Retro Modern: An Italian spin on Japanese sport bikes

Some would argue that versatility is the mark of true talent. By that measure, the guys from North East Custom sure are talented. The last North East bike we featured was a classy BMW R100RS. Now brothers Diego and Riccardo Coppiello have hit back—with two very different Japanese machines from their workshop in Padua, Italy. One is a 1992 Honda VFR750 (above), reimagined as a classic racer. The other is a more recent Yamaha FZ6 (top), stripped down to the basics. They're equally neat and eye-catching builds. “We loved building these bikes,” says Diego, “because it was a good opportunity...