The way a custom project usually starts is with a discussion between a workshop and their client, where ideas are bounced around to form a common vision. Some clients know exactly what they’re after and others don’t have a problem with granting more freedom of expression to builders.
Either way, there aren’t many occasions when the customer approaches a garage with a CAD rendering precisely reflecting their vision. That’s how this mind-blowing Royal Enfield Interceptor was pitched to Vlado Dinga and Ales Tomis of Earth Motorcycles (EM), though, and we feel the need to clarify something from the get-go.
What you see before your eyes are not digital renders, but the finished product in all its glory. Now, this isn’t the first time we, at autoevolution, have admired the work of Ales and Vlado. For instance, there was the superb Honda Dominator they nicknamed Cikula among other projects, and it’s always a delight to examine what these two Slovaks can pull off!
Although they, like most custom bike artisans, would normally ask for a bit of creative freedom on their builds, who could ever say no to such an amazing concept? The client obtained the aforementioned CAD model from his brother, emailed it to them, and bought a brand-new Interceptor 650 to act as the project’s basis.
His INT650 was shipped to the Earth Motorcycles headquarters in Stara Tura, Slovakia, then it was game on. Vlado and his teammate did away with much of the creature’s factory hardware and chopped off the frame brackets which became redundant as a result.
Photo: Marian Svitek
New mounting points have subsequently been installed, and the subframe got shortened in preparation for the handmade monocoque attire these guys were about to place up top. The jaw-dropping fuel tank and tail section combo began with a 3D-printed mold, which was sent to a trusted metalwork specialist for the final part to be shaped out of steel.
EM wanted to keep the original fuel pump, so they retained the stock fuel tank’s underside and seamlessly mated it to the new outfit. Up top, we see a minimalistic filler cap adorned with the workshop’s logo, and an equally plain faux leather saddle can be spotted further back. The lads initially planned on using real leather for the upholstery, but faux proved to be far more suitable for the clean look they were after.
A glossy silver base and understated tank graphics finish off the upper bodywork in style, while the bespoke fender mounted at the front was painted black. The electronics were rewired and then stashed well out of view beneath the seat. As far as lighting goes, Ales and Vlado fitted dual-function LEDs into the rearmost tips of the frame tubes, just as they had done with Cikula.
Up north, there’s a premium LED headlamp encased inside a cylindrical gloss-black housing, with custom-made brackets holding everything where it belongs. The bike’s cockpit area is just as tidy as you’d expect, featuring a CNC-machined top clamp, aftermarket instrumentation, and clip-on handlebars. In turn, the clip-ons carry compact switchgear and bar-end turn signals from Motogadget.
Stealthy grips and a Domino throttle also make an appearance, as do fresh control levers of the highest quality. For the Interceptor to gain the desired posture, EM lowered its forks by 50 millimeters (two inches) but got rid of the rear suspension units altogether. In their stead, the Slovak duo added a pair of adjustable shock absorbers whose origin we haven’t been told.
Photo: Marian Svitek
They ditched the stock wheels, as well, making room for laced aftermarket substitutes shod in Avon Roadrider tires. Looking to round out the Enfield’s cafe racer-style ergonomics, Earth installed Cognito Moto rearsets that complement the clip-ons in the cockpit. The 648cc parallel-twin engine didn’t require too much attention since it was pretty much new, but that’s not to say it got overlooked.
K&N pod filters can now be found on the intake side of things, while the factory exhaust system was replaced with a tailor-made alternative fabricated from scratch. The stainless-steel pipework comes equipped with internal baffles to keep noise levels in check and the neighbors happy. A coat of black paint made its way onto the engine covers.
Moreover, the wheels and frame were also painted black, so as to really let that gorgeous bodywork stand out as it should. Oh, and about those fuel tank graphics: they may lead you to think this specimen’s nickname is either Binko or Bravo Zulu, but that would actually be incorrect. As it turns out, the INT650 we’ve just looked at was in fact dubbed Huncut.
It goes without saying that Earth Motorcycles knocked this project straight out of the ballpark, and they’ll soon be regarded as one of Europe’s finest if they keep this up. Even though outright perfection is an unattainable ideal, Huncut certainly gets pretty damn close!
A bit of an artist himself, Silvian sees two- and four-wheeled machines as a form of art, especially restomods and custom rides. Oh, and if you come across a cafe racer article on our website, it’s most likely his doing. Full profile
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