Christian Moretti discusses his projects at Plan B Motorcycles
Like most kids, I was always interested in anything with wheels, from skateboards to bicycles. Then, I moved on to mopeds and finally cars and motorcycles. However, the problem at the time, and even today to some extent, was that I didn’t have much money, and there wasn’t a motorcycle on the market that felt “right” for me. My father had a beaten-up Yamaha XT600z Ténéré in the garage, and I had the foolish idea that taking it apart to build my first bike would be cheaper than buying one. I didn’t have any knowledge about what I was doing, so I learned the hard way through multiple failures. But that’s what started my love for transforming and building stuff.
My interest in creating a unique and custom bike project from this neglected Yamaha led me to discover the concept of the cafe racer, popular in Italy and other parts of Europe. This was a pivotal moment for me like a pin was discovered amongst a sea of pins on Pinterest, sparking a whole new wave of creative ideas. One of the best moments of my life that changed a lot.
Story of Plan B Motorcycles
My background in design and engineering has greatly influenced my approach to electric motorcycle customization. Although I had never worked on an electric motorcycle before, I saw it as a challenge and an opportunity. My approach to work is to build a story behind it. I seek historical references, develop connections, and create a mood board with photos, sketches, and ideas. I then work within these boundaries to design the motorcycles. In the words of “The Legend of 1900,” “Take piano: keys begin, keys end. They are not infinite. You’re infinite… And on those keys, the music that you can create… is infinite.” That’s what I try to achieve while working within a defined creative space.
Aesthetics play a significant role in my creations. For me, the look and stance of the motorcycle are the most important aspects. I’m willing to sacrifice comfort and practicality for aesthetics. However, I believe it should always be about the “motion” and the feeling you experience while riding. Otherwise, we’d be dealing with styled chairs and other objects that lack the thrill of riding a motorcycle. Often, when I try to implement big changes to the frame or other components of a two-wheeler, it’s to achieve a cleaner, more streamlined look.
This Custom Store / Shop Runs on Music
My creative process is deeply influenced by my love for music. I’m always listening to music when working in the shop on a project. I see the bike as a studio album, where every part is a separate track. Some parts may stand out, like an intricate tail section or a heavy front brake assembly, but all the tracks need to work together and give the right vibe to the “album.” This connection between music and motorcycles inspires my creative process.
What sets Plan B Motorcycles apart from other custom bike workshops is that I work alone, and I’m not a designer or mechanic by trade. I’m constantly learning, which means that each bike I build incorporates something new that I’ve just learned. This makes every bike fresh and flawed in its own way. Additionally, I spend countless hours adjusting the size and proportions of every part I make until I’m completely satisfied. This attention to detail and personal touch makes each bike I build a unique and intimate journey.
I’m currently working on several projects simultaneously. I’m jumping from a fuel-injected, dry-clutched 3-cylinder two-stroke “endurance-style” project to a Cagiva/Ducati hybrid single cylinder and a custom moped. I’m also working on a classic café racer Yamaha tr-1, where I flipped the rear head and a completely hand-built custom Ducati. Although I’m currently more excited about traditional engine work and machining, I’m also exploring the integration of automation and software programming, such as Arduino, to expand the creative possibilities.
The transformation of the Zero FX into a sleek road machine was an interesting project.
I wanted to use it as a foundation for something different, turning a basic platform into a road-oriented bike. I made significant changes to the geometry of the bike while leaving the main frame almost untouched.
his approach reminded me of how I started working on motorcycles, converting an old off-road bike into a café racer. As I continue to explore and find new ways to evolve my craft, I look forward to each new project that comes into the Plan B Motorcycles garage, as it gives me the chance to further push the boundaries of what can be achieved.
Christian Moretti-Plan B Motorcycles
