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This month we're getting nostalgic and reconnecting with a couple of builders from past editions of the Roundup. Kully Mileage, who appeared in our very first edition, is back with a ground-up custom built around a Harley-Davidson V-twin. We'll take another look at the CROIG Yardbuilt for Good XSR900 that's currently up for grabs. And wedged between them is a reimagined TVS Ronin by Jakarta's Smoked Garage.
Kully Co. KC-1200
Back in 2023, the very first edition of the Custom Roundup featured a motorcycle built by Kully Mileage, aka Kully Co. (Instagram). This month, we've invited Kully back to showcase his latest work, a ground-up custom built around the 1,200 cc V-twin from a Buell Cyclone.
"The new project is completely different from the last one. It is leaps and bounds ahead in many ways," says Kully. "Most importantly, rideability. I wanted a bike that could be ridden every day. The KC-1200 is phenomenal to ride. It has great geometry, handling, brakes, and plenty of power!"
Along with the desire to build a highly functional streetfighter, Kully's other goal was to challenge himself with both the engineering and fabrication of the bike. The project began in a digital environment, where he pieced together a 1:1-scale model of the entire project in CAD. This approach allows him to machine parts directly from his 3D models, saving him time and reducing the chance of errors. Regarding aesthetics, he set out to create a tasteful, timeless motorcycle that adhered to the Kully Co. black-on-black style guide.
Since Kully is hell-bent on pushing himself with each new project, there was no shortage of challenges with this build. He admits, however, that the most difficult and time-consuming task of all was the creation of the one-of-a-kind chassis.
"It's a fully hammer-formed chromoly frame," he explains. "This means each frame tube was built by hammering chromoly sheet metal around a buck to achieve a specific shape. Each section requires a left side part and a mirrored right side part that are then welded together to create a single hollow frame section."
Kully has also integrated the bike's oil tank into his frame design. The oil is now stored in the frame's backbone and topped up via a filler just behind the yoke. The triangle under the seat, where the oil tank would traditionally live, houses an additional fuel tank. This has allowed him to achieve the svelte silhouette he was after without sacrificing range. The rear end of the frame also features a custom swingarm and bespoke triangle-link dogbone rear suspension. And beneath the seat you'll find the battery.
As you'd expect, the bodywork on the KC1200 is also entirely custom, too. The bike's fuel tank and tail unit have been hand-formed from aluminum while the headlight cowl, belly pan, and front fairing were all 3D-printed. The titanium exhaust is also a Kully Co. creation, along with the CNC-machined foot controls.
Complementing Kully's craftsmanship are a Honda CBR1000 fork and lightweight Marchesini M-10 wheels wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rosso rubber. And since this machine is made to go fast, he finished it off with a more-than-capable Brembo brake package.
Smoked Garage TVS Ronin Hornet
The Ronin is a small-capacity, single-cylinder modern classic produced by the multinational motorcycle manufacturer TVS Motor Co. Released as a direct competitor to Royal Enfield's Hunter 350, what the Ronin lacks in cubic centimeters it makes up for in modern tech and reduced weight. With its sights set on the same markets and demographics as the Hunter, TVS has adopted a similar marketing approach to Enfield by inviting well respected builders to customize the Ronin. One such builder is Nico Eigert and his Jakarta-based workshop, Smoked Garage.
Nicknamed the Yellow Hornet, the Smoked Garage Ronin is a far cry from the laid-back roadster it once was. To create its new look, the Smoked team made some significant changes to the bike's geometry and stance. The swingarm, for example, is considerably longer and wider than before. This allowed the fitment of a 17-inch rim and fatter sport-focused rubber. A higher spec adjustable monoshock soaks up the bumps in the rear and the front has been lowered to establish a classic racer bone line. To manage an increase in unsprung weight, the Ronin was also given a comprehensive brake upgrade.
In addition, Smoke has kitted their Ronin out with a slew of aftermarket parts. The drastically revised riding position comes courtesy of clip-on handlebars and rearset footpegs. Compact aftermarket switches and LED bar-end turn signals keep the front end looking clean, and the stock gauges have been repositioned. Low-profile LED lighting has been utilized in the back end, too, including a custom tail light featuring Smoked's emblem. A stubby muffler and cut-down header pipe minimize the exhaust's visual impact while maximizing its audibility.
The most drastic change to this Ronin is, of course, the bodywork. Made entirely in house by the Smoked team, it's all been hand formed from aluminum. Taking styling cues from vintage race bikes, the Yellow Hornet is sporting a long, low tank with classic knee dents. The front cowl is again modeled off vintage racers except for the headlight. Set deep within a cone-like structure, it features an LED lamp in the center surrounded by ventilation holes that feed cool air to the bike's oil cooler.
As for the rear-end bodywork, it consists of four parts: a svelte seat pan upholstered with a split-pad saddle, a small tail cowl with the LED brake light built into it, and a pair of trick side covers complete with shock-adjustment windows and markers, and finally, to beef things up even further, the rims sit behind aluminium wheel discs.
Let's be honest, this is in no way a high-powered motorcycle, but thanks to the work of the Smoked team, it'll never go unnoticed. And as a famous person once said "Attitude, not aptitude, will determine one's altitude."
CROIG "Yardbuilt for Good" XSR900 giveaway
To wrap up this edition of the roundup, we're revisiting another past builder. This time, it's the Yardbuilt Yamaha XSR900 by David Chang, founder of Café Racers of Instagram and the team at Strange Industries in Los Angeles.
David’s inspiration for this project was the legendary TECH21 Yamaha FZR750 ridden by Kenny Roberts in 1985, evident through the XSR's chunky endurance-racing bodywork. From the outset, David's goal with this project was to raise funds for a good cause — and to achieve that, he's giving you the chance to park this beast in your driveway.
Since we last featured the CROIG SV2, the heavily modified Yamaha XSR900 has taken on a striking new appearance. Conceived by artist Ryan "Roadkill" Quickfall and executed by Daley Visual, the XSR's custom ampliTex bodywork is wrapped in unique racing-style livery.
To complement the XSR's audacious new look, CROIG partnered with several aftermarket performance brands. These include carbon fiber wheels by Rotobox, a full suspension upgrade courtesy of Öhlins, and an Akrapovič muffler, to name a few. As a result, this XSR900 delivers the performance its aggressive styling hints at.
Among the many logos covering SV2's bodywork, you'll see Waves For Water, the charity David supports through his CROIG initiatives. "Waves For Water is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing clean water to communities in need through innovative water filtration systems, well rehabilitation, and rainwater harvesting projects," he explains, and to support that worthy cause he's raffling off the CROIG XSR900.
Until March 14, you can purchase tickets to enter the drawing for a chance to win this bike. The giveaway is open to all U.S. residents, and 100% of all proceeds go directly to Waves for Water to help bring clean drinking water to those in need. Entry is from as little as $10 and runner-up prizes include a premium carbon fiber helmet, a helmet comms system, and riding gear vouchers. To enter, visit the giveaway website.
