This week we’ve got a panhead from superstar Japanese builder Cherry’s Company, a BMW R60 built by a nonprofit organization, and a Kawasaki Ninja that’s part scrambler, part streetfighter.
Cherry’s Company Chronos Kaichiroh Kurosu has been building and repairing the Bar and Shield’s offerings for over two decades. When it comes to custom work, his abilities are rivalled only by his vision, which is constantly pushing boundaries. This is the Chronos, a rigid Panhead, and a perfect example of what happens when boundaries are broken.
I challenge anyone to find a missed detail on this build. Whether it’s the hand-hammered headlight shroud and seat pan, or the freshly rolled and formed tank, or the intricately run oil-lines, nothing was left untouched by Kurosu’s hand. If you’re still not convinced, pore over the perimeter front disc for a spell. Then follow the lines of the girder style springer front end, and let your eyes rest on one of the most beautiful gas caps ever created.
The words ‘exquisite’ and ‘impeccable’ get tossed around quite a bit nowadays, but Cherry’s Company may now own the rights … [More]
Worth Motorcycle Company BMW R60 This BMW R60 from New York is much more than just a stunning cafe racer: it’s the product of education and inspiration. You see, the Worth Motorcycle Company is a nonprofit garage that works with at-risk youth, giving them skills and a knowledge base they can apply to build better lives for themselves.
At the helm of this build was Worth’s founder, Jeremy Malman. His direction to his students was simple: create the essence of a cafe racer with optimal performance. The hand-formed seat and tailpiece took care of the R60’s silhouette, while the suspension was modernized (and lowered) to enhance handling. A trained eye will also catch the R100 gas tank that was swapped in.
While we’re smitten with this R60, the mission behind it is what’s truly moving. This isn’t the first bike to roll out of Worth’s garage, and thanks to their incredible program, it won’t be the last. [More]
JvB Moto Yamaha XSR700 The XSR700 is one of the most exciting motorcycles to be headed our way for the 2016 season. And based on this version from Germany’s JvB Moto, we’re pretty sure we’ll be seeing quite a few customs popping up in no time at all. But rather than prophesize, let’s celebrate what Jens vom Brauck, founder of JvB Moto, has already created.
As a part of Yamaha’s Yard Built Program, ‘Super 7‘ continues the tradition begun by Shinya Kimura’s “Faster Son” MT-07 build. The headlight, indicators, speedo housing and side covers are all original JvB units, as well as the seat and exhaust mounts. They deliver a stripped down, retro vibe that bolsters Yamaha’s original intent. Best of all, since it’s a Yard Built project, that means is the parts you see here on the Super 7 will soon be available as bolt-on upgrades for new XSR700 owners.
With no welding or cutting, Jens was able to take the XSR to a new level of modern classic interpretation. While we don’t typically focus on builds of the bolt-on sort, the Yard Built Project serves as an exemplary starting point for custom houses looking for something entirely new.
Fuel Haus Deadvolt It’s not often that builders look to Reagan-era crotch-rockets when starting a new project. Which is a shame really, since those bikes were designed with performance as their raison d’être. But Philadelphia’s Fuel Haus figured this out very quickly when they produced Deadvolt.
Working with a 1987 Kawasaki Ninja 750, Deadvolt is a take-no-prisoners machine with hints of both scrambler and streetfighter attitude—complete with a 110hp mill cradled by a mid-eighties interpretation of a featherbed frame. The bike itself is a bit of a departure from Jeff Yarrington’s previous work—when he helmed Saint Motor Company—but I like the new direction, and he hasn’t lost his touch.
The frame was kept stock down low, but the upper is bespoke. The lines are accentuated by the modified Benelli tank, and one of the most intriguing seat/tail combos we’ve come across in a while. The rear sprocket was swapped from a 47-tooth unit to a 60-tooth, making the bike accelerate like the urban weapon it resembles. [More]
Kentauros ‘Penelope’ Francesco Bellesi is the man behind this nimble little Yamaha XT600 build. He’s best known as the digital designer behind Spirit of Zeller, Officine Sbrannetti’s custom BMW R nineT, but under his Kentauros nameplate, he likes to get his hands dirty.
Only the engine and part of the frame remain from the original Y2K Yammie. Everything else has been modified to give this enduro the strength and ability to conquer trails in convincing fashion. It begins with the trelliswork along the rear frame: bolstering the XT to handle punishment, it’s the very definition of form meeting function. The front forks come from a Honda CRF450, as does the modified swingarm, to deliver long and supple suspension. The tank saw original duty on an AMF Harley, as did the (heavily modified) front fender. And the seat is upholstered in leather stolen from a Citroën car.
With levels of execution this exacting, we can’t wait for the next time Francesco decides to log off the computer and pick up the spanners. [More]