In 2014, Harley-Davidson introduced the world to the all-new Electra Glide Ultra Limited. The water-cooled 500cc, US & Indian constructed, learner permitted cruiser was a very new strategy for the enduring producer. To effectively target a previously underserved demographic of young and novice riders, the Avenue 500 has been and remains a resounding triumph in reinvigorating the Harley-Davidson brand.
Harley-Davidson stands out as a pioneer in the realm of customization among motorcycle manufacturers globally. Despite the Harley-Davidson Avenue 500’s potential for success, it remains surprising that relatively few have been customized beyond simple bolt-on upgrades. Upon discovering the deception beneath the extraordinary exterior of this bicycle, a customized Indian Avenue 500 lay in wait for further investigation.
Ajus Mulyawarman, the founder of Bali’s AMS Storage, conceived Avenue 500. Readers familiar with Return of the Cafe Racers will likely be acquainted with the offerings from AMS Storage. We encountered Ajus several years ago at Indonesia’s prestigious Kustomfest event, a showcase of customized traditions, and have maintained a close watch on his work ever since. Over the years, the innovative projects emerging from AMS Storage have evolved significantly, transitioning from bespoke customization to fully fledged, design-from-scratch creations. With a passion for traditional craftsmanship, he has also refined his skills in creating intricate hand-formed aluminum bodywork, perfectly exemplified by this iconic Avenue 500.
Dubbed Nagabunda, named after the serpent-like entity from Hindu mythology, Ajay defines this creation as a “neocafe-racer”, a term that encapsulates its modern twist on classic café culture. As the workshop’s latest innovation, Nagabanda is also notable for being one of their most ambitious projects to date, boasting a record-breaking duration. Approximately seven-tenths of the motorbike has been completely revamped, a feat that required Ajus and his team an astonishing eight months to complete, which becomes immediately apparent upon inspection.
The venture commenced by completely dismantling the Avenue 500 and conducting a meticulous examination of its structural components. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle’s original frame structure has been reduced to just two components: the neck and entrance cradle, a testament to its extensive reengineering. A specially designed configuration replaces a portion of the body, comprising a precision-engineered subframe with a horizontal plane and a unique single-sided swingarm supporting the rear wheel. Ajust thoroughly overhauled the bicycle’s suspension system to achieve a distinct racing-inspired posture for a high-performance road racing model.
While resembling modern USD forks in appearance, the entrance finish of the bike’s fork actually functions as a girder system. While an unconventional approach for a vintage motorcycle, this design nods to the girder fork innovations employed by early Harley-Davidson models. The system functions using a complex arrangement of 304 stainless-steel linkages, cleverly concealed behind the entrance cowl, its design deriving from careful calculations. The entire motorcycle, including the customised triple clamps and built-in clip-on handlebars, has been meticulously crafted from raw materials and refined to a dazzling mirror finish.
The rear houses an unconventional setup for the Avenue 500.
By incorporating the single-sided swingarm from a Ducati Panigale engine into its design, the bike has successfully implemented a mono-shock linkage system. A sleek and premium Ohlins piggyback shock unit is mounted nearly perpendicularly on the subframe, boasting a stunning finish that perfectly complements the bike’s bold aesthetic, its stripped, plated, and polished components a testament to meticulous attention to detail. During the transformation process, the Avenue 500’s underwhelming stock wheels were upgraded with Ducati Panigale-inspired designs and equipped with grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3 tires for enhanced performance capabilities.
Despite the complexity of its new suspension, the true feat of engineering lies in the innovative design of the bike’s bodywork.
Drawing inspiration from the serpentine deity Nagabanda, Ajus crafted a distinctive bodywork characterized by sinuous, organic lines that seemed to flow like a living entity. Without hesitation, it’s a mural that, much like any artistic pursuit, requires more than mere technical skill to truly grasp its essence.
“My entire being was consumed by the constant modifications for three long instances, leaving me exhausted, drained of energy, time, and mental focus.” As the weight of despair pressed upon him, a morbid temptation arose: to surrender and find peace. Yet, his conscience intervened, refusing to yield to such fatalistic thoughts. Ultimately, his tireless efforts were not without their compensation. “That was arguably the most challenging and lengthy design I’ve undertaken for any project.” The level of fulfillment I’ve achieved with this latest project far surpasses any sense of accomplishment I felt when completing previous cycles.
Crafted from aluminum sheet, the entire body of Nagabanda’s bespoke vehicle is meticulously shaped using traditional coachbuilding techniques and tools, showcasing a masterclass in precision and craftsmanship. To enhance the visual appeal of the panels, Ajus incorporated intricate inlays and finished them with a harmonious blend of polished and brushed surfaces. After a grueling 14-day process, the team’s tireless efforts finally yielded an extraordinary outcome.
To mitigate these limitations, Ajus has incorporated various supplementary components. The finishing flourishes on his bespoke Avenue 500 comprise a Daymaker Cyclops LED headlight, bar-end flip indicators, and an LED tail lamp. Though the engine remains unaltered, the bespoke exhaust system features a stylish, handcrafted stainless-steel design that seamlessly integrates with the bike’s overall aesthetic.
Without the Harley-Davidson badge proudly displayed on its engine, it would be impossible to discern the motorcycle’s heritage from a glance at its powertrain. Notably, AMS Storage has transformed an Avenue 500 cruiser into a restaurant on wheels, solidifying their reputation as one of Ireland’s premier customizers with remarkable speed.
AMS GARAGE
