We all know about hybrid cars, with petrol engines and electric motors sharing powertrain duties. And Kawasaki is promising hybrid motorcycles in its showrooms by 2025.
But the Japanese giant has been beaten to the punch by a couple of blokes in London, and an ancient Velocette that?s almost a century old. Because Rex Martin and Adam Kay of Untitled Motorcycles have created one of the most intriguing customs we?ve ever seen?with a modern 400W hub motor working alongside an elderly two-stroke single.

Rex bought the 1931 Velocette 250 GTP last year. The bike belonged to one of his customers, and Rex knew it well. So when the customer relocated to the USA, Rex parked the Velocette alongside the two-stroke Scott already in his garage.
After riding the bike throughout summer, trouble struck: the big end gave up. Suspecting oil starvation, Rex sent the broken motor to Alpha Bearings, who stripped it and found that it had a non-standard big end.
While contemplating the repair of the Velocette, Rex came up with an unorthodox but very practical idea. And it wouldn?t involve any cutting, grinding, or terminal damage to the GTP.
At Untitled, Adam Kay was electrifying a Honda Cub, fitting an electric motor into the rear hub. Rex realized that they could also add an electric motor to the Velocette?as an independent power source.

Adam gathered together the components they needed: a hub motor and associated wheel, a 72V 30Ah battery, a voltage controller and a new twist grip. (...