
Are motorcycle buyers moving away from brand new bikes and instead looking at unique motorcycles that stand out from the crowd? Certainly not in significant numbers, but there is a lot more awareness of the custom scene among mainstream buyers these days, many of whom see the benefits of purchasing an affordable second hand motorcycle then paying a custom shop to work their magic.
One such recent creation is the W400 TT, which is a very fine specimen from Italian-based custom shop McDeeb.
Using replica components and parts from 1970s and 1980s Kawasakis, the W400 TT tips the scales at just 148kg and makes use of a custom-shaped tank and lovingly crafted hand-made exhaust system.
The engine is also from Kawasaki, a 440cc parallel twin, which is said to be good for around 42hp (31kW), up from its standard 35hp thanks to the freer flowing exhaust system and a few tweaks to the cylinder head. Hooked up to a six-speed transmission, it has a top speed of about 160km/h and probably wouldn't be too hard to fix if it broke down.
McDeeb founder Fabrizio Di Bella reckons the W400 TT can outrun the Triumph Bonneville on tight and twisty roads thanks to its light weight, and would probably give the Kawasaki W800 a run for its money as well.
Smaller touches like the single mirror and the knee pads on the tank, plus the spoked wheels, custom bash plate and '70s style seat give the W400 TT an impressively vintage look.
Like all good custom shops, McDeeb can tailor bikes to suit customers, with louder or quieter exhaust notes, different wheels and so forth. The only problem is that the company is based in Brescia in Italy...
Check out Mcdeeb.it for more custom bikes.
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