Beta is best is known for its chart-topping trials and enduro motorcycles, but the Italian company has also produced some outrageous street-legal machines over the years. Among them are the Beta Alp 4 dual-sport version and its 17-inch wheeled counterpart, the Beta M4. supercar.
Before Beta produced their own engines, they used KTM engines on most of their bikes. But the Alp 4 and M4 are powered by the less attractive single-cylinder engine from the stalwart Suzuki DR350. To add insult to injury, the engine has been tuned down; These bikes are built to be reliable, economical, and accessible rather than cunning.
It is those characteristics that made Emporio Elaborazioni Meccaniche choose the 2007 Beta M4 model as the perfect sponsor for their latest project. The Italian custom shop’s customers wanted an easy-going city bike with a variety of styles and an emphasis on maneuverability rather than top speed.
Keeping the bike compliant with Italian road rules (more or less) was also a priority. So Emporio Elaborazioni Meccaniche chose not to mess with the Beta’s chassis too much, but instead focused on its bodywork. The aim was to trim it down visually, while also reducing weight as much as possible to make the ride livelier.
EEM starts by removing all of Beta’s plastic. The OEM suspension, brakes and wheels were refurbished, and the subframe was modified to prepare for the new body.
Next, the team hand-crafted a full range of parts, including a new front fender, headlight housing, fuel tank and tail section. The tank takes inspiration from 70s enduro bikes but adds a bit of Italian flair. Sharp ‘creases’ at the front add attractive detail, while curving upward helps tuck away countless cables and hoses.
The classic style of the tank is combined with a modern aluminum tail section. Generous side panels taper into the wasp-colored rear apron, with LED taillights recessed into deep recesses above. The saddle is covered with the type of grip fabric you often see on an off-road motorbike.
A quick look at the rear reveals a perfectly shaped chassis that doubles as a rear fender, while also housing a number of important components. It is emblazoned with EEM branding, flanked by a pair of vertically mounted LED turn signals.
The high-mounted front fender is as sharp as the rear. With a retro fuel tank sandwiched between them, the overall effect is a judicious blend of classic and modern feels, creating a remarkably cohesive feel. The headlight cluster completes the light set with two LED projectors and one LED bar light providing adequate brightness.
A handcrafted aluminum strip runs down the middle of the polycarbonate headlight cover, adding a bit of depth to the design. That same detail is repeated on each side of the Beta’s swingarm, while patches bearing the EEM logo are applied to the shock absorbers.
Moving to the cockpit, EEM installed new handlebars and swingarms, along with hydraulic brakes and a clutch master cylinder from Messner Moto. The bike’s cable clutch was switched to a hydraulically driven setup and its digital instrument panel was moved to a position on the fuel tank.
EEM also rewired the entire bike for safety. They also took out the ignition key while in there; the only way to start the bike now is to press a specific sequence of hidden switches.
The engine remains original, but the airbox has been removed in favor of a custom filter and air intake. A new exhaust system completes the setup – going around the engine and exiting parallel to the exhaust pipe.
The monochromatic paint job of this Beta M4 supercar is as inspired as its silhouette. EEM chose a gray color collection for the tank but left the rest of the aluminum parts intact. It looks very sharp—and it weighs 25 kg [55.12 lbs] also softer than before.
Mission accomplished.
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