Custom bike builder SäM Luginbühl blends motorcycles into his DNA. Growing up in Switzerland, Luginbühl’s father took Säm and his brother as soon as they were big enough to fit on a Suzuki GT550 air-cooled two-stroke triple. Each year, his father took the boys to Switzerland’s largest motorcycle exhibition, instilling a passion for motorcycles.

Luginbühl describes his thirst by quoting “noise, speed, appearance, and a sense of freedom when riding.” I think every motorhead knows the sensation of sitting on the bike and starting the bike. Use a kicker if you can. After spending some time on the ATV and pit bike, SäM Luginbühl stepped up to the Yamaha DT125 2-stroke dual sport bike, all equipped with a kick starter.

It didn’t take long for Luginbühl to show an interest in customization. At the age of 18, he made a Yamaha 650 Bobber for his friends in exchange for tattoos. Then, 12 years ago, Luginbühl founded Sam-Customs. “It’s just a side project of my day-to-day work, and I’m fine with that,” he says. “I can make something special without compromising what I really want to do. I’m happy with it.”

In 2014, Luginbühl got a 1978 vintage KTM GS250 motocrosser. “I was looking for an old MX bike, and this was what I found,” he said. “I like KTM. I have a new KTM350 EXC and I have a KTM (200EXC and 450SX-F).” Obviously, the blood on the Luginbühl motorcycle bleeds orange.

It took Luginbühl five years to complete the Sam-Customs KTM SC250. “I started with KTM. Then I was building a 1954 Chevy pickup for a year and a half — then back to KTM. Then another project came in between. But a few. A hundred hours later, the bike was completed and I was very happy with it. I’m still happy to see it, and all the setbacks I had disappeared. It was much more focused than originally expected.“

Apparently a rest motocrosser, Luginbühl refuses to pierce the SC250 with the pigeonhole principle. “I don’t want to say this style or that!” He resolutely states. “That’s exactly what it is. Sometimes I’m tired of having to choose a category for everything! I love the style of flat track bikes, but I want to make a flat track bike because I don’t have a place to ride a flat track. No. Also, it’s not a full MX bike because I don’t want to ride an MX track. It was about the building and its appearance. “He said the license plate” 2 “was a two-time current super ride on the Red Bull KTM. He states that he was inspired by the cross-champion Cooper Webb. Also, “2” recognizes the bike’s 2-stroke power plant.

“I also like different styles of bikes, such as flat tracks and motocross,” continues Luginbühl. .. I love old bikes in terms of engine, sound and size. But I also like new bikes, graphics and narrower shapes. From the beginning I was more important to build this, to realize my ideas than to use it when I was done. It was about work. “

That leads to one of the most controversial aspects of Sam Customs SC250: the lack of front fenders. “That’s a big question I’ve read several times in the comments below the photo, because I like the look without front fenders,” Luginbühl says frankly. “I take it and go to some mountain roads and ride, and for this I don’t need a front fender.”

The SC250 is certainly about riding, and Luginbühl speaks abundantly about his love for motorcycles. Hahaha! With FMF Shorty [muffler],Noisy! It screams, and vibration is hell! I’m afraid that the gas tank will fall apart! In the first run I lost some screws and the one I made too thin broke. I cut the fork so it’s very small. It’s very low and difficult — it’s a little devil to ride! Yes, I removed some of the bombs that were dropped along the way. English is certainly not his native language, but he abandons it and speaks.

Not all options work purely. Luginbühl had a new reason to use Hoosier tires with the Sam-Customs SC250. “They look cool with a cool racing background and are new to the MX business,” he says. “I’ve never seen anyone wearing Hoosier tires in Switzerland. That’s something special.”

We asked Luginbühl about his Swiss roots and how it affects his aesthetic perspective. “I don’t know,” he admits. “Maybe Switzerland is about keeping it simple and clean and not getting too crazy. It’s not a crazy painting job or a weird shape like a petrol tank. Look at me !! Is very special! ” [laughs] I dont know! “

“For me, painting the KTM frame in orange instead of black was a big step,” he continues. The only thing I didn’t know until the end was the color. But then I met Chico, a great pin striper from Germany —Chico’s pin striping.. He helps with colors and graphics. I didn’t know if it was too crazy, but that was the best decision I made! So I like crazy colors: blue and red, or nice mint green. I’ve always kept it simple, but things change. “My latest project, the Harley Flathead frame, is chrome. That would definitely say,’Hello! Look at me!” Luginbühl laughs at the contradiction.

Luginbühl has a long list of influences, as most artists do. “I like a lot — old bikes, new bikes, old cars, new cars, choppers, hot rods, custom cars, pickups, race cars, trophy trucks, motocross. At that time, I was a Los Angeles bike builder, Treberen.・ I was a fan of Rabanal. Today, I mainly like Japanese motorcycles. I also like custom cars and hot rods of Japanese builders. I am also a fan. RWB, Japanese man customizing Porsche. “

Apart from the wheels, Luginbühl extends his inspiration: “I also like Japanese architecture. Music is a big part of my life. I always listen to music. Mostly Punk, hardcore punk, hip hop, rap and much more. I like furniture and I love making it myself! I like bonsai art and I’ll do it alone. Try it! [laughs] To me, it’s very similar to a custom bike. Pick up a natural tree or an original bike and then make your own.Both you can [foul] up. You bring it your own style. Finally, you have something unique! The difference is that bonsai is time consuming and you can’t ride it. [laughs].. “

The Sam-Customs KTM SC250 is definitely a loving job. “I made it for myself,” says SäM Luginbühl. “If someone wants to buy it and pay enough-I don’t know what’s enough right now-I want to sell it. But it’s not a bike for the street. It’s not a bike for trucks. So I think it’s hard to sell. “I think he might be surprised.

Photographed by Hanseri Spitznagel

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