Chicago shop Federal Moto is yet to use the some donor twice. So, this build is unique to begin with. The base motorcycle is a 2014 Royal Enfield Continental GT. Mike and Peter Müller saw more potential in the already good-looking cafe racer. “The Continental GT is an interesting case: it’s essentially the same as a 1960s motorcycle, but with a few modern advancements,” says Peter. Federal set out to make a modernised version of the classic Royal Enfield cafe racer, and started by stripping the Continental GT down to a bare frame. (Source: Bikeexif)
Up top is a new, minimal subframe, topped off with a new saddle that’s been upholstered in full-grain leather. Federal embedded an LED taillight in the rear of the seat, and finished off the tail with a stubby custom-made fender. This GT is sporting a radically different silhouette near the front too, thanks to a mid-70s Honda CB360 fuel tank. Fitting it to the Enfield’s frame meant completely reshaping its tunnel, but to our eyes, it was worth the effort. (Source: Bikeexif)
Even though the Enfield’s engine had only just been run in, Federal still took it apart for inspection. Then they refinished the exterior in satin black, with hand-brushed aluminum covers, and swapped all the hardware out for stainless steel fasteners. They also trashed the EFI system, and replaced it with a performance carb conversion kit from Indimotard’s Greasehouse Customs in Bangalore, kitted with a brand spanking new Mikuni carb. The stock exhaust was cut down to a straight-through drag pipe with internal baffling, finished off with a black wrap and a stainless steel heat shield. (Source: Bikeexif)
The Continental GT comes fitted with Excel rims in stock trim, so the guys saw no need to swap them out. They simply had the rims and hubs powder coated black, relaced them with stainless steel spokes, and spooned on fresh Metzeler Lasertec rubber. The stock Brembo brake system’s still there too, except it’s now running high-pressure lines from Goodridge. A new wiring harness is linked up to switches from Posh Japan, and a single speedo and tacho combo dial from KOSO. The cockpit’s been tweaked further with lower clip-ons and Biltwell grips. There’s a vintage-style headlight up front, mounted on custom ears that also house discreet LED turn signals. (Source: Bikeexif)
The Enfield’s new paint scheme is a nod to the ‘Grand Trunk Express;’ one of India’s oldest and longest railway lines. The actual livery was taken from the Indian Railways passenger train, and executed by The Iron Stables in Chicago. Federal named the bike after the line too—its official designation is now ‘Grand Trunk Express’. (Source: Bikeexif)
