motomatic step your game up is a minimalist custom moped

the ‘step up your game’ is a customized moped by california-based bike workshop motomatic. they began with a traditional batavus ‘HS-50’ motorcycle, stripped it back to the essentials and created this minimalist moped that looks worthy of a place in an art museum, as much as it deserves to be ridden.

before: batavus HS-50 motorcycle
all images © motomatic

motomatic‘s ‘step your game up’ custom moped was a project commissioned by ex-professional skateboarder mike rafter. upon his request, the workshop crafted the seat, rear-end and motor mounts. tooling for the company was limited at the time, so oxy-acetylene welder was utilized for all fusing. the moped’s tubing was hand-bent with a vice and torch. body filler wasn’t required for the original frame, just a touch-up with powdercoating. the ‘step your game up’s’ wheels have been formed out of parts from four completely different bikes. the minimalist moped is finished with black paint on the tank and the seat is upholstered with red and black leather.

after: ‘step your game up’ custom moped

motomatic’s goal is to build custom bikes that have the nostalgic value of the past, the power and technology of the present, combining reliability with attractive styling.