Saturday, 5 April 2025

This lavish Harley-Davidson Street Bob is peak Rough Crafts

Custom Harley-Davidson Street Bob by Rough Crafts, Taiwan
Even though Rough Crafts frontman Winston Yeh is happy to build custom bikes that fall outside of his purview, his bread and butter are sleek and bold Harley-Davidsons swathed in black. He does it so well, that most customers request ‘a Rough Crafts-style Harley’ and leave it at that.

That was almost the story with this imposing, yet refined, Harley-Davidson Street Bob. “He requested the more bling side of Rough Crafts—if that makes sense,” Winston explains. “Some of our bikes are ‘black black,’ and some have some shiny bits and a more luxurious feel. That’s what he was looking for.”

Custom Harley-Davidson Street Bob by Rough Crafts, Taiwan
Rough Crafts started with a 2022-model Street Bob—a bike that Winston favors for its simple layout and minimalist build. Rough Crafts is based in Taiwan, where strict regulations rule out the possibility of altering a bike’s frame and keeping it street-legal. So Winston and his crew of collaborators have worked out ways to create maximum style with minimal fuss.

This Street Bob’s chassis and engine are completely stock, although the stance has been tweaked with new wheels and a few judicious suspension adjustments. The front forks feature a Progressive Suspension lowering kit and Rough Crafts fork shrouds, while a Progressive shock props up the rear.

Custom Harley-Davidson Street Bob by Rough Crafts, Taiwan
The burly alloy wheels are Roland Sands Design items. Measuring 18” up front and 16” out back, they’re wrapped in vintage-style sawtooth treads from Duro. Slowing the Harley down are new Beringer calipers, with the brake discs mounted on custom carriers.

All of the Street Bob’s bodywork is custom—starting with its slim fuel tank. It sports Rough Crafts’ signature scallops on the sides, while tapering elegantly towards the front of the seat. Look closely, and you’ll spot a subtle rib run down the middle of it.

Custom Harley-Davidson Street Bob by Rough Crafts, Taiwan
The bobbed saddle, and the blank-off plate that sits below it to protect the electronics, were made by BT Choppers in Poland. A custom leather cover adds a touch of style. Out back, a tight rear fender mimics the lines of the tank, with a matching rib that carries the theme from front to back.

Further forward, the OEM risers were swapped out for a finned set from the Rough Crafts catalog, designed to accommodate the Street Bob’s petite digital gauge. Rough Crafts handlebars are fitted with Rough Crafts x Arlen Ness grips, Beringer controls, and Rebuffini switches. A grill-covered Rough Crafts headlight sits out front.

Custom Harley-Davidson Street Bob by Rough Crafts, Taiwan
As per the client’s request, Winston injected some panache into the Harley Street Bob’s finishes. Matte and gloss carbon overlays adorn the tank and fender, split by sophisticated silver-leaf striping. SFC Simon Fiber Craft handled the carbon fiber work, Rover Works Custom Paint did the paint, and 2 Abnormal Sides made the intricate Rough Crafts tank badges.

2 Abnormal Sides also whipped up a set of pushrod collars; another Rough Crafts signature. The bike’s dressed up with an array of Rough Crafts x Arlen Ness parts, including the rocker box covers, cam cover, air intake, and mid-mounted foot controls. The hydraulic clutch housing is from Rebuffini, but the cover is another RC part.

Custom Harley-Davidson Street Bob by Rough Crafts, Taiwan
Two-into-one exhaust headers snake their way along the side of the bike, terminating in a stubby muffler. Finer details include a Rough Crafts gas cap, and Koso-made RC turn signals, with the rear signals doubling up as taillights.

With every box ticked, CT-Garage got the bike over the line by tackling the assembly.

Custom Harley-Davidson Street Bob by Rough Crafts, Taiwan
Nicknamed ‘Gilded Spear,’ this custom Harley-Davidson Street Bob is the quintessential Rough Crafts build. Looking at it, it’s immediately clear why so many of Winston’s clients are happy to let him do his thing, no questions asked.

Rough CraftsFacebook | Instagram | Photos by JL Photography

Custom Harley-Davidson Street Bob by Rough Crafts, Taiwan



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Friday, 4 April 2025

Breaking News: Canada Responds to Trump with New Car Tariffs Made in the United States

It seems this year Canada also did not remain idle in reciprocating this gesture of the United States, especially bearing in mind the intensifying geopolitical rivalry, to impose new tariffs on the cars manufactured in the United States. This decision is in reaction to several tariffs that President Trump has placed, leading to a disturbance in the world economy.

The New Tariffs

Currently, Canada has imposed a 25% tariff on fully assembled vehicles not meeting the terms of the CUSMA originating from the United States. Also, a 25% tariff has been imposed on the content from countries other than Canada and Mexico in the vehicles manufactured as per the CUSMA standards. This is a principle of reciprocation widely deployed by Canada to retaliate for what it considers unfair protectionism.

The tariffs apply to automobiles that fail to meet the provisions of the CUSMA agreement: vehicles with less than 75% of North American content. This rule indicates that several American car models are likely to be subjected to these tariffs to avoid flooding the Canadian market.

Financial Support for Autoworkers

Another admirable feature of Canada’s decision is the plan to reinvest the collected tariffs back into the auto industry employees. The Canadian government has promised that all the money raised will go to the autoworkers, which is a business that is heavily affected by such halts as the one experienced at the Windsor Assembly due to Trump’s tariffs.

A Firm Stance

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke on the country’s behalf, stressing that it is important to shield Canadians and their establishments. He noted, “It means that the conditions of the international economy are not as they were before. We have to retaliate and be firm and do everything possible to defend Canada’s jobs and industries from the unfair tariffs by the United States, and that includes the automotive sector.

Modern Canada and the USA are inseparable; therefore, the forthcoming trade war looks rather serious. It has been established that the two countries have one of the strongest and most diverse trading partnerships in the international market, with over $2.5 billion in goods and services traded daily. On this relationship reside millions of jobs, making the stakes for both very high.

Personal Opinion

On that basis, I agree that such an aggressive approach is warranted for Canada. Trade tensions are known to reach a certain extent where they become detrimental to the economy. Though professing faith in globalization, foreign policy, protection of national interest, and jobs are immensely important. In this case, targeting only the non-compliant vehicles, Canada is managing to retaliate but also ensure that the integrity of the CUSMA agreement is preserved. This, coupled with financial aid for the workers, demonstrated a line of action revealing that there is a reasonable approach towards repairing any ill effects while fighting any pretextual measure.

End Note

Thus, as the conflict escalates in this trade war, the international community will observe the effects of this on the two countries. The idea is that diplomacy will prevail in the long run, and the matter will be solved in a way that preserves employment and the close economic relations that have existed for many years between Canada and the United States.



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Tesla Powerwall 2: Is Connecting a Generator Possible?

Renewable energy technology continues to gain traction; thus, people choose to install backup power systems by implementing Tesla Powerwall 2 storage solutions. The widespread concern about energy insecurity, together with power outage protection, drives homeowners to wonder whether they can hook up generators to their Tesla Powerwall 2 systems. This article examines the technical elements and evaluation criteria along with my personal position regarding this topic.

Understanding the Basics

The following information about the Tesla Powerwall 2 and its operational methods will provide the necessary background for subsequent details to be understood. The residential version of Powerwall 2 represents a cutting-edge lithium-ion rechargeable battery formation. Powerwall 2 operates with solar panel systems for the purpose of storing solar energy, which serves as backup during power outages or at nighttime. The Powerwall 2 remains an effective system because it shows operational excellence, but delivers limited performance at maximum capacity. The functionality of generators remains in question when determining their ability to either enhance or replace the existing systems.

The Technical Feasibility

People need to know whether it is possible to link generators with Tesla Powerwall 2 systems. An affirmative answer exists regarding the possibility of connecting generators to Tesla Powerwall 2. A Tesla Powerwall 2 can be hooked up to a generator, yet the connection process requires more than wire attachment. Several technical and safety standards need evaluation to achieve successful integration between generator systems.

Key Components for Integration

  1. Transfer switch: It plays a very important role in switching between the source of power, such as the grid, Powerwall 2, and the generator.
  2. Inverter: which is used to convert the stored power from DC to AC power. Integrating a generator requires an inverter capable of accepting power from this generator as well as the Powerwall 2.
  3. Control System: The individual generators, which are now being produced, are outfitted with advanced controls that allow them to be programmed to select certain sources of power. This is useful in determining when the generator should discharge power to the house and when it should store the power in the Powerwall 2.
  4. Wiring and Safety: It is worth mentioning that wiring and safety are something that cannot be compromised or avoided at all costs. Electrical circuits need to be aligned properly; otherwise, it may lead to fire accidents on the electrical circuitry or even damage the Tesla Powerwall 2. Safety precautions should be taken; it is always appropriate to seek installation services from a licensed electrician.

Personal Opinion: The Pros and Cons

From my perspective, I can explain that making use of a generator in combination with the Tesla Powerwall 2 is very lucrative but also has potential drawbacks.

Pros

Extended Backup Time: This comes hand in hand with backup generators, where, with the assistance of the Powerwall 2, you can indeed prolong the backup time. The Powerwall 2 can give power on the spot, while the generator can either recharge the Powerwall or supplement it with power at any one time.

Fuel Efficiency: Current generators are manufactured in such a way as to be cost-effective when it comes to fuel consumption. Probably you already know this. Therefore, using a generator only when necessary will save on fuel and reduce operational costs.

Flexibility: It is flexible when it comes to power management in this setup. You just schedule it into the system to give preference to the solar power, then the Powerwall 2, and only the generator in case the two power sources do not suffice.

Cons

Costs: This might have large initial costs when compared to the ‘normal’ cost when other components are manufactured in a usual and regular manner. It may also be time to upgrade your inverter, and all critically important loads should be wired to a transfer switch, and the right generator needs to be purchased.

Maintenance: Trying as they are to be efficient, generators are bound to need a bit of maintenance to ensure they are running as they should be. This puts another burden on the heads of households who are the homeowners.

Complexity: The generator requires a professional installation, and thus, the integration process is challenging. Failure or improper setup of the bleachers results in possible safety risks.

Practical Considerations

Below is a list of practical tips worth considering if you intend to add a generator to your Powerwall 2:

  1. Adhesive Selection: Local building codes and regulations must be checked for compliant adhesive selection. There are certain conditions in some regions concerning the installation of generators.
  2. Power Requirements: The power requirements of a building complex depend a lot on its type, size, and the activities to be carried out in the building complex and can be estimated as follows. This will ensure that the Powerwall 2 and the generator can adequately support the demands of the house when there is a power outage.
  3. Relevant Skills: Proper skills are essential when searching for an electrician who should be qualified and experienced in installing renewable energy systems. The aim was to find out the importance of installation to enhance safety and effectiveness concerning electricity.

End Note

Altogether, it is possible to connect a generator to a Tesla Powerwall 2 and this will provide the added advantages of a longer duration of power outage backup and versatility. But it must be noted that it involves some planning and expense and the installation should be professionally done, thereby calling upon the services of an expert. To farmers and other homeowners who want to invest in a home energy asset that will supplement the unpredictable main power supply, this combination can be of value.

Knowing some generalities of the technology, as well as various field realities, households can make good decisions on how to incorporate a generator into a Tesla Powerwall 2 and have more energy control.

FAQ Section

Is it possible to utilize any generator, for instance, with a Tesla Powerwall 2?

Not all generators can be incorporated into the inverter of Powerwall 2. Therefore, the control system determines how the available power sources are managed, so you require an inverter generator with a proper control system.

Q: How many hours for the launch of Powerwall 2?

The Powerwall 2 stands to be able to provide power to a home for about one to two days, depending on the consumption of electricity in the house and the storage capacity of the battery.

Can a generator be connected to a Powerwall 2?

Yes, it is safe if done properly and in the right manner by following certain steps based on the guidelines of the relevant authority. It is important to use a transfer switch and keep the wiring procedures strictly in mind. However, always seek the services of a licensed electrician for proper installation of this system.

What is the price charged for the integration of a generator with the Powerwall 2?

Pecuniary implications are contingent on some factors, including the size of the generator, the intricacy of installation, as well as the average price rates for labor costs in the location. Thus, it is advisable to request a quote from different professionals.



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Thursday, 3 April 2025

Freshly Squeezed: A zesty KTM 525 EXC street tracker by Mule Motorcycles

Custom-built KTM 525 EXC street tracker by Mule Motorcycles
Richard Pollock has been building motorcycles since before Bike EXIF existed. With such a tenure comes a measure of consistency; the man behind the Mule Motorcycles moniker never disappoints.

Although Mule is best known for his impeccable Harley flat trackers, he does just as well with other marques too. His latest project is a 2005 KTM 525 EXC with an erratic backstory and one heck of an attitude.

Custom-built KTM 525 EXC street tracker by Mule Motorcycles
“It started out as a ‘well used’ trail bike that was street plated,” Mule explains. “I bought it two years ago, with the intention of turning it into my personal motocrosser. Then I got a call from a customer that I had previously built a Harley XR1000 for; he wanted a street supermoto build.”

“I built the bike with tons of new parts—it took at least a year and a half. Once I delivered the bike, he decided he wasn’t all that happy with the supermoto seat height for everyday blastin’ around—so he shipped it back for street tracker redo.”

Custom-built KTM 525 EXC street tracker by Mule Motorcycles
In stock trim, the KTM 525 EXC is a fire-breathing monster with a laughably low curb weight and enough torque to pull your arms from their sockets. But when Mule first got his hands on this particular one, it was, in his words, “a worn-out rag.” An obsessively comprehensive rebuild was on the cards.

The motor was stripped and put back together with a 566 cc cylinder and piston from Built Motors, oversized head and base gaskets, and a KTM 866 crankshaft (as used in the KTM 790 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R EVO). It was also treated to a five-angle valve job and some minor porting.

Custom-built KTM 525 EXC street tracker by Mule Motorcycles
Mule also upgraded the carb to a 41 mm Keihin FCR, with a new intake boot to match the larger carb, and a two-piece K&N filter. Next, he fabricated a new two-into-one stainless steel exhaust header, terminating in a refurbished muffler from a newer KTM enduro.

Other new items include the valves, valve adjustment screws, guides, guide seals, cam chain, cam chain adjuster, clutch plates, rocker arms, clutch plates, and more. Every last gasket, seal, o-ring, and bearing was replaced. The 525 also sports new oversized radiators and hoses, and fresh titanium-colored Cerakote on the stator and clutch covers.

Custom-built KTM 525 EXC street tracker by Mule Motorcycles
Mule binned all of the KTM 525 EXC’s bodywork, before ordering a full set of replacement plastics and a new fuel tank to dress the bike with. The seat is from the KTM Powerparts catalog. The whole kit looks stock-ish, with bold Mule graphics to remind you that it’s not.

Hiding under the new bodywork is a scratch-built wiring loom, complete with a high-output stator, an adjustable voltage regulator, a new coil, and a new plug cap. The battery’s a lightweight Lithium-ion number, helping to shave more weight off the already light EXC.

Custom-built KTM 525 EXC street tracker by Mule Motorcycles
Up in the cockpit, you’ll find new KTM handlebars, fitted with Renthal grips, a new throttle, a Brembo brake master cylinder, and pared-down switches. A digital dash from Trail Tech sits front and center, just above a Bates-style headlight with LED internals. Tiny LED turn signals and an OEM-style LED taillight complete the set.

Subtler upgrades include braided stainless steel brake lines from Crown Performance, an updated clutch cable, and a thermostatic fan kit. With no plastics to hide the bits that normally lurk near the headlight, Mule took a left-field approach to mounting the ignition barrel and horn.

Custom-built KTM 525 EXC street tracker by Mule Motorcycles
The KTM’s main frame went unmolested, but the subframe was ditched in favor of an aluminum unit. Everything was stripped and powder-coated, and then put back together with new bearings. A chromoly side stand from Mule’s catalog keeps the bike upright when parked.

The original forks and rear shock are still in play, but they’ve been overhauled and lowered. The billet yokes are from a later model KTM, but the aluminum bracket that holds the headlight, front fender, and brake hose guide is a handmade part. Little bespoke parts and shiny KTM factory bits are peppered all over this 525.

Custom-built KTM 525 EXC street tracker by Mule Motorcycles
Finally, Mule rebuilt the KTM 525 EXC’s wheels to match his client’s request for a street-ready flat tracker. The hubs and 19” rims are from Warp 9, with Buchanan spokes sitting between them. From the Dunlop DT tires to the rebuilt brake calipers, brake pads, front rotor, chain, sprockets, and chain adjuster bolts, there’s not an inch of this KTM that isn’t factory-fresh.

Mule’s KTM 525 EXC street tracker is a prime example of form following function—and another feather in the cap of one of the scene’s best custom motorcycle builders.

Mule Motorcycles | Instagram | Images by Bart Cepek

Custom-built KTM 525 EXC street tracker by Mule Motorcycles



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Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Think Different: A modified Ariel Leader from England

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
UK-based photographer Del Hickey has a talent for uncovering unique machines, built by highly skilled individuals that would otherwise fly under the radar. This time, he’s dug up a real zinger—a modified Ariel Leader from a small village in Gloucestershire, England.

It’s the work of Ivan Counsell—a retired engineer and designer with little internet presence beyond his personal Facebook profile. Asked what he’s up to these days, he simply replies that he spends his time “making things different.” And this custom Ariel Leader sure is different.

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
The project was born when Ivan acquired the donor bike from a friend of his at a price that was too good to refuse. “It was in totally standard form and covered in dust,” he tells us. “Needless to say, it was neither pretty nor clean.”

Released in 1958, the Ariel Leader was a 249 cc two-stroke twin with a pressed steel monocoque chassis and a fully enclosed body. It carried fuel under its seat, with a faux fuel tank, mounted in the traditional spot, acting as a frunk. As you’d imagine, taking one apart is an arduous task.

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
“I can honestly say it has never taken me so long to strip a bike down in my entire life. How many nuts and bolts of different sizes can a motorcycle manufacturer possibly fit to one bike? Anyway, after hours of grazed knuckles, swearing, and much to-ing and fro-ing—gathering many sizes of British sockets and spanners—the tin wonder was finally dismantled.”

“Wondering what on earth I was to do with a mountain of tin and plastic, I advertised everything I had spare on eBay. A chap drove up from the South Coast to Gloucestershire and filled his Ford Fiesta to the brim with unwanted Ariel parts.”

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
“Much to my amazement, he covered the cost of the Ariel’s purchase and even left me with a few hundred quid to spend on it! Happy days! To date, I’m still in pocket—something that never happens to me.”

“It didn’t take long before I decided what to do with the Ariel. I remembered seeing George Brown’s Ariel Arrow sprint bike in the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham and thought, actually, that’s not too bad. So I started work, marking out where I would lighten the pressed steel frame.”

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
Going ham with the hole saw, Ivan gave the Leader’s monocoque an array of ‘speed holes’ before turning his attention to the enclosed front forks. Once he’d piled up all the bits of metal peppered across his workshop, he dug into the Ariel’s motor; “A simple affair, as two-strokes go.”

Ivan had a pair of Suzuki GT250 X7 pistons lying around, which were a perfect match for the Leader’s bore and stroke. So he modified the Ariel con rods to accept Suzuki wrist pins and installed the GT250 X7 pistons. The barrels were modified slightly, and the heads were swapped for Ariel Arrow items with a 10:1 compression ratio and a squish band.

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
Ivan also bored out the crankcase’s single inlet port, fabricated a new intake manifold to accommodate a 32 mm flat-slide carb, and added a foam air filter. The crankshaft was sent off for a rebuild, while a friend machined the external flywheel down to help the engine spool up quicker.

Ivan tried building his own electronic ignition for the Ariel Leader next—but wasn’t happy with any of his attempts. In the end, he built one using the backplate from a Triumph T120 points assembly, a six-volt battery, new condensers, and a new ignition coil.

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
“There was a reason I didn’t go overboard on tuning the engine too much,” Ivan explains. “I knew that when I rebuilt it, there would be more horsepower than the Ariel Golden Arrow. But the brakes are absolute rubbish, so a bike capable of over 80 mph would be bloody dangerous on today’s roads—or any road, in fact. I’ll address that problem at a later date.”

Although Ivan binned the Ariel Leader’s all-encompassing bodywork, a number of OEM parts survived the cull. The bike still has its original wheels, suspension, foot pegs, and rear fender, but everything has either been refurbished, repaired, or massaged.

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
The standard exhausts needed more than just a little tweaking though. “They’re longer than a double-decker bus,” says Ivan, “so I cut eight inches out of them. I also removed the inner baffle and, as luck would have it, inside the rear aluminum cone is a small tube. I pulled it out and reversed it so it protruded out the back of the cone, giving it a sort of expansion chamber look.”

“The exhaust note is quite pleasant and not too loud. I’ve made expansion chambers in the past, but this cheap option saved a lot of time. And the word ‘cheap’ suits this build very well, as I never intended to part with too much hard-earned cash on a motorcycle made with large amounts of pressed steel.”

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
To save even more money, Ivan started filtering through the countless motorcycle seats he had hanging in his shed for a suitable perch. “I routed around and found what I believe to be a Lambretta racing seat, so I grabbed it and placed it on the bike. I made up a hinged bracket to access the battery and used two sprung clips to keep it from flipping up.”

Ivan paints his bikes himself, usually opting for different shades of green. In a bid to shake things up, he picked ‘Sky Blue’—a color typically used by the British military on their engines, that Ivan notes has a suspicious green hue to it.

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
Although this is the first time we’ve seen a custom bike from Ivan, it’s not his first (nor his last) project. “I’m now trying to shy away from Brit bikes, as I’ve had them since 1971 when I was 11 years old. I have a 1972 Harley Shovelhead that interests me more, so that will get the treatment later this year.”

“I have a passion for all bikes, but I’m afraid early Japanese stuff still does it for me. The engines are easy to strip and rebuild, and the gearboxes are lovely to use. I’ve worked on hundreds and hundreds of them since I was 15 and owned around 150 of them—including other makes, it totals over 200 bikes.”

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell
“I’m always planning what to build next. Unfortunately, important stuff like working on the house gets a back seat—much to the annoyance of ‘her indoors’.”

Images by, and with our enduring thanks to, Del Hickey

Custom Ariel Leader two-stroke by Ivan Counsell



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Sunday, 30 March 2025

Hotshot: A slammed Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer


Firefighter-turned-custom bike builder Chris Scholtka has a knack for building slick, and somewhat hot-rodded, café racers. This Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer epitomizes his style well—but it was almost built using a very different donor bike.

“It started two years ago when an old friend called me,” Chris tells us. “She had received a big birthday gift from her family—a Honda CX650—and wanted to have it customized by me. We had a plan, but sadly the bike was stolen and we had to start from zero.”

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer by Motocrew
Chris operates under the moniker Motocrew from his workshop in Cottbus, Germany. And considering the slick custom bikes he typically creates, he was secretly relieved that the CX650 and its gawky frame were no longer part of the project. So he got together with his friend to brainstorm potential replacements.

“She wanted an old school-looking café racer and a reliable everyday bike. Because she didn’t have a garage in her hometown, Berlin, and didn’t have the knowledge to get a carburetor bike ready for riding season, it had to be a newer fuel-injected bike.”

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer by Motocrew
Triumph’s modern classics quickly rose to the top of the list—until Chris spotted a Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 on eBay. “The RE shape is so clean, and building on it is simply fun. Everything is simple and reliable, and the aftermarket is better than I thought.”

“She set the color scheme on day one—as much black as possible. But a ‘lil Motocrew design should be worked into it too, of course.”

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer by Motocrew
Chris started up front, where he replaced the Continental GT 650’s headlight with an ultra-modern LED unit from Koso. It’s mounted on a custom-made bracket that bolts to the bottom yoke. Flanking the headlight are neat fork shrouds that Chris 3D-printed to buff up the front end, visually.

Since the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 comes with clip-on bars out of the box, its top yoke is already devoid of riser mounts. That made Chris’ job easier. With new, more aggressive clip-ons in place, he simply shaved the original ignition barrel mount to accommodate a Motogadget speedo, which came from Crooked Motorcycles as part of a plug-and-play kit.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer by Motocrew
Rather than relocate the ignition, Chris binned it in favor of a keyless setup. The NFC ignition, plus the bar-end turn signals and glassless mirrors, all came from Motogadget.

Moving to the bodywork, Chris opted to retain the Continental GT 650’s OEM fuel tank—which isn’t surprising, considering how good it looks. The gas cap was swapped out for a flush-mounted pop-up item.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer by Motocrew
Despite sporting a solo seat and tail bump in stock form, the Enfield didn’t quite have the compact proportions that Chris envisioned. So he removed the original parts, cut and looped the subframe, and fabricated a new rear cowl. A pair of Motogadget LEDs, perched on 3D-printed carbon mounts, act as taillights and turn signals, while the license plate sits lower down.

One of the hallmarks of a Motocrew café racer is its stance—and this one’s as purposeful as it gets. Chris lowered the front end by around 200 mm, before swapping the shocks out for custom-built YSS items that are 200 mm longer than stock. He also re-laced the front hub to a second 18” rear rim, so that he could fit tires with matching widths.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer by Motocrew
The Enfield now rolls on 3.5×18” Shinko E270 tires, with a handful of judicious braking upgrades offering improved performance. The chunky vibe of the wheels and slammed forks is echoed in the burly exhausts custom units from Mass that include dB killers and retain the bike’s catalytic convertor.

“The most important thing,” Chris adds, “is that it’s all street-legal in Germany!”

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer by Motocrew
Finished off in a mix of matte and gloss black (which extends to the engine covers), this Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer continues the Motocrew’s fine tradition of building razor-sharp machines that ooze style. We’ve no doubt that it will help its owner get over the loss of her CX650.

Motocrew Instagram | Images by kylefx

Editor’s note Regular Speed Read programming will return next week.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer by Motocrew



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