Some would argue that versatility is the mark of true talent. By that measure, the guys from North East Custom sure are talented.
The last North East bike we featured was a classy BMW R100RS. Now brothers Diego and Riccardo Coppiello have hit back?with two very different Japanese machines from their workshop in Padua, Italy.

One is a 1992 Honda VFR750 (above), reimagined as a classic racer. The other is a more recent Yamaha FZ6 (top), stripped down to the basics. They’re equally neat and eye-catching builds.
?We loved building these bikes,? says Diego, ?because it was a good opportunity for us to work on two machines that would otherwise have been sold for newer ones.?

?It’s always very exciting to give new life to something people don’t want any more.? Yamaha’s FZ6 has always been lauded for its reliability and performance. But its looks hardly excite. ?So what to do with it"? asks Diego. ?Trade it in for a new one, and after six years do it all over again" Or trust two curly-haired brothers to give it new life"?
Thankfully, their client went with the second option. So North East tore the 2006-model FZ6 down, rebuilding it with a stunt-inspired aesthetic.

The tank is a one-off, designed to tuck against the Yamaha’s bulky frame. The front headlight shroud and fender are also custom.
Out back, the brothers reworked the subframe for a lighter look, building an LED tail light into the rear. The seat’s heft is intention...