John Lennon asked “So this is Christmas, And what have you done?” built a shit ton of amazing motorcycles John, that’s what we’ve done! Yes, 2023 proved that there is no slowing down the custom bike scene and brilliant creations landed in our inbox daily, from every continent on the globe. Ducati might have dominated road racing this year, but in our corner of the motorcycle community, no single make or model, style or single nation ruled the roost. Instead, we witnessed an eclectic mix of characters and customs throw off the constraints of conformity and just build what they love. It meant that this was the hardest year to pick our Top Ten, but easily the most rewarding. So, as we unveil our best bikes of the year, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the whole Pipeburn crew.
Young Builder – 1973 Honda CT90 by Shop Girl.
You might meet the nicest people on a Honda but in 2023 our Young Builder of the Year, Emmi Cupp, has given a basic Honda step-through some serious attitude. This chopper is the real deal, with a full hardtail conversion, 30 degrees of rake and a 4-inch over stretch. There’s a 125cc stroker motor with twin slash cut pipes and the custom mixed paint gives ‘Dreamsicle’ a stunning appearance that ensures Emmi’s riding into a fast and furious future that’s as bright as can be.
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Editor’s Choice – Lambo Ducati by Treasure Garage
It blew us away from the moment we saw it and proves Bali is serving it up to Bologna when it comes to supercar-inspired motorcycles. Not impressed by the factory offerings, head honcho Imanuel ‘Nuel’ Prakoso knew his talented team could go one better, and used a Monster 796 as the basis for their Lamborghini Vision inspired build. A complete hand machined subframe, incredible one-off aluminium panels, flawless fit and finish, and oh boy that paint. South East Asian builders are on the ascent and Treasure Garage is top of the pops.
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10. Honda CB500 by Purpose Built Moto
It’s been a huge year for Tom Gilroy and his team at Queensland’s Purpose Built Moto, producing one brilliant bike after another. But teaming up with Shannons Insurance, the crew produced the ‘Dream Bike Build’ series for YouTube and the final result is this flawless 1972 Honda CB500 Cafe Racer. The engine is a fully overhauled CB550 four-cylinder, there is endless flawless fab work, and the paint by Nathan at Livin Loco and leather work by Jammo at Timeless Auto Trim produce a truly timeless finish.
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9. BMW R18 by XTR Pepo.
Most people look at the BMW R18 and see a giant German cruiser, Pepo Rosell on the other hand only ever sees a racer. Contacted by new curators of all things custom cool 911MX Factory to build them a bike, Pepo did what he does best. He took an unusual platform and turned it into an epic endurance racer for the road. Less weight, more power and all of his usual bodywork tricks, it’s easy to see why he’s been a mainstay of our top ten for the past decade.
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8. Ducati S2R by Origin8or Custom Cycles.
This bike was supposed to just receive a new subframe and a tank upgrade, but when it arrived as a grubby bag of bits, Rob Chappell knew from his years of experience that this ageing Italian needed a totally new lease on life. And the ground-up rebuild is a simply flawless example of custom bike building at its best. He not only shaped a new tank based on a BMW K100, he’s made it look like it was always meant to be. Everything about this build screams quality, and Chappell has waved his wand over every corner of the bike to produce the best Bolognian all year.
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7. Honda CX650 by M-Cafe Garage.
On the beautiful Mediterranean island of Sardinia, Massimiliano Satta is known for three things. His blistering speed around the local race track, hosting everyone’s favourite motorcycle hangout and building simply incredible custom bikes. This year he blessed us with his HRC livery-wearing Honda CX650, which gets its own ‘Cabrio’ tail for a little extra fun in the sun. The suspension and brakes are all set up for the sweeping mountain roads and a plastic maggot has very rarely looked this good.
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6. Mister Fahrenheit by Craig Rodsmith.
No bike meant more to us in 2023 than this wicked Moto Guzzi Sidecar setup, built by Craig Rodsmith for his great mate, the ‘Patron Saint of Custom Bike Builders’, the late great Bobby Haas. But don’t go thinking this is some show pony to be put on display, this bike was built to break land speed records and everything about the build is balls to the wall. A stroked motor with a built bottom end, big cam, bigger carbs and the most beautiful bodywork you’ll see racing at Bonneville. This is how we like to remember Bobby Haas, helmet on and hauling ass.
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5. Honda CB1100 by Black Cycle.
Noel Muller has worked his magic on hundreds of custom motorcycles, but this machine from the prolific prodigy of performance had us simply blown away. The Hot Rod Honda is not only flawlessly finished with that striking red over picture-perfect bodywork, but it’s been given a serious performance upgrade. The engine is now 1250cc, features Yoshi carbs and laid down a genuine 100rwhp on the Pro Cycle dyno. It’s long and low and not an inch of the bike has been left stock in the pursuit of perfection, Noel has nailed it once again.
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4. Noriel by Stile Italiano.
The history of hybrid motorcycles is strong and Stile Italiano has had a shot at building just about every iteration you can imagine. But this Noriel puts a beautiful twist on the British tradition, as the team took the chance to build a brilliant bobber instead of the usual cafe racer. But what makes this hybrid so unique is the parts used, the frame is a ’55 Ariel and the company’s take on a plunger rear end, while the engine is a mighty mix of both Norton Atlas and Commando. It all works so brilliantly well and painted in Stile’s signature colour scheme, this was the bobber that blew us away in 2023.
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3. KTM 690 Duke by 46Works
At home on the island of Honshū, after a lifetime plying his trade in the motorcycle industry, master builder Shiro Nakajima has built a small workshop in the volcanic Yatsugatake mountain range, from where he handcrafts custom motorcycles and flawless furniture. Normally he can be found creating carburettored classics, but this year he went head first into a hard-charging EFI single and the results simply speak for themselves. The Austrian attack dog is resplendent in handmade parts and panels, it’s set up for serious speed and the attention to detail on the endless array of machined components makes each piece and the finished product, a true work of art.
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2. Moto Guzzi Bellagio by Dreamer Motorcycles
By day, Massimo works as an Osteopath and physiotherapist in the Northern Italian city of Varese. And then when the sun dips behind the horizon, he ventures into his Dreamer Motorcycles garage and lives out his childhood fantasy of being a motorcycle designer from the ’60s. The brief for this build was simple, as an avid Guzzista, he wanted to create a cafe racer that perfectly blended modern mechanicals with those classic lines of old. Working with the brothers behind Guareschi Moto, they used high-tech software and old-school techniques to craft the Major General of Moto Guzzis; Salute.
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1. Benelli Sei 900 by Unik Motorcycles.
Nobody could have guessed at the start of the year that the gold medal would have gone to a six-cylinder Benelli. But with just part of a frame and that silky smooth engine, Tiago and Luis have built a bike to conquer the competition in 2023. Everything about this process was about breaking the mould for a Benelli build. From adapting a modern single-sided swingarm to the classic frame and converting the suspension to a mono-shock design. Right through to the hand-beaten all aluminium monocoque bodywork, individual fuel cell, and that first-class front end. The exhaust alone is incredible, designed to hug tight to the Benelli and bark out a symphony fit for Italy’s smoothest six.
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