4-into-1 exhaust system frees up the engine breathing while twin Öhlins shocks and machined aluminum rearsets add to the sporting vibe.
Deus’ Alessandro Rossi test-rode the XJR1300 at the old Monza circuit and says, “It feels like the past and the future melt together in an explosive mix. The sound of the SC Project titanium exhaust is brutal, and the back wheel is slippery on wet asphalt—no ride by wire or traction control! It’s pure and simple pleasure.”
‘Eau Rouge’ is designed to throw the spotlight onto Yamaha’s ‘Sport Heritage’ range—machines with a timeless design and a focus on raw mechanics. As well as the XJR1300, the range includes the VMAX, the XV950/R and the SR400 just relaunched in Europe.
A range of custom parts is also in the offing for 2014, allowing owners of these machines to customize and upgrade them in the Yard Built style. Get more info on this bike and the Yard Built concept via the Deus Italy and Yamaha Europe websites.

27/11/2013

One of my regular destinations on the interwebs is Trent Reker’s site bikerMetric. Reker is one wave short of a shipwreck: alternately funny and profane, he’s the closest thing to Hunter S Thompson in the online motorcycling world. He also manages to find distinctly offbeat motorcycles—machines you won’t see elsewhere. And this is one such bike. It was built by Hajarbroxx Motorcycles of Bandung in Indonesia, a small custom workshop started by illustrator Gifny Richata and his mechanic friend Nandang.
Since most of the bikes sold in Indonesia are under 250cc, Hajarbroxx specializes in small-engined motorcycles—but they have their first big bike project, the Kwakazilla, in the pipeline. “Our concept is to build motorcycles that look like motorcycles,” says Richata, “Classic and vintage bikes are the references, with a little post-apocalyptic twist in the details. That’s the basic design core of Hajarbroxx.” KillHill is a customized 1970s CB125, built for a client who wanted an ‘Army Green hill climber’. The frame has been heavily modified, including a switch from a dual rear shock setup to a monoshock. The swing arm is an extended Honda GL 200 item, with the monoshock taken from a Yamaha scooter. The engine was also heavily modified; it uses the cylinder and head from a Honda GL 160, bored out to 200cc for even more kick. It’s not the sort of bike you’d want to take on a trip coast-to-coast, but I bet it’s enormous fun on the mountain roads of West Java.
Specs
Donor bike: customized 70s Honda CB125
Engine: 125cc bored out to 200cc
Front suspension: 2009 Honda GL200
Rear suspension: Extended Honda GL200 swingarm w/ Yamaha 125cc scooter monoshock
Bodywork: custom made fenders and battery box, Honda Benly gas tank
Exhaust: custom made
Wheels: 21″ front alloy, 15″ rear metal

24/11/2013

If Benelli's TNT 1130 and Kawasaki's 650 Ninja had a romantic interlude this could well be the result. Based on a Kawasaki ER6N (the Ninjas naked brother) this Cafe Racer build by Gia Mi Racing in Italia is what a modern day Cafe Racer is all about.which just so happened to be my first reaction. However after hearing Gia Mi team member Cosimo explain the approach he took with the build there's no denying this bike was built in true Ton Up style.
After receiving the bike from an owner who had only clocked up 3500kms in its saddle, Cosimo quickly realised the potential of Kawasaki's naked Ninja. An aesthetic upgrade was a no brainer but with a well planned set of performance upgrades Cosimo was confident the bike could turn corners just as well as it could heads.
The bike was stripped back to the chassis and Cosimo began piecing together performance parts to improve upon Kawasaki's original ER6N design. Handling upgrades came in the form of a set of ZXR636R adjustable forks which were modified to suit the stock trees and the shock from a Honda CBR RR went on the rear. A set of lightweight Ninja 636 wheels were then added to the bike before adjustments to the frame were made to help balance weight distribution.
To add some Cafe Racer styling to the bike an entirely new tail section made from aluminium with integrated signal lights was fabricated in house and a 7 inch headlight was fit to the front end. A full respray in chameleon gold/copper with red and gold anodised detailing give the bike a distinctly modern. With the bike now weighing considerably less, the 71hp of the four stroke twin was delivering the performance Osimo was after so the only modification made was swapping the airbox for a K&N filter. Decals boldly stating Cafe Racer on the bikes tank are a nod to the history and style that influenced the build but as with any mould breaker this bike is sure to stir up some mixed opinions from the Cafe crowd.

24/11/2013

It's not often we see off road motorcycles converted in to Cafe racers. A while back we were blown away by Drake McElroy's Cafe'd Honda CR250 and now a fellow Australian has built this eyebrow raising Cafe Racer out of his KTM 250EXC-F.

Nigel Petrie is the owner of Engineered to Slide a company built around his love of drift racing. When Nigel isn't out sideways on the track, updating his Blog or building drift racing cars, he likes to get away on his KTM. His interest in the Cafe style though has led him to apply his fabrication skills to converting the KTM in to this very unique Cafe Racer. Here's Nigel's story of the build...
I was on my KTM 250EXC-F a month ago blasting through the Otway National Park just 15 minutes from my home, I have owned this bike since new and always swapped between the Supermoto wheels and dirt wheels depending on my mood. But lately I had been admiring older bikes and their styling but never able to get my head around the mammoth task of cleaning up an old bike, surely I could do something with my KTM I thought.
So after a quick wash I tore the bike down to just engine and frame, something that only takes a matter of half an hour as the engineering on KTMs are so simple. I started with some measurements and a few drawings of the style I was after.
I bought a sheet of 0.9mm steel sheet and started on the tank, I didn’t want to move or cut anything on the frame so I worked around everything that was factory on the KTM, the radiators were my biggest problem, I needed to wrap the tank around them to get the look I was heading for.
I came up with a design that allowed air to pass under the tank and then shrouds that wrapped around the radiators. The stock KTM petcock was retained and I used a flush weld in filler, the tank ended up being quiet large and holds a hefty 28 litres although I don’t fill it with more than 10 litres due to the weight.
With the tank done I sculpted a tail section from foam to get the shape I desired, I hammered the 0.9mm steel until it resembled this shape and spent a lot of time on the tig welder getting it right, the top section lifts off the bottom section allowing easy access to my rear mounted battery.
The seat is also constructed from 0.9mm steel and it bolts to the tank. To get the seat at the right height I added a 30mm extender to the top mount of the subframe, the subframe remains unmodified so this really is a very clean bolt on transformation.
The electrics are all factory, the rear shock is factory just wound down. To lower the front I cut the fork springs 100mm shorter and refit them with Driven 53mm clip-ons. The bike handles great and is a fair bit stiffer.
The factory muffler did not suit the lines of the new look at all, I picked up two 2" to 3" reducers from my local plumber and then used the factory KTM baffle tube and packing inside before welding. I wanted the welds on the muffler done right so I spent some time making up a rotisserie (yes the bbq type) to get it rotating while I TIG welded it.
To finish it off I got a big chrome headlight that measures 7" and wired it in, overall the bikes a heap of fun to ride, it gets a lot of attention and I'm very happy with the outcome. It was a 3 week, after hours build and its turned out just right.