It’s always fun to discover and feature a make or model of motorcycle we’ve never come across before. Today, it’s the Leopard 125 — a 125cc motorcycle of Chinese manufacture, assembled in Paraguay. The bike is a cheap commuter — not very handsome in stock trim.
Enter Santiago Gonzalez, the 28 y.o. founder of Paraguay’s Santiagonza Custom Garage. Like many builders before him, Santiago began by building a bike for himself. In short order, someone offered to buy the completed bike. Santiago used the proceeds to buy another project. Before long, he’d established his workshop — to date, he’s sold seven custom bikes across the world.
This 125cc scrambler was built at the request of a client, who wanted a solo-seat urban scrambler. Santiago readily admits that the lack of a high-mount exhaust may prevent it from true scrambling duty, but the bike certainly makes for a stylish, fun curb-jumper for the new owner.
Below, we get the full story on the build!
Moto Leopard 125 Scrambler: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My name is Santiago Gonzalez, I am from Paraguay and I am 28 years old, I always liked motorcycles but in September of 2017 I bought my first motorcycle, as I always liked the cafe style. The first thing I did was to personalize the style, then I ended up selling that motorcycle to start another one, and that’s how my workshop was founded. Since then, we have gotten very good reviews and followers — to date I have already sold 7 unique builds in the world.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
The brand is Leopard, Chinese motorcycle assembled in my country, Paraguay. It’s a year 2012 and very cheap to acquire, only the factory style is not beautiful.
• Why was this bike built?
It is the exclusive request of a client — I wanted a motorcycle out of the ordinary.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The idea was to create a scrambler-style motorbike, but one that attracts attention with its small seat, only for one person and gives the feeling that the rear wheel is well moved back and that the driver is floating.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Basically the tires are smaller than the factory, the covers are lifted, the tank gets a very old one and we restore it, we change the handlebar, and the work to the chassis in the back, it is a handmade design made by us, with a seat which can cover and accessories imported from the USA like the led back light, the exhaust tape, the board, etc.
• How would you classify this bike?
I say that it is a scrambler, the only thing that is missing to say that it is of that style would be that the exhaust is higher.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I like this bike, when people go out on the streets not to look, take pictures or ask where it came from, it is very satisfying.
Follow the Builder
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santiagonzacustom/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santiagonza/
- Photos: @ricarfoto
