Bikes we like

Motorcycles that made us smile on our travels. This month, Motorcycle Live

Harley-davidson Street Scrambler

The work of Shaw Speed & Custom in Sussex, this Harley-davidson 1200 Sportster special draws its inspiration from two Steve Mcqueen race bikes: his 1964 Triumph TR6 and his 1971 Husqvarna 400.

The main Husky element is the paint/ chrome combination on the fuel tank, while the chief Triumph contribution is the race number, given to Mcqueen at the International Six Days Trial. There are other influences too, including Honda-replica drum brakes.

The donor bike is a 2010 Sportster with fuel injection. It’s legal for daytime on-road use, having a stoplight and number plate but no indicators. The bars are vintage motocross with Magura levers. The exhaust is stainless steel, and the shocks are from Öhlins.

Tron Lightcycle

One of the stars of the Principal Insurance stand at Motorcycle Live was this replica of the Lightcycle ridden by Jeff Bridges’ character in the 1982 sci-fi thriller Tron and 2010 sequel, making its first appearance at a UK show.

Built by US customisers Parker Brothers, it’s all-electric and uses lithium-ion batteries. We’re assured it does actually work, although it only goes around corners with some reluctance, it’s painfully uncomfortable and it would run out of juice after 30 miles.

There are proper brakes, but no rear suspension. It was repainted in the UK, the pearlescent black contrasting with the LED strips in the 32-inch wheels.

Yamaha 950s

Just two of the many modified Yamaha 950 V-twins to be seen at Motorcycle Live. The one with the chequered flags on the tank (right) is called the Chequered Scrambler and is the work of Go Takamine, who works under the name Brat Style.

Starting with the new SCR950, he’s fitted wider handlebars, a smaller headlight unit and an engraved custom air filter cover. The rear suspension, by Works Performance, gives longer travel and more ground clearance, the exhaust system is a one-off, and the seat was made by Mauricio Aguilar. The chequered-flag tank design that gives the bike its name was the work of Denis Babin.

The other Yamaha (below) is from Trowbridge dealership Phoenix Motorcycles. They’ve started with an XV950 and ditched pretty much everything bar the engine and frame downtubes, ending up with a custom that evokes Second World War

dispatch-rider Harleys.

GSX-R Bobber

A late-’80s Suzuki GSX-R750 Slingshot forms the basis of this head-turning bobber, owned by Kev Johnson.

It has 12-inch apehangers, a rigid rear end with a TL1000 wheel, raked-out front, and a quite magnificent four-into-two stainless steel exhaust.