Introduced in 2014, the BMW R NineT is sometimes called an Oilhead — a reference to the air/oil-cooled engine, which stands in contrast to the first-generation air-cooled Airheads: “The name ‘Oilhead’ comes from the fact […]
Tag: Le Motographe
Sounds Like Thunder: Harley Dyna Street Bob
Le Motographe builds a 40/50s-inspired Dyna… The Street Bob is a stripped-down ground-pounder inspired by the H-D bobbers of yesteryear. The 2015 Twin Cam 103″ V-twin was rated at 98.8 foot-pounds of torque, and despite […]
Aerospace Grade: BMW R NineT “7075 Koffee”
Le Motographe creates an arsenal of aerospace-grade parts… The BMW R nineT is an 1170cc air/oiled-cooled “oilhead” roadster with retro styling, developed as a “blank canvas for customizing.” Few of today’s bikes lend themselves to […]
Rally Beast: Yamaha WR450F by Le Motographe
True to Form: Le Motographe builds a race-spec custom rally bike… The founders of France’s Le Motographe, Jérôme Mawois and Yvan Bertona, may have backgrounds as a product designer and metallurgist, respectively, but the pair […]
Californian Scrambler: Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor
Le Motographe builds a classy beach scrambler… In 2018, Royal Enfield introduced the Interceptor 650, an air/oil-cooled parallel twin with Bosch fuel injection, slipper clutch, frame-mounted oil cooler, and a solid 46 bhp on tap. […]
Royal Enfield 650 Adventure Kit
An RE650 ADV kit from a pair of off-road aficionados… The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 debuted in 2018, featuring an air/oil-cooled parallel twin that produces 47 bhp, complete with Bosch fuel injection, slipper clutch, and […]
“Kulte” Classic: Honda “750 RKB” by Le Motographe
RCB-Inspired Custom… The Honda RCB1000 dominated the FIM Endurance Cup (Coupe d’Endurance) scene of the late ’70s and early ’80s, composed of races like the Bol d’Or, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Suzuka 8 […]
“Dusty Classic” Yamaha SR500 by Le Motographe
The Yamaha 500 singles are some of our favorite air-cooled thumpers ever built. The street-oriented SR500, introduced in 1978, was available in the US until 1981 and Europe until 1983, though it remained available in […]
Sound and Fury: Yamaha WR450 “Skeleton V2” by Le Motographe
The WR450 “Skeleton” returns…in supermoto trim! Recently, we featured the work of French workshop Le Motographe, builders of this stunning Yamaha WR450F custom enduro — an “extreme scrambler” whose lightweight exoskeleton supported a handmade gas […]
Custom Enduro: Yamaha WR450F “Skeleton” by Le Motographe
Extreme Scrambler: Yamaha WR450 from France… Introduced in 2003, the Yamaha WR450F is essentially an enduro version of the company’s full-blown motocross racer, the YZ450F. As such, the WR offers a wide-ratio gearbox, headlight/taillight, electric […]