In a world the place bikes are rising ever extra complicated, the Kawasaki W800 endures as a bastion of mechanical magnificence. It presents little in the best way of technical frou-frou, past its gasoline injection and ABS-equipped disc brakes. And whereas it hails from Japan, its styling is a stunningly devoted tribute to the halcyon days of British motorcycling.
It’s additionally extremely rideable, due to a parallel-twin engine that’s easygoing but peppy, paired with impartial ergonomics that encourage each day rides. It’s no shock that each the W800 and its predecessor, the W650, have been darlings of the customized scene for years.
This stylish Kawasaki W800 comes from our pal Ma ‘Max’ Yicheng, proprietor of 2LOUD Custom in Taiwan. Max’s mission was to amplify the W800’s British character and add customized aptitude—with out sacrificing its journey high quality. He nailed it.
At a look, 2LOUD’s tackle the W800 seems to be like a easy restomod. However its understated magnificence belies how a lot work went into it. It’s loaded with refined particulars that, though they’re simple to overlook, add as much as make an enormous distinction.
First, Max tore the W800 right down to its body. Then he went over each inch—eradicating superfluous tabs, smoothing welds, and sculpting every gusset to bear 2LOUD’s signature drilled fashion. The subframe was trimmed and looped, earlier than the body, swingarm, and yokes have been all completed in silver.
The fork lowers and brake calipers have been liberated of their paint and polished, creating a visible hyperlink between the silver body and polished rims. The W800 comes normal with a 19” entrance wheel and an 18” rear—good proportions for a street tracker. So Max left the OEM wheels in place, wrapping them in Dunlop K70 tires.
Up high, Max swapped the gasoline tank for a smaller W650 unit. Because the W650 is carbureted, its gasoline tank makes no provision for a gasoline pump—so the W800’s pump needed to be relocated to a customized housing below the seat. It’s hidden by a pair of handmade facet covers that hint the identical form because the inventory objects, however in a extra petite package deal.
The tank itself underwent vital modifications. Max eliminated the OEM rubber knee pads and shaved off the brackets that they connect to, earlier than smoothing the whole lot off. Stainless-steel strips have been added to the edges for a little bit further pizzazz, with an ornate gasoline cap from AFS Customized Bikes ending issues off.
The slim solo seat that sits on the body sports activities trendy upholstery within the store’s signature fashion. Beneficiant hand-rolled aluminum fenders, supported by sleek chrome steel stays, add extra retro taste to 2LOUD’s W800. Smaller elements just like the chain guard and headlight bracket are from 2LOUD’s personal catalog of bolt-on elements.
The battery now sits between the decrease body rails, housed in a bespoke field. Quite a few handmade brackets adorn the bike, whereas a 5.75” headlight, polished flip alerts, and a Lucas-style taillight deal with lighting duties.
The W800 is steered by a set of chrome steel 2LOUD handlebars, fitted with micro switches, a Kustom Tech brake grasp cylinder, and contemporary grips. A Motogadget gauge sits out entrance; a mix analog/digital unit that reveals RPM on its predominant dial and pace on its LCD panel. It’s held in place by a hand-crafted bracket.
The bike’s completed with a lick of black paint and a surprising handmade chrome steel exhaust system. Max intentionally fabricated the dual headers with sharp traces on the entrance that soften because the pipes terminate in traditional cocktail mufflers.
The checklist of nations the place you may nonetheless purchase a brand new Kawasaki W800 is brief, and there are murmurs that it’s quickly to be discontinued altogether. So if 2LOUD’s W800 has impressed you, you’d higher snatch an appropriate donor bike—earlier than they’re rarer than hen’s enamel.
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