Over the past year, our workshop has been buzzing with activity around a project that marks a significant milestone for Purpose Built Moto. We’ve been given a rare opportunity by a major motorcycle manufacturer—Royal Enfield—to take their brand-new Super Meteor 650 and completely reimagine it. We named this build “Project Delta,” because it represents the constant change and evolution that’s always been at the heart of Purpose Built Moto. From our early days in a suburban garage to where we stand today, this is a story of dedication, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of new possibilities.
At Purpose Built Moto, each bike we create is a testament to how we’ve grown. In the early days, we were a humble one-man band working out of a cramped shed on the Gold Coast. Over time, that passion drew in a team of specialists, each offering unique skills that we honed with every new custom build. Now, we’re able to take on bigger, more ambitious projects—and Project Delta is proof of that.
When Royal Enfield reached out, we saw it as more than just a “build a custom bike” request. This was a chance to blend our creativity with their rich heritage. Royal Enfield, known for its classic throwback models and dedicated community, essentially gave us the keys to do what we do best. For us, it was both exhilarating and humbling:
“They told us, ‘Here’s a motorcycle—call us when you’re done. Do whatever you want to it.’” – Tom
That kind of freedom doesn’t come often. We knew this build had to show not only the craftsmanship we’re proud of, but also push the boundaries of what modern custom motorcycles can look and feel like.
So settle in. We’re about to dive into the full, unfiltered tale of how one Super Meteor 650 became a testament to Royal Enfield’s heritage, our workshop’s identity, and the boundless potential of custom motorcycle culture.
The Super Meteor 650 is Royal Enfield’s take on a modern cruiser, powered by a 270-degree parallel twin engine. Right out of the crate, it’s got a low-slung stance and offers comfort for all-day rides. But when we saw it, we looked past the factory styling and asked ourselves: “How do we channel classic motorcycle elements into this platform, while still pushing for something truly one-of-a-kind?”
The answer came in the form of a vintage-inspired approach that borrowed cues from some of Royal Enfield’s older models—bikes like the original Meteor and the iconic Flying Flea. Stripping away modern excess, building a girder front end, and opting for a monoshock rear, we aimed to create a silhouette that would echo the golden age of motorcycling from the 1940s and ’50s. As Tom said in our initial discussions about the design direction:
“I rely heavily on the feedback and energy I get from my clients. This time, our ‘client’ was a manufacturer with decades of heritage, so I took inspiration from their back catalog and found elements to pull into a style we love to build at Purpose Built Moto.”
One of the first questions we get is, “Why call it Project Delta?” The word “delta” in mathematical terms is used to signify change—evolution from one state to another. For us, that’s exactly what this build represents. Over the years, Purpose Built Moto has been on a trajectory of constant refinement: from small garage builds to large-scale projects for international brands. It only felt right that we name a bike this significant after the constant forward motion that got us here.
You’ll also notice the offset triangle in our Purpose Built Moto logo. That’s the Greek delta symbol, there by design to remind us—and everyone else—of our commitment to remain in motion, always improving our craft.
We approached Project Delta with a few guiding principles in mind:
- Weight Reduction: Both physical and visual. Modern factory bikes come loaded with parts that might be functional, but also bulky. By carefully removing unnecessary components, we aimed to enhance performance and bring back the raw experience of a classic ride.
- Vintage Styling: Girder forks, hand-shift configurations, and a minimalist approach to aesthetics. We wanted this build to pay homage to the charm of older bikes, but with a Purpose Built Moto twist.
- Unfiltered Ride Feel: We’re big on capturing a more visceral connection to the road. The original Super Meteor is comfortable, but we wanted something that also had a bit of edge—something you feel in the handlebars, seat, and throttle the moment you take off.
- Showcasing the Engine: Royal Enfield’s 650 twin is a gem—torquey, responsive, and easy on the eyes. Part of our design strategy was to let that powerplant shine. Our custom aluminum tank hugs the top frame rail and leaves the engine fully visible, so you get an immediate visual hit of what’s propelling you down the road.
Front End: Possibly the most striking element. We set out to create a fully functional girder fork, pulling from the design of older Royal Enfields like the Flying Flea. It’s not just a showpiece—it’s been built with modern standards of rideability and geometry in mind.
Frame Modifications: We removed a hefty portion of the stock frame, saving a significant amount of weight. We also incorporated an “oil in frame” concept, hiding the oil cooling system and cleaning up the bike’s silhouette. Out back, we replaced the twin shocks with a custom monoshock setup and a one-off swing arm, adding a dash of modern engineering to a timeless look.
Tank and Bodywork: We shaped the aluminum fuel tank in-house for a slimmer profile that accentuates the engine. The seat is a floating bobber-style design, trimmed in leather that’s reminiscent of old-school craftsmanship. Fender work, custom brackets, and smaller details like the art-deco-style rear light round out the purposeful vibe we were after.
Hand-Shifter and Controls: One of the coolest pieces of visual flair is the hand-shift mechanism. We relocated the clutch to the left side of the tank to amplify that vintage feel. The left handlebar stays clean while you shift by hand—an unexpected twist that brings some novelty to riding this machine.
Exhaust and Intake: We hand-fabricated a stainless steel fishtail exhaust, a nod to older Royal Enfields. The velocity stacks were metal-spun after a chance meeting in a workshop in Greece, an experience that adds even more character to this unique machine.
Project Delta isn’t just a one-off experiment. We see it as the jumping-off point for more radical, ground-up custom work at Purpose Built Moto. Over the last year, we’ve learned a lot about advanced fabrication methods, from manual machining of girder forks to intricate frame designs. Now that we’ve proven what’s possible, we plan to keep pushing the envelope.
“I never want our newest bike to be the same as the previous one. Everything that we build, I strive to make just that little bit better,” Tom explains. “We aim to evolve our skills, ideas, and design DNA so that each project tells a new story.”
Project Delta has taken us on a deep dive into Royal Enfield’s heritage, challenged our team’s skills, and given us a canvas to showcase who we are as a workshop. Throughout the process, we’ve stayed true to our guiding principles of craftsmanship, simplicity, and community-driven passion for custom motorcycle culture. The end result is a machine that stands apart from anything you’ll see rolling off a factory floor—classic in spirit, distinctly Purpose Built Moto in execution.
This blog is just the beginning of the story. We’ll be sharing detailed build episodes that break down specific parts of this project—from frame modifications and the custom girder front end, to painting, wiring, and the final test ride. Each chapter will give you an inside look at the hurdles, breakthroughs, and creative victories that made Project Delta what it is.
For now, we hope you get a sense of just how significant this build is for us. It’s not every day a major manufacturer hands us a new bike and tells us to let our imaginations run wild. We’ve taken that opportunity and pushed ourselves to create something that captures the essence of both Royal Enfield’s heritage and our unrelenting drive to keep moving forward.
WE BUILD BIKES WITH PURPOSE.
Purpose Built Moto is home for unique custom motorcycle builds. We offer a unique motorcycle customizing experience in the heart of the Gold Coast.
