AFTR usually highlights people building their own bikes — first‑timers, tinkerers, weekend problem‑solvers, and anyone who decided to take on a project and make it theirs. Some ride, some don’t yet, and some only discover they want to ride after the build is done. What they all share is the willingness to dive in.
But every so often, a professional build comes along that shows what’s possible when skilled hands, total creative freedom, and the right components come together. The RE1000 is one of those machines.
Built for the 2026 Busted Knuckles Build Off, the RE1000 is a collaboration between some of the most capable craftspeople in the Australian custom scene — a ground‑up reimagining of the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 that pushes the platform far beyond anything seen before.
According to GRID Motorcycles’ official BKBO feature, the RE1000 is built around a “world‑first 1000cc Royal Enfield parallel twin,” developed from the Shotgun 650 platform.
This engine was brought to life by Jesse Robinson of Robinson Precision Engines (@robinsonengines), transforming the familiar 650 architecture into something entirely new beneath the surface.
Around this engine, nearly everything else was fabricated by hand.
The design and fabrication work was led by Dylan Brown of Brawl Donny Metalworks (@brawldonnymetalworks) — a one‑man shop known for metal shaping, specialist welding and uncompromising craftsmanship. Dylan built a custom chromoly frame specifically for the RE1000, then polished it to a finish that feels both timeless and aggressive. He shaped the aluminum tank, fenders, triple clamps, handlebars and countless one‑off components, each made with intent rather than speed.
The finishing touches came from a tight, highly skilled team:
- Robinson Precision Engines (@robinsonengines) — all engine work
- Justin Holmes of Popbang Classics (@popbangclassics) — paintwork
- Timeless Automotive Trimming (@timeless.autotrim) — the glossy black leather seat, described by young Donny as “mad chopper shit”
- Tommaso Fossati (@tom.fossati) — for the great shots
- GRID Motorcycles (@gridmotorcycles) — the Royal Enfield dealer and the force that brought the collaboration together
Electrical components from NWT Cycletronic were chosen for their simplicity and reliability — a clean solution in a build where every detail is deliberate. And as always, we’re grateful to the entire team for taking #NWTAlongForTheRide.
What makes the RE1000 stand out isn’t just the engine capacity or the craftsmanship. It’s how clearly it answers the BKBO brief: no constraints on modification, and a requirement to reflect creativity while still understanding Royal Enfield’s brand values. The RE1000 embraces that freedom fully while staying connected to the brand’s mechanical honesty.
GRID Motorcycles summed it up clearly in their announcement:
@brawldonnymetalworks and @robinsonengines have created a truly timeless machine… a hybrid Japanese chopper/drag bike which showcases the true potential for all future projects and collaborations under the Grid Motorcycles umbrella.
@gridmotorcycles
For the 2026 Busted Knuckles Build Off, that ambition paid off.
The RE1000 took home the trophy — a fully hand‑built custom, a world‑first engine, and a motorcycle impossible to ignore.
This isn’t your typical AFTR feature. But it’s a reminder of what’s possible when vision, skill and craftsmanship meet a platform built to be shaped.
Congratulations and well done fellas!
Check them out on their socials and everywhere else. Be inspired — and go for it.
