Liberal Arts: An Anglo-Taiwanese SR150 build from AX Studio

Rather than chase outright power, AX Studio focused on the aesthetic and mechanical refinement of the SR-150’s single-cylinder engine. The original plastic front sprocket cover, unable to be polished, was discarded in favor of a new piece, hand-formed from aluminum. This, along with polished alternator and clutch covers, creates a cohesive and classic look across the powerplant. On the intake side, a Keihin PE26 carburetor was fitted, but the standout detail is the air filter—a genuine vintage unit sourced from an old Triumph, elegantly mounted via a custom bracket. It’s a small but significant touch that encapsulates the build’s cross-cultural philosophy: Japanese utility meeting authentic British heritage.

"The client wanted a clean, British-style machine. We had to rethink every component to do justice to those classic designs."

According to the builders, the frame was the project’s centerpiece. While the SR150’s double-cradle design provides a decent starting point, its stock subframe was deemed unsuitable for the target aesthetic. AX Studio fabricated an entirely new subframe from scratch, raising its height to establish the straight, clean bone-line characteristic of classic Triumphs and BSAs. The rear shock mounts were relocated further back, allowing the twin shocks—borrowed from a Honda Super Cub 100—to sit in a more upright position, perfecting the bike’s new stance. Subtle lug details were added to the frame, ensuring that even the chassis itself contributes to the fine-grained, handcrafted feel.

A core tenet of this build was cleanliness, most evident in the cockpit. Custom stainless steel handlebars feature handmade brake and clutch levers, with the perches welded directly to the bars for an ultra-minimalist look. A single vintage-style switch on the left grip manages all controls. The top triple clamp was shaved of all superfluous mounts and secured from below, leaving an unbroken, screwless surface. Even the electronics are cleverly disguised. A hand-formed aluminum box, mimicking the oil tanks of old British bikes—complete with faux filler cap and lines that hide wiring—neatly houses the entire electrical system. The final touch is a tiny Motogadget speedometer, a piece of high-tech German engineering on a build defined by analogue charm.