OLD
EMPIRE Motorcycles: The Osprey
There’s
something fitting about Old Empire as a brand name. An atmosphere of
Edwardian elegance take holds as you make your way across the fens
and edge into Suffolk. You take a series of meandering lanes into the
hedgerows and flatlands around Diss. St Mary’s church, 900
years old and counting, seems buried into the earth just opposite the
turnoff to Hall Farm and Old Empire’s ‘House of Assembly’. Just
across the way Alec Sharp and Rafe Pugh have been directing the
creation of some of the most original and interesting custom
motorcycles out there. There’s something about the area, the
broodiness of the lowering sky and the timelessness it evokes that
chimes perfectly with the aesthetic
The
Osprey, the bike featured here, here is the first Old Empire brand
collaboration – with fellow independent British clothing company
ODFU – and is an elegantly straightforward re-imagining of a 1980
Suzuki GN 400. The bike is understated and very useable – in quite
a contrast to the otherworldly creations and concepts for which they
have become known. The donor bike’s laid back, quasi chopper stance
has of course been ditched completely in favour of a much more
aggressive, caff-ish stance that was achieved by lowering the front
end significantly.
The
rear suspension set up is standard but the tank’s tunnel was also
reworked heavily so that it sits far lower and further forward. The
bike runs its original running gear, both 18’’ wheels wrapped in
Dunlop KTT – which are textured enough to add a rugged utility to
the bike’s presence, but remain functional road-runners. There are
custom set of wrap around bars along with an integral headlight mount
and shroud which surrounds the electronic speedo. Custom warning
housings were also made which set into the machined yokes. The
original front guard was also trimmed down to aesthetically pleasing
dimensions and the rear portion of the frame was cut and looped over
and a rear cowling made with integrated rear light and LED
indicators.
Under
the custom seat the new Shorai lithium battery sits along with the
new electrical harness. The 400 single was given a simple spruce up,
re-scotching the cases and blacking the barrel and head. A stripped
and vapour-blasted carburettor with K&N air filter helps
breathing, along with a custom heat-wrapped exhaust. We’re
particularly impressed with the leatherwork on that custom seat - as
well as the dual tool rolls which are completely removable - the pair
working beautifully in with those hand-died leather grip wraps.
The
New Wave of custom bike culture continues apace - and though
companies like Old Empire continue to push the boundaries of the
possible - creating more and more impressive, fabulous creations,
sometimes it’s the simple things done well that define a truly
usable bespoke bike.
The
Osprey, we think, does the job perfectly - and demonstrates the
company’s ability to build perfectly to purpose.
Mike
Fordham/Influx
Find
the full article, including more photos, at
http://www.influx.co.uk/bikes/old-empire-motorcycles-the-osprey
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