Photo: Pierre Le Targat
When talking about the Honda 500 XLS as a donor bike, it looks like the customization opportunities are not exactly numerous, with a rat or a dirt bike being, most likely, the first things to come to mind. Well, Ed. Turner Motorcycles begs to differ and here is the Mad'Dax, a machine with striking looks and which was really cheap to build.
One of the starting points for the Mad'Dax was the limited funds available for the build. So what does one do when confronted with insufficient funds? Go creative!
The frame was maintained almost stock, including the subframe, but instead of the classic loop, Ed. Turner went for a different shape that suited the final form of the bike so much better.
The front end of the Mad'Dax has quite a story to it, as it is the perfect example of hybridization. The fork legs were sourced from a BMW R65 and fitted into the tubes of a Yamaha XV750. Custom clamps were fabricated in-house and a Yamaha Tenere supplied the caliper. Salvaged parts put together yielded a low-cost, highly-efficient solution that also looks neat.
A Harley supplied Mad'Dax' beefy wheels, and they are a real game-changer. It's hard to say what's wrong with them in the big picture, but they fit perfectly in the final attire of the bike. The clean and clear rear end of the machine enhances the looks of the rear wheel and makes everything quite aggressive.
The tank/monocoque is a true work of art, as its cover was made from clear epoxy resin armed with burlap. The jute fibers are in plain sight, and the whole structure looks like a million bucks. It is organic, and its size is just right, making it unobtrusive. Also, cue a leather solo seat with a small rear hump that serves as a lower backrest.
Throw in cut accents and bullets used for decoration and prepare to turn heads and answer questions.
The frame was maintained almost stock, including the subframe, but instead of the classic loop, Ed. Turner went for a different shape that suited the final form of the bike so much better.
The front end of the Mad'Dax has quite a story to it, as it is the perfect example of hybridization. The fork legs were sourced from a BMW R65 and fitted into the tubes of a Yamaha XV750. Custom clamps were fabricated in-house and a Yamaha Tenere supplied the caliper. Salvaged parts put together yielded a low-cost, highly-efficient solution that also looks neat.
A Harley supplied Mad'Dax' beefy wheels, and they are a real game-changer. It's hard to say what's wrong with them in the big picture, but they fit perfectly in the final attire of the bike. The clean and clear rear end of the machine enhances the looks of the rear wheel and makes everything quite aggressive.
How about a monocoque made from burlap and epoxy?
A retro rectangular headlight with a yellow tint lens adorns the fork, complemented by a taillight "stolen" from an old GSX 1100. The engine was overhauled completely in-house, and the block got a bright blue coat of paint that pays tribute to the old Ford engines. Black paint and polished accents introduce a neat contrast, alongside the partly wrapped collector and a silencer that looks like a baseball bat (and we love it!)The tank/monocoque is a true work of art, as its cover was made from clear epoxy resin armed with burlap. The jute fibers are in plain sight, and the whole structure looks like a million bucks. It is organic, and its size is just right, making it unobtrusive. Also, cue a leather solo seat with a small rear hump that serves as a lower backrest.
Throw in cut accents and bullets used for decoration and prepare to turn heads and answer questions.
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