The Kawasaki W650 has been customized in myriad ways, but we seldom see it as a pure engine donor for another project. And why not" Kawasaki’s classically-style parallel twin is arguably one of the most attractive motors from the past couple of decades.
This delightful hardtail bobber uses the engine, gearbox, carbs and the basic electrics from a 1999-model W650. But every other part has come from somewhere else, or been made from scratch. A tasteful combo by owner and builder, Marnitz Venter.

Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Marnitz’s love for vintage twins runs deep. He has a few classic BSAs and Triumphs in his garage, and runs the retro parts and apparel site Old Skool Trading. Custom jobs occasionally get squeezed in between life’s other priorities. Marnitz’s last build was a show-stopping Triumph bobber that took four years to finish, but also bagged gold at the Lightning Bolt custom show in Cape Town, late last year. After the show, Marnitz ?was sort of looking for a project, but not really.? That is, until he saw a partially built Kawasaki W650 standing in the corner of a local shop, V Custom Cycles.

?I was looking for something reliable that you can just hop on and go,? he tells us. ?I fell in love with the look of this motor, especially the bevel drive side. I asked Patt [V Custom Cycles owner] about the bike and he said I must make him an offer?the next moment there was a new project standing in my garage.?
Although the bike...