You might not have heard of Half Caste Creations yet, but hey, there is a first time for everything. The initial idea was to create an Art Deco/Futurism-inspired motorcycle using a 1996 Yamaha SR 400 engine and frame. One of the driving questions of this project was, “If we were to put ourselves in the shoes of car designers from the 1920s, how would we imagine the future for motorcycle design to be?” Interesting, that.

The Bangkok-based outfit took the idea of teardrop shapes found in cars from the period and streamlined the tank design to ergonomically flow with the rear cowling in an “S” shaped manner. And you’d have noticed the uninterrupted balance between the short and fat rear tyre and the tall, skinny front one, which gives the Reptilia a mean, yet graceful stance. Fitted on stainless steel spokes, Firestone Military ANS rubber was chosen as an unconventional approach to the “traditional ideology” of specific tyre treads being matched with certain bike shapes. The artistic play between the textures and symmetry of the gloss black crocodile leather – used for the seat and tank – is complimented by the aggressive, off-road vintage tyres.

At the front sits a 1947 fog light (from a car!) that attempts to recall concept motorcycle design from nearly a century ago, while a 1930s replica teardrop taillight takes care of things at the back. The stock frame, swingarm and replica Harley-Davidson front springer fork are joined by Nitroheads rear shock absorbers, chopped rear sub-frame, matt chrome curved fender seat, stock front and rear drum brake set-up, retro brass clutch and brake lever, HCC Customs throttle housing with machined HCC custom grips, stock gear control and foot pegs.

The engine has been upgraded with 38mm Keihin CR special racing carburetors, HCC custom integrated header pipe and exhaust muffler, while a finned engine cover kit and wiring relocated to the under-seat storage keep things clean. The peanut fuel tank, pop-up Harley cap, and custom paint job finish the build.

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