MANTA: A Ten-Year Suzuki Two-Stroke Study in Obsession

The project began with a deliberate choice: the Suzuki BS125. For the builder, the appeal was twofold: a love for two-stroke engines and the unique challenge of its dual-exhaust layout, a rarity in Taiwan. The single-cylinder motor, while modest, offered a foundation for creativity. The most significant performance modification is the dramatic, custom-fabricated twin expansion chamber exhaust system, created in collaboration with Banai. The pipes snake around the engine and frame, becoming a key visual element in their own right. This isn’t about chasing peak horsepower; it’s about celebrating the sensory experience of a two-stroke—the sound, the smell, and the distinctive power delivery—while creating a symmetrical, balanced aesthetic that the original dual-port design invited.

"Design has never been a solo endeavor; it is a collaborative practice across disciplines. Working with professionals from diverse fields is one of the most captivating aspects of design."

To achieve a completely different stance and riding dynamic, the original frame was discarded. In its place, ZEROVECTOR designed and fabricated a custom trellis frame, fundamentally altering the bike’s geometry and providing a modern, sporty foundation. This new chassis shifts the rider’s triangle for more aggressive ergonomics. The front end was adapted from a Kymco KTR, while a DNM MT-AR monoshock handles the rear. The bespoke chassis is complemented by a host of custom-machined parts, including unique ZEROVECTOR brake discs, risers, and foot controls. The spoked 17-inch wheels are a nod to classic construction, but their wide fitment, wrapped in modern Dunlop Sportmax rubber, firmly plants the Manta in the performance-custom realm.

The Manta’s most striking feature is its bodywork. Eschewing digital design for a more tactile approach, the builder sculpted a 1:1 clay model directly onto the new frame—a 300-hour process learned during his industrial design studies. Inspired by the fluid, dynamic shape of a manta ray, the forms were painstakingly hand-shaped. This clay buck was then used to create fiberglass molds, from which the final composite body panels were born. Later, Simon Fiber Craft wrapped the panels in carbon fiber, and Jeffrey’s Finishing Touch applied the deep, ethereal blue paint. The finish is designed to reveal the carbon weave under different lighting, with silver leaf stripes that echo the patterns on a manta ray, creating a visual identity that is both organic and highly technical.