Pushing Boundaries with Bruno Forcella’s ‘King Current’

Discover Bruno Forcella’s ‘King Current,’ a bold custom electric motorcycle that blends innovation, craftsmanship, and performance.

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Bruno Forcella has been pushing the boundaries of electric motorcycles for years. Ever since THE PACK featured his ‘Number One’ custom electric bike in 2017, he’s been turning heads with his unique mix of bold design and top-tier engineering. Never one to settle, he took things up a notch with his latest project, ‘King Current’. This bike keeps the sleek look of his first build but amps up the performance in a big way. Now, it’s time to take a closer look at this incredible machine.

A Vision for the Future of Custom Electric Motorcycles

Forcella’s journey into electric custom motorcycles began in 2014 with the creation of a one-of-a-kind electric bike. Determined to refine his craft, he launched the ‘King Current’ project to preserve his first build’s aesthetics while greatly enhancing performance. This meant refining the rear suspension, extending the range, and manufacturing more components himself to push the boundaries of customization.

“After designing and developing my initial electric motorcycle in 2014, I felt compelled to turn my vision of another custom creation into reality,” says Forcella.

“My aim was to craft a unique electric custom motorcycle that retained the aesthetic of the first but boasted improved performance, enhanced rear suspension, extended range, and more self-manufactured components.”

Forcella took a hands-on approach, designing and building key components like the battery box, heat sinks, belt tensioner, brake adapters, glass fibre covers, and frame. With a 100 km range, ‘King Current’ suits his daily rides, whether commuting or cruising by the lake. Range is a challenge for electric bikes, but he avoided bulky battery housing that could ruin the design. “Battery tech has improved, but energy density hasn’t advanced much,” he says. “More range means bigger batteries, which add weight and limit design. That’s not the bike I want to build.”

The Debut at the 2024 Custombike Show

‘King Current’ made its grand debut at the 2024 Custombike Show in Bad Salzuflen, Germany. It was Forcella’s first time presenting the bike to a large audience and competing in a custom bike championship alongside hundreds of handcrafted motorcycles from across Europe. Despite not securing a trophy in any of the 15 categories, Forcella remains proud of what he achieved.

Forcella’s time at the event was eye-opening, giving him a glimpse into how the custom scene views electric bikes. He’s optimistic about the future, confident that as tech improves and more people get on board, electric customs will earn their place in the industry.

‘King Current’: A Breakdown of Innovation

The drivetrain and performance of ‘King Current’ come from a donor bike, the Zero Motorcycles FX 2016. The braking system also originates from the same model and includes ABS. The motorcycle houses a three-phase highly efficient permanent magnet motor. It can deliver a maximum torque of 96 Nm and a peak power of 44 PS at 3700 U/min. With a battery capacity of 6.5 kWh and a voltage of 102 V, the bike achieves a range of 100 km and a top speed of 125 km/h. It features a clutchless direct belt drive with self-designed pulleys, and Forcella custom-built both the battery housing and the heat sink for the motor controller.

The ‘King Current’ features a self-made Softail-style frame with cantilever suspension. Its swingarm stands out with a symmetrical design and S-shaped tubing. The rear suspension’s progressive shocks sit between the motor and the solo seat, making them a focal point. Up front, a telescopic fork with massive triple tree clamps, large bottom sliders, and a hidden axle mount completes the setup.

The bike’s accessories and design reflect Forcella’s meticulous attention to detail. The handlebars follow a superbike-style layout, with high-quality push button switches.

The seat is a solo seat with two-inch barrel-style springs. The self-designed and self-made fibreglass reinforced plastic covers serve as a distinctive element in place of a traditional gas tank. The rear and front fenders are partly self-made and modified, supported by custom-made fender struts. Other custom-made components include the license plate holder and toothed belt pulleys. The lighting system includes a three-in-one LED rear light, brake light, and turn signals, with LED handlebar end indicators and an HD headlight inserted in an aluminium housing. The striking paint job was completed by Fabrizio Passani.

The wheels complete the unique build, with a 21” x 3.5” front wheel and an 18” x 5.5” rear wheel, enhancing both stability and aesthetics.

A Bold Statement in Custom Electric Motorcycles

Bruno Forcella’s ‘King Current’ is more than an electric motorcycle—it’s a statement of individuality, craftsmanship, and vision. With self-made components, a unique frame, and smart engineering, it showcases the potential of custom electric bikes. While traditional events still favour roaring gas engines, pioneers like Forcella are proving that electric bikes have a place in the custom scene.

As battery technology progresses, the possibilities for electric custom motorcycles will only expand. And when that time comes, Bruno Forcella will undoubtedly be at the forefront, shaping the next chapter in electric two-wheeler evolution.