Fever pitch: A Kymco KTR 150 scrambler from Taiwan

In Taiwan, 150 cc bikes just like the locally-produced Kymco KTR 150 promote like hotcakes. They’re nimble, utilitarian and economical, and sufficiently small to qualify for cheaper licensing charges, too. Nevertheless it’s not simply commuters that see the enchantment—the KTR 150 and its ilk are quick changing into darlings of Taiwan’s blossoming {custom} scene.

The nation’s greatest {custom} motorbike builders are adept at turning the likes of the standard Kymco KTR 150 into spunky customs. In case you don’t imagine us, simply check out this avenue scrambler from Fever in Taoyuan Metropolis simply exterior of Taipei. Svelte and trendy, it makes a compelling argument for the KTR’s potential.

The transient was to create a stripped-down scrambler whereas weaving collectively retro and fashionable aesthetics. Fever responded with a tasteful symphony of types. The gasoline tank recollects classic Japanese filth bikes, the seat and tail have a basic Brit really feel, and the exhaust nearly has a efficiency scooter vibe happening.

That gasoline tank was the primary half to go onto the KTR 150—despite the fact that it wasn’t initially designed for this specific bike. It was the primary half that Fever’s founder, Xiao An, fabricated whereas he was busy together with his metalworking apprenticeship years in the past. When he opened Fever, he hung it on the wall for nostalgia’s sake.

As soon as it was tailored to suit the Kymco’s body, the tank dictated the remainder of the construct. Fever tweaked the bike’s subframe, ending it off with a bolt-on rear loop. The loop isn’t only for present both—it’s additionally sporting mounting tabs to stabilize the rear fender.

The general design is tidy, reducing a straight line from the tank by way of to the tail. A solo seat sits up high, upholstered with a white stripe alongside the sting that makes it look skinnier than it bodily is. A ribbed fender sits simply behind it, whereas a solid taillight from Heiwa in Japan sits in opposition to the again of the rear loop.

Fever additionally fabricated the trials-style entrance fender and bracket, voluptuous bash plate, sprocket cowl, and chain guard A custom-made battery field sits underneath the seat, flanked by the exhaust on one aspect and a quantity board on the opposite.

The field hosts the primary digital elements, together with a Bluetooth-enabled Motogadget controller. The KTR 150’s proprietor, Jia-Hong Xu, constructed the brand new wiring harness himself from scratch. The bike might be switched on from a smartphone now, with a secret key ignition providing a backup in case your battery dies.

Transferring to the suspension, Fever transplanted the forks, yokes, and entrance drum brake hub from a Yamaha SR400. The crew drilled out the entrance brake casing and handled it to a brushed end, then laced it to a 19” rim. The entrance finish additionally makes use of a {custom} axle, spacers, and fork caps.

An 18” rim does obligation on the again, with new shocks from Gears Racing providing a greater experience. The tires are Dunlop K180—street-specific tires with flat monitor seems to be.

The Kymco’s single-cylinder motor went underneath the knife too, with a full refresh inside and outside. Its polished covers add to the bike’s retro attraction, whereas its new Yoshimura carb and DNA filter unencumber an additional horse or two.

Fever is greatest identified for its exhaust work, in order that they pulled out all of the stops right here. A single header snakes behind the sump guard and across the engine, earlier than exiting in a boxy oval muffler. The design is remarkably well-considered; observe how the warmth protect echoes the form of the muffler, proper all the way down to its completely parallel louvers.

For the controls, Hong and Fever pieced collectively a spec sheet of tasty elements from throughout. The handlebar risers come from Biltwell Inc. within the US, whereas the bars themselves are from BAAK in France. The headlight comes from BAAK too, full with an built-in Motogadget speedo.

It’s a tidy setup, with refined push buttons built-in into the headlight, lever clamps, and custom-made housings on the bars, and all of the wiring run internally. (Admittedly, Hong might be the one man that is aware of tips on how to function all of it).

The paint job is one other function that calls for nearer inspection. It’s the work of Jeffrey’s Ending Contact, who shot the bike in blue and white, then adorned it with refined silver pin-striping. Additional touches embody an illustration of a whale on the tank, and an acceptable slogan pasted on all sides of the battery field; “Decelerate for the higher life.”

Fever’s Kymco KTR 150 isn’t solely a testomony to how a lot you are able to do with a easy commuter bike, but in addition a terrific reminder that small bikes can have large perspective.

Fever Taiwan | Photographs by Dong Lin