ADEMUS

What ADEMUS does

ADEMUS is a France-based private company founded in 2020 that is developing a high-end electric motorcycle manufactured in France. It operates from Toul with a workshop presence in Nancy, Grand-Est. The legal entity is tightly coupled with the "Atelier Medusa" custom-motorcycle workshop (atelier-medusa.fr) founded by Quentin Louis (IMAC engineer) and Thomas Salquebre (Arts & Métiers engineer), which built its brand over the prior cycle by transforming late-20th-century donor motorcycles — Honda CB 750 (1976), Yamaha XJ 750 (1984), Honda NX 650 Dominator (1988), Suzuki GN 125 (1997), Yamaha TW 125 (1999) — into one-off café racer and scrambler builds. Each custom build is hand-fabricated through three integrated specialty capabilities: metal shaping (partner: Métallerie Payot), bespoke leather seat-making (partner: Yves Ménard / Intérieur Style), and high-end powder coating and metallization (partner: Breton Industrie).

The core technology stack is craftsmanship rather than software: traditional French metalworking, custom leather upholstery, and proprietary powder-coating finishing techniques applied to motorcycle frames, tanks, suspension subassemblies, exhausts, and electrical harnesses. Selected builds documented on the website use Motogadget M-Unit electronics and aftermarket performance components (Ohlins, YSS, Hyperpro, K&N), but these are sourced parts rather than proprietary platforms. There is no disclosed intellectual property portfolio (no patents or trademarks listed) and no API, SDK, or software surface.

The legacy revenue model was direct-to-consumer, quote-based, one-off custom builds sold one at a time via the Nancy workshop. ADEMUS has since explicitly stopped accepting new custom-preparation orders in order to redirect workshop capacity toward its electric-motorcycle program. The new product is pre-launch and pre-revenue as of the latest inputs; a ~€600,000 financing in May 2024 is the most concrete capital signal backing the transition. Customers for the legacy business were individual motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors globally, served entirely through direct sales with no intermediaries — a model that earned significant worldwide earned-media coverage in outlets including Pipeburn, Bike Exif, Bikebound, Hi Consumption, Moto.it, Caradisiac, Craftrad, and Solomoto.

Name

ADEMUS

Legal name

Ademus

Website

https://atelier-medusa.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ADEMUS is a France-based private company building a high-end electric motorcycle manufactured in France; it shares its workshop origin with Atelier Medusa, a Nancy-based atelier founded in 2020 that produced one-off café racer and scrambler custom builds for individual motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Motorcycles

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Motorcycles & Electric Scooters Manufacturing (IMACAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motorcycle Manufacturing (ICE) (IMACAEAA), Frames, Chassis & Structural Components Manufacturing (IMACAOAG)

Keywords

• Custom motorcycle manufacturing
• Electric motorcycle development
• Cafe racer conversions
• Scrambler motorcycle builds
• Motorcycle workshop services

Headquarters

HQ city

Toul

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Motorcycle Sales: The company generates revenue through custom motorcycle preparations and builds. Each motorcycle is unique and built to individual customer specifications. Revenue is one-time per project as each build is a unique custom creation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

ADEMUS, operating through its Atelier Medusa workshop in Nancy, France, manufactures and delivers bespoke custom motorcycles — primarily cafe racer conversions and scrambler builds based on donor Japanese bikes such as Honda CB 750, Yamaha XJ 750, Honda NX 650 Dominator, Suzuki GN 125 and Yamaha TW 125. Each build combines French artisanal craftsmanship (custom metal shaping, hand-stitched leather seats, premium powder coating and metallization) with engineering expertise. The company is also developing an electric motorcycle that integrates new technologies with its craftsmanship heritage; the workshop is not currently accepting new custom build orders.

Product overview

Ademus is a French custom motorcycle workshop (operating as Atelier Medusa) that specializes in transforming vintage motorcycles into unique Cafe Racer, Scrambler, and Custom styles. The company offers five distinct custom motorcycle builds: the Honda CB 750 FOUR Cafe Racer (1976), Yamaha XJ 750 Cafe Racer (1984), Honda NX 650 Dominator Scrambler (1988), Suzuki GN 125 Scrambler (1997), and Yamaha TW 125 Tank Cafe Racer (1999). Each motorcycle is individually crafted using a combination of traditional French craftsmanship and engineering expertise, with custom parts including tanks, handlebars, exhausts, seats, and electrical systems. Founded by Quentin Louis (IMAC engineer) and Thomas Salquebre (Arts & Métiers engineer), the company has partnered with specialists for metal shaping, seat making, and powder coating. Ademus is currently transitioning from custom motorcycle preparation to developing electric motorcycles manufactured in France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Honda CB 750 FOUR Cafe Racer Bespoke cafe racer conversion built on a Honda CB 750 FOUR donor motorcycle by Atelier Medusa, showcasing the workshop's signature custom metal shaping, handcrafted leather seat work, and premium finishing. Intended for individual motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors seeking a one-of-a-kind French-built custom motorcycle.
• Yamaha XJ 750 Cafe Racer Bespoke cafe racer conversion built on a Yamaha XJ 750 donor motorcycle by Atelier Medusa. Demonstrates the workshop's custom metalwork, leather seat craftsmanship, and premium powder-coated finish. Targeted at individual motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors.
• Honda NX 650 Dominator Scrambler Bespoke scrambler conversion built on a Honda NX 650 Dominator donor motorcycle by Atelier Medusa. Showcases the workshop's capability to execute scrambler-style custom builds with custom fabrication, leather work, and high-end finishing. Targeted at individual motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors.
• Suzuki GN 125 Scrambler Bespoke scrambler conversion built on a Suzuki GN 125 donor motorcycle by Atelier Medusa. Demonstrates the workshop's custom metalwork, leather seat craftsmanship, and premium powder-coated finish on a smaller-displacement donor platform. Targeted at individual motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors.
• Yamaha TW 125 Tank Cafe Racer Bespoke cafe racer ("Tank") conversion built on a Yamaha TW 125 donor motorcycle by Atelier Medusa. Showcases the workshop's ability to execute compact custom builds with custom fabrication, leather work, and premium finishing. Targeted at individual motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors.
• ADEMUS Electric Motorcycle In-development electric motorcycle being designed and engineered by ADEMUS through Atelier Medusa, integrating new technologies and innovations with the workshop's bespoke craftsmanship. Targeted at individual motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors seeking a premium, hand-built electric motorcycle (not yet commercially launched).

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Guillaume Payot (Métallerie Payot)coreTechnology or IntegrationBrings metal shaping expertise and has played a crucial role in the creation of MEDUSA. Thanks to his skills, he is able to create very complex parts for custom motorcycles.
• Yves Ménard (Intérieur Style)coreTechnology or IntegrationIn charge of seat making, creator of Intérieur Style. Helps create custom-made seats with high-quality leather, adding a premium finishing touch to custom motorcycles.
• Breton IndustriecoreTechnology or IntegrationUses high-end powder coating and metallization technique for key parts of motorcycles. The technique meets the boldest requirements for both paint colour and finish.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Energica Motor Company: Italian premium electric motorcycle manufacturer with homologated production models. Directly comparable as a small-team European premium e-motorcycle OEM with limited volume and design-forward positioning.
• Zero Motorcycles: US-based electric motorcycle manufacturer with multiple production models and established dealer network. Comparable as a focused electric motorcycle OEM targeting premium enthusiast buyers.
• Cake (CAKE 0 Emission): Swedish premium electric two-wheeler manufacturer with design-led brand positioning. Comparable to Ademus for its design-forward, premium-priced, low-volume electric motorcycle strategy.
• Tarform Motors: US startup building handcrafted electric motorcycles with sustainable materials and bespoke finishes. Closely comparable to Ademus for combining custom craft aesthetic with electric motorcycle development.
• Deus Ex Machina: Global custom motorcycle brand and workshop with strong media presence and brand-led positioning. Directly comparable to the Medusa workshop heritage for custom builds and lifestyle branding.
• Revival Cycles: US bespoke custom motorcycle workshop known for premium craftsmanship and limited production. Comparable for the high-end custom build heritage Ademus is pivoting away from.
• Rough Crafts: Taiwanese custom motorcycle builder with strong international press presence. Comparable as a small-team custom workshop transitioning toward branded motorcycle products.

Broad incumbents

• LiveWire (Harley-Davidson): Harley-Davidson's electric motorcycle spinoff with scaled manufacturing, dealer network, and capital. Comparable as a premium electric motorcycle player but with vastly greater resources and distribution.
• NIU Technologies: Chinese smart electric two-wheeler manufacturer with global distribution. Comparable as an electric motorcycle/scooter OEM but at much higher volume and lower price point than Ademus's premium positioning.
• Super73: US electric bike/motorcycle brand with strong lifestyle marketing and global distribution. Comparable for design-led premium e-two-wheeler positioning, though operating at substantially higher scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ADEMUS