Photo: Classified Moto
If AMC’s “The Walking Dead” means more to you than “another horror series I avoid watching because it’s gross” then probably the name of Daryl Dixon does indeed ring a bell. Producer Scott M. Gimple needed a bike to run in the show and the roads led to Classified Moto, who then had to craft not one custom machine, but two identical ones for Norman Reedus, the actor playing the role of Daryl.
The “zombie-apocalypse” project was based on 1992 honda CB750 Nighthawk donors, but involved a lot of “frankesteining”. That is, the bikes received a ton of parts sourced from other motorcycles, mostly from the Yamaha YZF-R6 model.
R6 front ends, wheels and front brakes now equip Daryl’s bike, complementing the stock Nighthawk rear wheel. The rear end however got new piggyback shocks from Progressive Suspensions and both rims were shod with Kenda Big Block knobby tires for both practical and aesthetic reasons. For starters, knobbies provide better traction on iffy terrain, and they also make any bike look badass.
Classified Moto also retained the kickstarter, because in a zombie-ridden world, having the lightweight Shorai lithium-ion battery dying on you (and not returning to life in due time) is the last thing you want. The bikes also got a custom crossbow mount and aged, rusted (or maybe it’s dried blood?) finish complemented this somewhat rat-ish, awesome build.
If you feel like such a machine would look great under you, Classified Moto can build you one. However, you must keep in mind that this is Level 2 Customization, as prices will start around $16,000.
R6 front ends, wheels and front brakes now equip Daryl’s bike, complementing the stock Nighthawk rear wheel. The rear end however got new piggyback shocks from Progressive Suspensions and both rims were shod with Kenda Big Block knobby tires for both practical and aesthetic reasons. For starters, knobbies provide better traction on iffy terrain, and they also make any bike look badass.
Billet aluminium and CNC parts shake hands in the zombie apocalypse
The tank is a Yamaha XS650 reproduction, and stock exhausts have been retained, even though custom bbaffles and accents have been fabricated. Intake uses twin billet aluminum mesh units CNC milled by Seth Ingham, while Richmond-based Roy Baird took care of the custom leather-upholstered seat. Have you noticed that the seat got some stitches, too? How cool is this detail?Classified Moto also retained the kickstarter, because in a zombie-ridden world, having the lightweight Shorai lithium-ion battery dying on you (and not returning to life in due time) is the last thing you want. The bikes also got a custom crossbow mount and aged, rusted (or maybe it’s dried blood?) finish complemented this somewhat rat-ish, awesome build.
If you feel like such a machine would look great under you, Classified Moto can build you one. However, you must keep in mind that this is Level 2 Customization, as prices will start around $16,000.
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