Back in March I was lucky enough to pay a visit to the workshop of Studio Motor in Jakarta, Indonesia. Donny Ariyanto and his team run one of the countries most progressive custom workshops turning out a steady run of slick custom motorcycles and there seems to be no shortage of willing customers turning up at their doorstep. Working on everything from tiny scoots to blown choppers it seems there’s nothing Studio Motor won’t/can’t do. Transforming an uninspiring 2014 Kawasaki Versys into a retro styled Scrambler was their latest project and as you can plainly see, they’ve nailed it.
Donny worked with the bikes owner to design a scrambler based on the Kawasaki Versys mixing retro styling with modern engineering. Under the direction of the bikes owner the suspension was to remain untouched, but the rest of it’s appearance was open to Donny’s interpretation. The tall upside down front forks, mono-shock rear and modern alloy swingarm didn’t quite have the retro look suited to a classic Scrambler, but the rest of the bike showed potential.
The first step was the removal of the factory plastics, bodywork and not so cool, or classic windshield. To replace the original bodywork the Studio Motor team handcrafted a new tank out of 1.2mm steel. Its unique shape was designed to hug the flowing lines of the stock frame perfectly. Finished in metallic, gun metal grey with silver panels it’s more suited to the bike than the factory tank ever was and features a signature style Studio Motor engraved fuel cap.
The only modification to the frame came in the form of a new tail loop. The loop includes a passenger grab rail which supports a Scrambler style tuck and roll seat, which was also designed and built in house at the Studio Motor workshop. For a more retro look the stock exhaust was replaced with a custom 2-into-1 stainless steel header and underslung, vintage style reverse megaphone muffler. The original rims were then treated to a set of dual sport Shinko E705’s and the stock bars replaced by Pro Taper Fatbars. Custom made fenders and a retro headlight/tail light combo were then all that was left to complete Studio Motor ‘The Temper’.
