Royal Enfield has always had an affection toward the custom motorcycle scene, and it only got better when its 650cc twins came to market. The bikemaker has collaborated with several custom shops thanks to this, be it in its hometown in India or across the pond in America. For the latest project, though, all eyes are on the Land Of The Rising Sun, where AN-BU Custom Motors–an underrated specialist in asymmetric motorcycle design–resides. Courtesy of its unique take, the shop ended up on Royal Enfield's radar, and the two parties have now joined hands to give us a custom Continental GT 650. Not only is it a staggering thing of beauty, but the 650 also serves as a ticket back to the iconic 80s sports bikes.
The Custom Continental GT 650 Mimics Old-School Sports Bikes
With barely any restraint from RE, AN-BU has gone to town on the Continental GT and you need more than a keen-eye to make out what’s the under the skin. Credit here goes to the vastly revamped design which mimics old-school endurance race bikes. The front half of the motorcycle comes draped in carbon fiber side fairings, partnered by a classic upper fairing, also finished in carbon. You won’t make out the material at first look, however, as the shop has sprayed a dark matte finish over the otherwise eye-catching carbon texture. Also part of the package is an asymmetric round headlight with a hand-built alloy surround.
At the opposite end, the Continental GT 650 bids adieu to its stock subframe to welcome a custom structure. This also makes way for a bespoke, shortened tailpiece that houses a custom one-up saddle. And once you jump aboard it, you’re welcomed by an overhauled cockpit. The dual-dial semi-digi instrument cluster has made way for a Motogadget ChronoClassic unit, while a bespoke triple-tree and clip-on handlebar replaces the OEM setup. These pair up with the brawnier fuel tank and raised footrests to create an uber-aggressive riding triangle. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the hand-beaten finish on the tank and tail is intentional as Koichi Fujita (founder of AN-BU) thought it makes the design more ‘natural’.
The Custom Continental GT 650 Has Spruced Up Underpinnings And Engine
Like the design, Koichi-san has done his magic elsewhere too. For instance, the motorcycle now rides on an all-new suspension setup - slimmer 38 mm KYB telescopic forks and longer dual shock absorbers - with full adjustability, unlike the OEM 41 mm forks and gas-charged shocks. These are paired with six-spoke alloy wheels, wrapped in Pirelli Phantom rubber and clamped by upgraded Brembo brakes at both ends.
Why the extra braking prowess, you ask? Well, because there’s some extra grunt in this Continental. Though the 648cc, parallel-twin engine has the same internals, the shop has removed the airbox and thrown in old-school velocity stacks to help it breathe better. Also part of the package is a fully custom exhaust system. Most of it might hide under the fairings, but it’s a fully custom setup right from the headers to the two-into-one end can–all aimed to boost the stock 47 horsepower. Add to this the bigger rear sprocket, subtract the weight saved, and it’s safe to expect this GT 650 to be rampant off the line.
Finally, all this is brought to a close by the exquisite attention to detail. The endurance race bike-inspired fuel filler system, minimalistic LED turn indicators, a bespoke heel plate, billet footrests, and exposed fairing bolts all add to this, and so does the hidden under-tail number plate. The motorcycle sounds pretty darn good too which you can experience in the above-embedded video.
Can You Buy This Custom Royal Enfield Continental GT 650?
Sadly, neither Royal Enfield nor AN-BU Custom has shed light on this matter. However, we know this is the first time the Japanese shop has touched a RE-badged motorcycle, so we won’t be surprised if it wanted to keep this to itself. Plus, even if ‘Kai’ (as called by the shop) goes on sale, we’re sure it would find takers in Japan before any of us even know it’s on sale. The shop is open to new orders, though, so we suggest you try your luck and hit up Koichi-san. Meanwhile, if you simply dig the Continental GT, it’s currently on sale in America at $6,349.