“Make a hundred things that will last for a hundred years”…
That’s the motto of Japan’s OA 100 Project, an offshoot of OA Proto Corporation, which designs and produces prototype parts for Japanese bullet trains (Shinkansen), heavy equipment, and other industries. In a world that seems to move faster every day, so much is lost to digital abstraction, soulless mass production, and technological barriers between man and machine. Motorcycles are certainly no exception, what with the widespread adoption of ride-by-wire, traction control, wheelie control, selective riding modes, and more.
In 2020, the team at OA Proto decided to get back to their handmade origins, producing nostalgic small-batch motorcycles, cars, and other products with traditional techniques — a legacy of craftsmanship they’ve challenged themselves to keep alive for the next 100 years.
“We think that a bike is not only a means of transportation but also an object to connect with beauty and one’s mechanical sensibility… Although mass-production is now mainstream, we want to share the value of a handmade bike.”
The bike you see here may look like it comes from the 1970s, but it’s actually based on a 2003 Kawasaki 250TR (TR250) — a lightweight air-cooled single with retro style.
“The 250TR fuses slim urban trail bike styling with a simple black-painted 249-cc air-cooled four-stroke single cylinder engine. It has been the ‘it’ vehicle among free-wheeling young riders since its launch in 2002.” -Kawasaki
Taking their inspiration from 1970s motocrossers, the OA 100 Project team built most of the bike’s bodywork and key elements by hand. The steel tank was hammer-shaped, and the fenders, side covers, seat base, saddle, muffler, and bracketry are all handmade elements.
“We are particular about the lines and textures that cannot be achieved with mass-produced parts, and carefully finish each thing one by one.”
They also rebuilt the engine and overhauled every system that needed it. The result is a bike with nostalgic style, which would fool many observers into thinking it’s a concours-level restoration, when in fact it’s basically a new “neo-dirt machine” inspired by 1970s motocross / enduro bikes. The result is a very pure riding experience:
“You directly feel the engine beat, vibration, and machine movement, not relying on electronic control. It is feeling something like a dialogue between the rider and machine.”
In the end, that intimate relationship between rider and machine is one of the most intoxicating and enduring attractions of motorcycling. We’re happy that companies like OA Proto are working to keep that sensory experience at the very forefront of the machines they build.
Below is our full interview with Noriko Taketomo of OA Proto Corp, along with more photos of the 250TR scrambler.
Kawasaki TR250 Scrambler: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
We, OA Proto Corporation, as a comprehensive prototype parts manufacturer, have been producing components for Japanese Bullet Trains (Shinkansen) and construction machine cabins, as well as automobile prototype parts, stamping dies, inspection fixtures, and assembly jigs. Our product fields are expanding even now.
We started up OA100 Project in 2020 to grow furthermore with a new vision. OA100 Project is for the person who really want our products made by hand in a small batch, based on prototype parts skills.
OA Proto will challenge to keep alive a 100-year craftsmanship history company and continue the growth of Business-to-Business projects, gaining new skills and vision that we could not have in the past.
We think that a bike is not only a means of transportation but also an object to connect with beauty and one’s mechanical sensibility.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Kawasaki 250TR (2003).
• Why was this bike built?
The 250TR platform is very attractive with simple and light frame structure and a classic silhouette. We made this bike to introduce the skills of OA100 Project. Although mass-production is now mainstream, we want to share the value of a hand-made bike.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The design concept was to rebuild the DNA of a 70’s motocrosser with today’s accuracy. We were inspired by the classic high fender machines, nimble with slim tank lines, and a simple architecture stripped of useless parts.
However, the finish reflects contemporary quality and accuracy. It’s nostalgic, but it looks new. It’s a neo-scrambler that stands out on forest roads and city streets. We wanted to build a neo-dirt machine inspired by 70’s VMX.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Major exterior parts are one-off production units: Steel fuel tank (handmade), front/rear fender built by hand (one-off), handmade side covers, seat base and synthetic leather seat made by hand, one-off muffler, brackets, and more.
Engine was completely overhauled. Frame and body parts were rebuilt. Our aim is to balance function and design.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
250TR OA100 Project Version.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
250cc horsepower, single engine,
Weight: about 160kg
Slimmed exterior.
Restored the original performance by overhaul work.
The response is very good — a direct machine feeling.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
The riding feel is very pure. You directly feel the engine beat, vibration, and machine movement, not relying on electronic control. It is feeling something like a dialogue between the rider and machine.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
All design is done and produced by our own company. Specially, the steel fuel tank is formed by hammer, and it is the symbol of craftmanship. This is not only an industrial product but also artistic handcraft.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
We appreciate all stuff and craft men/workers who were involved with this project. Their skills and passion made the bike a nice, shaped object.
Follow the Builder
Website: oaproto.com
Instagram: @oa100project
Fix the front fender
EXCELLENT!!!
I preferred the original black megaphone exhaust. The new chrome one looks tinny and cheap like some Chinese aftermarket part you find on Temu. Front fender needs changing to something that looks like it belongs rather than “just fixed”. Paint job looks superb, probably better than original but you could have changed the switches on the handlebar for something a little more modern and waterproof.
We love the exhaust! 🙂
It’s the chrome that does not belong on a scrambler. A black ceramic coated exhaust exhaust would rock. Good article.
What do you mean? Many, if not most of the vintage scramblers of the 1970s had chrome all over them, including their exhausts. BSA Firebird, all the Honda CL series, Ducati’s single-cylinder scramblers, etc.
Yes scrambler but not DT, SL, KX, TS.
A beauty, excellent modern bike. IMO flaws: Way too heavy, chrome exhaust, large disk brake. Brakes are relative to weight but the disk looks too modern.