ICON LOW DOWN & SHIFTY XS650

ICON LOW DOWN & SHIFTY XS650 Most moto clothing brands take themselves very seriously. But there’s a thick seam of irreverence running through the DNA of Icon. They don’t play games with their motorcycle apparel, but the bikes they build are eclectic, original and often downright crazy. “Low Down & Shifty” is based on a 1974 Yamaha XS650, and it’s one of the most extreme XS creations we’ve ever seen. The custom cro-moly frame is...

Xem chi tiết

MOTOR ROCK W650 CUSTOM

MOTOR ROCK W650 CUSTOM It’s possible to categorize most of the top Japanese custom motorcycle builders. In one corner there’s the Brat Style coterie, which includes Gravel Crew, Heiwa, and Big Moon. In the other corner are the resto-mod specialists such as AC Sanctuary and Ritmo Sereno. And then there’s Motor Rock. Based in Nagoya, Motor Rock is a little different—despite the inevitable production line of Yamaha SR400 customs. The showroom...

Xem chi tiết

1929 HARLEY-DAVIDSON JDH

1929 HARLEY-DAVIDSON JDH Two years ago Buzz Kanter, Editor-in-Chief of American Iron Magazine, rode his 1915 Harley-Davidson across most of the United States in the first Motorcycle Cannonball endurance ride. And now he’s about to do it again on this very rare 1929 Harley JDH. That’s 3,956 miles (6,366 km) on an 83-year-old bike. This JDH will be a little quicker than the machine Buzz rode two years go: It’s essentially a detuned...

Xem chi tiết

CROWE CUSTOMS BMW R80/7

CROWE CUSTOMS BMW R80/7 Custom motorcycles are often about sacrifice. As looks improve, functionality suffers. And most of the time, it doesn’t matter, especially if a bike is only ridden for short blasts, or down to a local watering hole. But it’s good to see the occasional long-haul machine given the custom treatment—like this 1978 BMW R80/7 from Crowe Customs of Portland, Oregon. “This BMW has been my daily beater for the last three...

Xem chi tiết

INDIAN 4 “RENEGADE” CUSTOM

INDIAN 4 “RENEGADE” CUSTOM By David Edwards—Indian aficionados, especially those of the 100-point concours persuasion, may want to click away from this page quick as you can—or at the very least up your heart meds. Shown here is either straight-to-hell blasphemy on two wheels or a pretty cool piece, depending upon your sensibilities. It began life as a 1930 Indian 4, Springfield’s first-gen four-cylinder, which had design roots back to Ace and...

Xem chi tiết

STEEL BENT CUSTOMS: “THE BRUSHED”

STEEL BENT CUSTOMS: “THE BRUSHED” Good design removes the unnecessary. It’s a principle understood well by Michael Mundy of Steel Bent Customs in Tampa, Florida—as his latest build shows. Called “The Brushed”, it’s a minimalist take on the classic Honda CB750 cafe racer. Mundy started work by cleaning out the center frame, a signature look of Steel Bent. So the electronics are now mounted under the tank, and the battery on the swing...

Xem chi tiết

SPIRIT OF THE SEVENTIES S7

SPIRIT OF THE SEVENTIES S7 Somewhere, on the glorious roads of rural Scotland, this beautiful Yamaha XS750 custom is carving corners and blasting down the straights, at the command of its new owner. But it was built hundreds of miles away by Spirit of the Seventies, the English workshop that wears its influences on its sleeve. Tim Rogers and Kevin Taggart have turned out a handful of classic racers so far, but “S7” is their best yet. And...

Xem chi tiết

CLASSIFIED MOTO KT600

CLASSIFIED MOTO KT600 John Ryland’s Classified Moto is going from strength to strength. The order book is healthy and the machines coming out of his Richmond, VA workshop are increasingly adventurous. “KT600” is the latest, and named after its donor bike and owner. The starting point was a 1987 Honda XL600R enduro, and it was commissioned by Battlestar Galactica actress (and avid motorcyclist) Katee Sackhoff. “From...

Xem chi tiết

TRIUMPH SCRAMBLER BY JVB-MOTO

TRIUMPH SCRAMBLER BY JVB-MOTO If you were taken with the Triumph Tridays “Rumbler”—and it was one of the most popular bikes we’ve shown so far this year—then this is the bike for you. Cologne-based JvB-moto has remodeled the Rumbler for small-scale production, priced it at 15,000 euros (around $18,500) and called it “Dirty Deeds”. And they’ve done good. “Rumbler was built using a lot of special parts,” says JvB-moto founder Jens vom...

Xem chi tiết

THUNDERBIKE “PAINTTLESS”

THUNDERBIKE “PAINTTLESS” It’s AMD World Championship time. The annual freak show held at the Sturgis motorcycle rally reveals the best and worst of the traditional custom world, including many sphincter-tightening lapses of taste. There are signs of sanity amongst the Big Hair and leather vests though. And this year’s winner, fromThunderbike, is a definite step in the right direction. Thunderbike is one of Germany’s most prolific builders,...

Xem chi tiết