Customs

The Honda Donkey

The Honda Z-series; you either love them or don’t know what they are. At Deus we lean towards the side of affection, but for those aligned to the latter congregation let us give you a run down… 

The Z-series was originally produced as a 49cc amusement park ride for children in Japan, but in the late 60’s went into mass production across the globe. “Children’s ride?” I can hear you questioning – and yes you read right, the bikes measured in at nickel over 50 kegs and are just tall enough to ride the rollercoaster. For that reason the Z-series was affectionately nicknamed the ‘Monkey’, as Monkey riders are no strangers to hunch backs and acute joints; replicating that of a circus monkey. 

But despite the bikes shortcomings it’s impossible to deny the fun you can have on these miniature and fuel efficient machines. Some 70 years on, these bikes now boast 125cc engines. making even the toughest leather covered Angel grin like a Cheshire Cat on the back.

Every year Honda produces a new version of the Monkey and the 2021 model is where this story starts. Honda Korea reached out to us asking if we were interested in a Monkey customisation, and the answer in short was; “Yes, when can we start?”.

Alongside Crazy Garage we began concepting a custom with the words ‘easy, fun and dynamic’ in mind. All words which drove the bike the whole way through the build to where it is now. 

Check out the photos and the video for the most accurate representation of how fun these bikes really are. 

Specs of DONKEY MK1 follows:
Crazy Garage x Deus foundry 
Special handmade Slip-on exhaust

PRO TAPER
Hande bar
Medium Compound Grip

SP TAKEGAWA 
Knuckle Guard
Headlight Guard
Billet Wide Footpeg Kit

OUTEX
Steering Stem Stabilizer

ZETA
Engine Protection
Heel Guard

CAT S FACTORY
Tail Cowl
Modified by Crazy Garage
Kitaco 

UNI FILTER CONVERSION KIT
Ohlins
STX 36 Twin rear suspension

Honda Tricolor Painting

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Present / Motorbike Magazine (@motorbikezine), Honda Korea (@hondamotorcyclekorea)

Director / Jin Cheol Kim (AFRO FILM)
Producer / Jake Yang
Rider / Yeon soo Yun
Builder / Crazy garage
Shooting Car / Sang Hyun Kim (Null90)
Lighting / Hwi Dong Kim
Editor / Sama Sama

Gallery

Goof Bike

If you hire an alternative artist to design a bike, don’t be surprised if you create a fun-sized surf sled that gets you from A to B, as long as A and B are interchangeably your home and favourite beach.

Through direct collaboration, alternative artist Paul McNeil and our main mechanic, Jeremy “Frenchie” Tagand, worked together to create a bike that’s old school, not-so-simple and just plain goofy.

The Goof Bike doesn’t fit into the crowd, and doesn’t want to. A free flowing exhaust and a seat fit for a mayor make for a smooth and comfortable ride, albeit boisterous. Ape-hangers that’ll give your arms a workout and a custom surf rack that outclasses any umbrella in a storm were fitted to compliment Paul’s artistic touch.

However, no alternative piece would be complete without a bit of rebellion. This otherwise stock Suzuki RV90 has been stripped of what some would deem essential, making this off-kilter Goof Bike as unique as Paul.

No mirrors, no indicators, no worries, just go ya goof!

Head to shop.deuscustoms.com to check out the full Deus Ex McNeil collection. (Northern Hem only)

El Presidente – Royal Enfield

2 parts chrome, 1 part slammed, a dash of Japanese restraint, mix and serve over ice-cool style. The recipe for El Presidente is a well-balanced cocktail of British bobber and sophisticated coast cruiser.
 
The story starts when Ben­, co-owner of Neighbourhood and Chuck Trailers Bondi, contacted our automotive mixologist, Jeremy, about wanting to give his stock Royal Enfield Interceptor some more street appeal and presence. Having admired the Raposa Prata, Ben knew this was the style he wanted to take the bike – and we we went all in on shaking El Presidente to fruition. 
 
Starting in the rear, the seat hoop was shortened and kicked up to support the custom bench seat covered by Bad Arse Trim Co. Stainless fenders hug the vintage tyres, with the rear supporting the classic style tail light and indicators. Icon shocks keep the bobber stance in check, while progressive springs prevent the front from diving under load. 

 
The cockpit consists of 8″ bobber style bars, the stock switch blocks were replaced with chrome Motone 3 button switches controlled by a PBM blackbox. The bulky stock clocks were ditched for a Motogadget tiny unit, mounted where the original ignition was located, while the ignition was replaced for a motogadget Mo.Lock fob. A chrome bates style headlight was chosen to reinforce the bobber look.
 
The final step was to dress up the engine and rocker, with the engine covers express shipped to chroming giving the covers a harder wearing, mirror finish. The headers were wrapped in a titanium wrap to tie into the gold accents and the heavy stock mufflers were ditched for a pair of reverse cone mufflers.
 
The end result; one of the shiniest, cleanest and most popular builds to roll out of our workshop. It’s an eye catcher, a street styler, and one that looks completely at home alongside Bondi’s sundrenched coastline. To Ben – ride this like it deserves to be ridden, what a ripper.
 
Based in Australia & want to build your own El Presidente? Find the parts at: https://deusparts.com.au/collections/el-presidente
 
For all sale and build enquiries about El Presidente please email: [email protected]
 
Photos by Kenyon Batterson

Gallery

XSR900 Akira

Akira follows the story of best friends Shōtarō Kaneda and Tetsuo Shima, the leaders of the vigilante bosozoku motorcycle gang the Capsules as they battle against both their rival gangs the Clowns and the Government.

Since its premiere in 1988, Akira has amassed a cult following for its incredible cyberpunk animation and gritty depiction of the socioeconomic effect of war and youthful rebellion. Set in dystopian Neo-Tokyo, a city plagued with corruption and motorcycle gang violence. 

Since he was a child JB (one of Jeremy’s Best French Mate) has been one of these cult followers of Akira, and the film inspired him to come up with the concept for his custom XSR900. First, a rendering of the finished bike was created with the help of Artist @jeremylord_ and with the plan set in stone, the build began.  

JB wanted a solid set of wheels for this build- with no off the shelf items available a set needed to be designed. Jeremy Tagand and Mario from Ricci Engineering set to work drawing and designing the alloy discs and clamps that would hold these discs in place on the spokes, with these laser cut and milled they were off to powder coat. 

While waiting for the wheels to return, an @scproject_oceania exhaust was fitted along with a monkeebeast front fender, chain guard, speedo bracket and rear wheel hugger. An @s2concept tail light matched with @kellermann_company Rhombus indicators takes care of the lighting in the rear. While @motogadget MO.Blaze Disc’s sort out the front. 

MO.View Blade mirrors also from motogadget are perched on the end of a set of @rizoma Conical handlebars giving the bike a sinister look. 

The final pieces to be fitted were a set of @motodemic side plates and a skid plate from @givi_official from a tracer 900 which had to be heavily modified to fit the aftermarket exhaust. 

The last step, as always, was to send the paint work off to the wizard over at @sydneycustomspraypainting – Marc Houssenloge to paint the ghosted “X” and Japanese kangi on the tank and skid plate. final details are the decals scattered around the bike which reference Akira and Neo-Tokyo. 

The final product is a dark, ominous, almost understated bike that Testuo Shima could be seen (or unseen) neutralising a few of the clowns on, yet still make a hasty get-away should the 5-0 arrive. 

Based in Australia & want to build your own Akira? Find the parts at: https://deusparts.com.au/collections/akira

For all sale and build enquiries about Akira please email: [email protected]

Photos by Kenyon Batterson

Sea Sider

Since we wanted this new project to have more a bicycle feel to it, we sourced a few vintage bicycle pieces from a neighbouring island and had them restored before adding them into the mix, such as the handlebars and the front light. Another cycle inspired addition was the front basket. A custom metal frame was cut and welded up before being adored with treated wooden slats to give it the perfect nostalgic touch.

Overall we wanted the bike to be as lightweight as we could make it, so we swapped out what we could to aid this, using some imported rims from Japan, stripping the frame of any unneeded parts and generally keeping things simple and purposeful as possible. The exhaust was hand made along with the surf racks, the leather seat was made in a little leather shop just down the road and the bicycle handlebars sport some Japanese small switches.

As soon as it was rolled out of the bengkel doors, we all fought over who got to test ride it around the block first and every single person came back with a smile from ear to ear. “The Seasider” just got rolled onto the showroom floor at the Temple of Enthusiasm in Canggu, so if you are in the neighbourhood, drop by and check it out in person!

Don’t Panic

Some bikes offer more than just speed—they bring style, heritage, and a touch of Mediterranean, even in the dead of winter. For those who appreciate life in the slow(er) lane, a Bel-Air style, nipped, tucked, and rolled custom Vespa 300 SuperSport is the perfect way to get by.

A Vespa carries a legacy—timeless lines, effortless style, and a spirit built for the ride. When one rolled into the Deus Workshop, master craftsman Jeremy Tagand saw more than just heritage; he saw potential. The result? A sleek, modern take that refines the classic curves with high-tech elegance, bringing the best of past and present into perfect balance.

Stripped to its bones, Jeremy got to work, smoothing out the indentations from the original rear indicators and tail light, creating a seamless flow from the seat to the rear. Below the tightened rear fender, the number plate finds sanctuary between whisper-thin Kellerman lights—so discreet they practically apologise for existing.

The front blinkers got the same treatment. After shaving the original indicator mounts, Jeremy repositioned the Kellermann Atto pieces into the old mirror slots atop the handlebars, exposing the front fork and wheel in the process. 

Suspending the Vespa’s new silhouette is a YSS Blackline adjustable suspension, while Michelin rubber keeps it planted. The engine finds its voice through a full Akrapovič exhaust system, ceramic-coated in black—performance wrapped in stealth.

In keeping with the refined bodywork, the cockpit received modern yet understated upgrades—a SIP digital dash, Motogadget grips, button controls, bar-end mirrors, and a blacked-out LED headlight.

Satin black, with winks of gloss, coats the frame—a masterpiece from the hands of Colourfuel. Comfort met craftsmanship in the seat, subtly raised at the back for long-haul support and finished in a mix of plain, perforated, and Alcantara leather, stitched to flow with the Vespa’s natural lines. Powder-coated details on the brake levers and side stand tie the build together.

A Vespa 300 SuperSport, reimagined. Classic where it counts, modern where it matters, timeless everywhere else. No gimmicks, no over-explaining—just a machine stepping into its real identity.

Affectionately called “Don’t Panic.” The name fits. Not loud, not showy—just effortlessly confident. A build that takes what’s already there and makes it something worth looking at twice.