Alex Bernstein's inspirational shoot of the Case Study Tracker 01, featured in Iron & Air issue 028.

Alex Bernstein's inspirational shoot of the Case Study Tracker 01, featured in Iron & Air issue 028.

We set out to build a custom tracker that could live on the street as well as the track. Instead of going right for a modern bike, we enjoyed the simplicity and honesty of an old carb'd machine. Not too old though; the Case Study Tracker actually started life as a 2000 Yamaha WR400F that had a previous life as an adventure bike exploring the deserts of the Southwest. 

The design became rather experimental when we threw all convention out the window and looked towards MotoGP architecture. The fuel tank is a bespoke aluminum unit under the seat and tail, the suspension built specifically by Traxxion Dynamics, and the Arrow exhaust can supplemented by a mechanically organic pipe made from 30-odd laser pie-cut pieces, the whole unit is titanium.

With no more fuel up top, we could push the seat all the way forward and the old backbone-style steel frame allowed for a very skinny bike. The traditional rider envelope became more modern with the rider's weight much more forward. It still functions really well as a tracker because of the fuel mass over the rear tire providing great drive out of corners.

As the bike evolved, the experimental ergonomics and simplicity of materials echoed what Charles and Ray Eames intended with modern design in the 20th century. However, now in the 21st, we have assigned such a high premium on "original" mid century modern pieces that it borders on absurdity. The Eames', especially, were producing progressive design en masse to make modernism affordable and attainable.

It was here that we did away with the "traditional bike" finishes like paint and carbon fiber. All the materials creating a motorcycle are the same as used in furniture, they just serve a different purpose. Instead of painting fiberglass, we can just tint the resin. Instead or anodizing the aluminum we can just brush it. Instead of trimming it with carbon fiber panels we can use plywood and veneer... Okay, that is obviously our biggest nod to the Eames, those panels are 3/4" pressed ply with American Walnut veneer just like the Lounge Chair. 

So the bike has become our case study of sorts: a useable, evolving experiment. It simultaneously pays homage to these mid century design icons while critiquing the relative stagnation in the 50 years since then.

The Design: The Crooked Rooster is a fully bespoke bike. Cohen and Sons wanted a vintage feeling scrambler with a little more capability than a properly old bike. This brief came together as sort of an oddball Baja/Dakar race inspired bike with heavy city/cafe cues and hints of contemporary functional styling.

Throughout the build we aimed to work in various materials and processes used throughout their products and carry them over to the bike. They opened the factory doors and let us laser-etch the leather just as done with their goods. As a wink to the artisans of the past we commissioned acclaimed lettering artist and sign painter Remy Chwae to hand paint the vintage MX400 tank with an insignia and a re-imagined Cohen&Sons logo. The seat is hand crafted with the same leather they use to create their belts and keychains.

The Build: Using a 1991 Yamaha XT600E as a base, we combined old and new in fun and strange ways. The bike has a completely new subframe (now symmetrical) and wears a 1975 Yamaha MX400 aluminum gas tank with hand-rolled aluminum fenders; the front combining into a robot chicken beak-like structure that gave birth to the bike's name. An 80s Supertrap exhaust can, along with a custom Motobox billet aluminum tail light and frame plug signals tidy up the rear.

It’s not the lightest or most powerful bike, but it leaves you grinning 100% of the time. It’s perfect to blast around the city and then take you off road to your favorite camp site. Zach Cohen would like to add: "In your well-worn C&S denim of course."

Yes, it does that all very nicely, indeed.

The Super Scrambler is what a 2000's Hyper Motard would be as envisioned by a futurist from the 70s using a bike from the 90's. It's raw and ethereal, engaging you to be a wild animal while riding it. It began life as a 1993 Ducati 900 Super Sport. 

It's equal parts Italian hooligan bike and On Any Sunday panache. It's too fast for it's brakes, it wheelies everywhere and it is surprisingly capable off road so long as you keep your throttle hand in check. 

It's as scary as it is fun, and it will honestly change your life. We have all the parts to make another one; just waiting for the brave soul who wants to party.

This is Lindsay's race bike. It's a 2008+ Yamaha R6 built to Superstock 600 rules. It's a capable piece of machinery, he's got a handful of race wins, more 2nd and 3rd places and he cares to admit, and it's still competitive as ever.

The graphic design ethos behind this bike was to bring something crisp and professional to the club racing paddock. The inspiration was neon colors from 1990's racing and color-blocked like 1960's graphic design and advertising. Bold colors and distinct lines give good contrast and increase visibility while on track.

It's set up loose like a Moto2 bike, so you slide the rear end into the corners while you hang every limb you can spare off to the inside like a maniac.

This is a collection of cool pics shot while moonlighting as moto journos.

Indian Motorcycle RSD Tracker shots by Todd Williams.

Yamaha R1 shots by CaliPhotography.

A gallery shot by Cohen&Sons, curated by Lindz at Pista Design.