Kawasaki W650 Custom by Pancake Customs

A Dutch-built Kawasaki W650, designed for a veteran BMX rider…

We first ran across this amazing Kawasaki W650 custom when our friends Rusty Gold Motorshop of Amsterdam snapped a shot of the bike sitting outside their place. It turned out the bike was the work of Boy Janssen of Pancake Customs, who built the bike for his long-time friend Roy van Kempen, founder of the BMX/skateboarding/lifestyle brand and publication Orange Juice. Boy and Roy have known each other for years, riding BMX freestyle together.

Boy took inspiration from a number of styles and eras — from the Japanese chopper scene to 70s American desert sleds — creating a pitch-perfect W650 custom that melds these influences without seamless grace and power.

Below, we get the full story on this incredible build.

Kawasaki W650 Brat / Tracker / Bobber: Builder Interview

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

Boy Janssen, full-time autodidact bike builder for three years now, got my workshop in a small place called Rheden in the east of the Netherlands. Built my first bike about five years ago and now trying to make a living building original high quality customs.

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

2002 Kawasaki W650

• Why was this bike built?

Build for my good friend Roy van Kempen who I have known for a very long time from our history in BMX freestyle.

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

Influenced by a lot of different styles, from the Japan chopper scene to 70s American desert sleds. In my eyes it became a perfect combination.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Full custom bike, so everything has bees modified, swapped or improved

• How would you classify this bike?

Pancake Customs bike, I dont really think you can put another label on it.

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

Best part of the build was collaborating with a friend I’ve known for years. He was new to the whole custom motorcycle world so wasnt 100% sure what he wanted. But he’s super stoked on the bike and so am I.