Riding In Style: From Sofia to Kyustendil
We were invited to the Traditional Fuel Festival in Kyustendil, Bulgaria, hosted by the venerable Cafe Racer Club Bulgaria, and what a weekend it turned out to be! Bathed in sunshine, surrounded by mountains, and roaring with the sound of pure moto passion, this event set a new standard for custom bike gatherings in Europe.
Our journey began in Sofia, and thanks to Moto Morini Bulgaria, we had the pleasure of riding two brand-new Seiemmezzo machines: the STR (Street) and the SCR (Scrambler). These Italian twins were the perfect weapons to carve through the twisty mountain roads en route to Kyustendil. Agile, responsive, and with just the right amount of attitude, the Seiemmezzo made the ride an experience in itself.
(We might have taken the long way on purpose… purely for research purposes, of course.)
Art, Engines & Elbow Grease
Upon arrival, the energy was palpable. The festival was a unique fusion of custom motorcycles, classic bike lifestyle, art, and gentlemanly flair. Organized down to the last detail by Ivan Mushev, the man behind Bull Moto Custom, the event exceeded all expectations in terms of quality and spirit. It brought together some of Bulgaria’s top builders including Studio Nineteen Custom, Venclislav Angelov, Custom Garage Blagoevgrad, and Tossa R. Each one brought stunning builds, and we can confidently say that the Bulgarian custom scene is now playing in the big leagues. These builders can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world.
Art also played a prominent role, with visual artist Ivo Ivanov showcasing pieces that perfectly captured the soul of motorcycle culture. The entire vibe was a throwback to the essence of motorcycling: style, rebellion, craftsmanship, and community.
(Also: there were more mustaches per square meter than a 1920s barbershop.)
A Legend Is Born: Studio Nineteen’s CX500
Now let’s talk about the winner of the show: Studio Nineteen Custom. Taking home the top prize, they presented an absolutely jaw-dropping Honda CX500 custom cafe racer that blew everyone away.
The base was a 1981 Honda CX500, owned by Nikolay Daskalov, who also happens to be the owner of Studio Nineteen Custom. The CX 500 is a bike that’s fast becoming a modern custom classic. What stood out immediately was their choice to keep the original tank, maintaining a link to the bike’s heritage while completely transforming everything around it. The engine had been meticulously cleaned, polished, and the head covers were painted to a deep finish, giving the heart of the bike a serious visual punch.
Under the swingarm? A set of custom header pipes and silencer, neatly hidden for a clean, aggressive profile. (Bonus points for stealth.) The swingarm itself was modified to house a single shock, paired with a custom-built subframe featuring an integrated LED taillight system. The new subframe, shorter and more angular, gave the bike a race-ready stance.
At the front, a pair of upside-down forks with dual disc brakes and Tokico 6-pot calipers delivered both style and serious stopping power. Clip-ons and a custom radiator guard added further to the track-inspired silhouette, while a Koso analog gauge (which we’re big fans of at BikeBrewers) sat perfectly in place above the LED headlight and micro indicators.
The seat? A handcrafted Alcantara piece with honeycomb pattern stitching, making it as stylish as it is comfortable. The color scheme was a blend of silver, black, and red touches throughout, giving the CX500 a cohesive and dynamic finish.
All killer, no filler.
As if taking home the top trophy wasn’t enough, Studio Nineteen also won a brand-new motorcycle helmet courtesy of Torc Helmets USA, a fitting reward for such an outstanding build.
Bulgaria, You’ve Outdone Yourself
All in all, the Traditional Fuel Festival was a celebration of craftsmanship, community, and culture. We left with sunburns, full hearts, and endless inspiration. Our thanks to Ivan Mushev, Cafe Racer Club Bulgaria, Moto Morini, and all the builders who showed us just how high the bar has been raised in Bulgaria.
And the best part? It’s happening again. This August 2025, Traditional Fuel returns, same place, same spirit, and we’re expecting it to be even bigger, louder, and shinier. If last year was any indication, you won’t want to miss it. So, grab your helmet, polish that tank, and start planning your ride.
We’ll see you on the road to Kyustendil.
Until then: keep building, keep riding, and remember: life’s too short for stock bikes.
