California
BLACK & GOLD. Moto Guzzi California 1100 by Recast Moto
A few years ago we featured a murdered-out Moto Guzzi Nevada 750 by Recast Moto. If it were a movie, it would have received a standing ovation. But there was one small problem – and we mean small literally. It seems they like their bikes big in Belarus, and unfortunately most of the people who were interested in buying the bike thought the 750cc Guzzi was a little too small. So Recast decided to make a sequel, using a larger California 1100 and touches of gold to accentuate the details.
QUICK SILVER. Stephen Brisken’s Ducati 900 SS Cafe
How many 21-year-olds do you know with an amazing bike collection? The answer is probably zero. That’s because getting older seems to be a distinct benefit in the bike scene. In retirement many of us find ourselves in a position where those dream bikes we’ve always wanted are finally within reach….
POWER COUPLE. Zanutto Engineering’s ’71 Yamaha R5 Restomod Racer
Imagine a partner that was as keen to mix two-stroke as you were. Well, for San Diego’s Eric Zanutto and his wife Melanie, nature has conspired to do the unimaginable. They both like bikes. Hell, they both build bikes. Here’s their latest creation – a ’71 Yamaha R5 Racer restomod…
GULF COURSE. Kott Motorcycle’s Textbook Honda CB550 Cafe Racer
While we’d argue that the Gulf Oil Fords and Porsches from the 60s and 70s are amongst the most beautiful racing machines ever made, it’s with a fair amount of trepidation that we click on bike submissions that have anything to do with the brand. The reason? My God, it’s been done to death…
ICING ON THE CAKE. George Baker’s Ducati 900SS Cafe Racer
George Baker has an enormous, professional workshop at his disposal. Described by many in the scene as the ‘deathstar of custom motorcycles’, his premises also takes in a 200 seat cafe, a small theatre, a bar and a huge apparel store. Alright, that’s a lie…
KICK ASS. Mule Motorcycles’ Yamaha SR500 Tracker
There’s no two ways about it – Mule Motorcycles build the best trackers in the world. They usually work their magic on Sportsters. But they’re nearly always twins. Thankfully, for worshippers at the altar of the SR500, he’s now turned his talents to Yamaha’s…
FAMILY FIRST. Kott Motorcycles’ Heirloom Honda S90 Racer
LA’s Kott Motorcycles are the clinicians of the bike-building word. They produce hospital-grade builds so clean you could eat off them. Each one of their cafe-inspired builds is a masterclass of balance, proportion and build quality. This time around they’ve tackled a smaller offering…
HOT DOG. Enginethusiast’s ‘Number 23’ Husky 250WR Desert Sled
Long before anyone had dreamed up Netflix, two seminal documentaries from legendary filmmaker Bruce Brown were being passed down like a rite of passage through the generations. One was the original surf classic The Endless Summer and for the motorcycle mad it was, On Any Sunday…
THE DUKE OF HAZARDS. Boxer Metal’s ‘Moonshine Runner’ BMW R80 Scrambler
If you’re anything like us, one mention of running moonshine in the 70s and your head will be full of orange Dodge Chargers, getting sideways on dirt roads and comically inept police. But California’s Boxer Metal took a decidedly ‘out of the box’ approach to the nefarious task at hand…
TEN BUCK COFFEE. Kott Motorcycles’ ’79 Honda CB750 Cafe Racer
What if we told you about an opportunity to own a cafe racer by one of the best cafe racer builders in the world? No catches and no tricks. No, there won’t be any steak knives thrown in but it all could be yours for just $10. Interested? Then read on…