Real builds from our Murrieta, CA shop.

Custom vehicle build · Client: MotoBase

A Custom Hill Climb and Jump Bike for MotoBase

We built a one-off motorcycle from the ground up in about four months: a GSX-R1000-powered machine with the ergonomics of a 2019 Honda CRF450R, made to jump ramps or climb hills.

The challenge

The MotoBase team set out to build a touring extreme-sports show: a nearly 200-foot ramp shipped in containers and assembled at each stop, with a high-speed motorcycle launched off it. The target was around 160 mph, with the rider and bike separating under parachute for a soft landing. The ramp is still waiting on funding, but they needed the bike first, and it had to feel like a modern motocross bike while carrying superbike power.

What we did

• 3D scanned a 2019 Honda CRF450R to capture the geometry and rider ergonomics, then kept the stock plastics, seat, fenders and side panels
• Designed and fabricated a custom frame from scratch to carry a low-mileage 2013 Suzuki GSX-R1000 engine
• Designed and fabricated a fully custom rear swingarm and rear suspension in house, including the shock mounting and suspension geometry, so the bike could also run hill climb competitions
• Built a custom stainless steel exhaust, airbox and fuel injection system
• Made the wiring harness and developed the fuel mapping
• Kept the Honda wheels, front suspension and hand controls
• Tuned the fuel injection and ran the bike on the dyno through sixth gear at full throttle to confirm nothing would fail under load, before handoff

The result

The bike was designed, fabricated and running in roughly four months. It has since been through hill climbs, the desert and the dunes, with the parachute jump next, pending funding for the ramp project.

Capabilities used: 3D scanning and reverse engineering · CAD and design engineering · frame, swingarm and rear suspension fabrication · stainless exhaust fabrication · custom wiring and engine tuning

E-motorcycle prototype · Project Jefe

Concept Sketch to Board-Approved Prototype in 3 Weeks

For an electric motorcycle company, we turned an industrial design concept into a fully running prototype in three weeks flat, built to win over their corporate board, and it did.

The challenge

The client's product development team had an electric motorcycle concept built around a complete donor drivetrain, but only an industrial design outline, not an engineering package. They needed a real, ridable prototype fast, to pitch the program to their corporate board for approval.

What we did

• Took the client's CAD-based styling concept and engineered a working motorcycle around it from scratch
• Designed and built the frame and suspension in house, since the original concept had neither
• Used a donor motorcycle platform for what could be reused, and engineered the rest
• Built the complete running prototype in three weeks from a standing start
• Hand-delivered it across the country ahead of the board presentation

The result

The board approved the program off that prototype, and IndeeSource was retained for the full development that followed. That relationship has grown into a multi-year ongoing R&D, prototyping and development contract spanning multiple projects. The motorcycle itself has since reached production and is awaiting public release.

Capabilities used: rapid prototyping · frame and suspension design · electric drivetrain integration · CAD and design engineering

Youth e-motorcycle line

Re-Engineering an Entry-Level E-Motorcycle Line

For an electric motorcycle company's youth line, we kept what worked and rebuilt everything else: a ground-up redesign around proven rider ergonomics, paired with an all-new drivetrain.

The challenge

The client needed to revamp their entry-level electric motorcycle trainers for kids, starting with their base models. The existing wheelbase and rider triangle (handlebar, seat and peg dimensions) were proven to fit and ride well for young riders, but the rest of the product needed a fresh design, and the motor needed to be rebuilt from the ground up.

What we did

• Carried over the proven wheelbase and rider triangle dimensions from the existing geometry
• Designed the rest of the motorcycle new, from a blank sheet
• Developed an entirely new motor and speed control system, partnering with specialist overseas manufacturers to build the hardware to spec
• Owned the programming and tuning work in house, dialing in the ride quality and user experience
• Moved into production samples, now in final programming fine-tuning ahead of launch

The result

The line is in its final stage before launch, with the team currently fine-tuning programming specs against real production samples to lock in the ride experience before it ships.

Capabilities used: product design engineering · drivetrain development and sourcing · ride tuning and firmware programming · design-for-manufacturing

From the shop floor · Fabrication & welding

Custom Aluminum Pit Carts

A rolling pit cart built from the frame up in house to support two riders and their mechanics on race day: a TIG-welded aluminum structure, machined running gear and a mirrored layout, so each crew works its own side.

What we built

• TIG-welded aluminum frame with sheet aluminum panels, doors and drawers
• Mirrored on both sides: tire bays for four sets of wheels, two per side
• Storage for all the tools and lubes two riders and their mechanics need, plus a fold-out work shelf
• Machined aluminum steering axle with tow bar, disc brakes and a parking brake
• A pneumatic line for each mechanic, a 120V outlet and recessed D-ring tie-downs

Capabilities used: aluminum fabrication · TIG welding · CNC machining