We’re always curious about where custom motorcycle builders find their inspiration. But the creator of this aggressive Yamaha R1 cites an unlikely source: the beloved 80s arcade game, Pac-Man. More specifically, Inky?the blue ghost that chases the game’s eponymous hero.
This is the personal ride of Ted Lee, who runs Pit Works Design in Taipei, Taiwan. Pit Works is an industrial design house with a focus on motorcycling, and uses modern processes (like 3D printing) to create custom bike parts and other moto-related products. Custom motorcycles form part of their repertoire too.

Not many people would customize a 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1 quite this drastically, but Ted was working with a donor that had already been molested. ?It had been remodeled before, without success,? he tells us. ?Its subframe was cut off, and the wires were exposed and full of dust.? With more than enough power from the R1’s 998 cc four-cylinder engine, and running gear that was up to the task, Ted saw no need for expensive upgrades. Instead, he simply overhauled the stock stuff to make sure everything was tiptop, and focused on cosmetics. The idea here was to show off Pit Works’ know-how of materials and composites.

The only piece of OEM bodywork left on this R1 is its fuel tank?but it’s not quite original any more. Ted cut-and-shut it to tighten up the proportions, then converted it into a cover that sits over a custom-made steel reservoir. It’s topped off with a ca...