Royal Enfield Unveils Custom Continental GT 650 ‘Kamala’ By Sosa Metalworks

The custom build is inspired by vintage board track racers

• The bike was showcased at the One Moto Show in Portland, Oregon, in February 2020.
• Features slim wheels, a girder fork, a slender sweeping fuel-tank and a spring seat.
• Bike has been built with materials such as steel, aluminium and brass. 
• It does away with the front brake in true board tracker fashion.

Royal Enfield’s known for promoting its 650cc platform for several custom builts. While we’ve seen our fair share of bikes over the past year or so, this is the first modern-day interpretation of a board track racer -- one of the most dangerous forms of motorsports from the early-1920s. Luckily, Sosa Metalworks, known for some unique custom builds, has picked up the baton. The outcome is a board track, ‘Kamala’, based on the Continental GT 650 that has been slammed to the ground and looks like it could tear through the wind. An exquisite piece of metal artwork to say the least!   

But before we get on with the details, we’d like to shed some light on what makes a board track racer so special. Board track racing was a popular spectator sport in America in the 1910s and hit its peak in the early-1920s. These bikes were built to achieve speeds of up to 160kmph while going around a 1.6km-long oval race track built entirely out of wood. As you’d expect, these light and aerodynamic bikes had to sit inches away from the ground. The bike didn’t even have a front brake, and the only way to slow down was by cutting off the engine using the handlebar-mounted kill switch. 

Kamala is based on the same principles. It sees the use of minimal components to achieve its lightness. All you have is a 650cc parallel-twin engine, large slim wheels proportionate to the frame, a girder fork, a slender sweeping fuel-tank, and a spring seat. The use of spoked wheels and the lack of a front brake give the bike an authentic tracker feel. It does, however, feature a massive rear disc which should help anchor bike in case things go south.

Sosa Metalworks haven't tinkered with the 648cc parallel-twin engine, so it puts out the same power and torque figures as before -- 47.45PS and 52Nm, mated to a 6-speed transmission. 

The seat is supported by a neatly designed linkage system with a delicate spring that should offer some relief while going over bumps. To be honest, there’s no sign of a Continental GT in there except for the engine and part of its dual-cradle frame. 

Interestingly, the bodywork has been built using various techniques from machinery and hand hammering to power hammers. And the use of different materials such as steel, aluminium and brass, help reflect light differently on each part. 

The ‘Kamala’ from Sosa Metalworks was first unveiled at the One Moto Show in Portland, Oregon, in February 2020 and went on to win one of the top awards.