“Grind Glitter” Flat Tracker from Shakin’ Speed Graphix…
The Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show (HCS) — organized by Mooneyes, the legendary Japanese hot-rod brand — is one of the most prestigious custom culture shows on the planet. It brings together hot rods, JDM legends, custom bikes, and much more, showcasing the stunning craftsmanship for which Japanese builders and artists are known.
The 33rd annual show took place earlier this month, and among the dazzling array of customs, we were drawn to this Honda FTR250 flat tracker from Tomomi “Shakin'” Shimizu of Shakin’ Speed Graphix — a custom paint studio Shakin’ has run since 1992. Shakin’ specializes not just in hand-painting and pinstriping, but also custom motorcycle fabrication.
“My work is heavily influenced by motorcycle racing culture, especially the raw functionality and visual honesty found in flat track and classic competition machines.”
So it’s little wonder that Shakin’ decided to build a flat tracker for the 2025 Mooneyes Show, basing the project on a 1986 Honda FTR250 (MD17). The FTR250 was a JDM-only factory street tracker inspired by the iconic RS750, produced in the 1980s with the RFVC engine from the XL250R dual-sport. It remains something of a cult classic in Japan, and a popular base for customization.
In this case, Shakin’ wanted to build a flat tracker with one-off, handmade bodywork and very distinctive paint…all without sacrificing the functionality of the bike as a racing machine for its owner, Naoya (@70hach) of Grind Lodge.
“In terms of influences, I was particularly inspired by lowrider and custom car culture within the custom paint world, especially their use of color, fades, and layered paint techniques.”
This build would be much more than an aesthetic conversion. The FTR was blowing heavy white moke when it arrived at Shakin’s shop, so it was torn down to the bare frame and the engine was fully rebuilt. The motor was painted black and ivory, then matched with a flat-slide racing carb, K&N filter, custom-built stainless steel headers, and a box-style aluminum silencer.
The frame was reworked and lightened, then nickel-plated for a bright and durable shine. All the bearings, bushings, and seals are new, and the bike is rolling on 19-inch wheels with Hoosier dirt track rubber. The handlebar is one of the shop’s original products built in-house, and the footpegs and controls are all one-off pieces.
The lovely one-off tank and seat cowl were hand-fabricated from aluminum — a laborious but rewarding process that gives the bike a silhouette all its own. Then there’s the paint — Shakin’s specialty:
“A gunmetal metallic flake base was layered with a three-tone candy fade using root beer, tangerine, and gold. Ivory accents were added to give the bike a more race-inspired look. After sharpening the design with gold line, the numbers and the owner’s company name were hand-lettered, completing the build.”
Nicknamed “Grind Glitter” for the way the bike sparks across the vision as if on a grinding wheel, this Honda flat tracker was one of the standouts at the Yokohama show — it draws the eye from every angle. That said, it was no walk in the park getting it built in time.
“The aluminum bodywork, in particular, was an intense process — from the initial design sketches to metal shaping, welding, and final paint. I spent around 19 hours a day for nearly two weeks bringing it all together. It was extremely demanding work, but seeing it through to completion gave me a great sense of confidence and pride.” -Shakin’
We look forward to seeing more of this incredible tracker glittering around the track, as Japan has a thriving flat track scene and Shakin’ has a whole customized FTR division (Grind and Brush Racing).
Thank you so much to Shakin’ for sharing his creation with us. We look forward to showcasing more work from this multi-talented Japanese artist.
Below you’ll find our full in-depth review with Tomomi “Shakin'” Shimizu about the build, and you can follow him on Instagram at @grindandbrush and @shakesigns.
Honda FTR250 Flat Tracker: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My name is Tomomi Shimizu, known artistically as Shakin’. Since 1992, I’ve been running a custom paint studio called Shakin’ Speed Graphix, where motorcycles and other vehicles become my canvas. My approach is deeply rooted in Japanese craftsmanship, with a strong emphasis on precision, balance, and respect for traditional hand-made techniques.
At the same time, my work is heavily influenced by motorcycle racing culture, especially the raw functionality and visual honesty found in flat track and classic competition machines.
I focus on hand-painted finishes for vehicles, including sign painting and pinstriping, along with logo and apparel design for commercial projects. I’m also actively involved in motorcycle custom fabrication, aiming to create machines that reflect both artistic expression and real-world performance.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
This bike is a 1986 Honda FTR250 (MD17).
• Why was this bike built?
This build was commissioned by a customer.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The design concept was to create a simple flat tracker fitted with one-off, custom-built bodywork, then enhance its individuality through custom paint. While fully respecting the fundamental principles and functionality of a true racing machine, the goal was to push the bike further by giving it a strong sense of originality.
In terms of influences, I was particularly inspired by lowrider and custom car culture within the custom paint world, especially their use of color, fades, and layered paint techniques.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
When the bike first arrived at our shop, it was in very rough condition, and the engine was blowing heavy white smoke. We began the project with a full frame-off teardown, completely disassembling the motorcycle.
The frame was reworked by lightening and simplifying the rear section compared to the stock layout, then finished with nickel plating. All bearings, bushings, and seals in the moving components were replaced with new parts.
The engine was fully overhauled, fitted with new pistons, and carefully reassembled, including detailed valve lapping. It was then finished in a two-tone black and ivory paint scheme. All bolts and nuts were also refinished and polished.
The bodywork — including the tank and seat cowl — was hand-fabricated as one-off pieces from aluminum.
The wheels were rebuilt with new 19-inch aluminum rims front and rear, fitted with Hoosier racing tires.
The handlebar is one of our original in-house products, while the foot pegs and foot controls were all custom-made one-off components.
For the intake system, we installed a racing flat-slide carburetor with a K&N air filter. The exhaust system features a custom-built stainless steel header, paired with an aluminum boom box–style silencer.
The final step was the custom paint job. A gunmetal metallic flake base was layered with a three-tone candy fade using root beer, tangerine, and gold. Ivory accents were added to give the bike a more race-inspired look.
After sharpening the design with gold line, the numbers and the owner’s company name were hand-lettered, completing the build.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
The bike’s nickname is “Grind Glitter.” The name reflects the image of a sparkling machine that charges forward as if grinding against the ground.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
While we haven’t taken precise measurements, based on the weight reduction, upgraded intake and exhaust, and engine performance work, the bike is likely producing more than the stock 27 horsepower. The overall weight is estimated to be around 100 kilograms.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
The bike feels very smooth, powerful, and fast to ride. With the newly rebuilt engine, suspension, and overall setup, everything feels tight and confidence-inspiring. I’m really looking forward to seeing how it continues to come alive as it’s ridden and dialed in further.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I’m especially proud that we were able to complete this bike on a very tight schedule in time for its debut at the Yokohama Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show. The aluminum bodywork, in particular, was an intense process — from the initial design sketches to metal shaping, welding, and final paint. I spent around 19 hours a day for nearly two weeks bringing it all together. It was extremely demanding work, but seeing it through to completion gave me a great sense of confidence and pride.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
First, I’d like to thank Naoya, the owner of this bike. I’m truly grateful that he trusted me completely and allowed me to take full creative control of the project. I’d also like to thank my wife, Yuko. Even when I was working late every night, she always stayed up and prepared meals for me. Those moments were incredibly comforting during such long and demanding days.
Of course, I’m also thankful to the outside vendors and specialists who helped make everything come together on such a tight schedule.
Follow the Builder
Website: ssg.theshop.jp
Instagram: @grindandbrush | @shakesigns | @g_and_b_racing
Owner: @70hach | @grindlodge
Nice Flake.
Love the tires!