The Petrolettes, Europe’s pioneering all-female motorbike club, is thrilled to collaborate with Royal Enfield on the inaugural ‘Petrolettes Wrench Off’! The Wrench Off is a freestyle, customized build-off conceived by Petrolettes’ founder, Irene Kotnik.
To empower women in motorcycling, we invite four all-female teams from diverse countries to collaborate on building four unique bikes based on the versatile Royal Enfield 650 Twin platform. The venture launched earlier this year, with each team taking delivery of four new 650cc Twins. The bicycles made their debut last month at Petrolettes 2019, held on the iconic Ferropolis “City of Iron” site in Gräfenhainichen, Germany. We subsequently engaged renowned motorbike builder, author, and professional rider Bella Litinetski to gain in-depth insights into each group’s creations and their corresponding motorcycles.
Staff Italy – Bella & ‘Gungnir’
In 2011, Bella Litinetski made the bold move from Israel to Italy, driven by a passion for a profession deeply rooted in motorcycle culture. As a versatile professional, she currently excels in multiple roles, including automotive, product, and graphic design, having successfully collaborated with esteemed organizations such as the Ducati Design Centre, Energica Bikes, Italjet, and Suzuki. Bella is a prolific writer who regularly contributes to prominent moto publications across Europe, Israel, and the United States. As Bella’s passion for motorsport grows, she becomes increasingly absorbed in the thrill of competition, frequently venturing to Italy’s numerous tracks to hone her skills and challenge herself in events like the Italian Hill Climbing Championship or experimenting with flat-track racing.
Bella chose the sleek and powerful Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 as the inaugural ride for the Pertolettes Wrench-Off adventure. Inspired by classic racing bikes, Her ‘Gungnir’ venture’s design and functionality are evident in its streamlined bodywork and aggressive racing configuration. Bella has meticulously incorporated Norse-inspired motifs and ornaments onto the 650cc Twins’ engine and bodywork. Crafted onto the engine blocks are authentically rendered Viking emblems, while the sleek bodywork features a striking runic racing stripe, masterfully applied by the skilled artisans at Fortunate 7 Verniciatura in Bologna. The title ‘Gungnir’ references the legendary spear wielded by Odin, a powerful god in Norse mythology.
The builder explains that the bike featured vintage-style fiberglass body panels. Crafted specifically to harmonize with the Royal Enfield 650 twin’s dimensions, I fabricated custom brackets to secure these modifications in place. The rear suspension has been replaced with bespoke, high-performance components from renowned brand YSS, specifically designed to meet the demands of competitive racing. The prototype rear-set footpegs from Pivotal are paired with HP Corse’s GP07 silencers, which have been installed on ceramic-coated black exhaust headers. As you approach the motorcycle’s entrance, sleek black billet clip-ons proudly display a rapid-action throttle and Messner Moto’s intuitive switchgear, accompanied by mirrors that seamlessly come into view.
The mudguards, both at the entrance and rear, are fabricated by Jadus Motorbike Components from raw aluminum. I designed the aspect panels independently, as is customary, featuring the names and logos of the individuals whose contributions were instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. Additionally, Mithos Sport has crafted a bespoke racing swimsuit, while TCX boots were custom-designed to harmonize with the colour palette.
“My bespoke Royal Enfield 650 twin will feature a Power Tronic ECU unit, Healtech Quickshifter, and custom 3D-printed air filters, making its racing debut at the renowned Glemseck 101.”
Staff Germany – Christie & Melanie’s 650 Twin
The Staff of Germany comprises accomplished mechanician Melanie Weier and intrepid explorer-thinker Christie Anne Cecelia. The duo first connected at the Petrolettes motorbike pageant in 2017, subsequently becoming integral members of the Petrolettes crew. Born and raised in Berlin, Melissa is a state-certified technical engineer who has worked as a top-quality specialist in mechanical manufacturing at BMW’s Berlin facility since 2014. Their technical expertise is comprised of her information and abilities. A philosopher-turned-expatriate, Christie traded in her Manhattan roots for the vibrant streets of Berlin following the completion of her philosophical studies. As a free-spirited adventurer, she revels in the thrill of exploring the great outdoors on her trusty classic enduro motorcycle, embracing the serenity and beauty that nature has to offer. As a seasoned cyclist with extensive experience riding a wide range of bikes across various terrains, she has earned the reputation as the ideal pilot for her Petrolettes Wrench-Off endeavour.
“The Royal Enfield 650 Twin Interceptor boasts cutting-edge technology and unparalleled practicality, setting a new standard for its class.” Kind follows perform. i.e. no shiny stuff! Its previous meets trendy design.
Our creative journey commenced with an exquisite online discovery: a vintage-inspired Royal Enfield tank that captivated us with its rich color palette and captivating elegance, ultimately influencing every subsequent design decision. To enhance the performance of this bicycle, we decided to relocate the footpegs towards the rear and lower the handlebars, while also equipping it with high-grip racing tires. This design gives it the sleek appearance and aerodynamic profile characteristic of a high-performance land speed racing vehicle. We relocated the oil cooler to a position ahead of the forks. Significant effort was devoted to refining every detail, ultimately yielding this impressive outcome.
Staff Austria – Patricia & Lill ‘The Breakfast Membership Twin’
Patricia Kafka and Lil Bonn de Ville encountered each other during a scenic ride through the majestic Alps. As the threads of camaraderie intertwined, a cherished bond took shape, giving rise to ‘The Break Quick Membership’, a harmonious union of 13 female cyclists hailing from Vienna. As a motorcycle enthusiast, Patricia has a passion for the thrill of the open road, while also nurturing her love for filthy bikes and sharing her expertise as a sports equipment knowledge trainer. Additionally, she is a new mom, embracing the unique challenges and joys that come with this exciting chapter in her life. As a seasoned member of the motorcycle community, she had always been full of energy.
For over a decade, Lill has explored numerous continents as a seasoned solo traveler on two wheels. She embarked on her latest adventure, navigating Australia’s eastern coast on a Royal Enfield motorcycle. Assembling diverse female riders from across the globe is an integral aspect of her extraordinary life journey.
Patricia and Lil’s bespoke Royal Enfield 650 Twin project was heavily inspired by the vibrant culture and architecture of their hometown, Vienna. The town abounds with historic structures and artwork, its picturesque setting surrounded by mountain vistas that would adorn any postcard. It was particularly the Jugendstil styles they encountered throughout Vienna that inspired their architectural designs.
“We deliberately injected distinctive elements into the Royal Enfield 650 Twin’s design to avoid conformity and eschew tired customization tropes.” Using our understanding of a fairing and designing a unique rear unit allowed us to enhance and streamline the Enfield’s structure. The motorcycle’s suspension was subsequently adjusted to a lower height, and the air intake was modified to harmonize with the racing components sourced from AJS. To achieve a square shape, we decided to install a rounded projection on the tiny spherical fairing.
Staff Sweden – Ida & ‘The Dot’
As soon as Ida Olsson turned her attention to motorcycles, she became hopelessly hooked. As she rode her Puch Dakota through Sweden’s picturesque countryside, she and her brother crafted intricate off-road paths amidst the forest’s tranquility. The storage space in their home was packed to capacity with four and two wheeled vehicles. On her 16th birthday, Ida received a scooter that ignited an enduring passion for two-wheeled adventures.
Four years ago, following the purchase of her Harley-Davidson Nightster, Ida embarked on a journey of customization that has yet to cease. With a passion for motorcycles matched by her creative spirit, she crafts innovative artwork on helmets, curates vintage motorcycle memorabilia, and chronicles her exhilarating escapades on her website.
Here’s the rewritten text: The builder proudly declares, “I’ve crafted a bespoke Royal Enfield 650 Twin that embodies the essence of a vintage cafe racer – its rugged, retro aesthetic is perfectly suited for a cafe-inspired build.” Here’s a motorcycle I designed that appears as if it were an old motorbike with rough edges, giving it a rugged look. Brushed metal is one of my favourite finishes, with its rough-hewn texture making each piece uniquely captivating to behold. To optimize its aerodynamics, I’ve modified the bike’s posture by lowering it and tailored the wheel covers, aspect trim, and refined the rear design. Here’s the improved text in a different style:
“My vintage motorcycle, an Enfield, bears the unique identifier ’87’, coincidentally the year of my birth.” I carefully crafted the seat by hand, eschewing the use of a sewing machine to ensure a unique, personal touch.
Can wrenching enthusiasts and motorbike aficionados get enough of that classic British charm? The Glemseck 101 Royal Enfield 650 Twin is sure to rev up their passion.
The four wrench-off Royal Enfield 650 twin builds are currently being fine-tuned to debut at Germany’s prestigious Glemseck 101 festival. On September 1st, they will likely compete in the renowned 1/8 mile drag races to determine the performance champion. The general public will subsequently cast their votes to determine the winner of the Petrolettes’ wrench-themed trophy, as chosen by the Wrench Off participants. While a clear choice is made, let’s wait and observe which skilled female riders take home the title in the Wrench Off competition.
THE PETROLETTES ROYAL ENFIELD
Bella Lit / Images courtesy of Idan Greenberg
