Well, if you read here I take the liberty to presume that you currently understand everything about the Petrolettes Wrench off by Royal Enfield, if not, please inspect it here. With the basic, broad structure of this competitors out of the method, I wished to dig much deeper into my individual task, my extremely own journey into the dark, dubious meanders of motorbike custom-made structure.
Aside from it being my very first genuine motorcycle customisation task, the Gungnir develop has actually been a great deal of “firsts” for me: very first time sculpting metal, very first time cutting and cutting fiberglass, very first time producing bits in a low tech method. As a designer by trade, it has actually been rather simple to imagine how the end product will appear like and how to make changes along with the method. Nevertheless, even at the half point in the development, I seem like I’ve found out a lot about the various fittings and methods to make the custom-made parts you may require in a particular job. Not whatever can be sourced, and there’s space for the argument that not whatever ought to be sourced. The little services you discover and develop for your bike are likewise part of what makes it unique and distinct.
What is the Gungnir? Well, aside from it being Odin’s spear in Norse folklore, with my variation of that story here, the Gungnir construct is a multi-layered task, with each layer diving into brand-new signs, accessories, and styles. Beginning from the fundamentals, on the mechanical level there hasn’t been much flexibility to make a substantial adjustment to the frame or motor of the bike, nevertheless, the Gungnir has actually been fitted with top of the line, racing spec YSS rear suspension and front fork hydraulic valves. The exhaust system is masterfully adjusted with HP Corse silencers and is because of being ceramic covered. The footrests, likewise made by HP Corse are installed on model installing plates, made by hand, particularly for this bike. At the front of the bike, low sitting, black racing clips have actually been installed rather of the basic high-rise ones and the complete black console appearance is finished by a set of Messner Moto changes and mirrors. A fast-action throttle has actually been included, for faster velocity.
The 2nd layer is the bodywork, and this has actually absolutely seen some modifications in strategies considering that the initial concept. The fairings, offered by Motoforza fairings, initially were prepared to be more of a half fairing design, yet as the task proceeded, the front piece changed into a swimwear design quarter fairing, with one asymetrical headlight. The seat is a racing motivated neoprene pad, glued to the retro design rear cowl. The fenders and side covers are raw aluminium to assist the rough, bare metal visual circulation from front to back, throughout the bike. The bodywork layer likewise consists of the complex and bold paint plan by Lucky 7 srl. After lots of hours of consideration, we’ve selected an adventurous mix of colors, one that will bring not just the darker elements however likewise a nod to the womanly mind behind it.
The last layer is the symbolic layer. Carvings, inscriptions, and runic engravings embellish the engine covers of the Gungnir, devoting it in a non-short-term method to its client god. On the clutch side, a painstaking fineline plume texture encapsulates a blown-out aegishjalmur (helm of wonder) which, at it’s center, makes area for a runic circle with the name “Gungnir” defined in Elder Futhark characters, being passed through by a spear as a tribute both to the circumstances of Odin’s sacrifice and to the real item, the spear.
On the stator side, the inscribing takes the shape of circular panels, delimited by another Ægishjálmur, for additional fierceness in a fight. The writing in the runic circle recites “Gefinn Óðni’, provided to Odin, and it’s a quote from the Hávamál itself where Odin explains compromising himself to himself. This expression is likewise utilized in other circumstances, where a sacrifice to Odin or an impending fight is explained, where the challengers are “offered to Odin” and are declared as those who will pass away.
The other panels on the stator cover are committed to 2 sets of ravens, which symbolise Hugin and Munin, believed and memory. These are Odin’s ravens who fly throughout the worlds and bring whatever news they discover to their master. The main photo panel portrays a little Valkyrie, with a cape, sword and an outstretched arm holding a horn of mead. The basic style of the Valkyrie has actually been motivated by existing representations on image stones and an archeological discovery of a pendant because of shape.
Near the stator, the gear cover is sculpted with a pass-through style, motivated by the Urnes design carvings. It is a linked style made from grasping monsters and snakes.
In general, these styles are a little a mix and match in between various styles and even various durations. The option of Elder Futhark runes, the later Viking age symbology and eventually the much later Aegishjalmur sign do not belong together from a strictly historical viewpoint, however, they are more of a “ice core” specimen instead of a random sample of the topic. The projection of these signs and styles from real folklore and findings brings specific credibility to the idea, going more than skin (or paint) deep. The act of sculpting and inscribing the metal contributed to making the Gungnir what it is.
Eventually, in all of my research study, I wasn’t able to discover an artifact that incorporates motorcycling and Norse folklore in a rather genuine method, with the majority of the Viking and Norse inspired works leaning more towards the dream side representations, or more generic popular culture decors. So, without any referral besides what I’ve found out on the topic, I triggered to embellish the motorbike in a manner that would symbolically imbue it with power, like one may finish with a weapon or tool. Ideally, my efforts will succeed.
