A Wooden Karmann Ghia Cabriolet from Jepara

Teak wood is indeed known for its strength when compared with other types of wood, but what happens if this type of wood is used as a car body? Will it be strong or not? To prove its strength, a wooden craftsman and also furniture entrepreneur from Jepara named Al Sadad tried to prove it. And not half-hearted he then made wooden-bodied car made of teak wood.

Other wooden automotive creations of Jepara craftsmen, ie the teak wood-bodied 1964 Karmann Ghia replica. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2UpeI7M)

As quoted from Muria News, besides working as a wood craftsman, the man from Jepara is also an automotive enthusiast, especially the Volkswagen cars. So it is not surprising if he then gets a crazy idea to make a wooden-bodied car made of teak wood. Even before, in 2015 he has ever made a teak wood-bodied Volkswagen Safari.

A teak wood-bodied 1964 Karmann Ghia replica made by Jepara craftsmen carries a 1,600 cc Mexican VW Safari engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2tnp8cG)

And the wooden car that he made this time is the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and was also deliberately prepared to attend the largest Volkswagen car festival in Indonesia in 2017. Sadad explained that he needs something more complex and challenging in the making of the wooden-bodied car, and as we know the Karmann Ghia one of scarce VW models has many curvatures all over its body.

The steering wheel and dashboard view of the teak wood-bodied 1964 Karmann Ghia replica. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2UpeI7M)

For this car, he claimed to have spent nearly Rp.150 million or (approx the US $10,000). It was used to buy an original VW engine, make the body from old teak wood and then decorate the interior and exterior of the car.

The Jepara's typical wooden-carved motifs with the VW logo on the front seats of the teak wood-bodied 1964 Karmann Ghia replica. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2UpeI7M)

As quoted from Tribunnews Jogja, all raw materials are obtained from wood waste that is around his house and workshop. Although easy to find raw materials, the car production process is not as easy as imagined. In addition, some spare parts must be imported from abroad, such as rear lights. According to Sadad, he encountered many difficulties during the process of making this wooden car.

Al Sadad (wearing an orange shirt) poses with a wooden-bodied 1964 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia replica of his-owned. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OpsGCq)

Among these are when making frames for windshields that demand high precision works. Because, if it is not suitable, so the car's windshield can be slipped when the car in use. In addition, to make the front hood arches are also not easy because it also requires extra accuracy in order to get results that are very similar to the original.

Al Sadad-owned wooden-bodied Volkswagen Karmann Ghia replica while on display at the Jogja Volkswagen Festival (JVWF) contest event. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36VOQ63)

Furthermore, Sadad revealed that in the production of this car the most expensive cost was the craftsman cost because to carve in certain parts must be done by people who are truly experts.
After 4 months of work to combine its wooden body with a chassis, legs and a hunk of Mexican VW Safari engine, plus the touches of the creative hands of woodcarvers, then a replica of the VW Karmann Ghia cabriolet had been finished with a light brown colored distinctive teak wood veins and curves, coupled with a number of carvings with Jepara's typical wooden-carved motif.

The Karmann Ghia replica with the plate number of 'K 4 YU' whose body is made of old teak wood is not just mere decoration. So, the car also can run like a car in general because under its wooden hood there is a capacity of 1,600 cc engine. This wooden car has been displayed for the first time at the 2017 Jogja Volkswagen Festival (JVWF). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MURIA NEWS | OTO DETIK | TRIBUNNEWS JOGJA]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

The orangutan population is increasingly critical

We haven't included the discussion on nature conservation for a long time, especially after knowing about the latest condition of orangutan habitat on the island of Borneo. 

There was something intriguing, so we on this occasion again made an article with the nature conservation-themed, in the hope that it could spark empathy for the orangutan conservation efforts. Thus the existence of orangutans in the wild can continue to be preserved.

A mobile library of Yayorin (Yayasan Orangutan Indonesia/Indonesian' Orangutan Foundation) to support its education efforts, in areas close to orangutan habitat, in Central Kalimantan Indonesian Borneo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2RRHfzQ)

The year 2019 has been passed, the population of orangutans on the island of Borneo is increasing decreased. If previously the status of its population was critical, now the existence of orangutans in Kalimantan has entered an endangered critical stage.

"In the past, we could say the orangutan conditions on the island of Borneo are still safe. The population is between 35,000 and 55,000. But after the survey increased again (the severity levels), now it is the same as Sumatra, in very critical stage," said Rondang Siregar, an orangutan expert at the University of Indonesia some time ago.

This critically endangered status is determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. And the Sumatra orangutans have assumed this status in advance.

A mature male Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2O7KJgC)

Rondang further said, the reason for the increasingly falling down the population of orangutans still revolves around the classic problem, namely the orangutan lives increasingly threatened because their habitats were taken for human use. For example, in 2017 alone, the deforestation rate is still around 97,000 hectares, especially now that the numbers are getting bigger. 

As a result of deforestation makes the orangutan habitat fragmented. "Because their habitat was chopped up eventually they came out and conflicted with humans," said Rondang. 

Pongo pygmaeus morio or the Black Bornean Orangutan. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2O7KJgC)

On the island of Borneo alone, poaching and trade in wildlife are also still rife. In fact, orangutans are clearly protected by the Indonesian's Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Ecosystems. 

"In the past, the price was Rp.500,000 (approx US $37) when left the forest. When it came to the port, the station, the terminal, it could reach millions rupiah. Surely it is always there," said Rondang. Due to habitat loss and poaching, the orangutan population has declined dramatically by 50 percent over the past 20 years. How tragic, isn't? 

Thus the orangutan preservations need to be done immediately and You can actively participate in this effort by making a donation through Orangutan Foundation. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ORANGUTAN FOUNDATION | SAINS KOMPAS]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

Boyolali genuine wood Bugatti Veyron amazed the World's consumers

Through the excellent product quality, the ability of Indonesian artisans in creating high artistic works can not be denied anymore. One example is the Boyolali craftsmen who became the spotlight this time.

As reported by Carscoops on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, that a workshop which is located in one of the cities in Central Java - Indonesia is able to make a replica of the Bugatti Veyron 'land jet' that made ​​from genuine wood. It also explained that the replica of the French luxury car was made at a scale of 1:1 and can be redeemed with a spend of Rp. 40 million (or approx US $3,362 or €2,600).

The Bugatti Veyron Super Sports replica made entirely out of teak. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ziSuo2)

The entire body and detail of the Bugatti Veyron can be seen carefully on this high-quality wooden replica. The owner of the workshop, Mr. Eko Lukistyanto, said that the life-size Veryon was made from teak wooden scraps and it has a fully detailed interior with a workable steering wheel and shifter, pedals and seats.

The replica of Mercedes Benz 300SL made entirely out of teak. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1wscYqG)

Meanwhile, the typical Indonesian wooden Bugatti Veyron is made to fulfill orders from the European buyer. Further, the wooden car is going to be sent to the owner who was in Germany.

The replicas of premium motorcycles made entirely out of teak. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rPXqrH)

Not only working on the Bugatti Veyron, but the same workshop also working on many replica of the other luxury cars. In addition to the French hypercar, they also has made the German sportscar replicas, such as Mercedes Benz 300SL and many variants of motorcycles. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Here it is Komando, an extremely unique twin-engined scooter

At a glance, if you look at the vehicle figure, it will cross our minds that this is a tactical combat vehicle that is ready to be used by soldiers on the battlefield. Indeed, this is the impression wants to get by the vehicle maker when first make it.

The fact, the vehicle is the extreme and unique scooter modification results and given the name of 'Komando,' which was made by a man from Cilegon, Banten named Bagas Roffiyanto.

Komando, an extremely unique nine-wheeled scooter from Banten and still can be used as vehicles on the highway. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2siBWQV)

It all started when he wanted to modify the 1986 Vespa Strada scooter of his-owned then he chose the concept of a tactical combat vehicle due to he was very inspired by his father who worked as a soldier.

"Its basic was 1986 Vespa Strada, (and) inspired by (my) father who is worked as a soldier and also because I was not passed when registering the army. So I decided to make my scooter like an army vehicle," Bagas said as quoted by detikOto.

Unmitigated, he then completely overhauled his Vespa scooter appearance in his workshop and assisted by some friends. This extreme scooter modification process was carried out for 5 months and cost up to Rp.15 million, so be the figure of an extreme scooter that appears in gray, black and green military camouflage color.

Komando, an extremely unique scooter from Banten which is driven by two engines made by Bagas Roffiyanto. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2siBWQV)

Then he added a number of accessories to add the more military impression and the vehicle' fierce look such as on the front there was a machine gun replica, then the ex-ammo box was mounted on the left side and functioned to store mechanic's tools, then there were several other accessories such as ex bazooka tubes. Meanwhile, behind the rider seat, there's one seat is provided for passengers.

This extremely unique modified scooter has a length of about 3.5 m and a width of 1.2 m. As the drivetrain of this extremely unique nine-wheeled scooter is 2 units of engines installed at the rear where the first engine was taken from the 1975 Bajaj Chetak (front) and the second of the 1986 Vespa Strada (rear). Above the engines were also installed 2 units of fuel tubes.

To operate this extreme vehicle can be said to be a bit unique, where the rider must first start its two engines via its typical manually kick-starters. Then the driver sits in a lower position than the standard scooter seat. In addition, to control this extreme scooter, the rider hands should be stretched upwards like the high handlebar motorcycle riding position with the throttle position on the right-hand, clutch and gear-shifting on the left.

After the engine is turned on and by considering the condition of the vehicle which is fairly long, the rider must be able to adjust the speed when riding it on the road. Well, although it is driven by two engine units, not necessarily the rider could be maximized the power of its engines.

Komando was inspired by Bagas Roffiyanto's father who worked as a soldier. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2siBWQV)

"I did not dare to go fast when riding it, at most 40 to 50 kilometers per hour, and even then on the straight and empty road only. Because the Komando's length is 3.5 meters and 1.2 meters wide is not possible to run at high speed," said Bagas.

Nevertheless, this extremely unique modified vehicle has been used to drive around the streets of Banten together with his community members. This extreme vehicle was also ever participated in several motorcycle contests and also ever was ranked third for the 'Vespa Extreme' category in one event.

The scooter mentioned above can function like other two-wheeled vehicles so that it can be used as vehicles on the highway, but so far it is not known yet whether those vehicles have the roadworthy permit from the authorities.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops..... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ANTARA-JAMBI | DETIKOTO]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

An Indonesian-made classic Vespa scooter of wood waste

As understood by all of us, that in the process of automotive modification sometimes not familiar with the 'expensive' word. In addition, the unique shape and eccentric appearance sometimes also become the owner's choices. Especially for motorcycle enthusiasts, typically they use motorcycle design based on their expertise-owned. In a previous article, there was a carpenter from Portugal named Carlos Alberto who made a unique wooden Vespa scooter.

The wooden Vespa composed of 65 million pieces of pencil wood waste, made by Eri Ashari shown off at the 2018 Indonesian Scooter Festival held in the Jogja Expo Center. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2E3nEGn)

Much like that but now an Indonesian wood craftsman who made a classic-type Vespa into a very unique scooter and looked different than others.

Well, he is Eri Ashari who managed to make a replica of the Vespa MP6 prototype scooter whose entire body is made of wood waste (specifically wood waste from the pencil-making industry).

Through his skilled hands, he managed to arrange more than 65 million pieces of wood waste material into an antique Vespa scooter for more than 2 years.

Eri Ashari posed with his wooden Vespa scooter creation. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rmMGO9)

"This is all from pencil wood waste. There are about 65 million pieces to make this (scooter). Incidentally, indeed in my place, there are so many (wood waste), so I use them. The seats are also made of wood," Eri explained as quoted of the Tribun-Jogja.

A wooden Vespa scooter by Eri Ashari.  
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LFEqjb)

Eri also mentioned that before he ever had made several unique wooden scooters and this antique scooter was his fifth works. He further added that this scooter was the first scooter he made from the pencil wood waste material and possibly the first in the world.

"It starts to be produced in 2016, (and) this is actually the fifth Vespa. So from the small pieces of wood waste, it's (then) arranged (in such a way). What makes it difficult because (the material) is stiff, so it's hard to shape. It should be arranged vertically if arrange in horizontal was easy to break. This is the only (scooter) made from pencil wood waste. After this, there will be no more," he explained.

Besides being made of wood waste material, the antique Vespa created by Eri Ashari also has a remotely-controlled digital audio system. Then there is a fairly large white ivory-colored precious stone embedded in the seat that functions as a cooler, so that even though you sit for a long time but the seat does not feel hot. To ease its maintenance, the whole body of this antique scooter is given a nano-coating layer.

Eri also said that this shiny brown lines patterned wooden scooter had succeeded in carrying out a test drive through a long journey over more 1,000 km with the route of Lembang to Pangandaran round trip. He also said that this antique wooden Vespa had got a roadworthy permit from the authorities.

When asked about the price, it is not surprising that the antique Vespa by Eri has a pretty fantastic price. According to him, so far his wooden Vespa has received an offer from a scooter enthusiast with a price of €139,000 or equivalent to Rp. 1.9 billion. Although the scooter has been offered at a fantastic price until now he has not been willing to let it go.

"This year (2018 ago), I want (the scooter) to be auctioned off, but the price is not known yet. There are many offers coming in, from Italy, Indonesia too. But I'm not pursuing the high prices, but I want my wooden Vespa works to fall to someone who can appreciate it as an artwork," he said.

Reportedly now, Eri Ashari is finding out about the possibility to keep his antique Vespa in a museum, possibly in Yogyakarta or Bandung. Besides this Eri' wooden scooter,  do you want to see other unique wooden scooters made by two Jepara craftsmen? Let's take a look them!

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops..... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TRIBUN-JOGJA | MOTORPLUS-ONLINE | KUMPARAN | TEMPO-OTOMOTIF]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

A unique three-wheeled vehicle built of the car named Krakatoa

Various unique customized motorcycles and cars on display at the Kustomfest 2019, one of the largest annual automotive events in Indonesia, held on October 5-6, at the Jogja Expo Center, Jogjakarta. And seen many visitors who came to see the event which was held just for two days, ie on Saturday to Sunday.

A three-wheeled vehicle named Krakatoa by a Bandar Lampung-based workshop, Satan Soul Custom on display at the Kustomfest 2019. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2AN07Yq)

The strict selection system created by the organizers is intended there're no old works ever come back on display at the following year event. This seems to make the public always curious, what kind of custom vehicles will be presented by the Automotive builders who come from various regions in Indonesia.

Of the many cars and motorbikes appeared at the event, one that made the visitor astonished was the work of a Bandar Lampung-based automotive custom workshop, named Satan Soul Custom. On this year event, Wuriyanto thus the name of the workshop owner brought a three-wheeled vehicle named 'Krakatoa' in a hot rod styled fierce looks. Those vehicle creator said that the vehicle was built from a 1982 Toyota Mark II with 2,000 cc engined.

This unique three-wheeled vehicle 'Krakatoa' built of the 1982 Toyota Mark II. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LRClAX)

As quoted from Tempo, the builder also claimed that the three-wheeled vehicle was made in a relatively short time, which is four months and was specifically built to appear at this annual automotive event. Although it was done in a short time, the results were practically good and neat.

The Satan Soul owner whose its works have passed several times during the 2014 and 2017 events, also explained not only once they were built a motorcycle based of a car. Yes, at the Kustomfest 2017 event, the Soul Satan ever displayed a motorcycle based of the Mazda B600 and managed to sold on Rp.60 million after the event end. 

The Krakatoa three-wheeled vehicle intended to sell at a price of more than Rp.100millions. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33b5yNb)

And now what about for the Krakatoa three-wheeled vehicle. According to Yanto, thus the owner of Satan Soul is usually called, he intended to sell the Krakatoa at a price of more than Rp.100 million due to the complicated level of workmanship.

The Krakatoa three-wheeled vehicle was built from the front to the rear. Although the gas lever remains in the hand while the clutch and gear are placed on the foot. For the front, this vehicle applies an independent drive taken from the Datsun 3S.

Meanwhile, the connecting handlebar and rear wheels are also given an intermediary. Furthermore, the front shock absorbers use components taken from the Harley Davidson Softtail while for the back of the Daihatsu Hijet 1000.

Then the radiator of the three-wheeled vehicle is placed at the rear while the whole body is remade by using the 1.2 millimeter thick iron plates. Furthermore, the Satan Soul owner said that the three-wheeled vehicle 'Krakatoa' able to run more than 100 km per hour. Do you want to try it?
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SATAN SOUL CUSTOM | TEMPO]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.