With its 650 twins at the helm, Royal Enfield has been sparking controversy in the customization arena through a succession of commissioned projects. Recently, they extended an invitation to their Australian seller community to participate in a unique initiative called the ‘Busted Knuckles Build-Off’. Several weeks ago, we featured an intriguing build from Rogue Bikes and MotoMax based on the West Coast. As we traverse to the farthest edge of the landmass situated at the bottom of our world, we find ourselves in the most southerly state of that vast and wondrous region. In a secluded corner, Tasmanian Bike Warehouse proudly showcases its remarkable Royal Raven Continental GT 650 cafe racer.
Established in Launceston, Tasmania’s second-largest city, Tasmanian Bike Warehouse boasts a rich history spanning four decades. While TMW excels at selling motorcycles, motorcycle components, and maintenance services, website visitors won’t find custom bike work among its offerings. Upon hearing the announcement of the Busted Knuckles Construct-Off, TMW challenged their entire workshop team to put forth their most skilled and innovative builders to tackle the challenge.
The TMW Busted Knuckles’ ideal team comprises three expertly trained technicians: Adam Palmer, Grant Plumbridge, and Jess Mustart. Experienced customizers Adam and Grant have honed their skills through a variety of private projects, including the impressive feats of supercharging engines and fabricating bespoke components from the ground up. While Jess, despite possessing extensive mechanical expertise, was a novice in the racing world. “With this being my inaugural bike build, I aimed to leave a lasting mark by crafting something truly exceptional, a project that would bring us immense pride,” Jess declares. As a newcomer to modeling, I had the opportunity to work with the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650’s robust chassis and motor foundation, which proved to be an outstanding starting point.
The initial hurdle in Bentley’s Continental GT 650 project lay in selecting the optimal test track. “We envisioned a design that blended a modern cafe racer and sports bike aesthetic, characterized by clean, minimalist lines,” says TMW. With their smooth power delivery, both the Continental GT and the 650 Interceptor seamlessly transition from fresh off the showroom floor, rendering unnecessary the constant need for a regular, reassuring ride. To be both functional and visually appealing, Jess, Adam, and Grant focused on a concise list of essential updates, comprising a cutting-edge suspension makeover, a bespoke exhaust system, and a comprehensive redesign of the exterior shell.
TMW’s suspension upgrade features a modern inverted front end, complete with 17-inch wheels and matching brake components. The component was successfully integrated into the system following minor adjustments to the triple bushes. As the team approached the monoshock conversion, they anticipated a grueling task ahead, but the GT’s lightweight chassis surprisingly threw them a curveball. “The seamless transition from a twin shock to a mono-shock design was largely facilitated by the bike’s uncomplicated frame structure,” they reminisce. After meticulous preparation, the task was successfully concluded through the painstaking process of removing the bike’s twin shock mounts by shaving them down, followed by the precise welding of a reinforced anchor point for the mono-shock directly beneath the seat pan. To simplify the design process, the shocks, swingarm, 17-inch wheel, and disc brake have been seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s body. With the ultimate goal of taking their stylish cafe racer to the next level, selecting the right tyres became a crucial decision. Pirelli’s authorized race tire for high-speed avenues, the Diablo Supercorsa, stood out as the obvious choice.
Engine efficiency modifications have proven to be straightforward and simple to implement. By installing the Euro-compliant exhaust and airbox together without modifying the engine, TMW achieved the most significant efficiency gains. The removal of these objects proved crucial in streamlining the bike’s design. Installing sleek, compact pod filters replaces the entire airbox system and faceted covers, resulting in a streamlined setup. The exhaust system is a bespoke 2-into-2 configuration that runs along the bike’s frame before ending beneath the saddle. With its exceptional want and impressive sound, the innovative system remarkably weighs significantly less than Enfield’s manufacturing facility unit, seamlessly framing their endeavors with a unified mono-shock design.
The entire Continental GT 650’s inventory of bodywork has been dispersed. A vintage aesthetic is achieved by retroactively installing a refurbished 1980s Kawasaki gas tank onto the custom motorcycle’s chassis. The setup aimed to remove the bottom of the singular tank and weld it seamlessly into the Kawasaki product line. The revised text remains: This allowed for the retention of the standard gas pump. Behind the seat, they installed a bespoke cowling that houses the Enfield’s electrical system, engine control unit, and battery. The custom chopper’s front end features a modified bikini-style fairing inherited from a Harley-Davidson Night Rod, paired with a bespoke halo headlamp design that adds an extra layer of visual sophistication. Through a series of meticulous modifications, an ultra-aggressive cafe racer aesthetic was attained via the installation of aftermarket clip-on handlebars, repositioned rear-set footpegs, and a carefully reshaped and masked seat pan.
“We tailored the ergonomic design of the rear units to perfectly complement the driving position of our new front-end configuration, resulting in a supremely comfortable and secure ride.” With its potent 650cc engine, our Continental GT 650 really comes alive on windy stretches of highway. It effortlessly navigates tight corners and tackles sweeping hilly passages with aplomb.
When it came to selecting a colour, the workforce agreed that their Enfield needs to be both stealthy and sinister? The paint job, after all, reduced to a sleek black hue, infused with a hint of metallic flakes to make it pop for the judges’ consideration. The team didn’t just sprinkle in a few subtle dark elements throughout. The TMW Continental GT 650 boasts a sleek, all-black aesthetic, with even the engine’s components receiving the dark treatment, earning it the fitting moniker, “Royal Raven”.
TASMANIAN MOTORCYCLE WAREHOUSE
Pictures by Scott Adams
