Regulars Rides: Ashley Watson's Kawasaki W650 Custom

There are regulars, and there are regulars and then some. Ashley is the latter. He's often here, from supplying us with new brilliant new wares from his clothing company, exhibiting as part of our annual Bike Shed London Show, taking part in our events like the 'Sunday Scramble' or just dropping in for a coffee!
So, it was high time he pulled his finger out and brought his bike down for a Regulars Rides video.
Ashley customised his Kawasaki W650 to suit his taller frame, replaced parts with some finely engineered vintage pieces and adapted the bike to take him on some amazing trips.
Watch the video for the hows and whys and for more information about his motorcycle clothing brand, visit:
ashleywatson.co.uk

[@Expertpixelpusher]

That bike wants to be dirty. It wears it well. I love the look and dual-use design!

[@harrisonmathew5001]

instablaster...

[@jimmypopp2695]

I just found out about the Triumph clone bike from Kawasaki and I love it!! I have a Kz750 chopper and I got rid of my Triumph bobber and I sold my one off 1650 VW/BMW Ural Hybrid so now I have room for a couple of these bikes. Thanks Ashley!!

[@Spazza42]

I love the emphasis of riding with a map instead of a Sat Nav. He's intending on getting lost and having to pay attention to your surroundings and having some actual knowledge about where you are. It's so easy today to rock up at the front door of a place you've never been to before and forget the journey. This bike is all about the journey. Places A & B are irrelevant. I Love it.

[@zezinharias]

He's just a hipster mate. Don't read too much into it, it's just for aesthetics.

[@ianconnor3937]

Sounds poetic, but just use a GPS or not

[@napalmglop1]

You can also just ride, get lost, look for a nice terrace to get a drink and enjoy it while looking at google maps to figure out where you are and your way back.....

[@smaller_cathedrals]

@@zezinharias Amen to that.

[@billghli]

@@napalmglop1 I went for a ride Sunday just gone, got about 60 miles in but went along the coast, took a wrong turn that had me all over the place with nowhere to turn around and THEN a thunderstorm, was horrible and took me two days to dry my gloves and jacket since it didn't say there was going to be rain but I loved it and just googled my way back after the wrong turn and went from there, getting lost is fun. 😅

[@swannyisnumberone]

Its great to see a bike built passionately with a down to earth performance in mind rather than the eye on a prize. The beauty still shines though its function over form and a make do approach. The luggage is great. Looks like a solid and reliable slugger.

[@robertwoodliff2536]

"Well Officer....., i think I was doing 60 "

[@jakenuas6282]

I really love this kind of bike!!!

[@DriversSide]

That is the coolest looking scrambler ever! I’d use that as an adventure bike any day!

[@david555montez9]

I think I love!!!!! Woooow Amazing machine buddy!!! Congratulations 👏👏👏😉🤘

[@nickjames205]

This may be my favorite of all the regular rides bikes. Just awesome

[@philski2589]

Excellent build, some lovely touches 👌👌👌

[@samiulhuda4134]

Absolutely love the bike

[@abbaby555]

So cool, thanks for sharing

[@doylehurt2014]

Well done!! Have fun!!

[@yahoodlums]

I really like a lot of the handmade touches, especially the brass tail light and the muffler. Good job. Plus, it looks well used which is the best way for bikes to look!

[@esuohdica]

Don't usually like this type of bike, but hearing this guy talk through the build I totally get it now! I would make space for that in the garage no problem!

[@bussanut]

What a great looking bike! Big fan of the side bags. Love the videos guys.

[@WanderingElkFlutes]

I want to know about those headlight brackets, custom job maybe?

[@diggoryrayment1429]

this dude has one of the nicest bikes we have seen on this show

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Great fun - like that one....must get meself a project bike......

[@captainaverage721]

How about an 865 bonnie?

[@glennoc8585]

Looks like something stevev mcqueen would ride.

[@splodge5714]

Nice bike, I have a standard W650 love it. Where's your battery?

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

It's in the pan under the seat.

[@kabeemer]

It's pretty sad Kawasaki discontinued this fantastic machine, with present 600cc market today's, it would be quite interesting if W650 re-introduce again.

[@abhiramchintangal7654]

Hey those pannier frames thingies, it looks like you folks used the rear shock mounts. Was it a straightforward install? I would love to install them. Hopefully I can find em stateside. Cheers and its a dope build!

[@mebeasensei]

I finally returned my w650 to stock airbox and exhaust after ten years of failure trying to jet the carbs for pod airfilters and a pretty open 2-1 exhaust. It was so sad to have to add all the extra weight of the stock chrome pipes and airbox - even though I don't mind the look. But after spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars paying mechanics...countless heartache moments out on the road with it spluttering along I just gave up. The best I could get was fantastic high speed and mid range but just shocking jolting and spluttering at low around town riding in traffic. I give up. I tip my hat to all who have managed to nake their w650s rideable and enjoyable to ride at ALL speeds and conditions, with pods and a 2-1 exhaust.

[@kennymacm3031]

That’s an absolutely cracking bike

[@omega6599]

I liked the video but I feel kinda clickbaited by the fact thet he speaks more of the build than what's like to regularly ride a W650... I did this I chopped that ok, but that's not really what the title promised...

[@mikeskidmore6754]

The Original Kawasaki's were exact clones of British Engines i.ebayimg.com/images/i/252371625095-0-1/s-l1000.jpg

[@RigelThomas]

personally, I like my bike to be a lit bit dirty. awesome bike.

[@martincdmastercarter2468]

Saludos !!!desde mexico bro tengo una similar ala tuya es 1990

[@kdsowen2882]

Nice One . What did you do to the-carbs to make pod-filters work ? Dave nz

[@olrenison]

Nice. Looks great all loaded up ready for adventure. 👍

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

I don't understand why the light and the clocks etc. are superior to the originals. I'd be extremely surprised if the light is brighter than the OEM one. In other words, I lose patience with people who claim to be creating a more practical machine when really it's about achieving a look. NB I have no problem whatsoever with creating a look. My point is simply this: don't try to tell me it's tougher, more practical and functions better - because many of these modifications do not. I owned a W650 for five years and considered several modifications. I quickly realised that none of them could improve on original fitments - the only thing I did do was to fit a mud flap to the front mudguard.

[@diaryofawanderingboot4058]

Custom made is the word.

[@Johan-og4ru]

when he started talking shit about the map I couldn't believe his level of pretentiousness. XD

[@greyghost1101]

Because he likes it. I doubt he cares if you do. Plus it's his to trick out his way not ours.

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

@@greyghost1101 My point is that many of these changes are for aesthetic not practical reasons. Be honest about that. That's all I'm saying.

[@Southwestcatfish]

His bike his opinion yours isn't necessary

[@thorkellthetall4827]

That's a very handsome engine. Always was a fan of visible rocker arms.

[@Stuntman175]

That is not a rocker arm, it's a bevel drive. The cams stay in the head instead of being on the block and a bevel driven rotating assembly takes the power from the crankshaft to the cams up top. This system was made famous by Ducati.

[@georgeclaytonwall]

I like the sound of the bike, but seriously, clean it up once in a while, man. It will slow down the rust.

[@umaxen0048]

This bike is as super-sweet as Pamela Anderson circa her Playboy era, 1998...

[@jimmyb4982]

That's probably the best compliment he's likely to hear.

[@jhhd1]

Awesome bike, always loved the W650, great job

[@Psycrow11]

Bike and Bags are beautiful

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

Thank you - glad you like the look of the panniers.

[@maxschwabenthal3790]

Still waiting for the package system to go for sale…

[@nabilzulkefli6094]

does anyone where can i get the bracket(?) that hold the bag?

[@johncavar2914]

Mmm impressive 👍🏼

[@pinkyn0se]

You forgot to mention your illegal number plate 😂

[@sajan7700]

Where can I find that handlebar???

[@KingstonLaneWorkshop]

Love it great bike

[@mebeasensei]

New W800 has been released for 2019. New injection. 52 bhp. Looks great. Still no kick start and plastic guards, (who cares, we'll change those soon enough) Great news.

[@kingldm]

What a cool looking bike and great story 👍

[@keyboarddancers7751]

There was I thinking it was a requirement when doing adventure bike trips of several weeks that you needed Ohlins electronically adjustable suspension, a nav tower and Kriega Overlander panniers!!

[@hippomanthe1]

How come he can use a black and white plate? The bikes are from the early 2000’s roughly and in the uk vehicles need to be 40 years old to classify for them. Is there a loop hole to use them?

[@digbypowell6208]

Just do it man ! Paint it black then file back the numbers to silver allgoods ! But to be safe on the road make sure you have a loud Pipe to compensate for the modification #loudPipesSaveLives

[@mebeasensei]

Sticking carbs? Welcome to the W World....but a great engine anyway. ..and I want that panier carrier frame...Where is it available?

[@treerat6959]

What a inspirational young man self employed riding cycles defiantly living a dream. And the cycle so utilitarian for work and play and covers both with equal amounts of class.

[@danilocapellan1316]

Nice 👍🏼

[@electricfringe]

I like that. I'm not really a biking enthusiast, I just just use it riding to from work (88 miles a day). But I do like the look and sound if that bike

[@konstantinosmaounis798]

Fantastic build

[@howlingdog77]

My word, that is a cool bike!

[@markbarber7839]

Great presentation. The low idle is nice on the carbureted W. Fuel injection model is 1250rpm

[@vaudiw1]

can i ask the size of k70s you chose ?

[@wal33dmas81]

666 views 6 comments

[@tomasmolnar2890]

useful custom? no way what dimension is that? but seriously good to see a functional custom not those ridiculous choppers or any bike with ape hanger and similar BS good job man

[@mebeasensei]

..love it. I also have a W I've cut and customed and wanna travel, but getting compliance with the custom bits might be a nightmare. Maybe Euro is better. Sticking carb floats seem to be a W650 quirk. Carry a hammer!

[@Flaming360Spider]

Nice good looking motorcycle 👍

[@michaelhayward7572]

Like it. Tank is not T140, more than likely unit '63-70 T120/TR6.

[@Taita8744]

do you actually at least search it before saying these things? mah

[@jerryhelm5118]

Oh a kawy ..best made bike in the world..yeah I said ...owned many of them..my

[@dkmu6]

This bike is made for riding!

[@garykyle5750]

Bloody brilliant mate.

[@primalfitnesstraininguk8619]

Whats the headlight buddy?

[@bekindilyas]

my mans lookin like that tall dude from John wick 3

[@auliarahman7820]

no one? k. the idle sounds is amazing!

[@MrGentileg]

Who built this for you? Lovely bike.

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

It's a workshop called Maven Industries.

[@thepracticalman5905]

Looks brilliant...what a great build!!!!!

[@christiancartmale1150]

Nice, very admirable. I always thought the w650s were neat bikes, we don't have them in Canada. Very cool to see one modified to this extent.

[@robertwoodliff2536]

Nice to see a usable tool, rather than a road going tiara. Form and function, not bling and buzz.

[@nickknight4068]

Looks like a turd.

[@johannesvanderwesthuizen6906]

I'd put a quilted leather seat on it instead but apart from that it's perfect

[@michaelhayward7572]

Er, whatever floats your boat man...

[@ronhipwell5543]

Well done! Love what you’ve done here. Bravo!

[@wiredmoto]

I want it!

[@blogusvox]

One thing I like about your bike concept... few people will have the interest of stealing it.

[@gdenir]

Пока мечтал о спортбайке, уже и ижы деревенские в моду пошли, жаль и иж продал.😂

[@kevinh4910]

This is bad ass

[@kencward]

Love that bike@

[@handyman7297]

love the bike only rpms are kinda low

[@ohiomoto]

I totally wanted to scream hipster and poser at this guy and berate him for ruining one of the best modern retro bike out there. But seeing that he actually rides it how he does, he is forgiven. Haha

[@ixiknivesixi1058]

Almost sounds like an old prop plane. Great, or brilliant as our cousins would say.

[@garyb2392]

She’s a beauty

[@ivanmondragon2735]

im gonna use this bike as my prime inspiration for my first build, i love it. cheers from canada

[@mraz5812]

Cool bike makes the rider look cool.

[@thomaswaldorf9141]

would like to listen to it run.

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

Thomas Waldorf Watch the video then....

[@utesbikes63]

Bloody nice bike well done where can we see more pic of it?

[@angrymancunian]

Like the bike! Sounds rougher than a bus full of Valley Commandos though!

[@elizabethpedro3103]

nice............

[@icecreamtruckog3667]

So many hipsters so little time.

[@JamesCouch777]

Awesome job on the build 👍

[@lucaaiello9340]

good job hasley

[@JasonPatz]

This is the best motorcycle.

[@josephconradbaker]

Superb

[@YA-ee9zf]

how do you get these bike legal xD it looks like a safety hazard

[@stephenallen3683]

Really nice bike,needs to be ridden and used love the build.

[@Cezhiyan07]

What is the name of starting music?

[@dyolinlinlin]

When everything in a genre looks exactly the same, is it still "custom"? Hmmm

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

It's custom if you made it yourself - even if it looks similar to other bikes. ... and with so many custom's out there, it's hard to look totally unique. What makes this bike a one-off is the owner and the journeys he's made, ...which is ultimately what bikes are for.

[@Kirchert919]

wow this bike is SICK !

[@Davolas46]

I love that MT500 side luggage

[@paulonline123]

That’s one of my favourites.