Bike Shed Moto Show Raffle Bike from Fastec Racing x Bike Shed MotoWorks…
In late 2024, Royal Enfield introduced the Bear 650, a retro-style scrambler that utilizes the same 650cc parallel-twin as their Interceptor and Continental GT models. As compared to the more road-oriented models, the Bear features 19″ / 17″ spoked wheels, a taller subframe, updated suspension and ergonomics, and frame reinforcement to handle a bit of off-road adventuring.
The Bear name comes from the Big Bear Run, the California off-road race that ran from 1921 to 1963, climbing from some 125-200 miles (depending on the route) from Los Angeles to the 8200-foot summit of Big Bear Mountain. Some of the Bear 650 models bear the number 249 on their side plates — a reference to 16-year-old Eddie Mulder, who won the 1960 Big Bear Run on a Royal Enfield Fury 500, beating 765 other participants and gaining national recognition. Of course, Eddie went on to have a Hall of Fame career as an off-road racer and stuntman.
This is the first Bear 650 custom we’ve showcased on BikeBound, and it’s a special one. It was the main raffle bike at the recent Bike Shed Moto Show in London. It’s a collaboration between Dutch (@dutchbsmc) of the Bike Shed and Dan Starmer of Fastec Racing:
“Dutch had the concept for the MotoWorks idea — producing builds under the MotoWorks banner — and came to us to see if we would be interested in coming on board for builds and machining/parts.” -Dan
MotoWorks custom builds are custom motorcycles created in-house by the Bike Shed team, often in collaboration with major manufacturers and specialized racing engineers like Fastec.
Dan is an engineer with expertise in CAD/CAM design and CNC manufacturing, and his firm Fastec Engineering has done work for the aerospace, medical, and oil & gas industries. About 20 years ago, he and his business partner opened a division solely dedicated to motorcycle racing:
“My kids did motocross and we knew we could make better and more affordable parts than were available at that time. Fastec Racing then grew and expanded into BSB, Moto GB, and WSBK, manufacturing parts for many of the teams involved and a lot of the custom bike builders who wanted one-off custom parts for their builds.”
In this case, Dutch envisioned a custom build inspired by the desert sleds of the 1960s and 1970s — machines not too dissimilar from Eddie Mulder’s Big Bear bike. Dan was only too happy to help.
The bike was stripped down to the frame and rebuilt with a combination of one-off and bolt-on parts. Dan says all of the parts they developed were originally 3D-printed for test-fitting before machining in aluminum. One-off parts include a new top yoke with integrated gauge mount, new rear frame loop with custom seat and tail tidy, custom-machined chain guard and flush fuel cap, and new fenders, with the Bike Shed logo integrated into the rear mudguard.
The custom headlight nacelle comes from Proust Designs, while Hitchcox Motorcycles provided the exhaust system. Arnie at Pro-Kustom — one of the best paint men in the business — laid down the custom MotoWorks paint and graphics.
The bike is running all new indicators and lighting, a relocated ignition, shorty levers, upgraded shocks, and new Michelin rubber. The Bear 650 desert sled was a hit at the Bike Shed Show, and one very lucky attendee got to take it home at the end of the weekend.
Below, you’ll find our full interview with Dan from Fastec, and credit goes to Nathan from The Fresh Focus for the fantastic photos. Stay tuned for more from Fastec Racing and The Bike Shed’s MotoWorks!
Bear 650 Scrambler / Desert Sled: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My name’s Dan Starmer and I have been involved with motorbikes since I was kid, always tinkering, changing, and riding them. I’ve been an engineer since I left school — CNC manufacturing and design with CADCAM — and have my own business, Fastec Engineering, where my business partner and I worked in the deep sea oil & gas fields, aerospace & medical fields.
We then had the opportunity, 20 years ago, to set up Fastec Racing, designing & manufacturing motocross parts. My kids did motocross and we knew we could make better and more affordable parts than were available at that time.
Fastec Racing then grew and expanded into BSB, Moto GB, and WSBK, manufacturing parts for many of the teams involved and a lot of the custom bike builders who wanted one-off custom parts for their builds. We also have a retail business selling micron-style fork braces under the banner of The British Fork Brace Company, for a wide range of old and new bikes, and they are all manufactured at our site here in Newmarket, Suffolk.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
2026 Royal Enfield Bear 650.
• Why was this bike built?
We’ve been involved in some way with The Bike Shed for over 10 years and have got to know Dutch & Vikki behind The Bike Shed brand well. We have exhibited at the London show for many years and built Vikki’s Ducati scrambler build a few years back.
Dutch had the concept for the MotoWorks idea — producing builds under the MotoWorks banner — and came to us to see if we would be interested in coming on board for builds and machining/parts. We produced the first one and had a great response to it; Dutch had it placed in the Bike Shed London and a lot of interest in it.
Dutch then came up with the idea of having one to raffle at this year’s Bike Shed London show.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Dutch had been inspired by the iconic 60’s & 70’s desert sleds, built for road and desert riding, to build a stripped-back, beefed-up version of the Royal Enfield Bear, creating a true 650 Street Scrambler under the Bike Shed MotoWorks banner.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
We stripped the bike back to its frame to start fresh. We then 3D-printed any parts that we needed to test fit and change before then machining the final aluminum part.
We designed a new top yoke with built in clock mount to sit above the headlight nacelle from Proust Designs, and the rear end was cut to incorporate a new rear loop, tail tidy, and custom seat.
We then installed our chain guard and new flush fuel cap. All indicators and lights were replaced and the ignition was relocated.
The tank was sent off to Arnie at Pro-Kustom for the custom MotoWorks paint job and graphics.
We also installed a new Hitchcox Motorcycles exhaust system, the custom headlight nacelle from Proust Designs, our new mudguards – the rear mudguard having the custom Bike Shed badge integrated into it.
We also swapped out the standard levers for short levers and new tyres alongside upgraded shocks.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
We are incredibly proud that we’ve been able to work with Dutch and come up with a design that offers the flexibility to fit with various budgets. By combining custom parts with affordable off-the-shelf parts, we have been able to create a bike that works for all levels, so whether you’re starting your custom build or going with the full build, you will get a stunning bike.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Dutch @ The Bike Shed for the opportunity of course!
Tom @ Hitchcox Motorcycles for the exhaust
Ed @ Core Motorcycle Seats for the custom seat
Arnie @ Pro-Kustom for the paint work
Antoine @ Proust Designs for the headlight nacelle
Michelin for supply of tyres
Nathan @ The Fresh Focus for the fantastic photos
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