Cheetah Custom Cycles has never followed convention. Based in Japan, the custom motorcycle workshop is known for pushing creative boundaries and blending unexpected styles into bold, rideable machines. This year, Cheetah has taken on one of its most ambitious builds yet: a radically transformed Buell Blast flat track racer that merges dirt-track performance with classic chopper aesthetics.

The idea behind the project was born from Cheetah’s growing obsession with flat track racing. In 2018, he built his first dedicated flat track motorcycle, an experience that quickly evolved into a full-blown passion. That enthusiasm led to the creation of his own grassroots race event, fittingly titled “Have Fun,” aimed at sharing the excitement of flat track racing with friends and fellow riders. Since then, weekends have been spent sliding through dirt ovals and immersing himself in the tight-knit racing community.

For this build, Cheetah wanted something truly unique. He imported a Buell Blast from the United States—a motorcycle never officially sold in Japan. Often dismissed in America as a beginner bike or training tool, the Blast rarely earns respect in custom circles. But Cheetah saw its potential. With a single-cylinder engine well-suited for flat track racing, it became the perfect foundation for a one-of-a-kind race machine.

“I wanted to build a flat tracker that no one had ever made before,” Cheetah explains. To achieve that vision, the Buell Blast was stripped down completely, retaining only the engine. The frame and gas tank were hand-fabricated from iron, then carefully shaped using a molding and putty process—an approach inspired by vintage choppers and drag racers of the 1970s and ’80s.

Once the fabrication was complete, the frame and tank were painted by Cheetah’s longtime friend, S Paint, before Cheetah added hand-painted flames himself. The result is a dramatic black finish accented by classic flame detailing, blending old-school style with modern flat track form.

One of the most impressive elements is the rear section. The seat rails and swingarm were built from chromoly tubing and joined using traditional bronze brazing, an old-school technique that adds both strength and visual character. The swingarm design pays homage to Arlen Ness, featuring a twin-tube layout reinforced with an X-shaped brace.

Balancing flat track geometry with chopper-inspired design was the greatest challenge, but the end result is a striking, functional custom motorcycle. Cheetah Custom Cycles’ Buell Blast flat track racer is more than a race bike—it’s a rolling statement that redefines what’s possible in modern custom motorcycle culture.

Words: Frank Rizzo
Photos: Steeldog Photo