Handbuilt Show 2025: Best Café / Road Racers

The last weekend in March marked not just the running of the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas, but also the 2025 Handbuilt Motorcycle Show — simply one of the very best custom shows on the planet. Organizers Revival Cycles have created an event that draws builders and craftspeople from all over the country and world to show off their one-of-a-kind, hand-built machines.

The goal isn’t just to entertain, but inspire attendees to pick up a few tools themselves.

“As our collective existence slips further into digital abstraction, we at the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show believe something has been lost and it is time to revive the culture of physical craftsmanship. Although in today’s modern mass-produced world few young people are taught how to do physical work or are encouraged to embrace a trade, there remains a universal attraction to the beauty that can only be formed by human hands.” -Handbuilt Show

This year, the three-day event showcased nearly 150 custom, rare, and/or interesting bikes, as well as some incredible cars, hot rods, and art — all in the 100,000 square-foot Austin-American Statesman building on South Congress Avenue. In addition to the show machines, there was a Wall of Death, stunt riding, live painting, various exhibitions and demos, and more.

Our favorite part, of course, are the custom bikes. And because many builders use the show as a kind of deadline for their projects, many of these bikes you see here were breaking cover for the first time at the show.

“The Handbuilt show represents the cutting edge of custom motorcycle building, where attendees get a peek at the next cool thing. It’s actually a challenge to pinpoint that new trend. There’s so much to be inspired by that it can be a bit overwhelming.” – Roland Sands.

As in recent years, our man on the ground was racer, photographer, and Texas native Kody Melton, who captured some truly remarkable shots of many of the bikes from the show. Without further ado, we present you with the first round of highlights. 

What are your top 3 picks? Let us know in the comments!

Handbuilt Show Highlights

Photo credits: Kody Melton for BikeBound.

Yamaha TD350: Nova Motorcycles

1965 Yamaha TD1-B production racer frame stretched to take later R5 type cases, and braced for better handling. Engine has ported R5 cylinders, carbs are from factory TR3 racer. Weiss racing triple tree mated to shortened Betor forks. Moto Guzzi front brake, lightened. TD1-B rear brake, flipped around to take left side drive. Alloy tank made by the Tankshop UK. Seat is homemade period piece. 2024 USCRA Class Champion in 500GP and Open GP.

Yetman-Honda: Nova Motorcycles

Original 1960’s Yetman Triangulated Space Frame with Honda CB77 motor. Frame weighs 8 lbs and consists of very thin plain steel tubing brazed together in a triangulated pattern. Engine is 1960’s Honda CB77 Superhawk, standard 305cc, Harmon & Collins cam, Amal Concentric carbs with velocity stacks.

The Keswick Cafe: William Panik

What started as a nearly stock Thruxton for a 30th birthday present has undergone extensive customization to be the machine you see here. Every modification has been made with the goal of a achieving a simplified, clean design reminiscent of the café racers of old. The most unique aspect of this build is its complete airbox delete.

1967 Dan Boone Ducati: Euro Moto Electrics

Moxie: Leach Custom Cycles

For Sale: $15,000. Contact [email protected].

XV-R 1000: Dwight Mason x Nick Miracle

Built around the powerhouse of a 1985 Yamaha Virago 1000, this custom cafe racer showcases its 981cc air cooled v-twin motor suspended from a completely scratch-built tube frame. This XV1000 sports a chain drive conversion earning its moniker, “XV-R 1000”. In addition to its bespoke chassis, this Virago also adorns a custom built fiberglass fuel tank and seat cowl.

Yamaha TX650A: Ronnie George

Featured here on BikeBound!

1974 CB550 Cafe Racer: Action Figure Studios

Built from two non-running bikes — the base — a CB550 and parts from a different failed build. The base motor top end was rebuilt along with the carbs and the frame stripped and de-tabbed. Tank stripped, cleaned and painted with matching tail piece and head lights. Carpy 4 into one exhaust. Elongated swing arm. SV650 Wheels. 2000’s Hyabusa front end. Custom cockpit, seat, electronic ignition, new reg/rectifiier, lighting with M-Unit electrics and Cognito Moto rear sets. Current registration in Colorado. For sale: $7500. Contact [email protected].

“Common Sense” BMW: Nicholas Dominic Talvola

For sale: $9000. Contact [email protected]

Yamaha Virago: Builder Unknown

Woodstock: Madison Motorcycles

This bike started as a 1968 Ducati 350 wide case scrambler. I built this bike to race in the AHRMA nationals series in 350 GP. The bike has been raced around the country at some of the following racetracks. Daytona, Barber, Willow Springs, Miller, RoadAmerica to name just a few. The bike is period correct.

The Fuselage: Il Garagista

The Fuselage came into form by taking queues from the Art Deco movement of the early 1900s and mixing it with a Howard Hughes-like aircraft body.

BMW Airhead Bobber: Alpha Moto

Stella’s Mettle: Snap Fab

A 1946 Chief with a 1948 engine. Rolling on 18’s when I got it. The bike looked light and airy compared to typical Chiefs. Joe at Snap Fab was commissioned to build the bodywork based on a fictional story of a WWII army air corps mechanic inspired by his wartime skills and interest in British Cafe Bikes. He named the bike after his tough wife and sought solace and peace riding to airports around the country.

Mach 1 Dream: Bob Wills Architects

A basket case 1966 Ducati single that I probably should have thought twice about as a project. Unobtainium parts meant I was committed to a restomod that respected the original design and intent of a ’60’s race bike, yet was thoroughly modern mechanically, and recently won best of show locally.

1979 Velocette Thruxton: Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum

Complete Restoration.

“Aurora” BMW R100R: 72 Cycles Performance USA

For sale!

Theory Coffee / Alpha Moto BMW R90/6

This BMW R90/6 stumbled and fell into an R90s parts bin from the mid 70s. The outcome is a handful of period correct upgrades, with a modern take on color and appearance.

Krauser Domani

This is serial # 1 of 135 built between 1989-1997. Frame/Chassis with center-hub steering built by LCR (Louis Christen Racing) Switzerland, engine, drive train and instrumentation BMW K 100 RS, fiberglass body and assembly by Krauser (Germany). Stuetz (Germany) Turbo with Intercooler. Certified at 142 hp and 125 mph top speed with 2 people.

Last of the Taglioni Ducatis

Last of the Handbuilt Ducati’s : One of the most unique aspects of the 750F1 is that it was among the last Ducati models to be handbuilt. This craftsmanship adds to its allure and historical value, as subsequent models moved towards more modern manufacturing techniques. The meticulous hand-building process ensured each bike was a work of art, reflecting the dedication and skill of the Ducati engineers and craftsmen.

Norton America / Dreer Commando Monoshock Prototype: Born Again Bikes

This is THE Original Prototype Monoshock New Norton / Norton America chassis (from the non-running roller shown by Kenny Dreer at the New York IMS in 2007), with Kawasaki ZX7 forks, Dreer VR880 dual-disc front wheel, Norton MkIII disc brake rear wheel, 2009 CAT Deisel hardened bolt one-piece rear axle, 1975 Norton Commando 850 MKIII e-start engine, RIGHT-FOOT SHIFT conversion, Dreer VR880 composite bodywork with Acerbis fuel cell, original prototype “tight tuck” headers, Amal Premier concentric carbs, and all Sparx electronics.

Theia: Southern Whips x Alpha Moto

2006 Ducati Sport Classic 1000 custom-made speedo bracket, brake reservoirs, relocated battery and license plate, tail light bracket, carbon fiber Paul Smart fairings & fuel tank, relocated ignition switch, Pro Bolt hardware. Brembo corsa corta rcs 19 brake master, Andreani Misano Evo fork cartridges, Zard titanium snake exhaust system, RMP clip on bars, Motogadget moblaze, custom paint.

Yamaha TRX: Owner Unknown

Honda CB550: Cody Bisnett / Free Coast Cycles

Follow the Photographer

• Web: www.kodymelton.com
• Instagram: @kodymelton

Follow the Show

• Web: revivalcycles.com/handbuilt-motorcycle-show
• Instagram: @handbuiltshow
• Facebook: @thehandbuiltmotoshow

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