Photo: Viba
Named after the Joshua Tree National Park in California, the tastefully modified Honda Transalp shown below is the work of one Yann Bakonyi. He’s a part of the French customization outfit Viba, and the inspiration for this particular build came while he was visiting the Joshua Tree reserve a few years back. As he drove a Jeep Wrangler through the park, Yann began to consider what the trip would’ve been like on a motorcycle.
His creative wheels started spinning when he got back to France, so he decided to build a bike that could take on the Joshua backroads. The starting point was a 1987 Honda XL600V Transalp, but the project took more of a restomod route rather than becoming a fully-fledged custom. After taking the donor apart, Monsieur Bakonyi had its frame and swingarm cleaned up, then wrapped in a fresh coat of black paint.
Subsequently, he turned his attention to the unsprung sector, lacing the stock wheel hubs to new Excel rims via stainless-steel spokes. Avon’s dual-purpose Trekrider tires ensure plentiful grip both on and off the asphalt, while the brakes are now equipped with youthful pads and drilled rotors from Brembo’s range. They’re operated through braided stainless-steel lines at both ends.
In terms of suspension mods, Yann kept the original forks but had them rebuilt to perform as if they were new. He ditched the factory shock absorber, though, making room for a premium EMC alternative discreetly enshrouded in a custom guard. On the other hand, the front brake cover was sourced from UFO, but all the original XL600V bodywork is still in play.
A taller wind deflector replaces the stock part, while the saddle is dressed up in a youthful aftermarket cover. The Transalp’s powertrain componentry is still as it came from the factory, right down to the air intake and exhaust system. Our protagonist simply gave the engine a quick service before installing a programmable DevMoto ignition module. To prevent embarrassing incidents, he also added a Kijima foot extension to the side stand.
Where the bike’s chunky front turn signals had once been, you will now find a pair of LED spotlights held inside 3D-printed housings. The replacement blinkers are located right beneath the front fairing, and there’s an LED headlamp keeping the way ahead brightly lit. All the illumination paraphernalia at the back is also new, joined in close proximity by a CNC-machined luggage rack.
On the left-hand side, there’s a soft Givi pannier held in place by tailor-made mounting hardware. The XL600V Joshua’s cockpit area bears an LSL handlebar outfitted with foldable aftermarket mirrors and Daytona grips. Finally, the creature’s livery combines a white base with red, orange, and yellow stripes, but there’s also a topographic map of Joshua Tree painted on the back of the wind deflector.
Subsequently, he turned his attention to the unsprung sector, lacing the stock wheel hubs to new Excel rims via stainless-steel spokes. Avon’s dual-purpose Trekrider tires ensure plentiful grip both on and off the asphalt, while the brakes are now equipped with youthful pads and drilled rotors from Brembo’s range. They’re operated through braided stainless-steel lines at both ends.
In terms of suspension mods, Yann kept the original forks but had them rebuilt to perform as if they were new. He ditched the factory shock absorber, though, making room for a premium EMC alternative discreetly enshrouded in a custom guard. On the other hand, the front brake cover was sourced from UFO, but all the original XL600V bodywork is still in play.
A taller wind deflector replaces the stock part, while the saddle is dressed up in a youthful aftermarket cover. The Transalp’s powertrain componentry is still as it came from the factory, right down to the air intake and exhaust system. Our protagonist simply gave the engine a quick service before installing a programmable DevMoto ignition module. To prevent embarrassing incidents, he also added a Kijima foot extension to the side stand.
Where the bike’s chunky front turn signals had once been, you will now find a pair of LED spotlights held inside 3D-printed housings. The replacement blinkers are located right beneath the front fairing, and there’s an LED headlamp keeping the way ahead brightly lit. All the illumination paraphernalia at the back is also new, joined in close proximity by a CNC-machined luggage rack.
On the left-hand side, there’s a soft Givi pannier held in place by tailor-made mounting hardware. The XL600V Joshua’s cockpit area bears an LSL handlebar outfitted with foldable aftermarket mirrors and Daytona grips. Finally, the creature’s livery combines a white base with red, orange, and yellow stripes, but there’s also a topographic map of Joshua Tree painted on the back of the wind deflector.
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