Search Results for “Martin Hodgson ” – Pipeburn

DOUBLE DUTCH: Yamaha XT600 by Pancake Customs

Martin Hodgson — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 08:29:41 +0000

Written by Martin Hodgson It's long been said that travel broadens the mind and there is nothing like a trip to the Sahara desert to teach a great many lessons. It was there a few years ago amongst the enormous and unforgiving sand dunes that custom bike builder Boy Janssen found a new respect for the humble Yamaha XT. But back home in the Netherlands, he discovered they could be tuned to be just as good on the street and he's been turning them out for clients ever since. Now the head honcho of Pancake Customs serves up a two-piece combo with matching Yamaha XT600e Desert Sleds that make the perfect pigeon pair.

ESCAPE ARTIST. Buell X1 Lightning by Custom Works Zon

Martin Hodgson — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 11:08:48 +0000

Words by Martin Hodgson | Photography by Hiromitsu Yasui

On the outside it looks like a simple little building, with faded weatherboards and an old tin roof in a small historic town in Japan. Surrounded by neatly ploughed fields you step inside and expect to see an old man repairing dated farming machinery, instead you've entered the home of one of the world's best custom bike shops. But despite becoming renowned for their concept BMW R18 ‘Departed’, the bread and butter of Custom Works Zon is American V-Twin muscle. And with a desire to play in the nearby mountain mud they've turned an unloved Buell X1 Lighting into a true weekend warrior.

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. Plan B’s ‘Flyin’ ’57’ Bianchi Moonshine Racer

Martin Hodgson — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 11:05:53 +0000

As closely related as they are, the custom worlds of two and four wheels rarely meet. But that wasn't always the case, with the original Hot Rodders and Cutdown bikes of all kinds, sharing a common philosophy of shoving the biggest engine into the smallest frame possible...

ESCAPE FROM L.A. Ride Custom’s Yamaha XT500 Urban Enduro

Martin Hodgson — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 12:44:29 +0000

How do you haul ass in Hollywood? You go full metal jacket on a breathtaking Urban Enduro that'll cruise with Bentleys on the Boulevard, before heading to the hills where the stars live to rip it up on the rough and rugged roads. But first you need to pick a platform with an iconic status and a Paris-Dakar pedigree...

BIRD OF PRAY. Hookie’s Evil ‘Crow’ Honda CB750 Cafe Racer

Martin Hodgson — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 13:22:24 +0000

In just about every ancient culture that spans the globe exists a mythology around the crow, and it almost always leads to death. So imagine yourself sitting alone in the middle of the night, stopped at a red light in the bad part of town, when as if from nowhere this blacked out harbinger of death rolls up beside you...

DOPE DIRIGIBLE. Kacerwagen’s ‘Zeppelina V72’ Board Tracker

Martin Hodgson — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 12:02:48 +0000

Over recent years with TV shows like Harley and the Davidsons and Sons of Speed, along with the input of America's best builders, the board tracker is back with a vengeance. But what do you do when finding an Indian in a barn is as likely as finding gold at the end of a rainbow? You make one from scratch...

FIFTY SHADES OF GREAT. Auto Fabrica’s Monochrome ‘Type 10B’ BMW R65

Martin Hodgson — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 11:52:30 +0000

When it comes to customising a motorcycle the 'what' hasn't changed for more than 100 years; speed, sight and sound. But the 'how' has been constantly evolving and we regularly feature those at the cutting edge. One such firm is UK based Auto Fabrica, who entered the scene six years ago firing on all cylinders...

TRÈS BM. Sur Les Chapeaux de Roue’s Sweet BMW R850R Roadster

Martin Hodgson — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 10:56:43 +0000

The French seem to have an artisan approach to almost everything they do. It's this exact philosophy that Sur Les Chapeaux De Roues take to building bikes; more watchmaker meets sculptor than simply mechanic. Here's their latest...

MIRTH, WIND AND FIRE. Mellow Motorcycles’ ‘C4’ Kawasaki Zephyr Neo-Cafe

Martin Hodgson — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 12:43:42 +0000

There is something incredibly satisfying about being right, and if you're part of the cafe racer revival, then by default you are. In the 1990s, some Japanese manufacturers were already selling retro remakes and industry experts thought this to be insane. Now Germany’s Mellow Motorcycles have proven them wrong...

ON THE GAS. Tattoo Customs’ ‘Blue Velvet’ BMW R80RT Cafe Brat

Martin Hodgson — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 12:03:24 +0000

Forget the disco-era 1970s or even the golden age of the Renaissance, turns out men have been wearing colourful velvet since 200 BC in China. Personally I've never got the trend; unless you're the legendary American pimp, Bishop Don 'Magic' Juan, then you're probably best leaving the velvet in the draw...