Does the {custom} bike workshop staff at Okay-Velocity ever sleep? Judging by the speed at which contemporary and engaging customs roll off their flooring, we’re guessing not.
The Thai powerhouse’s {custom} store runs alongside their buzzing elements manufacturing enterprise, so the 2 usually bleed into one another. Generally they use their {custom} builds to develop new elements, and generally they use these elements to breed their hottest {custom} builds. However by some means they nonetheless handle to search out time to construct one-off specials, like this bonkers Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 bobber.
The Interceptor 650 (often called the INT650 within the States) is oft praised for its versatility as a platform for personalisation. However we’ve by no means seen somebody hit it this far into the left area. There’s no pretending that this fashion is even remotely sensible—however it’s deeply intriguing, and positive to drag a crowd at your native café.
In inventory type, the Interceptor is already a reasonably compact bike. However Okay-Velocity has trimmed it down drastically—to the purpose that its reasonably-sized parallel twin mill now appears to be like cartoonishly massive.
To get there, Okay-Velocity not solely binned the Royal Enfield’s bodywork, however its suspension and wheels too. Then they tore into the body, going above and past the same old cut-and-shut work. The complete prime part was scrapped and rebuilt, beginning on the steering neck and ending in a neat set of custom-made rear struts.
The chassis appears to be like like a inflexible setup from afar, however it’s really propped up on a set of fully-enclosed aftermarket shocks. However the true genius right here, is how Okay-Velocity have made the Enfield look dense and squat on the again, however lithe and stretched on the entrance.
That’s partially all the way down to how the reworked body has created house above the motor. However it’s additionally a results of the raked-out springer fork, which Okay-Velocity pieced collectively from elements that they had mendacity across the workshop.
The Enfield’s new wheel set is extremely well-judged too. There’s a brakeless 21” wheel up entrance, with a 16” unit doing responsibility out again, stopped by way of a Brembo disc brake setup. And even should you hate classic sawtooth tires, you may’t deny that they’re completely suited to this construct.
Perched up prime is a tiny, handmade peanut-style gasoline tank. Because it doesn’t carry a lot petrol, Okay-Velocity have plumbed it right into a second reservoir that’s hidden underneath the seat. The bike’s OEM gasoline pump lives there now too, with every part hidden behind a pair of {custom} facet covers.
The primary tank is wrapped in chrome, and adorned with a ‘Diablo’ emblem (Diablo is Okay-Velocity’s in-house model of bolt-on elements). Simply behind it’s a tidy solo saddle that mixes conventional striped and diamond stitching patterns. The rear finish’s completed off with a stubby ribbed fender, executed in black.
However it’s the Interceptor’s new cockpit that basically warrants nearer inspection. It’s constructed round a set of bespoke chopper-inspired bars, designed to run excessive and slim. They’re fitted with a set of aftermarket grips and an inside throttle—however that’s it.
Because the Enfield’s lighting consists of nothing greater than a small highlight on the entrance, and a swingarm-mounted taillight, there’s no want for flip sign switches and the like. There’s additionally no entrance brake lever and no speedo, and the ignition and kill change have been relocated.
In the event you’re in search of the clutch, you’ll discover it on the left facet of the bike, connected to a custom-built hand-operated gear shifter. The setup consists of a shifter shaft fitted with an everyday handlebar grip, and a vintage-style reverse lever. All it’s important to do is attain down behind your foot, squeeze the lever and shift.
The foot controls have been upgraded too, and at the moment are mounted on {custom} relocation brackets. They now sit slightly additional ahead than earlier than, to make the bobbed Enfield’s rider triangle marginally extra snug.
The remainder of the construct is a group of tasteful ending elements. Ribbed covers add an additional visible hit to the Interceptor’s already enticing engine, whereas a pair of {custom} headers loop round it. They’re completed off with finish caps from Okay-Velocity’s Diablo assortment.
Positive, this bobber doesn’t have a entrance brake, a solution to change gears that isn’t sketchy, or any floor clearance to talk of. However what it does have is fashion; bucketloads of it.
It doesn’t sound like Okay-Velocity plans to breed any of the elements they’ve made for this construct—nor have they confirmed in the event that they’ll construct extra Enfields identical to it. However we’re secretly hoping they do. As a result of, regardless of its idiosyncrasies, we’d like to park one in every of these in our storage.
Wouldn’t you?
Okay-Velocity | Instagram | Photographs by Hipmotography
