In a world the place bikes are rising ever extra advanced, the Kawasaki W800 endures as a bastion of mechanical class. It provides little in the way in which of technical frou-frou, past its gasoline injection and ABS-equipped disc brakes. And whereas it hails from Japan, its styling is a stunningly devoted tribute to the halcyon days of British motorcycling.
It’s additionally extremely rideable, because of a parallel-twin engine that’s easygoing but peppy, paired with impartial ergonomics that encourage day by day rides. It’s no shock that each the W800 and its predecessor, the W650, have been darlings of the customized scene for years.
This stylish Kawasaki W800 comes from our buddy Ma ‘Max’ Yicheng, proprietor of 2LOUD Customized in Taiwan. Max’s mission was to amplify the W800’s British character and add customized aptitude—with out sacrificing its trip high quality. He nailed it.
At a look, 2LOUD’s tackle the W800 seems like a easy restomod. However its understated class belies how a lot work went into it. It’s loaded with delicate particulars that, though they’re simple to overlook, add as much as make a giant distinction.
First, Max tore the W800 all the way down to its body. Then he went over each inch—eradicating superfluous tabs, smoothing welds, and sculpting every gusset to bear 2LOUD’s signature drilled model. The subframe was trimmed and looped, earlier than the body, swingarm, and yokes had been all completed in silver.
The fork lowers and brake calipers had been liberated of their paint and polished, creating a visible hyperlink between the silver body and polished rims. The W800 comes customary with a 19” entrance wheel and an 18” rear—excellent proportions for a avenue tracker. So Max left the OEM wheels in place, wrapping them in Dunlop K70 tires.
Up high, Max swapped the gasoline tank for a smaller W650 unit. For the reason that W650 is carbureted, its gasoline tank makes no provision for a gasoline pump—so the W800’s pump needed to be relocated to a customized housing underneath the seat. It’s hidden by a pair of handmade facet covers that hint the identical form because the inventory gadgets, however in a extra petite package deal.
The tank itself underwent vital modifications. Max eliminated the OEM rubber knee pads and shaved off the brackets that they connect to, earlier than smoothing all the pieces off. Stainless-steel strips had been added to the edges for just a little additional pizzazz, with an ornate gasoline cap from AFS Customized Bikes ending issues off.
The slim solo seat that sits on the body sports activities trendy upholstery within the store’s signature model. Beneficiant hand-rolled aluminum fenders, supported by swish chrome steel stays, add extra retro taste to 2LOUD’s W800. Smaller components just like the chain guard and headlight bracket are from 2LOUD’s personal catalog of bolt-on components.
The battery now sits between the decrease body rails, housed in a bespoke field. Quite a few handmade brackets adorn the bike, whereas a 5.75” headlight, polished flip alerts, and a Lucas-style taillight deal with lighting duties.
The W800 is steered by a set of chrome steel 2LOUD handlebars, fitted with micro switches, a Kustom Tech brake grasp cylinder, and recent grips. A Motogadget gauge sits out entrance; a mixture analog/digital unit that exhibits RPM on its predominant dial and velocity on its LCD panel. It’s held in place by a home made bracket.
The bike’s completed with a lick of black paint and a shocking handmade chrome steel exhaust system. Max intentionally fabricated the dual headers with sharp strains on the entrance that soften because the pipes terminate in traditional cocktail mufflers.
The checklist of nations the place you may nonetheless purchase a brand new Kawasaki W800 is brief, and there are murmurs that it’s quickly to be discontinued altogether. So if 2LOUD’s W800 has impressed you, you’d higher snatch an appropriate donor bike—earlier than they’re rarer than hen’s enamel.
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