May custom roundup: Three diverse builds from the Handbuilt Show

2023 marked the eighth anniversary of Revival's Handbuilt show. Attracting more than 20,000 visitors, it took place at the Austin American-Statesman hall where 150 one-of-a-kind custom motorcycles took center stage. Hand-picked by the Revival Cycles crew, the eclectic mix showcased a broad range of motorcycle makes, models, and styles to form a veritable something-for-everyone exhibition.

Along with the visual feast of custom motorcycle goodness, visitors to the Handbuilt Show enjoyed live music from 17 different bands and DJs, consumed an impressive 6,079 beers at the bar, picked up some new tricks from the stunt riders outside, and perused a UV-lit art exhibition. Handbuilt Show regulars the Ives Brothers were also in attendance, setting pulses racing with their Wall of Death antics.

If you missed the 2023 show be sure to put it on your calendar for next year. In the meantime, you can get a feel for what it's like by checking out the photo gallery with this story.

For this edition of the custom roundup, I've teamed up with Revival Cycles to bring you three custom motorcycles from this year's show. First up we take a look at Revival's own Royal Enfield INT650 project. Then we get a glimpse of what the future of motorcycling may look like with the HUGE Design Zero SR-X concept, and we'll finish things off with a Tron-esque Flying Brick by backyard builder Mitch Witkamp.

Revival Cycles Royal Enfield INT650

When it comes to customizing motorcycles, Alan Stulberg and his team at Revival Cycles work at both ends of the spectrum. Projects like their wild BMW R18-powered "Birdcage" verge on the absurd, but when a project calls for it, they have no problem keeping things classic. With their latest client build, a caféd 2021 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, the latter applied.

Appearing at the Handbuilt Show as the host's own entry into the exhibition, "INT650" may not be as ostentatious as some of the other bikes, but it has been just as artfully overhauled and upgraded. Starting with the chassis, Revival dispensed with the oversized subframe. In its place is a tidy hoop that features an integrated, dual-function LED light strip. Sitting atop the new hoop is a café-styled GT seat and cowl and the underside has been enclosed to form a weatherproof space to stow the battery and relocated electrics.

The fitment of a Motogadget m-Unit has allowed Revival to completely revise the Enfield's electrical accessories. Replacing the stock hardware is a set of Motogadget bar-end turn signals, Revival's own alloy switch blocks, and a Secret LED seven-inch headlight. The cockpit has been decluttered, too, with the aid of a Motogadget Motoscope Tiny gauge, which is recessed into the modified triple clamp.

In keeping with the theme, the revised riding position uses an orthodox café racer arrangement. Clip-on handlebars wearing Kustom Tech controls and Motogadget mirrors replace the Roadster handlebar and the mid-mount pegs have been swapped with adjustable rear sets. To supplement the sportier aesthetic, the suspension is all new with adjustable shocks at the rear and upgraded, adjustable internals for the fork. Revival has also shaved off some unsprung weight by lacing high-shouldered alloy rims to the stock hubs.

The Royal Enfield 650 cc parallel twin is often referred to as detuned. To ensure their customer could enjoy everything this bike's engine has to offer, Revival has hopped it up with K&N filters, a big-bore kit and stage one cam, an upgraded clutch, and a Power Commander. A stainless two-into-one system completes the transformation, along with some tasteful black, red, and gold paintwork.

HUGE Design Zero SR-X concept

Zero Motorcycles (Instagram) sits at the forefront of electric motorcycle manufacturing. Along with being one of the world's most technologically advanced manufacturers, they have their sights set on revolutionizing motorcycle design.

The Zero Motorcycles "Design the Future" program has seen the brand team up with design studios and custom workshops to create concepts based on models from their range. For their latest project, Zero joined forces with the San Francisco-based industrial design powerhouse HUGE Design (Instagram). Led by company co-founder Bill Webb, the HUGE team has created the Zero SR-X.

"The SR-X concept bike strives to hit a design sweet spot for the near future of electric motorcycles by combining clean lines and disciplined design-detailing with the aggressive stance and raw performance found in modern liter bikes," says Webb. "This bike is an attempt to define a new sub-category for high performance electric, something between a streetfighter and a track bike."

The ZERO SR-X is based closely on a 3D render HUGE had previously developed. Named the Mono Racer, it was designed using the bones of a Honda 1000 cc inline-four, but here it's been realized using Zero's fully faired electric sport bike, the SR/S. The Zero SR/S boasts 110 horsepower, 140 foot-pounds of torque, fully adjustable suspension by Showa, and J.Juan brakes as standard. Satisfied with the bike's performance, HUGE left that side of things untouched to focus primarily on the design.

Featuring a front-heavy, charging-bull stance, the Zero SR-X is a formidable-looking machine. Conversely, the rear end is deliberately sparse so as to leave the inner mechanical workings in full view, where they can be admired. As for the overall look, it's a sci-fi masterpiece that would look right at home in a live-action remake of the cyberpunk hit "Akira."

This is the second time Zero Motorcycles has teamed up with HUGE Design. The first collab resulted in the development of the Zero FXE, which bears a very close resemblance to the HUGE concept. One can only hope that trend continues with this design.

Mitch Witkamp "Flying Brick" BMW K1100LT

Mitch Witkamp builds custom motorcycles for his own pleasure, but his latest project has put him in the limelight. After chipping away at a K1100LT Flying Brick project for a couple of years, the 2022 Roland Sands "Dream Build Off" gave him the incentive he needed to get it done. After entering the finished bike, Mitch was deservingly awarded first prize and it wasn't long before Revival Cycles invited him to display the bike at the Handbuilt Show.

Mitch admits this project was a huge test of his skills. During the build, he attempted many things he hadn't done before. These included creating one-off handshaped bodywork with little to no experience welding aluminium. Building a custom wiring harness that made use of a Motogadget components. Performing a complete front end swap using Suzuki GSX-R and Triumph Speed Triple components. And fabricating a pie-cut stainless steel exhaust made from no less than 204 individually cut and welded sections… which he built twice, since he wasn't happy with the first attempt.

In keeping with his design theme, Mitch stripped and brushed all of the bike's aluminium components. Almost every nut and bolt has been swapped for titanium alternatives and there's a laundry list of parts he's made himself on his lathe. To complete the sleek and sinister look, the engine and running gear are finished in satin black, but when the sun goes down this motorcycle takes on a whole different appearance.

Along with building all of the K1100's standard lighting, Mitch has integrated a trick lighting system into his design. Pieces of acrylic in the tail, subframe, side panels, fork shrouds, and beneath the bespoke BMW roundels are hooked up to LEDs which, when activated, glow blue.

I've seen plenty of custom BMW flying bricks in my time, but none demand as much attention as this rolling work of art.