The Royal Tracker Custom Proves Internet Comments Can Be Constructive

BMW, Yamaha, Triumph, Harley Davidson, Indian, and even Scrambler Ducati have all harnessed the power of the indiependent custom scene to commission builds based off their new models.

The results are overwhelmingly well-done, pushing both technical and design boundaries in the pursuit of digital glory. But they've ballooned in terms of componentry, fabrication costs, and media budgets to a level not seen since those heady days of the pro street sponsored choppers of the noughties.

Seeing this, Royal Enfield created a program as well. But instead of high-dollar showpieces, they’ve decided to stick a little bit closer to reality by choosing high quality builders that focus on rideability and approachability that build bikes that can almost be replicated by the garagista in all of us.

The build before you is a perfect example of this mission brief.

The builders are Sasha Valentine of Cafe Racer XXX and Sean Skinner of MotoRelic. They teamed up after Sasha saw an Ascot Sean had built in the tracker vein; she quickly reached out to collaborate on this Royal Enfield-sponsored build after she had received it.

In addition to their teamwork, they added another member to the build as well: the internet.

That’s right. They wouldn’t be building this bike in a vacuum, but sending up key parts of the build for the internet to decide on through voting.

Comments sections are good for many things like answering questions, gauging reader interest, or learning all the different ways you’re an idiot.

And it turns out they’re also good for building motorcycles, too.

From the color, to the exhaust, to the type of custom - for over four months the internet voted on CaferacerXXX.com for their choices. And when they spoke, they did loud and clear: they wanted a high-pipe street tracker.

It was then up to Sasha and Sean to deliver.

The base was the Harris-framed Continental GT model, which was immediately stripped on the bench of everything besides the frame and the 535cc engine.

Sean and Sasha first started on the bodywork. The stock tank and seat were binned, and in their place a tank from a Yamaha XT225 and a custom aluminum tail section to meld both flat track and motocross cues into one package.

To get them to fit, the tank was notched and the stock rubber bumpers on the frame were removed as well. The rear hoop was also slimmed down aft of the shocks to create a racier profile for the tail section to drape over.

Next, suspension was addressed. In keeping with the spirit of accessibility, the wheels, fork housing, and brakes are all stock. But the forks were lowered two inches with K-Tech internals and K-Tech Bullit shocks replaced the stock units out back.

New rubber was added as well but, in keeping with the street tracker theme, the team opted for DOT Pirelli MT90 tires for a flat track-esque appearance that works on both the street and the dirt.

The footpegs were also relocated with an adapter plate to change them from the factory’s rearset positioning to a more dirt-friendly mid-control position.

Power is not the Continental GT’s strong suit. In fact, even sprightly is a slight exaggeration. But in contrast to the beasts currently running in Hooligan flat track, Sasha and Sean saw the power levels as a feature, not a flaw for building an accessible machine. That being said, there were some modifications made for some added boom.

Namely, the stock EFI was tossed for an Amal carb conversion, and then a Uni pod air filter and a full stainless steel exhaust built from a Cone Engineering kit were installed. The result will not dislocate your shoulders, but should be a snappy package.

From there, it was all about the accents. A custom number plate was fabricated with a Hella LED light integrated in. Oury grips, a Kozo gauge, Pro Taper bars, custom seat upholstered by Counterbalance Cycles in RI, and a MX-style gas cap machined by Ryan Dzurilla add to the bike’s dirt-centric attitude.

Even Steve West of Silver Piston was included to add some custom, jeweled accents to the end result.

White was voted on for the final color of the build, and Sasha and Sean worked on a livery that would both reflect the vote and Royal Enfield's English roots. To accomplish this, touches of British Racing Green were thrown in as a secondary color, with the paint laid down by Craig Rutler AKA Homeward Bound Motorcycles and Daniel Brooks at Appalachian Paint and Powder powdercoated the frame.

For what the end result lacks in high-dollar componentry, it nails in the “Gotta ride it factor,” which is a refresher from the high-dollar, show-first results that have been coming out as of late from other OEM partnerships.

And good job internet for having a part in voting for a clean, minimal custom completely bereft of Harambe and Pepe memes.

Maybe the comment section isn’t so bad after all.

Social Shoutouts from Cafe Racer XXX and Motorelic:

Royal Enfield North America (bike donor) @royalenfield_na
Cafe Racer XXX (media, design input, and audience voting) @caferacerxxx
Motorelic @motorelic custom fabrication, design and build @motorelic
K-tech suspension (suspension) @ktechsuspension
Revzilla (parts donations) @revzilla
Tc Bros (Misc parts) @tcbros
Silver Piston (XXX coins on body) @stevewest
Counter Balance Cycles @counterbalancecycles (custom seat)
Homeward Bound Motorcycles (custom paint) @rut31
Appalachian Paint and Powder (engine powder) @danielclaybrooksjr