Flat trackers make for a compelling argument as sensible, on a regular basis avenue bikes. They’re light-weight with comfy ergonomics, however don’t tower seven toes off the bottom like filth bikes. So it’s a thriller why extra producers don’t make factory-issue avenue trackers.
Another person eager on the flat monitor type is Irwann Cheng, of the Malaysian customized bike outfit FNG Works. He’s simply labored his magic on a buyer’s bone inventory MLE XTM 200; a Chinese language-made supermotard bought in Malaysia.
The undertaking was a well-timed one. With the world slowly shutting down a couple of years in the past, Irwann was compelled to tackle motorbike work that he didn’t notably love. Positive, it paid the payments—but it surely was smothering his artistic flame.
Fortunately, a buyer approached FNG Works for a flat track-style bike. It was simply the suitable undertaking to rekindle Irwan’s love for personalisation—particularly for the reason that buyer gave him full artistic management.
Avenue trackers are all about stance, so that is the place Irwann began. The inventory entrance finish was lowered internally by 4 inches, and the wheels have been wrapped in new dual-sport rubber. Irwann selected to stay with the 17” wheels, as he thought that matching 19” wheels could be disproportionate—and it was a great way to maintain the associated fee down.
The MLE’s swooping bodywork design is uncommon, however there’s a specific thought course of behind it. “The body of this bike is a twin-spar kind,” explains Irwann. “I’ve seen others make a tank that wraps across the body to create a horizontal bone line however I made a decision that as an alternative of working towards the body, I ought to cooperate with it.”
It’s fairly refreshing to see somebody work with what they’ve bought, and Irwann has pulled it off fantastically. As a substitute of constructing the physique out of fiberglass, Irwann determined to stay to what he is aware of, and construct it totally from steel. The monocoque development lifts up on gasoline struts to disclose the genius that lies beneath.
The speedometer, engine electronics and Dynavolt Nano Gel battery are all housed above the engine. The speedometer protrudes via the bodywork—a easy contact that makes a lot sense when it comes to practicality and design.
With the electronics up entrance, there may be one obtrusive omission: the gas tank. You’ll discover it tucked snugly between the rails of the rear subframe. The 7.8 liter go-juice container not solely seems to be cool beneath the tail, however having a rear tank additionally helps with weight distribution.
The hanging bodywork wanted a paint job that might sustain. Irwann selected a purple and yellow scheme—a throwback to his youthful years spent watching Malaysian Cub Prix racing. We are able to’t cease it, even when it does harm our eyes slightly.
“The ‘FNGWORKS’ and ’87’ have been made to look blurry like an out-of-focus digicam, as a result of I just like the impact,” says Irwann. “I wish to think about, perhaps in a race, that it’ll make the opposite racers really feel dizzy it.”
The quantity is in reference to the proprietor’s beginning 12 months, and the Dynavolt and RK Takasago logos are a nod to Irwann’s sponsors for this construct. The engine and body have been powder coated black, and the swingarm was swapped out for an aluminum unit, which Irwann polished to a shine. Eagle-eyed viewers will spot a transparent float bowl on the carb—a pleasant contact that ties in with the paint scheme.
Again up high, the inventory handlebars have been swapped for a set of blacked-out flat monitor bars. The switchgear was whittled right down to a naked minimal, as was the lighting. Motogadget mo.blaze disc bar-end flip alerts run via the bars.
The LED headlight is definitely a highlight that was lifted from a automobile. Nestled contained in the entrance quantity plate, it helps the bike appear to be a correct flat monitor racer, particularly with the trimmed fork guards that Irwann had painted to match. A small LED tail mild is buried into the rear of the monocoque.
With Malaysia’s mega-popular Artwork of Pace present on the horizon, Irwann determined to enter the bike. Then, with a mere ten days to go, he hit a highway block: the bike wouldn’t begin.
Irwann rapidly found out that the 200 cc MLE XTM engine is predicated on the Suzuki GN125, and that the wiring is a replica of the Suzuki Thunder 125. Armed with that data, he rewired the bike and introduced it again to life.
“For the final ten days on the store, with solely two to 3 hours of sleep daily, I hustled to complete the bike,” states Irwann. “I didn’t even have fun by birthday with my spouse and son. I felt like I used to be on the opposite aspect of the world, although they have been solely about half-hour away.”
The juice was actually well worth the squeeze. FNG Works bagged the Worldwide Visitor Favourite Choose of the Present award, chosen by Mama Tried’s Scott Johnson, together with three different awards. If we have been there, we certainly would have picked it too.
FNG Works Instagram | Fb | Photos by Amin Hamid
