This Scrambler Eats Craters For Breakfast

17:18

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Bike Building

Moto Exotica’s Eight looks like a love child of Yamaha RD350 and a cliff. But faster.

Moto Exotica's Eight (Image credit: Lakshya Khanduri)

In a country where 125cc swarm the showrooms and streets like honeycomb during breeding season, we seldom come across motorcycles that stand out from this timid flock. But creating a one-off masterpiece is more difficult than making a teenage girl understand why Justin Beiber is not the master of the universe. However, some bike builders have been carving out pieces of art so that the rest of human species can gawk at their creations. One such piece of work is ‘Eight’ by Moto Exotica.

Moto Exotica is based on the legendary Yamaha RD350. We caught up with Eight’s creator and Moto Exotica’s founder Arjun Raina to know more.

Bike Name: Eight

Story behind the name: This is Arjun’s eight bike

Type of bike: Scrambler

Engine: Yamaha RD350. Two-stroke. Crankcase tweaking.

Headlamps: Custom

These lights are porn.

Chassis: The engine bay is from RD350. Rest of it is custom tailored to suit the modifications.

Powerband: Starts from 2500 and pulls you cleanly till 9000 rpm. Mild peak at 9200 approx.

Top speed: 200 kmph. On a Scrambler so top speed is not as important as the mid-range. Arjun has a similar configuration on a Café Racer and it does 184 kmph. This is lighter and Arjun expects it to do 200 kmph.

Custom headlights spell out the number '8' (Image credit: Lakshya Khanduri)

Suspension: Front-end from a KTM 200. It’s re-valved and has been made a little softer for better ride quality on gravel and dirt. Rear-suspension is also from KTM 200. But the angle is slightly changed in order to enable a little more travel while off-roading.

Swingarm: It’s 100% custom-made because the bike required it to be a little longer. This is 6 inches longer than the normal RD350 because once you start increasing the power, the front-end lifts and you start doing wheelies; to compensate, you drop the gas and reduce the power. So, in order to keep both the wheels on the tarmac, they lengthened the bike by adding this very strong and long swingarm.

So, if you make the swingarm slightly longer, you can even do the hill climb without tweaking the engine.

Seat and Tank: They are shaped in such a way that you can glide from seat to tank easily to give better traction to the front end when the need arise. Especially while taking the tight corners.

Dry weight: 95 kg.

Power-to-weight: Nearly 700 bhp-per-tonne

Tyres: TKC 80s Continental. They’re dual tyres – can run on tarmac as well as off-road.

Life of tyres: About 7000-8000 km.

Brakes: They’re upgraded. At the front, there is a 4-pot caliper with rotor from a CBR 250 which is mod-ed and reshaped. Ditto for the rear wheel. Bibram is sister-concern of Brembo in India, for cheaper manufacturing.

Exhaust is the mirror image of the headlight (Image credit: Lakshya Khanduri)

Exhaust: There are two exhaust pipes and each of them is hand built from 45 different sections.

This is not mild-steel, this is stainless steel and it’s even more difficult to work with. We get limited by the processes that are used to work with it. This is TIG weld and there is only a certain way in which you can finish them. The upside is that this is much stronger. Some people say that performance wise, stainless steel is poor; but whatever we’ve done so far, in our experience, we’ve always had superior performance with stainless steel.

Drive (Belt or Chain): Chain

Why is the chain a bit loose?

To allow the suspension to travel freely. Over time, we’re planning to add the roller chain adjusters similar to how most of the off-road bikes have but that will happen at a later stage.

Exhaust pipes showcases the quality of craftsmanship (Image credit: Lakshya Khanduri)

Did you purposely finish the exhaust this way so that all the sections of the pipe are visible?

Absolutely. We want people to see the hard work that has gone in making these 45 sections of the exhaust pipe. You can see the welds between two sections; this shows the kind of effort that has gone in making this bike. Also, in two-stroke world, this is really appreciated. Besides, it also to gives it that raw look.

So, how did you get into bike customizing?
It’s been a long journey. When I was in class 10, we had little Shoguns and we always wanted to go faster; so, I decided to mod my bike without knowing if it was right or wrong. Then somewhere along the way, I started getting it right.

This all started somewhere around in year 2000, as a kid. Then I pursued my education and did my Mechanical Engineering. Then I did Masters in Machine Designing. I worked for few big companies then (I won’t name then). But then I realized that I don’t want to work for someone else all my life. I wish to do something on my own. So I started designing bikes under my own name.

Footrest. Doubles up as a cheese grater (Image credit: Lakshya Khanduri)

It’s been more than 10 years – 13 years since I’ve been doing it.

It seems, Yamaha RD 350 has always been your focus when it comes to bike building/modifying?

It’s not like I’m not doing other motorcycles. It’s just that, because the engine is so compact and versatile, and given the fact that how easy it is to make the changes; I’ll always keep this as a personal favourite. It pulls out close to 65 BHPs and the bike weighs less than 100 kg. From power-to-weight ratio perspective, that almost puts it in the superbike category.

Arjun is keeping his lips sealed about his next bike but he’s tempted us by saying that “It’ll be a 500cc flat racer, and it’ll set a benchmark in the world of custom bike building in India.”

Biker Build-off Open Class Winner at IBW 2014 (Lakshya Khanduri)

We’re surely looking forward to that one.


Disclaimer: The article was first published by the author for RedBull.com

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For biking nirvana, get Moksha

13:09

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Bike Building

If you're the kind of monk who's looking to sell his Ferrari and get a motorcycle, Moksha's for you

Moksha by Wheel Vedas Customs (Image credit: Wheel Vedas Customs)

Wheels Vedas Customs is nearly two-yearly old custom house by Gaurav Desai & Jalraj Shetty. Jalraj is responsible for all the design elements while Gaurav is the engineering maverick.

At this year’s India Bike Week, the Mumbai-based duo unveiled with their latest offering – Moksha. Even in a clutter of customized creations at India Bike Week’s Custom Bike tent, Moksha’s unique look stands out.

This is the mother structure out of which we can make more designs; it’s the blueprint. This is 110% original – we haven’t copied or gotten ‘inspired’ from anyone else’s designs. There’s sentimental value attached to it and we’re never going to sell this.~ Jalraj Shetty

Here’s a closer look to see what makes the bike tick.

Name: Moksha

Creators: Wheel Vedas Customs

Concept: Drag Vintage style motorcycle

Chassis: Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Twinspark

Materials used: Leather, brass, aluminum, cast iron and perfume bottle casing.

Frame: It's a Z-line frame. The rear half is chopped off but the mount and the front are kept stock as per the RTO norms (to keep the chassis number intact). From behind, the swing arm has been extended separately.

Engine: 350cc engine is tweaked to provide an output equivalent to the 535cc engine. This was achieved by boring into the cylinder and adding bigger pistons.

Engine's tweaked to now produce 500cc (Image credit: Wheel Vedas Customs)

Acceleration: It’s not a conventional throttle twist. Instead, the accelerator cable is connected to the lever. It’s almost the same mechanism, but, instead of twisiting the throttle, here, you pull the lever and accordingly, the cable gets pulled and the acceleration is applied.

Suspension:
Front forks: Stock suspension is covered in a shell to make it look like its rigid suspension but it’s not. It’s just a shell and it works like any other telescopic forks.

Brakes: Stock drum brakes for the rear wheel but nothing on the fronts. As per the designer Jalraj, “The brake lines would kill the look of the bike. It’s a drag style motorcycle so you’re expected to control it with your gears.”

One-of-a-kind rear shocks (Image credit: Wheel Vedas Customs)

Rear shocks: The four springs of the shock absorber are connected to the frame as well as to the swing arm

“It is basic calculations and mathematics. We’ve broken two chassis in the process of building this rear shock. After much trial & error, we’ve reached at this point of perfection. We haven’t patented it yet but I think we should.”
Gaurav Desai

Headlight: Original headlight is chopped off because it was made of brass – which is brittle. The current one is a custom creation.

Exhaust pipe: Wrapped

Switches: What switches? There are no switches. There isn't a single visible wire on the motorcycle. Every mechanism that’s required to run the motorcycle is inside the tank.

A meditating monk (Image credit: Wheel Vedas Customs)

Fuel tank: It’s divided into two parts. A part of it is hollow to accommodate the electronics. There’s rubber coating and a layer of glass wool, so that there’s no short-circuit to ignite the fuel that’s stored in the other half of the tank.

Monks meditate to attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of life and birth) and that’s the exact thing being depicted by the silhouette of a monk on the fuel tank.

Below the monk’s figure are inscribed the holy words ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ in Tibetan script.

Paint scheme: The air brushing and air painting is done by the in-house designer and one-half of Wheel Vedas Customs Jalraj Shetty.

Tail light: A perfume bottle! That’s correct, the tail light is a ‘212 Sexy Men’ perfume bottle.

Wheels Vedas Customs like to give a retro/classic feel to all their bikes. So far, the guys from Navi Mumbai have more than half a dozen custom bikes to their name but undoubtedly Moksha is their flagship creation.
Disclaimer: The article was first published by the author on RedBull.com

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RH Custom's Da-Bang

17:08

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Bike Building

This Salman Khan Tribute bike helped Reza Hussain win IBW Biker Build Off for the second time.

RH Custom's Da-Bang at India Bike Week 2015 (Image credit: Binoy Parikh)

This generation of motorbike lovers have grown up watching the creations of Orange County Customs, Billy Lane, Paul ‘Tooty’ Moody and the late Indian Larry. During the early-mid 2000, reality shows such as American Choppers and Biker Build-Off proved to be an insight into the world of custom bike building for bike enthusiasts in India.

Over the last decade, India has seen a growth in custom bike building scene. One such custom bike builder is Reza Hussain of RH Customs. Hussain broke on to the scene with his reptilian-themed chopper called Valeno Mortale which made him win the title of the Best Chopper Design at IBW 2014.

He returned to India Bike Week with his newest creation – Da-Bang – to defend his crown. And defend he did, with a creation dedicated to his favourite actor Salman Khan.

This bike is a dedication to Salman Khan. I’m a big fan of Salman and this is my style of showing my admiration towards him.

“This is not a very usual motorcycle. This is very unique. It has a very masculine and macho image. I have been to Middle East and shows elsewhere. I wanted to showcase a bike and show the world that even in India we can do such stuff and that us Indians are not behind,” said Hussain.

Let’s take a closer look at the bike which won Reza Hussain the title of the Best Custom Bike at IBW 2015.

Name: Da-Bang

Creator: Reza Hussain of RH Customs

Chassis: Custom

Type: Chopper

Theme: Larger than life

Engine: Stock Harley Davidson Superlow

Headlight x 3 (Image credit: Binoy Parikh)

Speedometer: Digital speedometer by Koso. Besides being a regular speedometer, it also displays average speed, top speed, RPM and fuel gauge.

Headlight: Custom triple lights. The middle one is chromed while the other two are blended with the body colour to highlight the details. At first, Hussain went ahead with a single headlight but the size of the triple tree is so big that a single headlight wasn’t doing justice hence, he machined two more. The other two are sidelights but if one switches to high beam, the other two also glows. The two secondary lights are adjustable; one put it straight, down or at an angle, this can be done by just retightening one bolt.

Air filter: Cobra intake air filter to give a masculine feel to it.

Paint: Apple Candy with flames. Some shades of black as well. Pinstripping and air brushing done in house.

Wrapped exhaust (Image credit: Binoy Parikh)

Tyres: Vee Rubber from Thailand. 310mm in the front, 360 mm in the back – world’s fattest tyre. Nobody else in India has done it.

Swingarm: Custom.

Swingarm (Image credit: Binoy Parikh)

Exhaust: Custom. It has three bends/pieces, each machined separately.

Rear indicators: LED. Custom.

Tail light: LED. Custom.

Drive: Chain drive. There’s a single chain to minimize the weight on the soft tail and also to give it a neat and clean look. The jackshaft was aligned so that the chain can be installed slightly towards the outer side giving it a cleaner, more prominent look. It’s a combination of a chrome chain with a sprocket setup which has a chain drive as well as a disc brake on it. 

LED taillights (Image credit: Binoy Parikh)

Why chain and not belt?

“Because I wanted to chrome it out and stand out. I wanted to show the beauty of the chain. The black belt doesn’t give the same industrial feel that a chain does. Chain tensioners are made up of hard nylon,” said Hussain.

Suspension: Mono suspension at the rear. Custom telescopic forks at the front – the triple tree at the front is machined. No bolts are visible from the outside, it’s all been fitted from the inside.

World's fattest tyre (Image credit: Binoy Parikh)

Time to build: 50 days. With just 3-4 hours of sleep every day. Do your math!

After Valeno Mortale and Da-Bang, let’s see which new creations Reza Hussain, the two-time champion from Hyderabad, brings to life.

Disclaimer: This article was first written by the author for RedBull.com

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