“Single Cylinder Americanos” from members of Night Shift Motorcycle Club (NSMC)…
Last year, we featured a KTR 150 street tracker from a Taiwanese university student, Eric, who’s a member of Taiwan’s Night Shift Motorcycle Club. Now NSMC is back with two more member builds, a pair of “Single Cylinder Americanos” — one chopper and one bobber — that both have neat family stories behind them.
Here in the US, motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles, but in Taiwan, they represent more than 50% of all registered vehicles! With so many bikes on the road, the island nation’s motorcycle culture is particularly strong. For Robin and Timmy, the brothers behind the Swade Official chopper below, it’s a way of life:
“Motorcycles are an important part of our lifestyle. For us, it’s not only a method of transportation — it’s more an inner happiness and satisfaction.”
Enlisting the help of their friends at AFS Custom Bikes, the brothers built this Frisco-style chopper in honor of their parents, particularly their mother. They outfitted the bike with a hardtail, springer front end, queen seat, and that very cool hand-painted tank:
“‘Tsai and Lee,’ the custom paint job on the fuel tank, are the last names of our dad and mom. The wings of the angel and devil on both sides of the tank represent the tender caring of our mother and the strictness of our father, which give the bike a deeper meaning.”
Appropriately enough, the bike’s nickname is “不孝子” (bu xiao zi), which means “rebellious/hooligan kid” in Mandarin 🙂
The bobber below also has strong family ties. It’s the work of Hugo (@hugoboss0909), an NSMC member who shares a love of custom bikes with his old man:
“My father and I love motorcycles, especially old or vintage-looking ones. We’ve watched plenty of TV shows and YouTube videos about custom bikes together, so that’s why I was eager to build myself one.”
Hugo enlisted the help of Taiwanese custom workshop SMF to help him transform his daily commuter into a “small but badass bobber.” They actually used the frame from a Yamaha Drag Fire, added a 19/16-inch wheelset, and modified the subframe for a softail setup:
“The coolest part of the build is the ‘hidden’ rear suspension. We hid it under the subframe, which makes for a tidy hard-tail look, but keeps the comfort for the rider.”
Hugo says the bike is surprisingly comfortable on the road and very stable at speed.
We love the hand-painting and pinstriping on both of these builds, as well as how radically they’ve been transformed from the small-displacement commuter machines that rolled out of their respective factories.
Below, we get the full backstories and details on each of these builds, with more stunning shots from photographer @eddie24652144.
The Chopper: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
We are “Swade Official,” an independent brand from Tainan, Taiwan. The brand was established by me, Robin, and my brother, Timmy.
Motorcycles are an important part of our lifestyle. For us, it’s not only a method of transportation — it’s more an inner happiness and satisfaction.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
It’s a 2005 SYM Wolf r125.
• Why was this bike built?
We, Timmy and Robin, built this bike for our mom as a gift in 2020. It represents our gratitude to my parents, and also it’s the very first bike we built for the brand itself.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The background concept was to pay tribute to the old-school frisco choppers. We put together a hardtail, springer front end, and queen seat, giving it a more 70’s vibe.
“Tsai and Lee,” the custom paint job done on the fuel tank, are the last names of our dad and mom. The wings of the angel and devil on both sides of the tank represent the tender caring of our mother and the strictness of our father, which give the bike a deeper meaning.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The front forks, the handlebar, the throttle body, the frame, the seat, and the fuel gauge, etc. Actually, the engine is the only original part on this bike; we totally rebuilt the rest of it with a lot of custom work.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
In Mandarin, we call it “不孝子” (bu xiao zi). It means a rebellious/hooligan kid.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
Pure mechanical response and romance. Though it’s a hardtail, surprisingly, it’s easy to ride.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I would say the handlebar, the front forks, the fuel gauge, and the pinstriping. Because they are all creative designs and also one of a kind.
Follow the Builders
Swade Official: @swade__official
NSMC: @nsmc_ncku
Photographer: @eddie24652144
AFS Custom Bikes: @afscustombikes
Jeffery’s finishing touch (pinstriping): @jeff090410
The Bobber: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’m Hugo from Taiwan. Motorcycles and scooters are very common in our daily life as a convenient method of transportation. There are a lot of motorcycles on the road, but how do I stand out from the others? I think a custom bike is the answer. My father and I love motorcycles, especially old or vintage-looking ones. We’ve watched plenty of TV shows and YouTube videos about custom bikes together, so that’s why I was eager to build myself one.
The idea of it came from the 2017 Triumph Bobber. The elegant look of a British bobber attracted me so much, so I contacted SMF, one of the renowned custom bike workshop in Taiwan, to help me realize this dream.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
It’s a 2008 Hartford HD-200s.
• Why was this bike built?
It’s a personal project.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I would say I was heavily influenced by Harley-Davidson Sportsters and Triumph bobbers, and the TV show “Let it Ride” with Arlen Ness pushed my love of bobbers to a whole new level. That’s why I decided to transform my daily commuter bike into a small but badass bobber.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
We used the frame from a Yamaha Drag Fire 150, modified the subframe, and had it powder-coated. Also, we extended it a little bit with front 19-inch and rear 16-inch wheels. The coolest part of the build is the “hidden” rear suspension. We hid it under the subframe, which made it a tidy hard-tail look, but kept the comfort for the rider. Finally, the pinstripe definitely added the soul to the bike.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
No, not yet. I can’t come up with one actually.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
Very comfortable to be honest. The softtail design and low handlebar give it a more comfortable riding position. The big tires are heavy when I move the bike, but it doesn’t feel heavy when it hits on the road; it has a stable feeling like a cruiser.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
The softtail design, the leather seat, kick-starter, the spare oil can, and the pinstripes.
Follow the Builders
NSMC: @nsmc_ncku
JB signpainting and pinstriping: @jb_signpainting_pinstriping
SMF: @smf30678
Photographer (Eddie): @eddie24652144
