Rebuilding bikes is a speciality with Rajputana Custom Motorcycle since years with huge appreciation by fans from India or worldwide, be it the previously successful modification of a stock 350cc Royal Enfield into the Original Gangster, 535cc Enfield souped up to 600cc and christened Loco or the famous Laado, the World War II era 500cc BSA M20. The Chingari and 8 ball were the latest addition in the list.
Vijay Singh, the proud former of RCM, has announced his first Custom Harley Davidson project few months back, said ‘We always treat our bikes like women. And, naturally, the one which is most beautiful like the queen mother, should be called Rajmata’ when to talk about the latest pair of wheels to come out of his stable—the Rajmata, which is being displayed in Delhi Auto Expo 2012, which is the Largest Automotive show in India and the only complete Automotive show in World.
Rahul Dutta from Starving Artist Videos (S.A.V) stopped by to see Rajmata. Copyright : Vimeo.com
This 1200cc Harley Davidson 48 had been handed over to Singh by its owner Samar Sherlekar from Mumbai in May. Sherlekar had wanted the bike customised without any jazzy frills. “I didn’t give Vijay any specifications about the modifications ,” says Sherlekar on phone from Mumbai. “He’s a bike modifier and knows his bikes well. So, I just told him that I want a bike that looks Rajputana.” So Singh came up with a special plan for the Harley. Apart from adding two mean-looking, one-of-their-kind suspension springers, secondary drive trains, etc. and, basically remaking the bike from frame up, he decorated it in traditional Rajasthani style. “There is naqaashi on it and the leather work has been done by horse saddle makers,” reveals Singh. It took Singh six months to rebuild the latest one. And, Sherlekar doesn’t expect to reunite with her till the first week of February. Currently, the Rajmata is busy blowing away the minds of motorists at the Auto Expo in New Delhi, which will be on till Wednesday. 
Photography : Taranjeet Slatch at the Auto Expo (Shared by RCM) and RCM.