‘Nagabanda’ Is a Metal Monster from AMS Garage
The “Nagabanda” started life as a stock Harley-Davidson 500 Street, now it’s a masterpiece of molded metal.
Straight off the showroom floor, even a die-hard MoCo fan will admit the Harley-Davidson Street 500 isn’t exactly the most inspiring bike. But in the hands of the metal-sculpting wizards at Bali’s AMS Garage, this example of that lack-luster machine has become something truly incredible. For the record, there isn’t much factory equipment left here — but the pint-sized V-twin and six-speed gearbox at the heart of this beast are just as Milwaukee made them.
Dubbed the “Nagabanda,” this fearsome creation takes it’s inspiration from a snake prominently featured on the statues which guard Hindu temples, and when you look at all the flowing lines of the aluminum body work, it seems fitting. Now, while this bike is obviously a work of art, the artisans behind it have also included plenty of go-fast bits, to ensure the sinister-looking whip will the handle twists and turns on a stretch of tarmac with all the agility of its namesake serpent.
The wheels and the rear swingarm came straight from a weapons-grade Ducati Panigale, and the rear suspension comes courtesy of the damping virtuosos at Ohlins. Up front, there’s also a pair of 11.8-inch rotors with two-piston calipers. To make sure the Nagabanda stays shiny side up, everything rides on a set of super-sticky Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3 tires. If you’re keeping score at home, it’s worth noting they’re factory spec rubber for the Italian crotch rocket.
Looking at the photos, it’s hard for me to decide what my favorite element of the bike is? But I think the cockpit is truly extraordinary. From the way the front fairing curls around the factory speedometer, to the intricate rings around the top of the forks, to the gorgeous chrome of the triple tree, it’s a fantastic execution of concept, and equally elemental and intricate. Inspect this area closely, and you’ll see that the turn signals are integrated into the bar ends.
The serpentine exhaust pipes are another killer bit of kit, and given that there isn’t a cannister in sight, the 500cc mill probably sounds the business. Overall, the coolest thing about this bike is just how organic the flow of bodywork is — it really looks like it was grown, rather than built. And while I could be wrong, it looks about as comfortable as a traditional sport bike, so truly hope it spends more time on the road than on display. Check out the video below to catch some footage of this machine in motion.
Photos: AMS Garage
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