The customization of cafe racer bikes with Harley Davidson bases is not very common, however Lord Drake Kustoms has been one of the pioneer companies in the transformation of Harley into a cafe racer.
In 2009, the owner of Lord Drake Kustoms (Francisco Alí Manén) wanted to customize a motorcycle with a Harley Davidson base that would not turn out to be the typical bobber,chopper or custom motorcycle, which were made to date with the legendary bikes. American brand.
He wanted to show that Harleys could also be transformed into other, more current styles of custom bikes such as the cafe raceror the scrambler. And this idea by Fran Manen and without thinking, was the beginning of a new trend in the world of Harley Davidson transformations.
LDKbegan to take a turn in its motorcycle customization workshops, to start transforming Harley Davidson motorcycles into cafe racer style motorcycles that was something unthinkable until now; since the cafe racer was something typical of motorcycles of Japanese or English brands.
LDK Cafe Racer bikes
And the best way to start this turn and show the world that the transformation of Harley Davidsoninto cafe racer motorcycles was possible to do it with a Harley model that was not usual for this type of motorcycle modification: specifically we talked of the Dyna Low Rider model.
Dyna “Red Baron”
With this Dyna Low Rider (called “Red Baron”), Lord Drake Kustoms became one of the first motorcycle customizers in the world to carry out the cafe racer transformation of a Harley Davidson with a Big Twin engine.
And proof of this is that this custom motorcyclein its first public appearance, which was at the prestigious Custom Bike Show Rat’s Hole in Daytona Bike Week in 2013, caused such a furor that it was the winner of the world-renowned bike show in the cafe racer category where it competed. with numerous cafe racer motorcycles of English and Japanese brands .
Fran Manen presenting the Red Baron at Daytona Bike Week 2013
Then this Harley Davidson cafe racer won in all the custom bike shows in the United States in which it was presented, including another edition of Rat’s Hole held in Leesbug (Florida) where it was once again chosen the best cafe racer motorcycle.
The “Harley Red Baron Cafe Racer” ended up on the cover of the prestigious Iron Works Magazine (USA) and was covered or appeared in other magazines such as Biker Zone Magazine (Spain), Dream Machines (Germany) or American V magazine (U.K)
Red Baron was featured on the international magazine Iron Works
From that moment on, Lord Drake Kustoms began to stand out worldwide for his work on transforming Harley Davidson motorcycles into cafe racerand there have been many Harleys that have been modified to this day in their motorcycle modifications and transformations workshops in Spain(Malaga and Madrid) and the United States (Miami).
And of course we cannot forget the impressive Sportster cafe racer “Speedster”, with which Fran Manen was proclaimed Runner-up of the Harley Davidson World Customization Championshipin 2018, at the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building that was held in Cologne (Germany ).
Speedster
The cafe racer modifications and transformations on Harley Davidson that Fran Manen has carried out have set a precedent in the world of motorcycle customizers in Spain, the United States and many other countries and have made Lord Drake Kustoms one of the best cafe modification workshops. racer around the world.
In this post we present you thebest custom bikes and cafe racer 2020 that Lord Drake Kustoms has customized in his motorcycle transformation workshop in Spain and Miami.
For this we have made a selection from among all the motorcycles modified during a year that has been marked by the COVID-19pandemic throughout the world.
There have been more than 35 jobs and transformed motorcycles that have passed through our custom workshops in Spain and the USA in 2020 and among all of them we have chosen 15 units that we present in this post.
Among the custom bikeswe have chosen there are several cafe racer, scrambler, bobber and custom transformationsmade with Harley Davidson and BMW motorcycles mainly. Although we have also highlighted a Triumph Bonneville cafe racer with aires Brat, a Royal Enfield and a scrambler-styleYamaha XT and a legendary Suzuki GS750.
The custom bikes and cafe racer of 2020
We started the year presenting a spectacular BMW R100 cafe racer with scramblertires.
We continue with a Suzuki GS750cafe racer modified in a millimeter way to respect the essence of this style. And a Yamaha XT 600scrambler with a total transformation with flat track airs and street tracker.
And we continue with one of the star projects of the year, a spectacular BMW K1 with its own style and that has nothing to do with the typical BMW k100 cafe racer seen to date.
Very soon we were invaded by the work of modification and transformation of BMW R motorcycles, from which three precious things came out: A BMW R100 color “British Racing Green”, a mixture of cafe racer with scrambler and bobber, a full-rule BMW R65 cafe racer en in a matt blue color and one BMW R100R scrambler.
Another of the star projects of the year has been the transformation of a Harley Davidson Vrod, to which in addition to an inverted fork and a spectacular bodywork, we added a spectacular 360 rear wheel kit for Vrod.
TwoSportster bobbers continue on the list of custom Harley Davidsons. The first a totally black Sportster 883 lowwith custom tires. And the second a Sportster Forty Eight elegantly transformed with a light gray tank.
We finish this list of the best cafe racer and custom motorcycles of 2020 by Lord Drake Kustoms, with the motorcycle customization work carried out on 4 totally different brands and with a result of also uneven styles: A Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 scrambler, a Harley Davidson Softail Bobber, a Triumph Bonneville Brat and a BMW R100 cafe racer.
Unlike other motorcycle customization and transformation workshops in Spain, it is clear that in LDK’scafe racer and custom workshops, there are no limits when transforming or modifying a motorcycle, whatever the brand or style that is desired.
The cafe racer fashion in Spain is something that is on the rise despite the fact that this type of motorcycle transformations have been hitting hard all over the world for several years.
Number of motorcycle customization workshops in Spain have gone from carrying out modification work on custom or Harley Davidson motorcycles to carrying out cafe racer transformations with Triumph or BMW motorcycles, to name a few examples.
It was precisely in our custom motorcycle workshop in Miami where we created our first cafe racer motorcycles in 2009 and 2010 with TriumphBonneville bases and especially Harley Davidson Sportster.
However, in our custom workshop in Spain we have gradually increased the production of BMW and Triumph cafe racer motorcycles over the years; These brands are the most chosen for this style of motorcycles transformed in Spain, especially the BMW R100.
The rise of this style has been such that it has become a culture or a casual fashion that has reached the vast majority of the population.
Since this “cafe racer culture or fashion” has allowed the world of cafe racer or custom motorcycles to be attractive to many people who, before the resurgence of this movement, would never have noticed a motorcycle or even less thought about having one. .
Cafe Racer: not just motorcycles but a way of fashion
In addition, the cafe racer movementhas not only brought us beautiful motorcycles transformed in Spain, but has managed to create something much more affordable and popular for anyone on the street: A way of dressing and a style of clothing.
As happened with the surf brands in the 80s and 90s, now it is very easy to see many cafe racer stores in Spain, where custom motorcycles are only mere decorative items in a showcase or exhibition that really sells are t-shirts jackets, caps or many other accessories from cafe racer brands such as Deus Ex Machina or Lord Drake Kustoms.
In 2014 we opened our first cafe racer store in Spain (Malaga) with our own brand and clothing line, which we expanded in 2019. And we are currently working on the opening of a second cafe racer store in Madrid that will also have a motorcycle customization workshop.
The modification and transformation of a Triumph Bonneville motorcycle in Spain in Scrambler or Cafe Racer style is something that Lord Drake Kustoms has been doing for more than a decade in his two workshops specialized in customizing Triumph motorcycles in Malaga and Miami (USA).
But this Triumph Bonneville T100 modified and converted into a scrambler motorcycle it isn’t a Triumph whatever… just in a “MARDANIS”. It is the third unit in a series of motorcycles dedicated to King Wolf Ibn Mardanis of Murcia (The first motorcycle in this series was a BMW R1200S and the second a Vespa)
The owner of this spectacular Triumph transformed in Spain (specifically in LDK’s custom motorcycle workshop in Malaga), this time he did not want a cafe racer, he wanted a fun, light transformed motorcycle that he could use daily on streets, roads and lanes… hence the choice of a Triumph Bonneville T100, which is one of the favorite bikes to transform for Fran Manen (LDK’s owner).
As always, the owner of the Triumph Scrambler “MARDANIS” gave Fran Manen total freedom to carry out the work, to the point that he did not know a single detail of how the modified motorcycle was going to be until the day he saw it completely finished.
Many motorcycle customization workshops in Spain usually make Triumph cafe racer or scrambler motorcycles, following very common patterns, but this unit had to be different in everything.
Transforming the Triumph Bonneville into a “Mardanis” Scrambler
Starting from the front, the first thing was to remove the entire front of the bike to install an inverted fork accompanied by a handcrafted front fender, a new 19-inch spoke rim, a larger diameter brake disc and a Brembo brake caliper. .
All of this was finished off with a Vrod-style headlight, Motogadget M-blaze disc turn signals, Motogadget Pro odometers, Roland Sands Design handlebar risers, and an enduro-style handlebar with shorter, adjustable levers.
At the rear, everything was removed, the subframe was trimmed and modified, a small rear fender with a Led pilot was made, a custom seat was made and a new license plate bracket with side catch.
To finish the modification and transformation of this Triumph motorcycle, Continental off road motorcycle tires were installed, new shock absorbers with air bottle, an orange chain and other details such as the crankcase cover, engine protectors, side covers, oil covers. carburettors, pinion covers and other endless details among which the impressive 2: 1 exhaust pipe stands out.
Regarding the paint, the colors and graphics were very easy to choose… well, like the other two custom bikes in the “MARDANIS” saga; it must have followed the same pattern: matte black and orange. The airbrushing of motorcycles in this saga consists of the word “mardanis” and the number “55” in orange and this time it has been made on the fuel tank accompanied by details in graphite gray and LDK graphics. Of course all the matte finish.
The homologation and ITV of motorcycles transformed like this one by Lord Drake Kustoms‘ own homologation service for vehicle refurbishment has been completed; It only remained to deliver to its owner the third custom motorcycleof the “MARDANIS” saga… A spectacular Triumph Bonneville transformed into a scrambler!
Due to the success of the modifications made to this transformed Triumph; Lord Drake Kustoms is going to make a limited series of 10 units, in which the only thing that will change will be the theme of colors and graphics.
Francisco Alí Manén (owner of LDK) received indications from the owner of this BMW K75 that had been standing for a few years to convert it and transform it into a scrambler style bike and all in black colour; but not matt black as usual, but gloss black.
This BMW K75 SCRAMBLER BLACK is characterised like other similar units by Continental TKC 80 tyres, tracker handlebar, seat and subframe modified to give it that Street tracker or Scrambler style.
In addition, the exhaust system on this BMW K has been modified by fitting an exhaust tailpipe to the original headers.
Handlebar Tracker
Double seat
The side covers made of metal, a licence plate holder with side arm for BMW K, LED light, indicators and other details have been shaping this “bmw flying brick scrambler”.
The BMW K75 SCRAMBLER BLACK is also fitted with other parts typical of scrambler-style motorbikes, such as the Motogadget Mini odometer and the Biltwell grips.
All the gloss black paintwork on the rims, footrests, forks, etc. was done with powdercoating by Metal Colors.
HOMOLOGATION
This bike transformed by Lord Drake Kustoms and based on BMW K75, has been fully homologated for Spanish territory, thanks to our own service of homologation of reforms in cafe racer and custom bikes.
The exact model that we have used for this bobber-style motorcycle modification has been the new 2020 Harley Softail Standard. A powerful beast from the American motorcycle brand with a Milwaukee-Eight engine and a displacement of 1750 cc… in addition to the new chassis with damping system different from the classic softail models.
MODIFICATIONS
Due to the different rear shock absorber system and its new location, at Lord Drake Kustoms, we had to design new components for this Harley Davidson model, such as the seat mount or the bobber rear fender for softails.
In this Softail Bobber Standard the main change has been at the rear, where we have installed a 200 rear wheel for Harley Softail and we have manufactured a new fender adjusted to it accompanied by a license plate support with side arm.
200 rear wheel and license plate support
Biltwell seat
A Biltwell seat with a custom made base has been another bobber motorcycle touch that we have given, along with the front fender cutout and other small details such as all the lighting and turn signals, grips, footrests, etc.
Vance & Hines exhausts
The overall sound and performance of this completely modified Harley has also been improved by the installation of new Vance & Hines Softail exhausts, a Screamin’ Eagle high performance air cleaner and remapping with DIAG4BIKE.
GLOSS AND PEARL BLACK
Also noteworthy is the paint job where the original gloss black of this Harley bobber has been combined with a black color with a pearl effect, which has been separated with two filleting or pinstriping in red. In addition, the new Harley Davidson graphics have been painted with airbrushing on the fuel tank.
OTHER WORKS
Finally we have carried out the homologation of all the transformation works in Spain of a customized motorcycle, such as this Harley Davidson Softail called Softail Bobber Standard.
This Harley Davidson Softail Springer Red has been transformed in the purest style of Lord Drake Kustoms in his Harley and custom workshop in Miami.
A motorcycle with a twin cam engine
The owner of Lord Drake Kustoms in Miami and Spain (Fran Manen) is passionate about these Harley models (the springer classic with twin cam engine) and proof of this is that this is not the first bike he has customized of this model… nor will it be the last.
This Harley Davidson Softail Springer Red is a 2007 softail springer with 6 speed and twin cam 1595 engine whose original color (classic red and dark gray) has been kept intact.
Fran Manen has decided to keep the original colors and just beautify this custom bike with a simple and elegant restyling.
Again, parts of the Battistini USA brandfor Harley Davidson in chrome finishes have been used and “fat spoke” wheels have been installed also in chrome with Avon whitewall tires, with the peculiarity already common in Lord Drake Kustoms, that a larger wheel has been installed at the front, specifically a 21″ inch one.
Chrome details and rear wheel
The rear suspension has been lowered with a softail lowering kit and a new Hollywood or beach bar handlebar with chrome wiring has been installed.
Tires and exhaust detail
The Bassani exhaust pipes and chrome platforms are other details to highlight in this beautiful customization made on a unique HarleySoftail Springer.
This Harley Davidson Softail Springer Red customized by Lord Drake Kustoms in Miami and called “Springer Red” is another proof that many times “Less is More” and that simplicity almost always goes hand in hand with good taste and elegance; especially when it comes to customize a Harley.
When it arrived at Lord Drake Kustoms ‘motorcycle workshop, this early’ 80s BMW R-series was not going to be the victim of a cafe racer transformation, but rather a scrambler or even bobber style bike.
Finally, as we usually say in our motorcycle customization workshop “less is more” and we decided to make a classic, simple and elegant BMW R100 in black and cafe racer style, where no particular element or detail will stand out more than the customization work in general.
We manufactured a new subframe for a BMW café racer double seat and license plate bracket, installed new air shocks, handlebars and an endless number of custom-made parts, lowered the front suspension and finally disassembled the entire bike to paint it completely in different shades of black.
A motogadget mini digital odometer, turn signals on the grips, tailpipes or the auxiliary headlight were details that were attached to this custom bike in a very simple but resulting way.
As a result, an authentic cafe racer motorcycle, customized in our motorcycle customization workshop in Spain and with the soul of the classic BMW with boxer engine from the 80s.
The transformation of motorcycles like this BMW R100 for clients residing in Spain, is a job that we always legalize and homologate, in our department of Homologation of transformed motorcycles.
Two of our modified Harley-Davidson V-Rods are published by DARK KUSTOM in an extensive report where they evaluate their characteristics. These are the Vrod Oliver and the Vrod 360.
DARK KUSTOM is an online publication based in Barcelona that collects and evaluates the best custom bikes on the planet. Within its catalog we can find custom motorcycles made from different brands and styles.
What is more interesting is that it also has a compilation of custom motorcycle manufacturers from around the world, organized by country.
The professional analysis carried out on each motorcycle culminates in a score based on the appearance (look) and parts used (parts). In addition to an assessment of the users.
Our custom motorcycles have obtained a high valuation that we reproduce below:
For the third time, the Japanese magazine “Club Harley Magazine” has included Lord Drake Kustoms among the ten best motorcycle customizers in the world. This was communicated to Fran Manen by phone just a few days ago.
Soon, the issue of this magazine will be published, which will include a report with the chosen custom bikes.
The press has taken note of this news and has published several articles highlighting the career and track record of Lord Drake Kustoms.
At Lord Drake Kustoms we are proud to be back at the top of the world rankings and looking forward to giving you new machines on two wheels to dream about again in 2021.
