LM motorcycle series by dab design merges new technologies with craftsmanship

plunged into the world of motorcycle by passion, french product designer simon dabadie founded dab design in 2015 for custom bikes and parts. this atypical background brings together technologies and craftsmanship in order to reinvent the ‘rules’ of motorbike production. ‘through the use of 3D tools, each step of a project is redefined, from the visualization of the final product to the manufacturing of custom part,’ explains dabadie. 

at the beginning of 2016, simon dabadie decided to work on the first full dab design build: the LM-0 prototype assembled at the CRSS workshop and displayed at W&W 2016. the objective of the product was to demonstrate the power of the alliance of new technology and garage craftsmanship. thanks to the success of this prototype version, the company has launched a limited edition of 10 unique pieces made on demand, configured with the client virtually and then made in france (biarritz) with the greatest care.

the limited edition evokes both the enduro and supermoto universes. most dirt bikes are singles, creating simplicity, narrowness, steady power delivery and lightness. however, the main reasons people are attracted to singles are emotive issues associated with noise and vibration — as well as their very long heritage in the world of motorcycling.

‘the configuration of each piece has been set with the client directly from the start: each model has to be unique and is modeled in 3D with the customer during the design stage to match his needs. so basically, he can customize it with colors, textures, and parts of his choice’.

one of the most exclusive characteristics of the LM series is its bespoke composite bodywork, made of natural flax fiber with transparent gelcoat or classic painted fiberglass. to do that, dabadie first digitally designed the tank, fender and plate then 3D printed the mold to create the fiber parts. ‘this is quite innovative in terms of manufacturing because traditional molds are very expensive and dedicated to big series of parts. concerning the flax fiber, it has good mechanical characteristics but it gives mostly a beautiful texture. if you look at the front plate, when the lights are off it looks like a classic number plate. but when you turn the lights and signals on, the LEDs strip passes through the fiber and gives a futuristic, minimalist touch’. 

the LM#1 and the LM#2 are the very first bikes of this limited edition. the third one is about to be unveiled at the bike shed london (26th -28th may) and it promises to be the most elaborated motorcycle of the edition. 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom