Bandit9 is known for making some jaw-dropping customized motorcycles. This time it was a Royal Enfield Bullet that was taken up for a project called Merlin. And what a project it has been! Bandit9 doing what they do best, revamped the entire motorcycle into this beautiful artwork.
The best aspect of a customized motorcycle lies in the minute details. Just like in any other project, Bandint9 has paid huge attention to detail in the Merlin. You will start appreciating the hard work as you get to know the bike more.
Daryl from Bandit9 talks about the inspiration behind Merlina, “We wanted to create a very complex piece hidden behind a simple, familiar and legible form. While the face of a watch is beautiful, to connoisseurs, it’s the movement inside – the way it’s made and its heritage that they appreciate. We wanted to approach Merlin in a similar fashion. We wanted to make sure it’s something you could pass on, hence its simple, timeless format.”
They sure did make it timeless. The Merlin is done in chrome. The entire motorcycle has got chrome all over it. This really enhances the kind of aura Bandit9 wanted to create. There is no way you can tell that Merlin’s parent bike is a Royal Enfield Bullet.
The frame of the Merlin was completely redesigned to fit all the parts that Bandit9 wanted to. They used a teardrop fuel tank and let the exhaust follow the lines of the frame. The rear portion of the bike is mostly naked. There is only the large 21-inch rear wheel with a considerably small fender. The majority of the mass has been kept towards the front, near the engine.
The seat of the Merlin is from the underside of an old Vespa saddle with the springs attached to a frame. Its shape and size were altered to fit the overall design of the bike. But it is clearly a sign of the kind of attention to detail you’ll get on this machine. Another example is the instrument cluster. Daryl says, “The case is made from steel and tapers subtly at the bottom. The bezel is made from polished bronze and should get a nice patina after time.”
He continues, “It’s nice to spend time on a single detail. If we didn’t have time or budget constraints, I could’ve spent far more time on it. I would’ve figured out how to use sapphire crystal instead of glass. Maybe I could have given it a crystal magnifier so it could show the speed digits like a watch magnifies the date. It’s details like this that I would love to add, but the real world demands you ship your products out.”
The Merlin is going to be a limited edition model; only 9 units will see the light of the day. And as of today, 3 of them has already been sold. So if you’re interested in owning a timeless customized Royal Enfield, then you can order it from Bandit9’s website.
Merlin Engine Specs:
DISPLACEMENT: 499CC, AIR COOLED
MAX POWER: 27.2 BHP @ 5200 RPM
MAX TORQUE: 41.3 NM @ 4000 RPM
IGNITION: ELECTRIC
GEARS: 5 – WET CLUTCH
WEIGHT: 187 KG
FUEL CAPACITY: 14.5 LITRES
TOP SPEED: 140 KMH
Merlin Mods:
CUSTOM HARDTAIL FRAME
STEEL TANK – MIRROR FINISH
HOROLOGICAL SPEEDOMETER
CUSTOM HEADLIGHT – WHITE LIGHT
CUSTOM FORKS WITH EXTERNAL SUSPENSION
CUSTOM STEEL TRIPLE CLAMP
BALANCE SPRING SADDLE & INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION
CUSTOM HANDLEBAR
CUSTOM GRIPS
CUSTOM EXHAUST
STAINLESS STEEL FENDERS
CUSTOM ELECTRIC BOX
STEEL BRAKE/CLUTCH LEVERS
TOGGLE SWITCHES
CUSTOM FOOTPEGS, GEAR SHIFTER, BRAKE LEVER
DUAL FUNCTION INDICATOR AND BRAKE LIGHT
CUSTOM DISC BRAKES
CUSTOM AIR FILTER
FLUSH GAS CAP
