While Santa packed up his sleigh and headed off to fill his stomach with cookies, rum and hay, for Rudolph and the lads, back here at Pipeburn HQ we were locked in a small room trying to pick the best bikes of 2019. It’s no easy task, but thanks to the custom builders right around the world who continue to amaze and our dear readers comments, likes and shares; we managed to narrow down the field. Plenty of worthy contenders just missed out, we created two new categories to help capture the years best, but in the end there can only be one winner and to top the pack it had to be seriously special, Ladies and Gentleman, you’re Pipeburn Bike of the Year…

Young Gun Award – Supercharged Yamaha SR400 by Oily Rag Customs

When our fearless editor, Scott, headed for the Machine Show in Braidwood, NSW, Australia he expected to see some brilliant bikes. But what he couldn’t have imagined was that one of the standout customs of the show was built by a young lad, just 22 years of age. Motorcycle mechanic by day, young Keeley Pritchard spent 10 months on the tools with the moon overhead to bring his supercharged steed to life. And when his supercharger let go with just a week until showtime, two of Australia’s best builders stepped up to lend a hand; it’s what the custom community is all about!

[Read original story here]

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Writer’s Reward – Honda CX500 by Underground Custom Cycles

Every week of the year Pipeburn scribe Tim Huber and I receive an inbox full of the most kick-ass customs from around the world. It’s truly an honour to get to hear the back stories behind each feature bike and learn more about the men and women who make these magnificent machines. But what makes a writer’s job a joy is a bike so comprehensive in its completed form that the article practically writes itself, and the UCC CX500 left no stone left unturned.

[ Read original story here ]

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10. 1978 KTM GS250 by Sam Customs

There is nothing like the smell of two-stroke in the crisp alpine air to bring your morning to life! But rather than go for something new, Sam Luginbühl chose to breathe new life into a 40-year-old barnstormer and enjoy the character that comes with every kick. The metal fabricator by trade also builds high-end hot rods and applying those skills to the old ’78 delivered one killer KTM.

[ Read original story here ]

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9. BMW F 850GS by Krautmotors

With 2019 marking 100 years since German architect Walter Gropius founded Staatliches Bauhaus, an art school whose philosophy was based on Gesamtkunstwerk, meaning ‘total work of art’, BMW decided to commission a build to celebrate the occasion. It had to incorporate the school’s approach, include elements both old and new, while still being able to ride into the museum like a boss. Krautmotors head honcho Rolf Reick lives, rides, races and wrenches on the brand from Bavaria and repaid the favour with this splendid speedy sculpture.

[ Read original story here ]

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8. MV Agusta F3 675 by Tricana Motorcycles

Beauty may well be in the eye of the beholder, but MV never fail to release products that have us all saying ‘Bellissimo’ around the world. So to take on the challenge of turning up the gorgeous gauge on one of their models takes a brave soul. Thankfully Tricana Motorcycles had it all in hand and not only delivered on the looks but perked up the performance to deliver one of the most desirable bikes of the year!

[ Read original story here ]

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7. KTM 950 SMR by Fabman Creations

To find a balance between form and function can often mean making sacrifices in one area to achieve the desired result in the other. But Fabman Creations have found a way to combine both elements in not only the parts they crafted for their custom KTM but exquisite equilibriam in the entire execution. The big desert sled looks as good as it goes and had many lusting after one for their own garage.

[ Read original story here ]

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6. Cagiva Alazzurra by Ash Kollmorgen

Ash might have been after a Ducati when his search for a donor bike began, but the Cagiva ticked all the boxes and teaming up with DNA Custom Cycles they’ve created a copybook cafe racer of the highest order. From the monocoque bodywork delivering the killer curves to one of the most comprehensively built L-Twin engines you’re likely to see; everything about the Cagiva screams quality.

[ Read original story here ]


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5. Honda CB550 by Popbang Classics

For generations small businesses have used Hot Rods to attract attention and bring punters through the doors and Justin at Popbang was asked to create a vehicle to do just the same for a beaut burger bar! Initially, the stance and vintage good looks draw you in, before your eye catches a glimpse of the supercharger and you realise things have really gone crazy with the girder forks and suicide shift. So to drink it all in you order a beer, grab a burger and fall victim to a job brilliantly done.

[ Read original story here ]

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4. Suzuki DR650 by Parr Motorcycles

Few, if any, decades of the last century cop the sort of derision and ridicule like the ’80s, but it turns out if you want the internet to go crazy for your motorcycle then build a tribute to the period. Spencer has beaten bigger battles than most, surviving ocular cancer and through his struggle he’s developed an ability to build bikes that tug at the heart strings. This RM tribute machine seemed to get everyone nostalgic with its Pac-Man good looks and purpose-built performance.

[ Read original story here ]

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3. Bianchi Tonale by Plan B Motorcycles

By the time you get to the top three you have to have done something pretty special and the little Bianchi with the big engine had us dreaming of riding this Moonshine racer with the lyrics of Copperhead Road running through our veins. Known as ‘Flying ’57 it’s a mix of a vintage frame, brilliant bodywork, with a modern motor and classic race parts to make one cool as can be custom.

[ Read original story here ]

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2. Ducati Monster 821 by XTR Pepo

Whether under his old brand name or new, when Pepo Rosell delivers a delicious new Ducati the world sits up and takes notice. Few builders manage to hit a home run with every bike they lay their hands on, but the Spanish builder with a flair for Italian machinery has turned making race replicas into an art form and the modern Monster stood no chance of leaving his workshop as anything but a masterpiece.

[ Read original story here ]

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1. Ducati Monster by Alonze Custom

Taking out the top spot for 2019 meant overcoming some seriously stiff competition and it was a year when readers demands for a comprehensive creation have never been higher. Bolt-on mods just won’t cut it anymore, so it comes as no surprise then that Master Craftsman Jim Alonze has taken out the award. With not much more than a set of engine cases to begin with he’s fabricated an incredible frame and swingarm combination, built a carbon fibre monocoque and added touches like the tremendous titanium exhaust to build the bike that takes home the top trophy!

[ Read original story here ]

Thanks to all our readers, sponsors and bike builders for supporting us this year. Without your clicks, comments and shares we wouldn’t be able to bring you Pipeburn. Looking forward to an even bigger year in 2020 with a new site design launching very soon. Stay tuned and keep the shiny side up.