Black Cycles Australia builds one rip-ready KTM two-stroke…
The KTM 300 EXC is the company’s flagship enduro machine, a 293cc two-stroke off-road weapon with a race-winning blend of weight, balance, handling, and power:
“Lightweight, great handling, a motor that is either happy to be lugged around using its bucket loads of torque or revved out on the fast, flowing trails.” —Moto Online
The bike is especially popular in hard enduro, but we’ve also seen it aimed toward flat tracks and tarmac, such as Akin Moto’s KTM 300 street tracker and the Salt Motorcycles KTM 300 cafe racer.
Recently, Noel Muller of Black Cycles Australia — builder of the killer white/red Yamaha XT500 restomod we featured last week — completed this KTM 300 EXC street tracker for the same client, Zach Hegde of Australia’s Retromotive, who gave him complete creative freedom on the build. Says Noel:
“The idea for this build was to build a ‘factory’ look KTM ‘flat tracker’ and to emphasise KTM’s sharp and angular trademark style!”
Whereas the resto-modded XT500 deviated but subtly from the original look/silhouette, this KTM has been completely transformed. Noel hand-fabricated the bodywork out of aluminum, including the fuel tank, tail section, number plate mount, headlight board/shroud, radiator covers, and lower fork protectors.
The bike is now running 19-inch KKE alloy wheels, which had to be custom-assembled, and the bike also sports a Lectron carb, stainless aftermarket chamber, lowered suspension at both ends (-175mm), mini LED lighting, and a stainless steel fork brace to stiffen up the front end.
Noel once again looked to a couple of fellow craftsmen to handle the wiring and upholstery:
“Special thanks to Justin @popbangclassics for the wiring and to Adam @carmans_auto_trimmers for yet another perfect job covering the seat, this time in motocross “gripper” rubber!”
As for the prep and paintwork, Noel handled it all himself:
“I did all prep and paint myself on this one in gunmetal grey base with silver honey comb pattern & orange highlights…All new alloy accessories sandblasted and 2k matte cleared!”
We reached out to owner/client Zach Hegde about the riding experience:
“This is a hoot to ride. Being a modern KTM with Lectron carb, it has not lost any of its bitter angry charm of getting into the rev range late in the squeeze, and she is a simple gentle start and is a very easy jump on and ride away kind of bike.”
Below, we talk to builder Noel and owner Zach for more details on the build, and share more photos from photographer Nathan Duff.
Builder Interview: Noel Muller / Black Cycles AU
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
This bike started as a stock, well-used 2013 KTM 300 EXC (2 stroke) enduro. It was was commissioned by Zach @retromotive and again he gave me complete freedom on this build! Just to note: Once priority details are sorted, I NEVER show customers any progress photos or allow them near the shop until the day they see it completed in person ????
Two reasons for this is it has a much bigger impact on them once finished, and from past experience, I know there will be changes to plans and doubts if they see their bikes incomplete, etc. (Also, a lot of clients would love to have ALL their ideas they’ve seen put into their one “dream build,” but that does NOT work out with a certain theme or style!)
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The idea for this build was to build a “factory” look KTM “flat tracker” and to emphasise KTM’s sharp and angular trademark style!
• What custom work was done to the bike?
All aluminium hand-fabricated fuel tank, tail section, number plate mount, headlight board/shroud, radiator covers, and lower fork protectors. A stainless steel fork brace and custom seat. 19″ KKE alloy wheel set (custom assembled, as they don’t come in this 19″ front/rear combo).
Highsider mini satellite LED headlights, all micro LED lighting, stainless aftermarket expansion chamber, shortened factory muffler, Lectron flat slide carb, suspension lowered 175mm all round. All new alloy accessories sandblasted and 2k matte cleared!
I did all prep and paint myself on this one in gunmetal grey base with silver honey comb pattern & orange highlights!
Special thanks to Justin @popbangclassics for the wiring and to Adam @carmans_auto_trimmers for yet another perfect job covering the seat, this time in motocross “gripper” rubber!
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Oh, on this build I’m most stoked with the amount of aluminium I’ve used and welded myself! I do NOT class myself as a great welder, and aluminium is very frustrating for me (welding), so I’ve still got a long way to go in that respect?
Owner Interview: Zach Hegde
• Can you tell us what the riding experience is like on the KTM 300?
This is a hoot to ride. Being a modern KTM with Lectron carb, it has not lost any of its bitter angry charm of getting into the rev range late in the squeeze, and she is a simple gentle start and is a very easy jump on and ride away kind of bike. The bike is easier to ride than factory, but then they are intended for two different purposes, and the current one suits the bike perfectly — Noel from Black Cycles has got these bikes right.
• Do you have a nickname for either bike?
Other than the Aussie slang of Yami and Kato, no. Should I name them, it will only hurt if I make them personal and see them go. I don’t have a single artistic bone in my body, so beleive in backing up good talent, and I would like to go through many artistic pieces, and by naming them I just would not like to part with them. Saying that — hit me up if you wish to buy the bike.
More Photos
Very different. Not my style, but I like it. How do you open the gas cap?
Sound bytes please on all your builds.
Great job, just love the headlight set up. Looks like a fun ride.
My taint is getting a blister on it, just from looking at that seat!