Taipei Star: Kawasaki BJ250 Estrella from AX Studio…
Back in 1992, Kawasaki debuted the Estrella 250 (BJ250), a “New Classic Sports Model” born from the British-style Meguro 250 of the 1950s and 60s. Though it predated the W650 and W800 twins, the Estrella is something of a 250cc version of those beloved W machines, and indeed the model designation was changed to W250 in 2017. Only available in Asian and European markets, the Estrella 250 has earned a legion of devotees, and it’s become a popular candidate for customization given its affordability and classic, minimalist design.
This build comes from our new friend Alex of Taiwan’s AX Studio, who began customizing his first bike at the age of 18, working out of a basement garage no bigger than 17 square feet.
“It wasn’t long before I found that generic parts on the market could no longer satisfy my ambition. So I started buying basic machinery and tools. Thanks to Taiwan’s rich online resources, I began learning from both local and international builders and started building my own motorcycles by hand — and from there, I embarked on a path of no return.”
After graduating with a degree in product design three years ago, Alex opened AX Studio in Wugu, Taipei. Believe it or not, this classic, well-executed Estrella 250 street tracker was the first build to roll out of his new workshop. (We originally intended to feature one of Alex’s most recent projects, but after seeing his full portfolio, we decided some of his previous projects deserve the spotlight as well — so we’ll be featuring several AX Studio builds in the coming weeks.)
In the case of this Estrella, Alex decided to take the Brit-inspired design of the original and run with it…right to the dirt track.
“Kawasaki’s original design was inspired by the rounder British style of the 1960s, but we’ve reinterpreted it, blending old British style with the boldness and aggressiveness of a Dirt Tracker.”
There’s so much here to love. We’re suckers for a split seat, and this one is particularly neat. The main seat flips up for easy access to the battery and fuses, while the rear pillion pad mounted is mounted on a lovely rear fender with a custom U-shaped support.
The fuel tank is a one-off, hand-crafted from sheet metal and electroplated to showcase AX Studio’s signature color tone. In fact, the entire build is free of bolt-on parts — everything was fabricated in the workshop.
“Every component, including the lighting, was handcrafted in-house. No off-the-shelf aftermarket parts were used — a point of pride that reflects our dedication to originality and craftsmanship.”
The headlight itself is made from 304 stainless, with LED lighting and carefully selected glass to create a “meteor-like refraction effect.” The taillight welded to the rear fender is another one-off, machined to a discreet size of just 2×1.5 centimeters.
“COB micro LED light sources are embedded in a specially made hollow screw tube and custom glass transparent panel.”
The controls are lessons in minimalism, with the embedded switches, internal wiring, and the neutral light integrated into the clutch lever bracket. Details like these set the bike apart from builds done in a similar style, and the overall lines of the bike with the custom tank, reinforced rear fender, and pulled-back bars are hard to beat.
What’s more, “Audrey” — named after one of the classiest actresses of all time, Audrey Hepburn — is no show pony. She raced in Taiwan’s most popular flat track event, Reckless Race, and earned AX Studio a first place prize in KICK Garage‘s annual custom bike competition — talk about an auspicious first build. Congrats, Alex!
We look forward to showcasing more builds from AX Studio to come. Below is our full in-depth interview with Alex about the build, along with more images courtesy of photographer @_biechaole.
Estrella BJ250 Custom: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
Hi, I’m Alex, founder of AX Studio. I studied product design and am now 24 years old.
It’s been seven years since I stepped into the world of motorcycles. Back in 2018, at the age of 18, I bought my first manual bike — a SYM Wolf 125. From the very beginning, I wanted my bike to stand out from the rest. However, with limited tools and skills at the time, I could only purchase some basic aftermarket parts online and modify my bike in a basement garage no bigger than half a ping (about 1.6 square meters).
Every time I completed a small part of the customization, I would sit and look at my bike, carefully thinking about what could be improved. And when I made it happen, that sense of accomplishment brought me immense joy.
It wasn’t long before I found that generic parts on the market could no longer satisfy my ambition. So I started buying basic machinery and tools. Thanks to Taiwan’s rich online resources, I began learning from both local and international builders and started building my own motorcycles by hand — and from there, I embarked on a path of no return.
The name AX Studio is simple. “A” stands for Alex, which I’ve always used to represent myself. I’ve also loved the letter “X” for its clean and sharp form. And so, AX Studio was born. After graduating from university in 2022, I officially established my studio in Wugu, Taipei.
At AX Studio, we are dedicated to crafting vintage-inspired motorcycles that blend timeless aesthetics with modern industrial techniques — creating flawless builds with zero blind spots.
• Please tell us about the build, including the design concept and custom work.
This work is based on the Kawasaki Estrella BJ250. Kawasaki’s original design was inspired by the rounder British style of the 1960s, but we’ve reinterpreted it, blending old British style with the boldness and aggressiveness of a Dirt Tracker.
The main frame integrates components like the fairing and throttle into the side cover, eliminating unnecessary brackets while preserving the perfect J-shaped frame. The U-shaped fender support extending from the subframe is custom-made. Lock points, extended from the swingarm, consist of four M10 screws, securely holding the rear fender in place with vintage clamps for visual balance, overall proportion, and stability.
The fuel tank is crafted from sheet metal and finished with electroplating to showcase AX Studio’s signature color tone.
The saddle features the distinctive split dual seat of classic British motorcycles. The front seat can be lifted for access to fuses, battery, etc. The rear seat uses an FRP molded base on the fender with leather upholstery for added comfort.
As customary, the headlight is also a custom AX Studio product, made of 304 stainless steel with machined glass embedded in the casing. LED light sources, paired with specially selected headlight glass, create a stunning meteor-like refraction effect.
The taillight design is discreet yet functional, machined to a size of only 2cm x 1.5cm and welded onto the rear fender. COB micro LED light sources are embedded in a specially made hollow screw tube and custom glass transparent panel.
The handle control unit retains only the essentials: ignition, turn signals, and neutral light. Turn signals are operated with buttons similar to Harley’s, directly embedded in the handle. All wiring runs inside the handlebar without any base design for a clean, minimalist look. Similarly, the neutral light is directly embedded in the clutch lever bracket.
There are countless other modifications, too many to list.
• How did the bike get the nickname Audrey?
I discuss the name of each build with its owner — usually drawing inspiration from their personal experiences, preferences, or personality. For clients who don’t have a specific idea in mind, I take the lead in naming the bike myself. In those cases, I often choose female names that start with the letter “A,” matching the character and style of the build.
Audrey is one such name, inspired by one of my favorite classic films, Roman Holiday, and its leading actress, Audrey Hepburn. The name reflects a sense of grace and elegance, while also hinting at the untamed freedom and thrill she once embodied on the open road.
This particular build also took part in Reckless Race — one of Taiwan’s most popular sand track racing events.
• Can you us what this bike is like to ride?
Clean, sharp, and stable.
This engine from Kawasaki features a simple and minimalist design. Though it produces only 20HP in stock form, we focused on reducing overall weight as much as possible. Many unnecessary control components were removed or simplified, retaining only the essential functions.The 39mm front forks deliver solid and stable cornering performance, while the low riding position allows the rider to glide through every turn with confidence.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
This Kawasaki BJ250 is the very first build I completed after establishing my studio. Its clean, classic lines have received great feedback both on the road and across social media.
What I’m most proud of is how we preserved many of the original factory elements — with the main custom work focused only on the fuel tank, rear fender, tires, and handlebars. With minimal modifications, we were able to create a bike that looks and feels completely different from stock.
Every component, including the lighting, was handcrafted in-house. No off-the-shelf aftermarket parts were used — a point of pride that reflects our dedication to originality and craftsmanship.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
First and foremost, I’m deeply grateful for the support of my parents. In Taiwan, custom motorcycle culture is often misunderstood by the general public. Due to the presence of many modified bikes that disturb communities — overly bright headlights, obnoxiously loud exhausts — customization tends to be frowned upon by both society and the government.
That’s why I truly appreciate my parents for choosing to understand what I do. Their occasional encouragement, praise, and even advice on my builds have become a key source of motivation in my journey of creating custom motorcycles.
Special thanks to KICK Garage - Mr. Huang (Instagram: @kickgarage), who organizes an annual custom bike competition and exhibition open to all builders. It provides a rare opportunity for up-and-coming creators to showcase their work. That event gave us our first public debut — and in 2022, we were honored to win first place.
I’m also grateful to FREEBIKER - Vito Chen (Instagram: @freebikermag), Taiwan’s leading custom motorcycle media outlet. Vito generously offers free professional photoshoots and detailed features, connecting builders to both local and international media platforms.
Finally, shoutout to the photographer @_biechaole, a close friend of mine who has supported my work from the beginning. Photography is his passion, and he beautifully captured this project through his lens.
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