Welcome to this week’s Flashback Friday, where we take a look into the rearview mirror to revisit the machines that you, the reader, loved two years ago. April 2024 brought a diversity that stretched from the neon-soaked streets of Taipei to the rolling hills of France. We saw everything from Dax Cafe Racers and "Ironhead" hybrids to turbocharged Vespas that defied the laws of physics, and perhaps good sense. Join us as we look back at the top ten bikes from April '24.
Ducati Monster 821 by Jerem Motorcycles
Before Ducati transitioned the Monster toward a frameless, plastic-clad future, the 821 represented the sweet spot of the range, refined yet brutal. Jérémie Duchampt of France’s Jerem Motorcycles decided to lean into that inherent aggression, creating a machine nicknamed ‘Icon.’ The most striking modification is the rear end, where the stock subframe was binned in favor of a compact, trellis-style unit welded directly to a custom-scooped seat pan.
To further the muscle car aesthetic, Jérémie adapted a beefy single-sided swingarm from a Monster 1200S, paired with a high-end Öhlins rear shock. The bike rolls on wheels scavenged from the 1200S as well, requiring custom machining to align everything perfectly. Under-seat mufflers pay homage to the original Monster silhouettes of the 90s, while the engine was treated to a hydraulic clutch conversion and a suite of carbon fiber covers.
The cockpit is equally curated, featuring Accossato controls and CNC Racing rearsets. The visual punch comes from a Candy Alpine Blue livery that saturates the tank and forks, contrasted against a gold-finished trellis frame. It’s a loud, proud reimagining of an Italian staple that balances show-bike flair with legitimate street performance. [MORE]
Honda Dax ‘Puppy Racer’ by K-Speed
The Honda Dax might be diminutive, but in the hands of Thailand’s K-Speed, it has been transformed into an impossibly compact cafe racer. Known for their 'Diabolus' line of custom parts, the workshop aimed to see how far they could push the ST125’s aesthetic without cutting into the pressed steel frame. The result, dubbed the ‘Puppy Racer,’ features a radical stance adjustment courtesy of lowered inverted forks and a four-inch swingarm extension.
In a move that challenged the bike's engineering, K-Speed upsized the wheels from 12-inch to 14-inch units, fitted with solid wheel covers for a land-speed racer vibe. The stock fenders were deleted, replaced by a custom cafe racer saddle and a minimalist luggage rack. Clip-on handlebars and rear-set foot controls force the rider into an aggressive tuck, while the speedometer has been relocated to the side of the frame to keep the cockpit sparse.
Despite the tiny proportions, the engine gains a big-bike sound through a dual-exit Diabolus exhaust with mesh-backed heat shields. Finished in K-Speed’s signature matte black with darkened badges, the Puppy Racer proves that you don't need a liter-bike to command attention at the local bike meet. [MORE]
Yamaha Virago ‘Fujara’ by Earth Motorcycles
The Yamaha Virago is a notoriously difficult donor bike due to its awkward, cruiser-focused geometry. However, Vlado Dinga of Earth Motorcycles saw beauty in its levitating V-twin mounting and sought to build an alluring cafe racer around it. Collaborating with industrial designer Konstantin Laskov, the team developed a minimalist monocoque fiberglass body that flows in a single, elegant curve from the headstock to the tail.
The build, named ‘Fujara’ after a traditional Slovakian flute, focuses on the contrast between the minimalistic bodywork and the massive 920cc engine. To achieve this, the subframe was replaced with graceful handmade brackets, and the electronics were tucked away into a flush-mounted Motogadget-equipped cockpit. Interestingly, Vlado chose to keep the OEM alloy wheels, but milled out the inner ridges between the spokes to create a more structural, modern look.
The exhaust system consists of straight, drag-style pipes that act as a visual anchor to the curved bodywork. Finished in black with subtle red accents, the Fujara is a masterclass in 3D rendering and obsessive fabrication. [MORE]
Honda Hornet 600 by Seb Kustom Motorcycle
Sébastien Vernaison of France took the reliable but aesthetically bland Honda CB600F Hornet and injected it with a heavy dose of endurance-racing DNA. Using modified fiberglass kits from Poly26, Seb created a neo-retro cafe racer that bridges the gap between modern sportbikes and 80s track icons. The fairing features an offset headlight and an aggressively trimmed screen, while the tail section is easily removable to reveal a bench-style seat.
The Hornet’s handling was sharpened with Hyperpro springs in the forks and an adjustable rear shock. Performance was further buoyed by a four-into-one Arrow header system mated to a modified Danmoto carbon fiber silencer. The engine bay was also decluttered by removing the bulky factory EVAP system, replaced by high-flow DNA filters.
The livery is a sophisticated mix of metallic grey and ‘Bologna’ blue pin-striping, which matches the wheels and shock spring. It’s a thoughtfully executed build that proves a "vanilla" commuter can be turned into a predatory road-carver with the right eye for proportions. [MORE]
Vespa GT 200 by Python Lair Designs
Customizing a modern Vespa usually involves bolt-on accessories, but Adam Eldridge of Python Lair Designs went in a much more extreme direction. Commissioned by a client with "no boundaries other than a checkbook," Adam measured the 2003 Vespa GT 200 and designed an entirely new chassis in SolidWorks. The resulting bodywork was hand-formed from aluminum sheets, drawing inspiration from P-51 Mustang belly tanks and mid-90s BMW M3 race cars.
The real magic happens under the aluminum skin, where the 198cc engine has been fitted with a bespoke turbocharger setup. Engineering the turbo was a nightmare, as the drive unit on a Vespa moves vertically with the suspension; Adam solved this using aircraft-grade hoses and a special skeletal rear structure. The build also features a custom fuel reservoir, a low-PSI regulator, and a new ECU to manage the boosted output.
The cockpit utilizes modified vintage Piaggio handlebars with integrated Motogadget switches and an Amazon-sourced speedometer. Braking is handled by a custom-made foot pedal that operates linked Frando calipers, leaving the bars completely clean. It is part art deco sculpture, part land-speed record attempt. [MORE]
Suzuki TU250 ‘Grasstracker’ by Twentytwo Custom
Twentytwo Custom, the apparel-brand-turned-workshop from Taiwan, took a humble Suzuki TU250 and turned it into a vintage-inspired scrambler. Drawing on the aesthetics of 70s motocrossers and British sleds, the team swapped the stock front end for Yamaha SR400 forks, yokes, and a drum brake hub. The geometry was tweaked by moving the rear shock mounts and installing fully adjustable MJP shocks.
The bodywork centers around a repurposed 1970s Yamaha DT2 fuel tank and a custom Bates-style seat. A highlight of the build is the high-mount twin exhaust system, which exits through reverse cone mufflers and features a one-piece heat shield. The engine was refreshed and upgraded with a Yoshimura ‘redhead’ carburetor for improved throttle response.
Finished in a silver and black palette with raw metal textures, the Suzuki feels authentic rather than over-restored. Details like the Wedge Motorcycle fork brace and the preserved patina on the gas cap give the bike a sense of history that belies its modern Taiwanese origins. [MORE]
Norley Ironhead by Ben Schmitt & Dennis Graham
A "Norley" is the classic hybrid of a Norton frame and a Harley-Davidson engine, and Ben Schmitt’s version is a quintessential cafe racer. Built around a replica 1968 Norton Featherbed Wideline frame, the bike utilizes a 1974 Ironhead Sportster engine that "runs like a top" thanks to an S&S Super E carburetor. The build was a labor of love by Dennis Graham, who performed the meticulous assembly and metalwork.
The bike features a mix of high-end parts and eBay finds, including an alloy seat unit from Tab II Classics and a bikini fairing from a 1977 Harley XLCR. The suspension is a blend of Harley Sportster forks and Öhlins rear shocks, while the wheels remain the stock Borrani rims. The exhaust system is a pair of obnoxiously short, ceramic-coated pipes aptly nicknamed "LAF" (Loud As F**k) pipes.
Immaculate, gloss-black paint with hand-lettered logos completes the timeless aesthetic. It’s a ‘best of both worlds’ machine that combines the handling of a legendary British chassis with the torque and character of an American V-twin. [MORE]
Harley-Davidson Street Bob by Rough Crafts x NEIGHBORHOOD
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Japanese streetwear brand NEIGHBORHOOD, Winston Yeh of Rough Crafts was tapped to build a limited run of custom Street Bobs. The NHRC (NEIGHBORHOOD x Rough Crafts) collaboration resulted in a "street tracker" that utilizes Winston’s signature aggressive, scalloped bodywork. The bike features a custom aluminum tank and a fiberglass tail section, all drenched in a blacked-out aesthetic.
The build isn't just a styling exercise; it features a Beringer braking system with six-piston front calipers engraved with NHRC graphics. The suspension was lifted at the rear using a Kodlin kit to give it a more purposeful stance. The cockpit features Rough Crafts' hallmark ‘Fighter’ bars and a digital speedometer integrated directly into the handlebar clamps.
The V-twin engine inhales through an Arlen Ness intake and exhales via a high-riding, stubby two-into-one exhaust. Carbon fiber details and custom pushrod collars bearing the "NHRC" initials round out a build that perfectly fuses high-end motorcycle customization with urban fashion culture. [MORE]
Honda CB750 by Himora Motors
Based in the forests of Thuringia, Germany, Himora Motors reminded the world why the "Seven Fifty" remains a customization staple. This 1994 Honda CB750F2 was a garage find that had been neglected for six years before the workshop performed a complete frame-up restoration. The build follows an all-business roadster vibe, featuring a custom subframe with a slim, embedded LED taillight.
The engine remains mostly stock internally but breathes through custom four-into-two headers and Cobra mufflers. Handling was modernized with YSS rear shocks and uprated fork internals, while the five-spoke wheels were shod in aggressive Pirelli Scorpion STR tires. The cockpit was redesigned for an upright street bike position using low-rise bars and a Motogadget speedometer.
The color scheme of black and grey with striking red highlights gives the bike a modern, industrial feel. It’s a build that honors the CB750's legacy while making it feel like a contemporary, high-performance naked bike. [MORE]
Suzuki GS1200SS ‘Black Puddin’ by Sticky’s Speed Shop
'Sticky Matt' Coulter’s Holy Grail was always the 2007 Suzuki GS1200SS, and his build, ‘Black Puddin,’ is a maximalist tribute to 90s endurance racing. The bike is a "best-of" parts bin build, featuring Dymag carbon-magnesium wheels, Spondon swingarms, and a massive 1,371cc big-block motor. The bike features a factory dry clutch conversion, a rare goodie earmarked specifically for this project.
The bodywork is a custom aluminum XR69-style tank and tail created by Coba Valley Cycles, featuring lightning-bolt cutouts in the King Carbon fairing to provide airflow to the head cooler. The aesthetic is anything but subtle, featuring layers of purple lacquer, matte black leopard print, and a purple windscreen. A Moriwaki Monster pipe provides the soundtrack for the 1,371cc triple-S mill.
Details abound, from the blued titanium bolts to the perforated leather seat with crocodile edging. It’s a bike that looks as good naked as it does fully faired, proving that Sticky’s Speed Shop remains the undisputed king of oil-cooled Suzuki madness. [MORE]
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