Ronin x Uncrate Motorcycles

In 2009, the middle of the worldwide financial crisis, Harley-Davidson announced it was killing their Buell line, effective immediately. While most saw tragedy, Mike Mayberry and Richard Fitzpatrick of firearms accessories company Magpul Industries saw an opportunity. They'd been impressed by the liquid-cooled Rotax V-twin engine and fuel-in-frame of Buell's final offering, the 1125, and set about building a pared-down, aggressive new bike using it as the base. Essentially building what they thought the 1125 should have been all along, while adding their own spin, drawing from their background in rifle chassis, stock, and sight design.

It began as a prototype, stripping away the unnecessary 1125 bodywork while adding a custom monoshock linkage suspension system, ram air intake, high-flow exhaust, and signature front-mounted radiator. It was only after this bike was finished that they learned of Buell's demise, and, reminded of the Japanese samurai legend Ronin — in which 47 samurai commit to avenging their lost master — they set about buying up 1125s to make their own pack of warrior-worthy bikes.

Our collaboration involves two of the 47, nos. 46 and 40, which received a satin black airbox cover and black paint on the front and rear main springs, front fork links, and subframe. Smoke gray was used to replace the taillight lens, the cast rearsets replaced with black anodized billet parts from vintage racers, the muffler endcaps repainted in black cerakote, and the entire exhaust wrapped with black header tape. As a finishing touch, the seat was reupholstered in black leather by Clint Wilkinson, giving this unique, limited bike a menacing look worthy of its fierce namesake.

Purchasing will be through Uncrate Supply, with two identical bikes available.

As seen in Uncrate Issue 04.

Photos: Aaron Brimhall / Zach Jenkins / Steven Clouse / Uncrate