Here's some extremely nifty custom bike building from... China: Hephaestus, a creation of Daryl Villanueva and his Beijing team mates grouped under the banner of the Bandit9 workshop. Hephaestus is based on an old Honda NT400, the Japan version called Bros.
The base model looks really sporty for an older street bike, but Bandit9 knew they could do so much better. So they stripped the bike completely and started re-working on its attire, making liberal use of smooth sheet stainless steel, impeccably crafted and shaped.
Everything metal save the wheels, frame, engine and forks has been made in house: the old-school racing cowl, the seat with hand stitching, the exhaust and miniature silencer, the redesigned tank and the amazing front fender with a slightly edgy and very aggressive lines.
Bandit9 also upgraded the brakes for a meaner look and enhanced performance and have even manufactured the blinkers. Add in the low-swung bars and bar-end mirrors and that's it, an amazing piece of Chinese bikecraft. The price is a bit steep, but we're sure it will find a home soon. RMB 85,000 is around $13,600 or €10,450.
Everything metal save the wheels, frame, engine and forks has been made in house: the old-school racing cowl, the seat with hand stitching, the exhaust and miniature silencer, the redesigned tank and the amazing front fender with a slightly edgy and very aggressive lines.
Bandit9 also upgraded the brakes for a meaner look and enhanced performance and have even manufactured the blinkers. Add in the low-swung bars and bar-end mirrors and that's it, an amazing piece of Chinese bikecraft. The price is a bit steep, but we're sure it will find a home soon. RMB 85,000 is around $13,600 or €10,450.