1968 Royal Enfield Interceptor 750cc
The 1968 ½ Interceptor Series IA is a rare limited production transition model that paved the way for final version of the 750 twin. The story of this motorcycle is well documented by my father at the link below, so there's not much point in re-telling it. But there's another story, about the restoration and why it sits in my living room like a piece of art.
And that story is about the concept of Custovation .
And that story is about the concept of Custovation .
What is Custovation
Custovation is term coined by my father. Custovation has come to mean a blend of customizing and renovation to build a one-of-a-kind motorcycle, boat, or car. In the hotrod community it’s something akin to the “resto-mod” movement.
They say a resto-mod is a classic car that has been restored, but modified with modern parts and technology. But Custovation goes beyond just replacing old technology with new and embraces the artist in each of us. Custovation is about making a vehicle uniquely yours.
They say a resto-mod is a classic car that has been restored, but modified with modern parts and technology. But Custovation goes beyond just replacing old technology with new and embraces the artist in each of us. Custovation is about making a vehicle uniquely yours.
“In this case, it’s about capturing the late ‘60’s café racer and Rocker heritage by blending the British big bore, long stroke vertical twin with some personal touches to turn heads.”
Principles of Custovation
Over the years my father customized many motorcycles. I brought his concept of Custovation to my boat building. Gradually some of the principles of Custovation revealed themselves:
- Build to your Skill level and Budget
- Remember DIY nature makes it inherently artistic
- Cross pollinate ideas from brand, series or generation, and improved technology or materials
- Thinking outside the box yields true artistry
- Ignore the failacies of “resale thinking”
Custovation is a term my father used to describe his work, insisting he never had what it took to be an artist. Custovation he explained “made it an item more individual or personal.” A color choice or graphic might be uniquely personal. The addition of bits of polish, or the lack there of, a matter of taste.
My father built to his skill level and his budget. And his budget influenced his skill level in both the tools he had available and the Custovations he attempted. He usually couldn’t pay someone to outsource parts or bits of a restoration. He taught himself to polish, to paint, and to weld.
His bikes were something you still wanted to ride, not a show queen trailered to a swap meet for display.
In a Custovation an old bike might get a new paint job, but not in the original color for that year or make. Mechanically a machine might get an electronic ignition or improved brakes that clearly weren’t available in its original production.
His bikes were something you still wanted to ride, not a show queen trailered to a swap meet for display.
In a Custovation an old bike might get a new paint job, but not in the original color for that year or make. Mechanically a machine might get an electronic ignition or improved brakes that clearly weren’t available in its original production.
At bike shows and swap meets his bikes won awards but not in the restoration category usually only in the “fan favorite” category. True motorcycle aficionados cried foul when his bikes weren’t “original” and their re-sale value diminished. But the irony of their judgement was that my father’s original bikes were ridden to the contest and through use their beauty further celebrated.
You can own a Concorde restored British twin but who would want to ride it anywhere for fear of it being damaged or diminished. Meanwhile a Custovation could be ridden anywhere anytime. Many were daily or weekend riders. And they weren’t original but somehow classically familiar.
You can own a Concorde restored British twin but who would want to ride it anywhere for fear of it being damaged or diminished. Meanwhile a Custovation could be ridden anywhere anytime. Many were daily or weekend riders. And they weren’t original but somehow classically familiar.
Lesson in Custovation: 1975 Ducati 750GT
“At the time of the press release, I was deep in the process of custovating a 1974 Ducati bevel head 750GT. Custovation is a term I use to describe my work. It’s a combination of customizing, and renovation. Not a restoration, which means to bring back to an original condition. Custovation has a more specific meaning: CUSTOMIZE - to make or alter to individual or personal specifications combined with RENOVATION which is to restore to an earlier condition, by repairing or remodeling. The 750GT is a blend of modern improvements like ignition, front brake, and charging but most noticeable is the 750 Super Sport green and silver paint scheme.”
The Custovation Lab
"Custovation is a blend of customizing and renovation to build a one-of-a-kind."
My fathers laboratory is located at an undisclosed location near Dallas, Texas. It's a sort of Edison's workshop with a variety of motorcycle projects at various stages of completion.
His current project is a classic Moto Guzzi Ambassador.
One of his most recent projects was a MotoGuzzi Eldorado Police bike.