Custom motorcycle builders have transformed Royal Enfield motorcycles into everything from café racers and bobbers to futuristic concept machines. Few, however, have gone quite as far as German custom builder Dirk Oehlerking and his latest creation, the Kingsman. Built around a Royal Enfield Shotgun 650, the one-off machine stretches nearly 4 meters (12.8 feet) in length and wraps the donor motorcycle in handcrafted aluminum bodywork inspired by classic art deco streamliners.
The project comes from Oehlerking’s workshop, Kingston Custom, based in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The builder named the motorcycle Kingsman, a nod to the British comic book and film franchise. While the bike retains much of the Shotgun 650’s underlying mechanical foundation, the finished result looks more like a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
A handcrafted approach in a digital age
Unlike many modern custom builders who begin with computer-generated renderings and digital modeling software, Oehlerking follows a more traditional process. His designs typically start at full scale using cardboard templates. Once satisfied with the proportions and shape, he hand-fabricates the bodywork from individual sheets of 2-mm aluminum.
That approach is particularly evident on the Kingsman. The motorcycle’s flowing body panels, elongated proportions, and carefully shaped details create the appearance of a vintage land-speed-record machine from the 1930s and 1940s. Every major section of the body has been formed by hand, emphasizing craftsmanship over computer-aided design.
The final machine measures approximately 3.9 m (12.8 ft) long, making it dramatically larger than the standard Shotgun 650 on which it is based.
Still powered by a Royal Enfield twin
Beneath the dramatic bodywork remains Royal Enfield’s familiar 648cc parallel-twin engine from the Shotgun 650. The powerplant has not been transformed into a high-performance racing engine, nor was that ever the goal of the project.
The Kingsman was designed as an artistic expression rather than a speed machine. Although its streamlined profile resembles historic record-breaking motorcycles, the focus here is visual impact and craftsmanship rather than outright performance.
The engine remains visible through carefully positioned openings on either side of the central body section. These cut-outs also expose the handmade exhaust system, whose unusually short pipes contribute to the motorcycle’s distinctive appearance.
Streamlined from nose to tail
One of the most striking aspects of the Kingsman is its elongated front section. A streamlined aluminum nose cone extends ahead of the motorcycle and is mounted to a custom-built bracket connected to the steering neck.
Despite the extensive modifications, the build incorporates several original Royal Enfield components. The nose houses the Shotgun 650’s factory LED headlight, while wheel covers mounted to the front fork help reinforce the streamliner aesthetic.
Moving rearward, the motorcycle’s central fuselage features rivet-style fasteners securing a removable cover panel. Beneath the bodywork, the rider’s foot controls remain accessible through carefully positioned openings. Oehlerking also included a dedicated maintenance hatch, allowing access for routine servicing without dismantling major sections of the body.
The cockpit combines custom-made handlebars with the original Royal Enfield switchgear, grips, and instrument cluster. The stock speedometer remains in place, helping preserve some connection to the donor motorcycle.
A luxury-inspired riding position
The seating arrangement has been significantly altered compared to the standard Shotgun 650. The rider now sits farther back on a brown suede saddle positioned near the transition between the central body section and the extended tail.
Behind the rider, the bodywork narrows dramatically before ending in a sharp concave rear section. The tail is finished with a distinctive taillight sourced from a 1958 Cadillac, adding another vintage design element to the build.
Perhaps the most unexpected feature lies behind the rear wheel. Rather than leaving the space unused, Oehlerking created a storage compartment lined with wood and suede. The compartment is stocked with an assortment of accessories that feels more appropriate for a luxury picnic than a motorcycle ride.
Among the contents are an umbrella, mirror, comb, bottle opener, glasses, cutlery, and even supplies for a gin and tonic.
More than a static showpiece
Although the Kingsman may look like a museum exhibit, it remains a functioning motorcycle. Oehlerking ensured the machine could still be ridden by integrating a custom-built fuel reservoir positioned ahead of the rear wheel. Fuel is added through a retro-inspired filler cap integrated into the bodywork.
The chassis also received several notable modifications. The front suspension comes from the Royal Enfield Classic 650, replacing the Shotgun’s original setup. At the rear, the standard shock absorbers have been removed and replaced with rigid struts.
The motorcycle also borrows the Classic 650’s wheel combination, consisting of a 19-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel. Both are fitted with whitewall tires that complement the machine’s vintage styling.
To accommodate the extended proportions, Oehlerking lengthened the swingarm by 100 mm (4 inches), further emphasizing the Kingsman’s stretched silhouette.
Elegant finishing touches
The details play a major role in defining the Kingsman’s character. Chromed bullet-style turn signals, a vintage Royal Enfield badge mounted at the front, and delicate pinstriping all contribute to the motorcycle’s period-inspired appearance.
The cream-colored paintwork is accented with gold detailing, reinforcing the art deco influence that runs throughout the project. Every visible element appears carefully considered, from the proportions of the bodywork to the choice of materials and trim.
The result is a machine that blurs the line between motorcycle and sculpture.
A celebration of imagination and craftsmanship
The Kingsman is not a practical motorcycle. At nearly 4 meters long, maneuvering and parking it would undoubtedly present challenges. Nor was practicality ever the objective.
Instead, the project serves as a reminder of what custom motorcycle building can be when creativity takes priority over efficiency. In an era increasingly dominated by digital design tools and computer-generated concepts, Oehlerking’s decision to shape aluminum by hand stands out.
Underneath, it may still be a Royal Enfield Shotgun 650. Yet focusing solely on the donor motorcycle misses the point entirely. The Kingsman demonstrates how a familiar production motorcycle can become the foundation for something entirely unexpected—a rolling art deco masterpiece that exists simply because someone imagined it and had the skill to build it.
Source: Royal Enfield / Kingston Custom
