Bike EXIF | 5 Motorcycles That Deserve a Spot in Your Garage

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The Bike EXIF Classifieds section isn’t just a marketplace; it’s a gallery where the world’s best builders list a piece of their legacy. Most of us spend our days scrolling, and—if we’re honest—dreaming about that one-of-a-kind machine. Well, it’s time to stop scrolling and start riding.

We’ve pulled five customs, from an immaculate, retro-focused Triumph by a Portuguese powerhouse to a brutal, race-spec KTM streetfighter by an icon of the synth world. These bikes aren’t just beautiful—they are fully sorted, road-ready, and represent a serious step up in garage credibility. Your next project? Forget it. Your next obsession is right here, and it’s already built.

Honda CB900F custom by NCT Motorcycles

1982 Honda CB900F by NCT Motorcycles

The 1980s Honda CB900F was a respectable motorcycle, but four decades on, it struggles to keep pace with modern machinery. Austrian shop NCT Motorcycles, however, has rendered that problem obsolete. Nicknamed ‘Black Swan,’ this is a one-of-a-kind build that takes the venerable inline-four and turns it into a devastating, 130 hp street weapon. This isn’t just a styling exercise; it’s a complete, ground-up performance overhaul.

NCT scalped a Ducati Monster 1100 EVO for its running gear, grafting on its wheels, single-sided swingarm, and rear shock for razor-sharp handling that the stock CB could only dream of. Up front, Showa forks and powerful Brembo brakes complete the picture. 

Honda CB900F custom by NCT Motorcycles

The engine is now a 980cc beast, internally upgraded with HRC parts, forged internals, and racing cams, all feeding through a custom stainless steel four-into-one exhaust with an Akrapovič end can. The aggressive, hand-shaped aluminum bodywork—including a bespoke tank and tail by ER Motorcycles—took over 200 hours to complete, ensuring the aesthetics are every bit as extreme as the performance. [MORE]

KTM RC8 streetfighter

2010 KTM 1190 RC8 R by Ģirts Ozoliņš

In the late 80s, the streetfighter was defined by necessity: broken fairings and raw aggression. Today, builders like Ģirts Ozoliņš, founder of the boutique synthesizer house Erica Synths, are pushing the genre into uncharted, high-tech territory. This 2010 KTM 1190 RC8 R, is a brutal, beautiful, and utterly radical reinterpretation of a superbike.

Ģirts and his low-profile fabricator, Andis Zeps, executed a transformative chassis surgery. The stock fork has been replaced by an exquisite FGirdex billet aluminum girder fork from Italy, complete with a top-shelf Maselli Suspension piggyback shock. 

KTM RC8 streetfighter

To satisfy Ģirts’ love of the aesthetic, the stock rear was ditched for the curvaceous single-sided swingarm and WP shock from a 2016 KTM Super Duke R—a complex modification requiring meticulous frame and tank rework. The custom, ‘General Grievous’ aluminum headlight nacelle, handmade side fairings, and custom fiberglass tail re-clothe the 170 hp V-twin in a look that is aggressive, high-end, and utterly unique. [MORE]

1983 Yamaha XV 1000

1983 Yamaha XV 1000 by Schlachtwerk

The Yamaha Virago platform is often overlooked by custom builders, but Thomas Thoering of Schlachtwerk in Germany has wrenched this 1983 XV1000 far from its comfort zone. This isn’t just a new seat and clip-ons; it’s a top-tier custom, making it a turn-key machine built to be ridden hard and shown off immediately. The component list reads like a performance wish-list from the best parts catalogues in Europe.

At the heart of the build is a 971cc SOHC V-twin motor, which has been completely and professionally overhauled by renowned German engine builder Sepp Koch. It breathes through classic Dell’Orto PHM40 carburetors and a beautifully TIG-welded, one-off stainless steel 2-into-1 exhaust system. 

983 Yamaha XV 1000 Fairing

For the handling, Thomas chose a full front-end swap from a 2006 Kawasaki ZX636C, pairing its inverted forks with a premium Öhlins monoshock at the rear. Modern braking from Yamaha R1 calipers and sticky Continental RaceAttack tires means this classic cruiser platform now has the confident, planted feel of a modern sportbike. [MORE]

BMW R100 café racer series by Renard Motorcycles

R100 RENARD Factory Racer by RENARD Motorcycles

When Estonia’s RENARD Motorcycles decides to do a production model, it sets the bar impossibly high. This R100 RENARD Factory Racer is an exceptionally rare collector’s item—one of only four prototypes built as a concept before the modern R100 series launch. Based on a fully restored 1974 BMW R75/6, it’s now fitted with a powerful R100 kit, boosting the engine to 980cc and a healthy 70 hp.

BMW R100 café racer series by Renard Motorcycles

This bike is a masterclass in classic style meeting modern engineering. The wheels are authentic Borrani units, the suspension is Öhlins at the rear, and the entire braking system is a high-end Beringer setup. The engine breathes through Italian Dellorto PHM38 racing carbs, and the entire bike is wired with a Motogadget m.unit blue for modern, reliable electronics. 

Every piece of bodywork—the tank, saddle, and tail—is custom-made, finished in a stunning BMW Moonstone Metallic paint (borrowed from the F80 M3) and contrasted with a handcrafted dark chocolate leather seat. This is more than a custom; it’s an early piece of RENARD history. [MORE]

2004 Triumph Bonneville by UNIK Motorcycles

2004 Triumph Bonneville by UNIK Motorcycles

Tiago Gonçalves and Luís Costa, the founders of Portugal’s UNIK Motorcycles, don’t build customs; they craft an attitude. Their manifesto is a simple declaration: Be UNIK! This 2004 Triumph Bonneville is a flawless execution of that philosophy, blending timeless elegance with a rebellious, revivalist streak that’s earned the UNIK name features on the biggest stages and right here on Bike EXIF. This is a machine that’s been stripped down and then meticulously rebuilt to express pure, refined individuality.

The 2004 Bonneville is a fantastic canvas, running the bulletproof, air-cooled 790cc parallel-twin. UNIK took this reliable platform and elevated it to art, ensuring the performance matched the looks. Since the rebuild, it’s covered just 500 kilometers, making it essentially a brand-new custom. 

2004 Triumph Bonneville's parallel-twin

The upgrades are top-shelf: an imported Down & Out exhaust from England provides the soundtrack, the suspension is managed by a premium Öhlins rear shock, and stopping power comes from new Beringer discs. The cockpit is all Motogadget—from the digital speedo to the control unit and buttons—delivering a seamless, modern electronic package that perfectly complements the classic aesthetic. [MORE]

2004 Triumph Bonneville Gas Tank

These five machines represent custom motorcycle craftsmanship. They are more than just motorcycles; they are curated pieces of riding history, ready to bypass the garage and go straight to the open road. If you’ve been waiting for the moment to move from admiring to owning, this is your chance. Stop waiting for your dream bike to be built, and go claim one that already has its own legacy.

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