custom dirt bike

Trailblazers A Look At Some Custom Dirt Bikes

Custom dirt bikes.

Hand-built, one-of-a-kind, and forged in workshops all around the world. Often they push the limits of design, craft, and pure riding soul.

From the stripped-back elegance of Autofabrica to the wild creativity of Ellaspede, the retro soul of Dan Mickan’s KTM, and the playful audacity of Deus’ Cub Cubed, these builds prove one thing: The world of custom dirt bikes knows no limits. Every bike tells a story, every frame is a canvas, and every ride is an adventure waiting to happen. Whether you’re chasing trails, shredding fire roads, or just staring in awe, the spirit of one-of-a-kind craftsmanship is alive, loud, and ready to ride.

If you have a special or one of a kind dirt bike and would like a feature done on the bike please feel free to contact us.

By Deon VDL.

Type 17 by Auto Fabrica.
Auto Fabrica was founded in 2013 by brothers Bujar and Gazmend Muharremi in the UK. Their goal is to craft truly bespoke motorcycles, “blending form and function by stripping machines back to their essentials and rebuilding them with hand-formed aluminium, minimal bodywork, and a timeless, elegant design language.”

Auto Fabrica’s Type 17 is a reimagined BMW G450X, transformed from a quirky, compact enduro into a hand-built work of sculptural precision. While the engine and mechanics remain true to the donor, the bike’s character is entirely reshaped through hand-formed aluminium panels, a sharply tapered tail, and minimalist detailing.

The seat cover doubles as a visual statement, the custom exhaust integrates seamlessly into the rear profile, and subtle LED lighting accentuates the bike’s clean lines. Suspension and components are upgraded with precision, giving the Type 17 not just style but they say, real off-road capability.

Light, angular, and distinctive, the Type 17 carries Auto Fabrica’s signature DNA: Meticulous craftsmanship, a balance of form and function, and an artistic sensibility that elevates a modern enduro into a collector’s piece.

Purpose Built Moto MT09.

Purpose Built Moto is an Australian custom motorcycle outfit based on the Gold Coast. Founded by Tom Gilroy, the brand specialises in one‑off, hand‑built motorcycles, from café racers and scramblers to retro and adventure machines. Their philosophy “Balances creativity with function, ensuring every build is designed to be ridden, not just displayed.”

Alongside full custom commissions, they also supply high-quality components and accessories for garage builders and weekend riders.

Rumours have swirled about Yamaha bringing a bike like his out… Purpose Built Moto transformed a 2019 Yamaha MT‑09 into a hand-built rally-ready machine the Ténéré 900 never was. The heart of the bike remains the fierce 115 hp triple, but everything else has been reimagined for off-road adventure.

The suspension was rebuilt from the ground up: KTM 1190‑ADV forks up front, a custom rear shock, and re-engineered linkages give around 180 mm of ground clearance. A 21″ front wheel completes the proper off-road geometry. A custom rally tower, integrated with LED headlights and a tall windscreen, adds functional style.

PBM crafted aluminium body panels that flow seamlessly from tank to tower, with Perspex “wings” in yellow giving a nod to classic Dakar machines. Protection is paramount: chromoly crash bars wrap the engine, and a geometric aluminium bash plate shields the sump and exhaust.

The tail houses twin Yoshimura mufflers and integrated LED lighting. Mid-set pegs, tall tapered bars, and a grippy custom seat complete the ride-ready package.

Finished in flat Yamaha blue with pop yellow and speed-block graphics, the MT‑09 Rally Raid balances modern craftsmanship with rally-inspired style. It’s rugged yet refined, fierce yet approachable, a purpose-built, one-of-a-kind adventure bike. Lets see if Yamaha took some notes…

Lord Drake Kustoms Harley.

Lord Drake Kustoms is an international custom motorcycle workshop with bases in Málaga, Spain, and Miami, USA.

Founded by Francisco “Fran” Alí Manén, the workshop is known for its highly bespoke creations, from bobbers and café racers to scramblers, trackers, and fully customised showpieces.

Their approach blends art and engineering, with in-house fabrication, chassis work, and handcrafted details that give each build its own identity. Lord Drake Kustoms has earned global recognition, winning awards and featuring in custom-motorcycle media around the world.

The Bultracker 05 is a beautifully rugged scrambler built by Francisco “Fran” Alí Manén and the team at Lord Drake Kustoms in Vélez-Málaga, Spain. Starting life as a 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883, it’s been completely reimagined into a machine that’s equally at home on dirt tracks and urban backroads.

Suspension upgrades include premium Öhlins shocks, giving the bike real off-road capability, while custom wheels and uprated brake discs add proper performance beneath the retro styling. The bespoke steel exhaust from RSD brings a raw scrambler attitude, both visually and acoustically.

The details are finely executed, a digital odometer is hidden cleanly in the handlebar turret, slim LED lighting is tucked beneath the tail, and the front indicators are integrated neatly into the grips, keeping the silhouette minimal yet functional.

Finished in a striking M4 Competition Green with off-white, gold and orange striping, the Bultracker 05 blends elegance with brute charm. It isn’t just a looker either, the bike earned 2nd place in the Sport category at the Eurofestival in Saint-Tropez, judged by an international panel.

House of Cool XSR 700.

House of Cool is a design-focused workshop based in Lisbon, Portugal. Initially known for restoring classic cars, they’ve expanded into motorcycles, bringing their detail-oriented craftsmanship to bespoke bike builds. Their philosophy leans on artistic precision, blending traditional metalwork with modern design techniques like 3D-printed prototypes and aluminium casting.

The “X700” is House of Cool’s beautifully restrained reinterpretation of the Yamaha XSR700, created as part of Yamaha’s Yardbuilt programme. Inspired by legendary dual-sport machines like the TT and XT500, it blends classic scrambler attitude with modern craftsmanship.

Its bodywork is a sculpted three-piece monocoque cast entirely in aluminium, raw, textured and unmistakably handmade. The team began with foam prototypes, refined the shapes with 3D-printed brackets, and finished the components through a traditional aluminium foundry. A machined filler cap featuring the workshop’s cactus emblem adds a subtle signature touch.

Though the XSR700’s engine remains stock, the engineering behind the redesign is smart and considered. Hidden mesh-lined vents sit behind body cut-outs, while the final pair cleverly serve as outlets for a custom muffler tucked neatly into the tail section.

Details elevate the build even further: a tan suede seat, high-mounted front fender, Renthal handlebars and lightweight Kineo spoked wheels wrapped in dual-sport rubber. Red polycarbonate tail lights and mesh guards tie everything together with purposeful simplicity.

Ellaspede Custom Motorcycles Liberty 150.

Ellaspede is a Brisbane-based custom motorcycle and industrial design workshop known for its clean, design-led approach to bike building. Starting from humble garage beginnings, the team has grown into a tight group of designers and fabricators who handle everything in-house, from concept and fabrication to finishing and parts development.

They specialise in bespoke builds across styles: café racers, trackers, scramblers and adventure machines, all crafted with the same blend of industrial design thinking and hands-on craftsmanship. Ellaspede has earned a strong reputation for creating functional, beautifully balanced customs that prioritise both aesthetics and rideability.

The Piaggio Liberty 150 by Ellaspede, the EB201 is a radical transformation of a humble 2003 Piaggio Liberty 150, turning what was once a city scooter into a seriously cool flat-tracker rocket.

The workshop stripped it down completely, removing plastic panels and rebuilding the under-floor electrics. The engine was bored out to 245cc, fitted with a new camshaft and a bigger carburettor, and paired with an XR600-style exhaust .

The frame was reinforced and the swingarm extended by 70 mm, improving handling and stability. Wheels were upgraded to a 19″ front and a hand-built 17″ rear, wrapped in knobby tyres for proper grip. Cooling was also enhanced with a motocross-style radiator to keep the engine in check. The riding position was pushed forward to allow an aggressive, balanced stance on the track.

Visually, the EB201 is minimal but bold: stripped-back frame, minimal fenders, and a stitched red-and-black twin-pad seat highlight its new attitude.

Dan Mickan 500cc Vinduro.

Australian Dan Mickan is a Brisbane-based motorcycle builder and enthusiast with a lifelong passion for riding and custom bikes. Known for blending vintage inspiration with modern engineering, he focuses on creating machines that are both visually striking and fully rideable. His work reflects a balance of creativity, technical skill, and practical functionality, earning him recognition in the custom motorcycle community.

Dan Mickan’s KTM 500 EXC is a masterclass in blending vintage charm with modern off-road capability. Born from a 2015 KTM 500 EXC Six Days, the bike has been transformed into a “Vinduro”, a tribute to the classic enduro bikes of the 1980s, with all the performance and reliability of a contemporary machine.

Every detail is considered, a custom chromoly subframe supports the rider, while a 1980s Honda XL 185 fuel tank was adapted to fit the narrow KTM frame, giving it a distinctive retro silhouette. The suspension was tuned for both trail and hardpack riding, and knobby tyres are paired with spoked wheels How pretty is that?

The aesthetics balance old-school and modern, brushed aluminum, matte finishes, and subtle graphics nod to vintage enduros, while contemporary components ensure it’s fully rideable off-road. Lightweight and agile, the Vinduro isn’t just a showpiece, it’s a machine built to tackle trails. Or to park in that special spot reserved for your collection…

Mickan’s KTM 500 EXC captures the spirit of enduro racing history while delivering a modern, one of a kind off-road experience, a true example of functional art in dirt bike form.

CL500 by Bikebrewers Custom Motorcycles.

BikeBrewers is a European online platform and community for custom motorcycles, based in Amsterdam. Founded in 2015, it’s run by a tight-knit crew of petrolheads who love café racers, scramblers, bratstyle bikes, and other one of a kind builds.

Their mission is to shine a light on custom builders, from backyard mechanics to professional workshops, and to inspire readers to either build their own bike or simply enjoy the artistry of others’ work. BikeBrewers publishes stories, builder profiles, how-to guides, and reviews, all wrapped in a lifestyle vibe that celebrates the creative, gritty soul of custom motorcycling.

The “Nightcrawler” is MOTOISM’s bold upgrade for the Honda CL500, a scrambler style aesthetic that nods to its heritage while giving it a modern twist. The Munich-based workshop developed a modular five-piece plug and play kit designed to transform the bike in just a few hours.

The kit includes a sculpted lamp mask, fork covers with integrated LED indicators, a shorter front mudguard, a tidy tail section with light assembly, and a license plate holder to clean up the rear. On the featured build, an Arrow exhaust, custom mirrors, and a Cerakote finish on select parts enhance the overall look, while bespoke graphics add an extra layer of character.

This transformation retains the CL500’s practical rideability, while giving it the personality of a true bespoke scrambler. The Nightcrawler reflects MOTOISM’s philosophy, maximum visual impact with minimal fuss.

Deus Ex Machina Honda Cub.

Deus Ex Machina (also known as Deus Customs) is a globally influential custom motorcycle and lifestyle brand that began in Sydney in 2006. Their philosophy centres on creativity, craftsmanship, and “street‑honest industrial art”, they don’t just build bikes, they celebrate the culture of motorcycling, surfing, skateboarding, and design.

Deus Customs’ European branch, based in Milan, produces bespoke motorcycles in-house, blending vintage inspiration with modern engineering. Whether restoring classics or crafting entirely new customs, their work embodies thoughtful design, functional riding machines, and a community-driven ethos.

Deus turned heads with the Cub Cubed, a bold reimagining of Honda’s iconic Cub. Using the modern Honda X‑ADV as the base, they scaled the Cub into an oversized, fully carbon faired machine, a sculptural piece that straddles the line between scooter, motorcycle, and concept art.

Rather than chasing straight retro, Deus embraced nostalgia, channeling the playful character of 1990s Cub models. Hundreds of hours went into building a full-size model, then crafting molds from which the carbon fibre bodywork was produced.

Expert collaborators contributed to the final build: styling and colour were handled with care, the knobbly tyres were custom developed, and a compact, lightweight exhaust has added a performance edge.

The result is a characterful, oversized tribute, a playful, well engineered celebration of Cub heritage with a modern twist. We do like…

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