Is there any customization? motorcycle workshop group at K-Speed ever sleep? Judging by the speed with which fresh and delicious customs appear on their decks, we guess not.
The Thai powerhouse’s custom store runs alongside their noisy components business, so the two often clash. Sometimes they use their custom builds to develop new parts, and sometimes they use those parts to reproduce their most popular custom builds. But somehow, they still manage to find the time to build special one-off cars, like this Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 car. bobber.
The Interceptor 650 (known as the INT650 in the US) is praised for its versatility as a platform for customization. But we’ve never seen someone hit it this far into the left court. There’s no pretending that this style is even remotely practical – but it’s incredibly attractive and is sure to draw a crowd at your local coffee shop.
In stock form, the Interceptor is already a pretty compact bike. But K-Speed has cut it down dramatically – to the point where its reasonably sized parallel twin mill now looks huge.
To that end, K-Speed assembled not only the Royal Enfield’s bodywork but also its suspension and wheels. They then tore into the frame, going above and beyond the usual cutting and closing work. The entire upper section has been removed and rebuilt, starting at the steering wheel and ending with a neatly tailored set of rear struts.
The chassis looks like a rigid setup from afar, but it’s actually supported on a fully enclosed aftermarket shock absorber. But the real genius here, is the way K-Speed has made the Enfield look dense and squat in the back, but thin and stretchy in the front.
That’s partly due to the way the reworked frame has created space above the engine. But it’s also the result of the split spring fork, which K-Speed put together from parts they put around the workshop.
Enfield’s new set of wheels are also very well appreciated. There’s a 21″ wheel without brakes at the front, with the 16″ unit on duty at the rear, stopping via a Brembo disc brake setup. And even if you hate classic cog tires, you can’t deny that they’re a perfect fit for this look.
Located above is a small, handmade peanut-style fuel tank. Since it doesn’t carry a lot of gas, K-Speed has herded it into a second tank hidden under the saddle. The bike’s OEM fuel pump is also there now, with everything hidden behind a pair of custom side covers.
The main fuel tank is chrome-plated and embellished with the ‘Diablo’ logo (Diablo is K-Speed’s brand of bolts). Right behind is a neat solo saddle that blends traditional diamond and striped stitching. The rear end is finished with sinewy fenders, painted in black.
But it’s the Interceptor’s new cockpit that really needs closer examination. It is built around a set of bespoke chopper-inspired bars, designed to run high and narrow. They come equipped with an aftermarket gripper and an internal throttle — but that’s all.
Since Enfield’s lighting system consisted of only a small spotlight at the front and a taillight mounted on the swingarm, there was no need for turn signal switches and the like. There’s also no front brake lever and no revs, and the ignition and engine shutoff switches have been moved.
If you’re looking for a clutch, you’ll find it on the left side of the bike, fitted with a custom-built hand-operated shifter. The setup includes a gearshift shaft equipped with a conventional handlebar grip and a classic reverse lever. All you have to do is put your hands behind your feet, squeeze the lever, and shift gears.
The foot controls have also been upgraded and are now mounted on custom removable stands. They now sit a little further forward than before, to make the Enfield’s undulating rider triangle a bit more comfortable.
The rest of the building is a collection of elegantly finished parts. Ribbed caps add a visual touch to the Interceptor’s already appealing engine, while a pair of custom headers echo around it. They are complete with the final installment from K-Speed’s Diablo collection.
Sure, this bobber has no front brakes, no sketchy gearshifting, or any ground clearance to speak of. But what it does have is style; its payload.
It looks like K-Speed doesn’t plan to replicate any of the parts they’ve made for this build—nor have they confirmed whether they’ll build more Enfields like it, either. But we secretly hope they do. Because, despite its idiosyncrasies, we’d love to park one of these in our garage.
You will not?
K-Speed | Instagram | Photo of Hipmotography
