Czech supercar manufacturer, Praga, unveiled their $92,000 ZS 800 limited edition this week. Let’s take a closer look at it, along with a Ducati 749 and Moto Guzzi NTX 750 from Italy, and a custom Kawasaki Z750FX from Japan.
Praga ZS 800 What’s beautifully designed, wrapped in an alluring blue paint, and has carbon fiber everywhere? If you guessed the Praga Bohema supercar, you would be right. But if you guessed the Czech company’s brand new limited edition motorcycle, the Praga ZS 800, you’d be right too.
The ZS 800 is a throwback to the first motorcycle the fashion house has ever built—the 1928 Praga BD 500. The resemblance is undeniable—but the ZS 800 is clearly a modern machine.
This bobber’s the build plate is enough to make any motorcycle designer have a weak knee. Chrome-plated beam front fork, equipped with adjustable Öhlins shock absorbers with titanium springs. There’s no rear suspension — but there’s a small Öhlins shock absorber underneath the single seat to give it an advantage.
What appears to be the fuel tank is actually just a forged carbon fiber cover. Hidden beneath it is a CNC machined reservoir that also serves as a structural part of the chrome frame.
At the heart of the Praga ZS 800 is one of the most elegant production engines available on the market: the 773 cc tandem engine from the Kawasaki W800. It inhales through a unique pair of mesh intakes, and exhales through an all-titanium exhaust system. (Many of the individual titanium parts that make up the silencer are actually 3D printed.)
The ZS 800’s 18-inch wheels are particularly impressive. They’re made from forged carbon, with tensioned carbon spokes and gorgeous hydraulic drum brake calipers. It’s a great combination of old style and new technology.
It is also equipped with premium details. Curved fenders lift it up, with a svelte luggage rack on the rear fender also serving as a host for the taillights and rear turn signals.
The fuel tank badge features gold details on a forged carbon base, while the saddle features a variety of fabrics, contrast stitching, and a laser-cut pattern on top.
There’s more forged carbon in the form of the bike’s organic chain guards and more subtle details like the fenders. Titanium wheel hubs and swingarms, as well as every last tether. All told, the ZS 800 watches at 142 pounds [313 lbs] dry, with a perfect 50:50 weight distribution front to back.
Tempted? Praga is currently taking pre-orders with a limited run of 28 pieces. A ZS 800 (which takes 300 hours to manufacture) will cost you €86,000 [around $92,000]tax not included.
Interested parties, please line up in order. [Praga ZS 800]
Ducati 749 by North East Custom Earlier this week, we introduced a Custom Ducati 749 from Estonia. There must be something in Europe, because another 749 cafe racer just dropped in our lap.
This one comes from brothers Diego and Riccardo ‘Riki’ Coppiello, at Northeast Customs in Padua, Italy. Diego and Riki are enduro enthusiasts and adventurers—but they also have a knack for building sweet customs on the streets.
Construction began with a 2005 Ducati 749, with the aim of building a cafe racer with a bit of an 80s endurance racing vibe.
North East has redecorated the trellis Ducati with a fiberglass fender, with twin headlights hidden behind a yellow visor. The OEM fuel tank is located directly behind, followed by a handcrafted aluminum tailpiece. The rear end sits on a new subframe, with a racing-style saddle at the top.
Lower down, you’ll find carbon fiber front fenders, carbon fiber wraps, and custom-built aluminum side skirts. North East has mostly kept the suspension, brakes, and wheels — but they’ve added Bitubo steering damper, K-bike slipper clutch, and Ducabike clutch basket cover.
Paint work is minimal and timeless; traditional red and white with 80s-style Ducati logo. The frame has also been given a fresh coat of paint, with anodizing on the forks and engine components.
It’s a great look for a beefy 749—and the perfect model if you have a 749 or 999 in need of a refurbishment. However, we bet the Northeast’s neighbors don’t like that emissions. [North East Custom | Images by Filippo Molena]
Moto Guzzi NTX 750 by Matteucci Garage When Marco Matteucci received a commission for a custom Moto Guzzi NTX 750, he found inspiration in his own portfolio. Marco built a blue Moto Guzzi V35 a few years ago and saw the potential to adapt that same styling to the sponsor’s larger bike—with some upgrades, of course.
The early 90s adventure bike was scrapped, before Marco ripped the subframe. It has been heavily modified in the style of his previous build, but there is one major difference; The V35 has a single seat, but this one has room for one passenger.
Underneath the saddle is a custom-built monoshock, based on the hinge of the replaced Yamaha R1 shock absorber. The front end is an aftermarket spring system specified for Harleys. Marco adapted it for the Guzzi with custom pads and yoke, custom brake calipers, and Bates-style headlights fitted with LED lights.
The cockpit has tow bars, is equipped with a rearview mirror and small push buttons. Directly behind is a handcrafted fuel tank, inspired by the lines of a classic Laverda 125. The GPS-based speedometer is neatly integrated into the neck area.
At the rear, LED taillights are integrated into the seat backs, with French-styled turn signals on the back of the lower subframe rails. Under the hood, Marco rewound the car and upgraded the ignition system to an electronic one.
The mimic paint scheme on the build inspired this one; a pearl blue effect made up of multiple overlays of different shades. Bottega Vasì has added leather finishes, including a touchscreen-compatible smartphone pouch on the fuel tank and a storage bag underneath the saddle.
Sitting somewhere in the middle of a disturbance person and a bobber, Marco’s custom NTX 750 is nothing if not fun. [Matteucci Garage]
Kawasaki Z750FX customized by Bull Dock Few motorcycles have the charm of a properly restored classic large Japanese motorcycle. And very few custom shops build them as beautifully as Bull Dock in Japan. If you need proof, we recommend this unbelievably classy Kawasaki Z750FX.
The former Z750’s big selling point was its relatively low weight. Bull Dock decided to build on that idea in this project; reduce weight more if possible and upgrade key Kawasaki components.
A typical Bull Dock Z750 build begins with dismantling and a series of frame modifications and reinforcements based on the team’s experience. Once that was settled, Bull Dock turned their attention to the bodywork—reducing weight without sacrificing its OEM style.
The fuel tank is a lightweight aluminum replica of the original, while the side panels, fenders and tail section are all fiberglass and composite components. Custom alloy swingarms from McCoy and forged aluminum wheels are even lighter.
Next, the Bull Dock mounts a custom-built Nitron fork up front, held in place by a CNC machined yoke. Fully adjustable Nitron shock absorbers support the rear, while full Brembo brakes take care of stopping the car. The enhanced clip-ons provide a certain level of rider comfort, while the original dashboard keeps everything classic.
The engine is also a complete beast. Bull Dock has raised it to 1,197 cc with high-compression Pistal pistons, balancing the internals and adding a Yoshimura camshaft. Pop’s Company 36mm carburetors and digital transmission improve throttle response, while the hydraulic clutch adds a modern touch.
Finishing details include red engine cover and carburetor, the same paint color as Kawasaki’s owner’s Lamborghini. Win McCoy’s titanium exhaust ensures that this muscle bike has a roar to match its bite force. [Via]
