The team at Japan’s OA Proto Corporation—a company that usually spends its time designing parts for bullet trains—just released their “OA 100 Project” custom Kawasaki 250TR, and it is a masterclass in handmade craftsmanship.
The project’s goal was to push back against modern “soulless” mass production by creating a bike that feels like a direct dialogue between the rider and the machine, completely free of electronic aids.
This Custom Kawasaki 250TR Is a Cool Mechanical Wonder
While it looks like a perfectly restored motocrosser from the 1970s, it’s actually based on a 2003 Kawasaki 250TR.
The OA 100 team built almost everything by hand: the steel fuel tank was shaped with a hammer, and the fenders, side covers, and exhaust are all one-off handmade pieces. They also gave the air-cooled 249cc single-cylinder engine a full overhaul to restore its original punch, keeping the bike lightweight at around 350 lbs (160kg).
It’s a beautiful “neo-dirt machine” that blends 70s VMX style with modern accuracy and quality. According to the builders, the bike is meant to be a “dialogue” where you feel every vibration and beat of the engine.
Sources: BikeBound, OA 100 Project
