Brat style motorcycles follow the custom ethos made popular by the Japanese builder Go Takamine. His Tokyo garage is called Bratstyle, and his bikes usually have stock frames and suspension.
But the seat is often a flat bench, and the handlebars are either flat or Motocross style. A ‘brat style’ motorcycle is stripped down to the basics, with fenders removed or bobbed, and the fuel tank occasionally replaced by a smaller, older design. There’s very little chrome, and often a fair bit of ‘patina’ or bare metal.
One of Honda’s most enduring motorcycles is also one of its most incognito. The Honda CG125—a petite single-cylinder commuter—has been in constant production since 1976, winning hearts and minds through its durability and affordability. Even though it’s no longer in production in Japan, it lives on in countries like Pakistan, Brazil, and China, manufactured by…
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Harley-Davidson has discontinued the Evolution Sportster, but it’s going to be a very long time before the venerable V-twin fades into the rearview. Secondhand Sportsters are easy enough to find, work on, source parts for, and modify in every way imaginable. That’s why the Sporty has been a darling of the custom scene for as…
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What would the legendary Bratstyle builder, Go Takamine, do with an Indian Chief? We’ve got the answer, along with a Zero SR/F with hand-shaped bodywork, a BMW R18 from South Africa, and the incredible story of Tye Smith and his ‘Dreamboat’ Harley Panhead.
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Custom builders must breathe a sigh of relief when a customer drops off a brand new bike. Sure, old motorcycles are simpler to work on, but with fresh metal there’s no shady past to worry about—and no fear of gremlins lurking under the surface. It’s a great time to be buying modern retros too. Just…
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EXCLUSIVE: Every time someone refers to their bike as a ‘brat-style’ build, we let out a groan. There’s only one builder that…
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It’s not often that we get an insight into the minds and work processes of Japan’s custom motorcycle builders. The language barrier…
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For six months, four of Japan’s top custom workshops have been tearing down and rebuilding BMW’s R nineT roadster. The names will…
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Whether it’s a classic resto-mod or a R nineT café-tracker, Urban Motor’s Peter Dannenberg sure knows how to tweak a BMW to…
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The Yamaha SR400 has been selling strongly in Japan for over three decades now, so the locals are well versed in making…
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The mainstream of Japanese custom bike building has a very specific look—largely created by the hugely influential Tokyo builder BratStyle. And the…
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Most custom motorcycles have an interesting story behind them, but the tale behind this 1972 Honda CB350 is more interesting than most.…
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