In our quest to pack Speed Read with every style of motorcycle imaginable, we’re kicking things off with a groovy 70s-style Royal Enfield Super Meteor cruiser. It’s followed by a vintage Triumph chopper from The Netherlands, a Police-spec BMW R80 that’s been turned into an enduro bike, and a rare Bimota Tesi 1D 904.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 by Deus Milan Building on the worldwide success of their 650 twin platform, Royal Enfield announced the new Super Meteor 650 highway cruiser late last year. Bikes have been rolling out to customers for a few months now, and custom shops are slowly sinking their teeth into them.
This custom-built Royal Enfield Super Meteor cruiser comes from Deus Ex Machina’s Portal of Possibilities in Milan, Italy. The commission came directly from Royal Enfield, who instructed the Milano workshop not to return it in the same condition as they found it in.
Deus obliged with a stylish cruiser that looks like it’s been transported straight out of the 70s. They did so by focussing on subtle cosmetic mods, leaving the Super Meteor’s foundations largely unmolested.
The front fender is new, as is the spoked front wheel which replaces the OEM cast hoop. A custom nacelle surrounds the LED headlight, which sits in front of a new Motogadget speedo. Other fresh parts include the fuel tank, injector covers, and rear fender.
Lighting out back is by way of three-function Kellerman Atto LEDs, bolted to the shock mounts. Bits have been blacked out over the whole bike, with not a lick of chrome remaining.
Sure, a chrome-less look is counter to the 70s aesthetic, but we love the splash of yellow and blue on the tank, and we know that chrome isn’t the best choice for a daily rider. And with high-rise bars and a generous king and queen saddle, Deus has nailed the laid-back retro cruiser vibe.
Finishing the build off in style are black ceramic-coated exhausts from Mass Moto, covers for the rear wheel, and a bobbed rear fender. All that’s missing is a skateboard rack and a sissy bar to tie some luggage to. [More]
Triumph T120 by DBBP Design Mark van der Kwaak and Aad Heemskerk know that all good things take time. Case in point: this perfectly proportioned Triumph T120 chopper took them fourteen years to build.
Based on a 1960s Triumph T120 Bonneville, the motorcycle was designed in CAD by Mark and then brought to life by Aad. Mark’s design business is called DBBP Design—and when he’s not dreaming up wicked motos he’s focussing on product development and computer-animated design. Aad spends most of his time fabricating parts for high-end boats, so it’s easy to see why they make a great team.
To get the show started, the T120 had its back end chopped off and converted to rigid. The original front forks remain, but they have been shortened and fitted with millimeter-perfect shrouds. A vintage-style headlight lights the way, but there are no gauges, switchgear, or levers fitted to the stainless steel handlebars.
A foot clutch system was made and paired with a jockey shift to cycle through the Bonneville’s refurbished transmission. Its left-foot clutch, right-foot brake, and jockey system cross over the frame above the headers, following the down tube to a custom-made linkage. It’s both ingenious and artfully done.
The tank is from an old Japanese bike and drapes over the frame to hide the ignition coil. It’s got a custom filler cap which is finished with a glass eye that was given to them by an old friend. There isn’t a wire or cable to be seen, thanks to an internal throttle and the aforementioned lack of switchgear.
The engine (which is from 1964) was spritzed up and fitted with a slew of parts, including oversized pistons and new Amal carbs. The stainless steel exhaust is another work of art; we love how it traces the frame and flows out into wonderful flared ends.
The seat was made from an old leather jacket and runs up onto the handmade rear fender. The sissy bar and taillight setup are, you guessed it, also custom parts made by Aad. The oil tank is a stunning aftermarket item, but it’s been modified with a cutout to accommodate the chain.
Finished with custom paint and judicious polishing, this might be the best Triumph chop we’ve ever seen. [Via]
BMW R80 ‘EnduroBoxer’ by SWT-Sports It’s hard to think that this beefed-up enduro machine started life as a stock standard Police-issue BMW R80, but it did. Built by its owner Manuel Schad, it was created to compete in heavyweight enduro competition in the Interessengemeinschaft Enduro (IGE). Spoiler alert: Manuel became the champion in his class.
Manuel runs a shop in Germany called SWT-Sports, specializing in BMW parts and modifications. So when he isn’t working on custom bikes, he’s working on his own.
To turn the R80 from a police cruiser into an ‘EnduroBoxer,’ Manuel first swapped out the front suspension for a set of WP Suspension forks, held in place by custom CNC yokes. The paralever shaft drive from a later-model BMW was grafted on out back, along with its single-shock system.
Manuel spent a lot of time reinforcing the frame’s steering head, top tube, and the points where the swingarm attaches to the frame. He also designed and built a new subframe, then added a Maico seat and a rear fender from Preston Petty MX. The fuel tank comes from a classic Husqvarna.
Next, the engine capacity was increased to 880 cc, with an additional oil cooler installed. Manuel removed the engine’s top cover to shave a little weight off, then used the space to reroute the exhaust headers ‘through’ the chassis. The factory airbox remains, most likely due to the harsh racing conditions that Manuel likes to throw the bike around in.
With a set of MX bars mounted up top, the whole machine stands tall—which is just as well, since Manuel is a big guy. At over 6’6” tall, he’s built this bike for him and him alone. Finishing touches include an enduro-style headlight and number plate, and a burly sump guard.
Manuel has used (and abused) his BMW R80 at the formidable Erzberg Rodeo, Enduropale du Torquay, and many other IGE enduro events. We’re more than certain he’s a crowd favorite. [Via]
Reserve not met: Bimota Tesi 1D 904 Bimota motorcycles are often held aloft as some of the best riding bikes on the planet. Their limited numbers, hand-built approach, and striking looks also add to their mystique.
Bimota was founded in 1973 by Valerio Bianchi, Giuseppe Morri, and Massimo Tamburni. The three Italian gentlemen combined their expertise (and their names) to create the company, focussing on motorcycle frame design and performance.
This is a Bimota Tesi 1D 904, of which there were only 20 made from 1991 to 1992. It uses a 904 cc Ducati engine, derived from the Ducati 851 Desmoquattro. The engine is paired with a six-speed transmission—but, as with all Bimotas, the engine and transmission play second fiddle to the frame, suspension, and steering.
While we adore the fully encapsulated fairings of the 1D 904, they hide all the engineering artwork that Bimota has become famous for. Beneath the white, red, and green bodywork, and wrapped around the Ducati L-twin, is a CNC-machined aluminum frame. The frame supports the Bimota Tesi’s signature hub-centered steering system, with swingarms at both ends of the bike.
The idea was to separate the steering and suspension aspects of the front end, to dial out front-end dive under braking for a more stable ride through corners. Whether you believe the hype or not, it remains one of the most interestingly engineered motorcycles ever made.
Everything else on the Bimota Tesi is top-notch too. From the Marchesini wheels to the enormous Brembo brakes and Marzocchi shocks, there are myriad reasons why Bimotas have always been so expensive. The extremely 90s dashboard setup is particularly trick, as is the strip of warning lights that’s embedded into the tank section.
This particular bike was for sale on Bring-a-Trailer with only about 800 miles on the clock. Interestingly, bidding only went up to $21,500, which was passed on because the reserve was not met.
If it pops up for sale again, this Bimota Tesi would no doubt make for an incredible museum piece. But as with all rare and interesting motorcycles, we’d love to see it back on the road. [Via]
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