Sonic 90: A Suzuki GSX-R1100 restomod from Spain

Retro sportbikes have huge appeal. Despite the acres of plastic, some models have aged surprisingly well—such as the mighty Suzuki GSX-R1100.

Contemporary dyno tests showed around 110 hp at the back wheel. But there was also tons of usable torque from the 1,127 cc inline-four, and the big Suzy weighed a surprisingly reasonable 222 kg (489 lb.) dry. In its day, that was enough to sweep aside most other bikes on the road, and on to a top speed of around 155 mph.

Early Gixxers have a strong fan base, and the founders of the Spanish garage TooHard are fully paid up members.

This brilliant 1990 GSX-R restomod is the latest work from Jose and Bea, and reflects their focus on restoring and customizing older machinery.

If there’s a downside to retro sportbikes, is that they’re no longer competitive on the road—but you’re still stuck with the inevitable ergonomic compromises. And a 30-year-old bike is going to need pretty major remedial work to get it back to factory levels of performance, let alone make it competitive with a modern naked.

The solution is to take the restomod approach, assuming you are not too concerned with originality. And that’s what Jose and Bea have done here. They’ve taken a slightly ratty GSX-R1100 and readied it for 21st century roads.

“The concept was to create a motorcycle with the suspension and brakes of a modern bike, but keeping the Suzuki lines and the 90s essence.”

TooHard have listed two main inspirations for this build: Kevin Schwantz’s battles on his Suzuki during the 1990 race season, and the blue video game character Sonic The Hedgehog, who made his first appearance a year later. So they’ve called this Gixxer ‘Sõnic 90.’

On a more serious note, there’s a huge amount of mechanical work on this Suzuki, but it’s not immediately obvious unless you’re well versed in 90s motorcycling lore.

The biggest visual change is to the rear bodywork: the L-spec double seat has gone. With the help of a few hidden subframe tweaks, TooHard have installed a new tail unit, based on the GSX-R750 RK race replica, and with a shape more akin to the mid 80s single-seat 1100s. A discreet Rizoma light is hidden above the license plate.

On the mechanical side, TooHard have pillaged a 2012-spec GSX-R1000 and retrofitted most of the front end—including the big piston Showa forks, brake system and fender.

The wheels are 2012 GSX-R items too, plus the rear brake setup, rear fender and even the swingarm and shock linkage—which was the hardest part of this build. It’s now hooked up with a high-spec Öhlins shock. Spooning on new Michelin Pilot 3 sport touring rubber was the easy part.

Thirty-year-old wiring looms are not good for peace of mind, so Jose and Bea have modernized and simplified the electrics. At the heart is a Motogadget mo.unit control box with Bluetooth connectivity, plus a matching keyless ignition system and indicators.

The TRW clip-on bars, set at a relatively relaxed angle, are furnished with Motogadget grips and switchgear, plus a TRW throttle. The brake master is Brembo, the clutch master is Accossato, and the hoses are braided metal for maximum feel and control. Front and center is a simple but effective Motoscope Classic speedo.

The chassis and engine covers have been refinished, and a pair of new exhaust mufflers plumbed in. The crisp paint looks like a factory job, but it’s new—a clever mix of white, black and two shades of blue that manages to look both modern and classic at the same time.

Builds like this remind us that there’s room for more than one type of ‘Modern classic’ in the moto world, and it doesn’t have to be a 70s throwback. Top marks to TooHard for making this restomod look so easy on the eye.

TooHard Motor Co. | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Rafa Dieguez Fotografía

from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/2SFD3rm

2022 Ram 1500 Limited Edition Celebrates a Decade of Cool Trucks

The special editions keep on coming for Ram fans, this time with the announcement of the 1500 Limited 10th Anniversary Edition. Over the last few years, Ram has delighted their customers with a number of special edition rigs, like the Hydro Blue Sport, North Edition, Laramie Southwest Edition, and even a Kentucky Derby Edition. Likewise, the Power Wagon has its own special editions, most recently with this 75th anniversary variant in honor of those who serve in the armed forces.

Now we have the Ram 1500 Limited 10th Anniversary Edition, and it’s a beauty! 

Standard & Optional Equipment

The Ram 1500 Limited first hit the road in 2012, which explains the name of this latest edition. In paying homage to the original, Ram has this 2022 model decked out with quilted leather seats and door inserts, a suede headliner, authentic wood accents, a metal pedal kit, and a 19-speaker premium sound system. An exclusive Blue Shade exterior color, multifunction tailgate, Mopar center-mounted bed step, and adjustable cargo tie-down hooks are all available.

Engine & Powertrain

The Ram 1500 Limited 10th Anniversary Edition is available in Crew Cab configurations with either the 5.7-liter Hemi (with eTorque mild-hybrid assist) or 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine. The Hemi mild-hybrid combo creates 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft. of torque, while the EcoDiesel pumps out 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft. of torque. Both engines are connected to a Torqueflite eight-speed automatic (Stellantis code 8HP75).

2022 Ram 1500 Limited 10th Anniversary Edition. Photo: Stellantis.

2012 Versus 2021

For a point of comparison: in its top configuration in 2012, the Ram 1500 with a 5.7 Hemi produced 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft. of torque. With a six-speed automatic, 4×4 Ram trucks with the 5.7 Hemi at the time were rated by the EPA at 13 in the city and 19 on the highway. Today, the 5.7 Hemi with eTorque has an EPA rating of 17/23 city/highway, while the EcoDiesel is rated at 22/32 city/highway.

The eTorque mild-hybrid system originated in 2018 when Ram committed to overhauling their 1500 series trucks. During that redesign, Ram engineers implemented several key improvements across the lineup, including a lighter high-strength steel frame, upgrades to the independent front suspension, and a new thermal management system.

Pricing & Availability

The 2022 Ram 1500 Limited 10th Anniversary Edition will go on sale in the third quarter of 2021. Starting MSRP is $61,870, which includes the destination charge of $1,695. If you are in the market for a new Ram truck, special edition or otherwise, this free and easy search tool* will get you started. With that tool, you can see which Ram dealers in your area offer the best discounts and incentives.

Photos & Source: Stellantis.

*Although always free to you, Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you visit this link.

Original article: 2022 Ram 1500 Limited Edition Celebrates a Decade of Cool Trucks

from Automoblog https://ift.tt/3hcasSw

Enjoy This Gallery of a Maserati Ghibli Described as a “Song on Wheels”

Maserati and Hiroshi Fujiwara, the Japanese godfather of street culture, have teamed up for a project that merges music, art, and automotive design. Born from this partnership between Maserati and Fujiwara’s Fragment brand are the Ghibli Operanera and Ghibli Operabianca, both described as a song on wheels.

Styling & Design

Based on the Ghibli GranLusso, the Operanera and Operabianca special editions are a monochromatic duo, one in black and the other in white. Both ride on 20-inch Urano matte black wheels and include a Fragment badge on the C pillar. The inside is finished in premium Alcantara leather, with contrasting silver inserts. These cars are as rare as they are stylish too, as only 175 will be produced globally.

Special Designation

Last but not least, the code M157110519FRG appears underneath the side air ducts. This alphanumeric tag commemorates the partnership: the first four characters are the Ghibli ID code, the next six numbers are the date of the first meeting (November 5th, 2019) between Fujiwara and Maserati, and the final three letters are the acronym of Fragment.

Original article: Enjoy This Gallery of a Maserati Ghibli Described as a “Song on Wheels”

from Automoblog https://ift.tt/3635frk

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback: Sporty Looks, Revised Body Structure & a Manual Transmission!

After whetting our appetites with the eleventh-gen Civic sedan’s newfound sense of style, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback is next on the menu. The newest Civic hatchback is an important one since it’s the only new Civic with a six-speed manual transmission. Plus, you can pair the manual stick with either the base naturally-aspirated or optional turbocharged engine. So until the all-new Civic Type R and Civic Si arrive, the hatchback is your golden ticket to experiencing one of the smoothest and slickest manual transmissions in the industry.

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Powertrain

As expected, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback is carrying a similar powertrain as its sedan brethren. The base Civic Hatchback LX and Sport models have a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-banger with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft. of torque. Both come standard with a revised CVT automatic featuring step-shift programming and earlier downshifts to provide more punch, but Sport models can have an optional six-speed manual box.

On the other hand, the Civic Hatchback EX-L and Sport Touring have a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft. of torque on regular unleaded gas. The EX-L has a standard CVT automatic, but the Sport Touring is available with a six-speed manual. In addition, CVT-equipped Civic Hatchbacks have an additional Sport driving mode that alters the drive ratios and improves engine mapping to deliver a more sporty feel.

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback. Photo: Honda North America.

Architecture, Chassis & Suspension

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback is not merely a Civic sedan with a rear hatch. It has a stiffer body structure that improves torsional rigidity by 19 percent compared to the outgoing model. Honda made generous use of structural adhesives, sound-deadening materials, and spray-in foam within the body structure to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness.

The Civic Hatchback’s ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body frame consists of an all-aluminum front subframe and various components using high-strength steel grades. Underneath, it has MacPherson front struts with low-friction ball joints and damper mount bearings to improve the steering feel. Nice try, Honda. But we’re still pining for those double wishbones in the Acura TLX Type S.

It may not be noticeable at first, but the latest Civic Hatchback has a 1.4 inch longer wheelbase and a 0.5 inch wider rear track than the old model. However, the hatchback is 4.9 inches shorter than the sedan, but the former still offers 1.4 inches more rear headroom courtesy of a new composite hatch design with an outward hinge mechanism.

Looking The Business

We’re not shy in admitting the 2022 Civic sedan is a beauty, but the hatchback has an appeal of its own. It has a different front grille with a slightly concave design. In addition, the gently sloping roof blends well with the hatchback’s shorter length as it gives the vehicle a more compact yet dynamic vibe.

We also love the high-mounted taillights (none of that claw-shaped nonsense) and that groovy lightbar that nearly spans the entire width of the hatch. Speaking of the hatch, Honda increased the cargo opening by 1.6 inches to help with bulkier items. And just in case you’re wondering, the 2022 Civic Hatchback is available in eight paint colors, including a bespoke Smokey Mauve Pearl and Boost Blue Pearl.

Photo: Honda North America.

Elegant Yet Sporty Interior

For the first time, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback receives an all-digital instrument cluster. The Hatchback LX, Sport, and EX-L have a seven-inch digital instrument cluster and a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Meanwhile, the range-topping Sport Touring model has a nine-inch instrument cluster and a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging.

The good news is both infotainment systems have a physical volume knob and a bevy of hard buttons. Honda was even kind enough to design a finger rest below the infotainment screen for better ergonomics. Optional is a Bose Premium Sound System with 11 speakers, a subwoofer, and a 12-channel amplifier with digital signal processing to deliver sharper sound reproduction.

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback interior layout. Photo: Honda North America.

Safety Features

All trim models of the 2022 Civic Hatchback are standard with the Honda Sensing package of advanced safety features. Like the sedan, the hatchback has a new single-camera system with updated software and a more potent processor to quickly identify bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles on the road. Additionally, Honda Sensing includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warnings, low-speed braking control, and a traffic jam assist, among many others.

Warranty Coverage

All Honda Civic Hatchbacks come with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. If you do a lot of driving, it might be worth looking into a Honda extended warranty. This comprehensive guide will show you the way.

Photo: Honda North America.

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Pricing

Pricing for the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback remains forthcoming, but the first U.S. deliveries are arriving later this year. And for the first time, production for the new Civic Hatchback is at Honda’s manufacturing plant in Greensburg, Indiana.

When the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback arrives, this free and easy search tool* will show you dealer inventory in your area. It will not only help you compare prices, but it will let you see which Honda dealers are offering the best discounts and incentives. Of course, when shopping for a new car, you always want to try and obtain the invoice price, which that vehicle search tool will help you do.

Alvin Reyes is an Automoblog feature columnist and an expert in sports and performance cars. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.

Photos & Source: Honda North America.

*Although always free to you, Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you visit this link.

Original article: 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback: Sporty Looks, Revised Body Structure & a Manual Transmission!

from Automoblog https://ift.tt/3AdVFQ0

Project Y: VR Customs builds a Ducati 996 Cafe Racer

We’re not precious about which motorcycles shouldn’t be customized. But we still feel a pang of sadness when a classic is butchered—and smile big when it’s done right.

Most people wouldn’t fiddle with a Ducati 996, but VR Customs aren’t most people. They’ve tackled two already, and turned ’em into a pair of stylish cafe racers called Project X and Project Y. You’re looking at Project Y; the second of the two to be completed.

VR Customs is the bespoke build arm of Vendetta Racing—a race team based in Dubai that’s taken on everything from the Manx GP to the Dakar Rally. Run by Alan Boyter, the crew has over 14 years experience in building race bikes, and approach their race and cafe racer projects the same way. “Everything has to perform as good as it looks,” says Alan.

Both projects kicked off about seven years ago, while Alan was restoring his 1997 Ducati 916 SPS. The team started pondering the idea of a track-focused cafe racer based on the 916 platform, but ideas quickly snowballed. Pretty soon the concept involved using the 996 as a donor, adding a full complement of alloy bodywork, and building two bikes instead of one.

VR Customs decided to farm out the metallurgy, so they sourced a company in the UK that could execute their vision. “Forming sheet metal is an art,” says Alan, “and not learned over a couple of weeks.”

The company had off-the-shelf fairings and tail sections that could be modified to suit the builds, but the tanks would have to be custom made. So VR Customs found an old tank, then reshaped it with expanding foam and body filler to make a template. Then they shipped it off to the UK to put their order in—and sourced two 996 donors from across the pond at the same time.

Between delays with the bodywork, racing commitments, an injury and client projects, Project X was only completed late last year. But Project Y had hardly left the blocks—VR had modified the subframe and fitted the fuel tank, but that was it.

“The subject of the unfinished Ducati came up over beers one evening,” says Alan, “and to cut a long story short, there was another Ducati 996 project in the VR workshop!”

Since the crew had just wrapped up the first bike, they had a great blueprint to work from. So they set themselves a far more ambitious timeline: four months, to have the bike ready for an upcoming custom show in Dubai.

First on the list was to mount the bodywork and finish up the Ducati’s subframe mods. VR relocated the battery to under the tail bump, which is removable via a recessed 12 mm nut underneath the tail. They also mounted a discreet LED strip taillight with built-in indicators, which is almost invisible until it’s switched on.

The front end proved to be a bigger challenge. VR deliberately opted for a different design to Project X to differentiate between the two builds, so they couldn’t copy and paste their previous work.

They started by mounting a 7” headlight to the stock headstock mounting points, then built up a custom fairing subframe around that. The fairing attaches with just four Dzus quarter-turn fasteners.

Tucked behind the fairing is a Koso digital dash, complete with a GPS speedo and a gear position indicator. VR installed longer-than-stock clip-ons, then added a Domino throttle, switches and grips, with clutch and brake controls from Brembo.

Sitting further down is an aftermarket alloy radiator, with modified mounts to tuck it lower and further back. It’s hooked up to the OEM fan, with redirected inlet and outlet nozzles to tighten up the plumbing. There’s also a custom-made Y-piece to delete the stock thermostat and integrate the three temperature sensors, and a custom alloy header tank and connecting lines.

VR have kept the 996’s OEM Showa forks, Öhlins rear shock and Brembo brakes, but rebuilt everything and added Goodridge lines. This is a 2000-model 996 with Marchesini wheels—so the guys kept those too, but changed their color.

The exhaust system is custom, with a pair of asymmetrical pie-cut headers running into GP-style mufflers. “Lobster-tail exhausts are now the norm on all VR Custom bikes,” says Alan. “Design is obviously part of it—but the more simple reason is that the workshop isn’t big enough to house a pipe bender!”

Alan managed to weld up the exhaust just as he caught the Coronavirus—sending him into quarantine for ten days and threatening to derail the project. But he was soon back on his feet, and the team started buttoning up the bike just two weeks before the show. On went a full set of cadmium-plated bolts, and an extensive list of carbon fiber bits, including a Monster front fender and rear wheel covers.

VR opted for a sea foam green powder coat on the frame, as a nod to the iconic 1970s Ducati 750 SS. Against the polished bodywork and carbon fiber trim, it pops.

The crew managed to wrap things up just in time to enter both Ducati 996s into the show. Project Y’s first outing was a success, as it bagged first place in its class. But it’s for sale now, to make room for a forced induction Ducati 998/1198 project. Are you tempted?

VR Customs Facebook | Instagram | Vendetta Racing | Images by Michael Vosloo / Twist n Grip

from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/2UPz1NQ

Do Consumers Now Prefer Online Vehicle Shopping Versus Going to a Dealership?

You likely already research the car you want to buy online, but what about purchasing it online too? Instead of going to a dealership, you can research the vehicle you want, then buy it via your laptop smartphone at the same time? That may be the way of the future, according to one study.

Motus, a workforce solutions company, has released its latest report titled A Shift in Service Delivery: On-Demand Services Shape 2021, which examines how “digital retail channels” are gaining traction in the automotive industry following COVID-19. According to the report, 80 percent of consumers now prefer hybrid or online shopping when either purchasing, maintaining, or insuring their vehicles. Furthermore, the Motus report notes that consumers believe they save both time and money with online shopping compared to in-person experiences.  

Shifting Mindsets Towards Retail

According to the report, as consumers shift their shopping mindset from brick and mortar to digital options, the market will continue to see waves in how on-demand services are delivered. In its report, Motus cites how online purchases grew 24 percent globally in 2020, while in-store sales dropped by seven percent. The Motus report also concludes that online shopping will still be a preferred method for many, despite mask mandates having mostly lifted nationwide. According to the report, an estimated 17 percent of goods will be bought online in 2021, nearly doubling from 2016.

“On-demand goods and service delivery has evolved beyond necessity and convenience to help us navigate the world mid-pandemic and beyond,” explained Ken Robinson, Market Research Manager for Motus. “As consumers increasingly are favoring digital channels, brands need to adapt to offering online and hybrid digital experiences.”

Online Car Buying

The Motus report shows that in 2020, nearly 30 percent of all new car sales in the United States happened online, a 20 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic percentages. Brands and retailers hesitant to adopt an online-only business model may want to try a hybrid approach instead. Motus found that hybrid buying models, supported by both a digital and in-person experience, can shorten transaction times by as much as 75 percent. “The pandemic continues to affect the way we learn, live, and work,” Robinson said. “People are discovering ways to foster a better work/life balance and make the most of their time off-line.”

Either way, consumers that utilized a hybrid or online-only method to car buying saved nearly three hours researching and shopping for vehicles during the pandemic. For these reasons, Automoblog offers an extensive array of vehicle and dealership search tools designed to save readers time and money. One tool helps consumers find the best deals on new cars, while the second tool takes the edge off looking for a used vehicle. 

“While Automoblog and its partners do have the potential to earn a commission at a later date from these search tools and services, they will always be free for our readers to use as they need,” said Carl Anthony, Managing Editor of Automoblog. “Readers can use these tools from the comfort of their own home to see which dealers in their area are offering the best price on the vehicle of their choice.” 

During the pandemic, Automoblog and Detroit Trading launched a series of free and helpful search tools. With these tools, readers can easily research vehicles they are interested in and see which dealers in their area are offering the best price.

On-Demand Vehicle Maintenance

Consumers are also interested in scheduling service and maintenance work online. The Motus report finds that mobile technician services, like YourMechanic and RepairSmith, can save customers up to 30 percent since such services do not have the overhead of a physical shop. Time is a consideration as well.

“People are busier than ever, and car repairs are something that can eat up an entire day,” explained RepairSmith CEO Joel Milne. When a service is requested, a certified technician arrives in a company van with the tools and parts for the given repair. These technicians perform nearly all repairs on the customer’s territory, most often at their homes or places of business. “We can fix 80 percent of the typical maintenance issues in the driveway,” Milne added.

Online Insurance Shopping & Claims

Like virtual car buying and on-demand vehicle maintenance, consumers gravitated more towards digital auto insurance tools during quarantine. The Motus report notes that pay-as-you-go or pay-per-mile insurance options help policyholders control costs based on how much they drive. This is especially true for people driving less than 500 miles per month.

“Available through most carriers, usage-based plans can offer somewhat real-time relief to those driving less or driving safer,” said Robert Lajdziak, Senior Consultant for insurance intelligence at J.D. Power. “Interest in such programs has increased as a result of COVID-19, given consumers still expect to be driving less in the future, whether to remain working at home or simply because they want to spend less time in public.”

In 2020, the auto insurance industry returned $18 billion in premiums to policyholders. State Farm was among the many who sent partial refunds to policyholders who were driving less. In early April 2020, State Farm announced they would issue dividends for premiums paid between March 20th and May 31st. “On average, customers will receive a credit of about 25 percent of the premium paid for that time frame,” said Tammi Estes, Public Affairs Senior Specialist for State Farm at the time.

Allstate, Geico, Farmers, Progressive, USAA, and numerous other providers sent premium refunds between 15 and 20 percent to their customers in 2020. “With respect to COVID-19, rates didn’t go down, but consumers received refunds and dividends from the insurer,” Lajdziak added.

Further Reading

A Shift in Service Delivery: On-Demand Services Shape 2021 is available from Motus on its official website. Despite pre-pandemic apprehension, 74 percent of new car shoppers and 71 percent of used car shoppers say they are satisfied with their online buying experience. That’s up 62 percent and 60 percent, respectively, when compared to 2019.

“Car buying has long been a stressor for consumers, but I believe many are finding the online and hybrid approaches mentioned here are both easier and more transparent,” Anthony said. “These types of retail experiences in the car business help keep the ball in the customer’s court, which will inevitably increase their satisfaction with the final purchase.”

Original article: Do Consumers Now Prefer Online Vehicle Shopping Versus Going to a Dealership?

from Automoblog https://ift.tt/3Aaokp3

The 5 Best-Selling Radar Detectors on Amazon & Where Else to Buy Them in This Video

The five best-selling radar detectors on Amazon are also among the best on the market in general. Amazon is great for researching important purchases like radar detectors, but where will you actually get the best price? Is it better to buy from Amazon or straight from the manufacturer? What about other retailers like Best Buy or Crutchfield? In this video, we talk about where you can get the best deal on your next radar detector. The links to each unit mentioned in this video are listed below.

Cobra RAD 480i

• Amazon
• Cobra Official Site
• Best Buy
• iRadar App

Uniden R3

• Amazon
• Best Buy

Uniden R7

• Amazon
• Best Buy

Uniden DFR1

• Amazon
• Home Depot
• eBay

Cobra RAD 380

• Amazon
• Cobra Official Site
• Crutchfield

Best radar detectors under $200 listed here.

Original article: The 5 Best-Selling Radar Detectors on Amazon & Where Else to Buy Them in This Video

from Automoblog https://ift.tt/3jzY16b

Speed Read, 27 June 2021

It’s a bumper selection for Royal Enfield fans today, with a new parts kit from Bad Winners of Paris and a chunky custom from a English startup. We’ve also got an SR500 built by an aircraft technician from Canada, and details of a radical new land speed record contender.

Bad Winners Motokit for Royal Enfield twins Bad Winners is one of the biggest success stories in the European custom scene. Shop founder Walid Ben Lamine has built many, many fantastic customs over the past decade, from one-offs to limited production ‘series’ bikes.

He now includes kits in his repetoire, and the latest is this new ‘Motokit’ for the hugely popular Royal Enfield 650 twins.

Working with RE headquarters, Walid has taken a modular approach—so 650 owners can either take the whole shebang, or upgrade a bike in stages.

We’d start with the suspension first, which includes new fork internals from YSS and a choice of three different shocks. And maybe add the 17-inch wheels with Dunlop’s new Mutant rubber.

You can supplement that with a ‘Front’ kit of Renthal bars, matched to a custom set of push buttons, a control box to interface with the stock wiring loom, a new throttle, and Oberon mirrors.

We’d add the Motogadget Tiny speedo as well, attached via supplied brackets, and a Koso Thunderbolt headlight in a custom bucket.

On the performance front, Bad Winners have assembled a package of goodies including a custom mapped Power Commander, a free-flow S&S air filter, and a choice of exhaust systems from S&S or Spark. It’ll give the parallel twin a useful boost in power beyond the stock 47 horses.

For owners into the modern ‘flat seat’ look, there’s also a seat kit—but this requires getting the grinder out. If you’re confident doing that, you’ll get a new rear loop, a seat unit, a bobbed fender and license plate holder, and revised lighting to fit the new setup.

The 650s have been a well-deserved success for Royal Enfield, and we reckon this kit will be a hit for Bad Winners too. Keep an eye on their website to see when it goes on sale—some of BW’s other kits are so popular they’re on backorder.

Stu Lloyd’s Yamaha SR500E Ex-pat Brit Stu Lloyd has lived an action-packed life, jetting around the world as part of his job as an aircraft tech. He now calls Calgary, Canada his home, and spends his time spinning spanners on bikes rather than jets.

This 1978 SR500 is Stu’s latest project, and as you’d expect from someone of his background, it’s beautifully built.

Stu’s hobby is riding and racing superbikes, but this SR500 is an altogether more practical and safer machine—because it’s destined for his 12-year-old daughter when she’s old enough to ride. And Stu has built it using the same skills and tricks employed by bike builders from the 70s and 80s.

He’s given the Yamaha a Mikuni VM36-4 carb, an Omega Racer exhaust system, and treated the head to a mild porting. He’s removed weight by installing a fiberglass Benelli tank, a li-ion battery, and a fiberglass tail unit on a shortened loop.

After removing unnecessary tabs and steel from the frame, Stu strengthened the swingarm and fitted upgraded shocks and revised fork internals.

Visually, the bike is inspired by the Paul Smart Ducatis, and also the work of Pepo Rosell. An Imola replica fairing and twin 4.5-inch headlights create an endurance racer look.

There are far too many other details to list here, but we reckon Stu’s daughter is in for a treat when she’s old enough to pilot this machine. Get the full build story here. [Images by Adam Gregory]

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 by Soldoutmotorcycles Shaun Walker is one of the biggest names in the British custom scene: he co-founded the Down & Out workshop, famous for its fat-tired Triumphs, and recently branched out into very cool motorized BMX builds.

After seven years of running D&O, Shaun has started a new company, and plans to spend more time getting his hands dirty.

“I needed a change, so sold the business and have gone back to my roots—and back to my original unit in my local town,” he tells us.

“Running the business left me no time to build one-off bikes. So this is about building bikes like I used to, back in the day, and the Royal Enfield Interceptor is a great platform.”

This Interceptor has got Shaun’s signature style written all over it. The key modification is the wide fork kit, with new triples and spacers allowing 3.5-inch wide Excel rims to be fitted, at 16 inches both front and back. The tires are 500-16 blackwall Coker Becks, shielded by custom fenders.

Shaun’s installed LSL bars on custom risers, with internal wiring. The bar-end indicators (and keyless igntion system) are from Motogadget, with discreet Kellerman LED units handling both indicator and stoplight duties at the back.

The gauge is a Cognito Moto GPS unit, which doesn’t require a transmission sensor to operate. It sits right above Shaun’s proprietary headlight unit, mounted on custom brackets.

Fabrication includes 2-into-2 exhaust pipework, and a plush new seat with classy diamond stitching. It sits atop a new rear frame loop, which includes mounting points for YSS piggyback shocks.

Finished off with classy olive-and-silver paint from Pro Kustom, this Interceptor is a brilliant calling card for Shaun’s new workshop. Hit him up if you’d like to give your own Royal Enfield an extra dose of custom style.

Soldoutmotorcycles Instagram | Images by Simon Krajnyak

White Motorcycle Concepts goes for the world record Last year, veteran racer Max Biaggi broke eleven world records for the fastest speed set on a electric bike. On a Voxan bike, he set a best of 408 km/h (254 mph) during one particular run at a French airfield.

A British motorsport engineer called Robert White is now gunning for that record, relying on aerodynamics as well as outright power. He reckons his two-wheel drive WMC250EV streamliner has everything it needs to wipe out Biaggi’s record, aided by a drag coefficient of just 0.11.

The key is an air channel that runs the length of the bike—a patented concept he’s called ‘V-Air.’ It reduces drag by around 70% over conventional bodywork, removing the need for massive amounts of power: the four electric motors in this machine have a combined output of around 100kW or 134hp.

According to White, “For the land speed application, the three major factors are aerodynamic drag, grip between the tire and the salt to drive forward, and power, which is third in line.”

Development of the WMC250EV is well advanced now, and the team is aiming to break the British record before 2021 is out—and then the world record next year. Given the amount of tech crammed into this unusual-looking machine, we reckon they might just do it. [Via]

from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/3jlg6ES