The donor is a 1980s XT600 and the brief was to create an “unusual, rough, hybrid bike which you can both use as an urban traveler but also in the field.” After stripping the bike the guys set about changing the lines by chopping the rear sub-frame for the must-have seat transformation, but rather than fitting a tank with smooth retro lines, like an XT, they switched it out for an XL, with it’s exaggerated, bulbous lines. The wheels were swapped out for 18-inchers to give the bike more agility, fitted with purposeful chunky Heidenau tyres. A new seat pan was matched to the chopped subframe while rough real leather was used for the seat. Left hand cycles.

seen at the bikeshed