Honda Transalp War Machine by Cool Kid Customs

Honda Transalp Scrambler

The Honda Transalp was built to capitalize on Honda’s Paris-Dakar victories in the 1980s. All the bikes in the series — including the XL400V, XL600V, XL650V, and XL700V — featured a 52° V-twin motor, as well as desert-blasting style. The bikes were lauded as go-anywhere, do-it-all touring machines.

Honda Transalp Scrambler

Enter Michel Szozda of Cool Kid Customs, based outside Amsterdam. Michel imagined a bike built not for the desert rallies of Honda’s glorious past, but the urban wastelands of a post-apocalyptic future. The result is a bike Michel affectionately calls a “Honda War Machine,” complete with ammo belts, throwing knives, and an attitude that would make Mad Max proud.

Honda War MACHINE

Without further ado, we get the full story on this “apocalyptic toy machine.”

Honda Transalp Scrambler:  Builder Interview

Honda Transalp Scrambler

– Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and you workshop.

My name is Michel Szozda from The Netherlands. I started Cool Kid Customs motorcycle shop in 2014 and we’re stationed in Haarlem, near Amsterdam.

Honda Transalp Scrambler

– What’s the make, model and year of the bike?

It’s a 1998 Honda Transalp XL600v.

– Why was this bike built?

It was build for a customer who told me I could do whatever I wanted to do, as long as it was in the same style as a few as my older projects (skateboard bike). (We need more customers like this 🙂

– What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

I wanted to do something straight out of the 80’s, but goes to war in the year 2128. Apocalyptic toy machine.

Honda Transalp Scrambler

– What custom work was done to the bike?

Just too many things, here are some highlights:

  • 17″ wheels with yellow hubs
  • Cyclops handmade headlight
  • New handmade subframe on the back
  • Shotgun shells holder in the seat.
  • Throwing knife on the right.
  • 2 in 1 white and stainless shorty muffler
  • Distressed paintjob on the outside
  • 1980’s on the inside 🙂
  • Etc etc

Honda Transalp Scrambler

– How do you classify this bike?

As a Honda War Machine

– Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

How the whole bike turned out. It came out better then it was in my head. It’s the best one yet.

Honda Transalp Scrambler

Follow the Builder

www.coolkidcustoms.com
www.instagram.com/coolkidcustoms
www.facebook.com/coolkidcustoms

 

2 Comments

  1. Without fenders it’s a totally useless pile of junk!

  2. Ted LeCraw

    I have to agree.No fenders might look cool to some but to me are necessary.

Leave a Reply to Ted LeCraw Cancel

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*