Practicality is a hot topic around here?so much so that we’ve added the word ‘fenders’ to our comment moderation watch list.
But our own tastes are eclectic, and we can appreciate everything from finely tuned race machines to bobbers with wafer-thin saddles. And we love the machines that roll out of K-Speed.

We’ve seen them subtly tweak modern Triumphs to perfection?and then build dark and scruffy BMWs that arrest our attention every time.
This one is called Diablo and it has no fenders, a dubious seat and trials tires?but it’s just so damn cool. And no, it’s not another BMW; it’s an early-80s 750cc Ural boxer knockoff.

K-Speed’s primary business is parts and accessories. They’re based in Bangkok, but have branches all over Thailand. With their ears close to the ground, they spotted this Ural in a junkyard in the northern eastern region?incomplete, but still plated. ?We wanted to buy it because of the boxer engine,? they tell us. ?We tried to start the engine?and luckily it worked! But at that time our garage had a lot of jobs to do, so we left the Ural for three months.?

?We got the bike very cheap, and we set the budget for customizing at 50,000 Baht (about $1,400). That made it very challenging for us.?
K-Speed started at the back, lopping off the subframe in favor of a gusseted, single tube support to hold the solo perch. An off-the-shelf taillight is neatly tucked into the end.

The fuel tank’s an o...