We have posted quite a lot of motorcycle safety commercials recently, including one from Australia, one from Norway and now here's a pretty good one from Britain. The Department of Transport has launched this new ad created by London agency Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO as part of its THINK! campaign. This ad was inspired by research stating that drivers who personally know a motorcyclist are much more careful and aware while driving - so by using these huge Vegas style neon signs they make you feel like you know these riders. It made me think what my sign would say, maybe something like "extremely dangerous, beer loving swine". But seriously, would love to get your feedback on the commercial and also hear what your sign would say. Check out the making of video if you are curious about how they did it. [Found on Rippin Kitten]

The pictured Ducati 900ss is one of their proud creations and we will let them describe this Cinderella story: "Boy meets bike, Boy likes bike, Boy crashes bike. Keep reading. It gets better. From the ashes of its damaged frame, all parts were removed. A one of a kind fiberglass tail section was crafted to work with a sectioned stock frame that was rebuilt from the rear motor mounts back. The proportions of this bike puts one in mind of the Scuderia Spaggiari Ducati and Tony Rutter's TT2. Once again, a GFTP piece was created just for this rising phoenix from the ashes: a modified 900SS front fairing to accept the headlights and turn signals. The tank is a collaboration of a 900SS tank and a late 80's 750 Sport. Custom brackets and period race parts complete the package". In my humble opinion this bike has been transformed from a chunky and dated Italian sports bike into a stylish modern cafe racer. For more images of this bike and others, including a fine Yamaha RD60, visit the well designed Union website.

It wasn't long ago we featured another Mr Martini custom, but this Triumph Thruxton 900 was burning a hole in our inbox. Sent to us by the talented Mr Martini himself, we couldn't wait to post it. Although it isn't his latest creation, it's still one of our favourites. To create this incredible Thruxton-based bike or “Classic Urban Racer” as it has been nicknamed, Mr Martini took a fresh out of the factory pre-series bike and completely modified it. He started by adding Wilbers suspensions, a bigger rear rim and classic Metzeler tires. The forks rigidity plate has been replaced because the cut fender has been placed below to draw it up to the tire. The rear fender has been cut and the rear light has been set inside the seat, and in true cafe racer style loads of unnecessary components, standard speedometer included, have been thrown away. The beautiful long manifolds and megaphone pipes have been custom made and painted to give the bike a striking look. From an aesthetic point of view, this built “Flash Back” Triumph is a well balanced mix of modern and classic styling. Check out his other bikes at the Italian based Mr Martini site, particularly the tasty Triumph Flashback Racer.

Crossbreed Cycles are based in the U.K and created this amazing bike a few years ago using a 2.5 Litre Alfa Romeo V6 engine. This is what these guys specialize in - they use parts, frames and engines you think would be impossible to combine and then make it happen. This one of a kind motorcycle has a Kraftek frame, a four speed Harley Davidson transmission, all powered by the Italian Alfa Romeo V6. There are six individual exhaust pipes, a pair of Weber downdrafts, with fork, discs and calipers from a Kawasaki ZXR750. That may sound like an unusual combination but they are working on an even bigger project - this time creating a Maserati bike which we can't wait to see. Until then check out some more pics of this ambitious Alfa project.