PROJECT DELTA: Royal Enfield Super Meteor by PBM.

For a hell of a long time, the vast majority of elite custom motorcycles entered into the world’s biggest shows and build-offs have been powered by the iconic V-Twins from Milwaukee. The biggest shops in North America, Europe, and Japan stuck with this tried-and-true platform, and the winners' lists from events like AMD, Biker Build Offs, and Mooneyes were often dominated by the same engines. That was until recently when more and more of the best customisers on the planet turned to a new power plant; the new twin on the block. Engineered at Royal Enfield's Technology Centre in Bruntingthorpe, England, it has the elegant design language and glorious sound required for the job. So, when Royal Enfield asked Australia's Purpose Built Moto to use one of their new Super Meteor 650s as the basis for a custom build, the team seized the moment and crafted their magnum opus, a truly magnificent motorcycle they call Delta. The Greek letter Delta signifies change, which in this instance, can represent the shift from one proven engine configuration to another. But for PBM, the Delta, which forms part of their logo, has come to symbolise their commitment to constant change and growth. “We have a sharp focus on consistent progress and have held fast to the idea that if we stop moving forward, we cease to exist,” PBM’s Tom Gilroy explains. While Tom was initially surprised that a major manufacturer sought his services, to us it was simply a wise decision. And he quickly realised that this was “our chance to showcase just what we’re capable of when given creative freedom and control over the outcome of a build in its entirety.” To come up with a concept, Tom immersed himself in everything Royal Enfield and came away with a deep appreciation for the brand’s simplicity and soul. “Taking the lead from RE’s history, we crafted a motorcycle inspired by a very simple time in motorcycling, the '40s and '50s. Looking at models like the original Super Meteor 700 and one of my personal favourites, the Flying Flea from World War II.”