For the folks who custom build for a living, BMW’s boxer layout is their holy grail. Nothing else looks as retro and authentic as the two pods pouting out of the frame. Builders turned these spirited machines into a beacon of beauty, simplicity, class and definition.

But then there are so many other machines that carry a charm of their own and builders have always used them to give their creation a new meaning. Royal Enfield, the post-British outfit is one amongst them for its 115 years of making simple and resilient machines.

Royal Enfield, has been the spoilt choice for many custom bikers and builders around the globe. They are mental, and they are a gold find for its simplistic construction and the liberty for customisation. You can chop it up and put them together, and they will carry a whole new charm.

With the soul of ’go anywhere, do anything’ taking up a new meaning every time it goes under the axe, below are the five unique builds we think is worth gauging your eyes out to:

1. The Surf Racer by Sinroja Motorcycles

Celebrating the spirit of motorcycle culture, Royal Enfield participated at the Wheels and Waves 2017 festival with Sinroja Motors as their official partner. This was their modern take on the Continental GT that captures the theme of the festival in a shade of dark grey and blue inserts.

Started as a stripped up GT, Sinroja wanted it to keep it to the bare essentials honoring the true essence of a cafe racer - ultimate superlight retro racing experience. Giving it a little more of those curves is a floating half fairing at the front that features a windscreen, and it extends as far down as the sides of the cylinder block. This alone covers the retro appeal of the motorcycle because what comes next is nothing less than a sci-fi fantasy.

Just have a look at that rear, and you’ll know what I mean. Beautifully sculpted rear panel accentuates the curves flowing in from the front fairings and finishes off with a single pot exhaust unit housed in a brushed aluminum cone. The proportions of the “jet” style tail are spot on, and it just looks fab!

The handlebar unit is totally new, and it houses a single pot analog instrument panel. Use of premium materials, attention to details and the level of fit and finish is top class handiwork achieved by Sinroja.

The simple yet bold paint job and that blue stitched saddle express a stylish and artistic approach to the racing heritage of both land and sea. Below all of this is an all-black treatment given to the frame, engine, alloys, footpegs and the USD forks which compliments the bodywork.

What is also completely changed are the tires, suspension, and braking units. 17” performance rims on black alloys, upside down forks and an under engine rear shock, converts the Conti’s brisk Café ride into a ‘speeding bullet’ for the Surf Racer. The brake rotors too are updated with petal disc and bigger calipers to help heave this machine to a stop.

“The perfect machine for racing the sunset.”

2. Brat Bob by Grid7 Customs

The chaps at Grid7 Customs have seemed to have caught this custom spirit pretty seriously, and you get to see it in their builds. And the most recent of them all is the Royal Enfield BRAT-BOB. Now, that’s how you name a motorcycle.

It is a Classic 350 motorcycle that has been stripped apart, chiseled, painted, replaced and put back together to form a Bobber silhouette, and it looks gorgeous for one. The frame, to begin with, was altered with extended swing arm and was painted with taupe-lighter shade to get the gunmetal finish.

They have even changed the tank unit to replicate the bobber’s tall and less wide unit behind which comes the tan, brown stitched custom seat. The instrument cluster is now a part analog part digital unit with LCDs, and the LED turn indicators have been tastefully embedded within the handlebar ends and rear shock strut. Don’t miss out on the custom rear view mirrors bolted to the sides of the headlight unit. It seems functional too.

You also see an addition of rear disc brake unit tethered to wider tires (110 mm at the front and 140 mm at the rear) and the most exquisite changeover of all is the steel brushed exhaust canister that has a resemblance to the ones on Triumph’s Bonneville Bobber. Apart from this, all surfaces are painted in a lacquered black finish, and it looks absolutely stunning.

Only if I could throw a leg around and ride this element of craftsmanship that has charisma written all over it. Everything just compliments everything else. All in all, it is a well put together package maintaining a classy and simple design with fantastic detailing. If you don’t want to ride this in a heavy downpour-not that we’ll blame you-you can grab a cup of coffee, put your legs up and just stare. You’d be no less disappointed.

3. Bulleteer Customs ‘72

I’m a sucker for mad wheels, and this one here turns out to be just the one my brain was wanting to hanker on. This Bangalore based custom house most probably makes the cleanest looking mod jobs I’ve seen across the custom scene, and this ’72 is their most affordable build named after a 72’ model Enfield.

Straight up, let’s get talking about those shiny wheels. Some would say they are too flashy, but for my taste, they are just about right. Bringing in the adequate amount of retro into this build, the full billet alloy wheels look the part from anything on two wheels currently on the roads. It looks as good even on the move, I’m sure, with the punched holes trying to create a trippy pattern.

The handlebar is switched to a single flat tracker unit, and the front headlamp gets modern LED clusters. The rear, however, gets the old school brake lamps and indicators borrowed from the Continental GT. The instrument cluster is now a circular pod unit and the stubbed tires with both front and rear fenders chopped, make up for the scrambler-esq getup.

The folks at Bulleteer Customs have also engraved the brushed steel tank sections with their insignia in black, and it looks neat. Dark brown plush leather saddle looks comfortable, and the seating position is a modern upright one. The bike exuberates minimalism with a modern-retro outlook. Looks like it's a match made in heaven.

Because of the fancy wheels there, the braking units had to undergo variations, and both sides get smaller drum brake setups. The suspension units also undergo a revamp to suit modern conditions with telescopic forks at the front and gas charged unit at the rear to provide for a supple ride.

Even with all these contemporary changes to the 72’ model, this bike sure still captures the essence and character of an old-school rider. Picture a black&white background and riding this around town will still take you back to the 70s’. Perfect for a set of retro snaps for all those social media buffs.

4. Kaali by Rajputana Customs

Hustled amidst the royal city of Jaipur, this entry is probably the most extremists’ one here. Built by the house of Rajputana Customs, Kaali is based on a Classic 500 underpinnings with no subtleness whatsoever. The all matte black theme of the chopper is for those ‘rebels’ who have no care to give to the world.

This black chopper gets named after the Hindu goddess who is supposed to be the destroyer of evil. But is itself high on vile. The extended frame and the long springer forks at the front give out a menacing feel to the rider, and the handmade fuel tank completes the striking build the folks at Rajputana were after.

Bulbous Avon Cobra tire at the rear make the bike get a drooling effect on everyone who lay their eyes on this machine. Ape handlebars with custom bar end shout style and sophistication which, along with the low seating, gives you a clean chopper style riding position. Extended custom made footpegs and gear levers provide a unique seating position meant only for the Royals.

There is no front fender, and the huge rear unit is painstakingly built to wrap the wider tire. There is, however, a chrome touch onto the engine covers which is the only shiny part of the entire machine. Old school headlamp unit fits right for the job whereas the rear is shunned from all kinds of it.

The frame holding the fuel tank is exposed on purpose and gives an intimidating outlook. The wrapped short exhaust sure sounds gothic from the UCE construction modern Classic 500 engine.

5. The Gentleman Brat by Sinroja Motorcycles

If the Surf Racer was all about performance and looks, this bad boy is for those who have a different idea about life itself. They say you know the man if you know what motorcycle he rides. ‘Gentleman’ is only in the name.

This Brat concept started its life as the Royal Enfield’s not-so-extreme adventure tourer, the Himalayan. Stripped off to bare bones, only the tank and the engine kept their place. The highlight being the cream over grey paint scheme, it kind of plays with your perspective of a motorcycle, thanks to the 16” white rims coupled to the whitewall tires.

It loses out on the fenders, guards, windscreen and the two-up saddle. What it gets rather, is a retro round headlamp out front, beefy tires, and a simple yet elegant aluminum exhaust manifold. It also gets an upgraded suspension setup to add more capability, and it carries the same 300mm front disc brake and a 240mm rear disc brake units as the Himalayan.

The single seat saddle in leather with blue stitching accents is more than enough for you to place your behind and to sit upright with the high handlebar setup. The cut-off half-duplex split cradle frame at the rear exposes the entire make of the tastefully machined aluminum exhaust pipe.

The “spirit of going anywhere” wears a fine new dress. And it forces you to get decked up and ride it around the coast to eventually find yourself.