It’s good to be on the inside

Chris Metcalfe is the Senior Creative Director at Zero Motorcycles and is safe to say he knows a few people at Zero’s Scotts Valley, CA plant. I recently got to know Chris and when he showed me a photo of his new Zero SR/F – the first and only factory custom Zero SR/F – I was floored. The new SR/F is already the best looking Zero ever produced but seeing the subtle touches Chris made had me wanting one badly. Clearly our tastes are similar and we both remarked on how our Bullitt CB and his SR/F both use a very similar color palette.

I reached out to Chris and asked if I could share his SR/F and the story behind it here and he kindly obliged.

I did consulting for Zero prior to working for them full time, and I learned about this bike well before it was ever an actual bike. It was a big reason I wanted to come work at Zero. I had already been sold on the experience of riding an electric but when I saw this design I knew I wanted one for myself. And as a creative person I can’t help but customize my own motorcycles. With such a premium motorcycle I had to do a premium color. I have always been drawn to Audi Grey, or Nardo Grey, so that was my first choice. I chose to do a leather saddle in the same caramel color as the motor, which really helps tie it all together.

This is the only factory custom. The parts were painted prior to going down the assembly line with a handmade premium leather saddle to really help it stand out.
I cannot emphasize enough how amazing this thing is to ride. With little noise and no gears or clutch, it’s absolutely buttery smooth to ride. More like riding fresh powder on a snowboard, or surfing on a perfectly glassy wave.
– Chris Metcalfe