The motorcycle racing influence is clear in this week’s Speed Read. We start off with a Moto Guzzi sidecar hack built to set a land speed record, then profile the new Norton V4CR limited edition café racer. A vintage Triumph Trackmaster flat tracker follows, before we conclude with an endurance racing-inspired Yamaha XSR900.
Moto Guzzi sidecar rig by Craig Rodsmith A classic Moto Guzzi of dubious origins with handmade, flowing bodywork, built for ludicrous intent; you betcha, it’s another Craig Rodsmith build. What started as a functional motorcycle sculpture for Craig’s best mate, the late Bobby Haas, founder of the Haas Moto Museum, quickly evolved into a more ‘focused’ build.
As well as being a successful businessman, an ace photographer for National Geographic and becoming the ‘Patron Saint of Custom Bike Builders,’ Bobby Haas was an avid sidecar rider. Originally approaching Mr. Rodsmith to make a sidecar that he and his partner Stacey could ride around Dallas, Bobby soon had another idea rattling around in his head. He wanted to attempt a land speed record at the Bonneville salt flats—and he wanted to do it with a sidecar rig.
Motorcycles are inherently risky, so you’d think that bolting another wheel onto them would make them safer, right? Not so much. Just like a date with your crush, a third wheel is not something you want or need.
Regardless of this, people have been riding and racing sidecars for a long time, and Bobby really wanted to go down this path. It’s lucky he’s such good mates with Craig, because we can’t think of a better guy to build such a contraption.
Starting with an early loop-frame Moto Guzzi, Craig modified the frame extensively until it was slimmed down and reinforced into the vision you see here. The front end was raked out and the trail was increased for added stability. The sidecar itself is very minimal (you can’t actually do a legal speed run with a passenger), but it has its own suspension to aid with stability.
The engine and drivetrain were seen to by Craig’s friend Joe Walano, who is also known as ‘The Guzzi Doctor.’ Starting with an early 70s roundhead engine, it was punched out from 850 cc to 977 cc. New cylinders, a lightened flywheel, a set of Carrillo rods and forged high-compression Venolia pistons were thrown in, before the whole rotating assembly was balanced.
The heads were ported and Kibblewhite valves and springs were installed, along with a new Raceco cam. 40 mm Dell’Orto carbs supply the fuel.
The bodywork was done in Craig’s brilliant Rodsmith style. The flawless dustbin fairing, tank cover, rear cowl and sidecar streamlining were all made by his hand in aluminum. There’s no paint, so Craig’s work is on full display.
Sadly, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Bobby was not able to attempt his record speed run on time. And with his untimely passing in 2021, it looked like the Moto Guzzi would never taste salt. But Craig has pushed on, and the bike (nicknamed ‘Mr Fahrenheit,’ after a lyric from Queen’s hit track, Don’t Stop Me Now) is still going to be run at Bonneville.
A documentary about the attempt is being produced, and we can’t wait to see it. [Via]
Norton V4CR Building on the latest round of investment by giant Indian vehicle manufacturer TVS, Norton has pulled the covers off their latest bike—the Norton V4CR café racer. Norton, who must still be recovering from a disastrous few years, look like they are finally on the up and up. Thanks to TVS they have improved the 961 Commando, released the V4SV, and are now moving forwards with the V4CR.
It’s essentially a Norton V4SV, but in a state of undress. And, if we’re being honest, we like it a bit more now. Gone is the V4SV’s sculpted fairing, replaced by a beautifully crafted naked front end.
The 43mm Öhlins NIX30 fully-adjustable front forks remain, but they are now in full view of the general public. A new LED headlight sits up front, and the CNC top and bottom fork yolks are works of art. The headlight bezel incorporates a tiny windshield, which looks more like a sculpture than motorcycle part (in a good way).
The loud and proud 1,200 cc, 185 bhp Norton V4 engine is tucked away behind various shrouds and radiators. Without the fairing, even more of the handmade aluminum frame and titanium exhaust is visible. English craftsmanship is on full display here, and we’re digging it.
Another favorite detail is the exposed air intakes at the front of the tank shroud. Like the V4SV, the tank is actually under the seat, made from a carbon-kevlar composite. The bodywork is still all carbon fiber, helping to bring the curb weight down to just 204 kg [450 lbs].
The new V4CR is available in two color ways—Manx Platinum and Carbon. The Manx option has silver bodywork with forged aluminum matte black OZ Piega wheels, and a gorgeous orange seat cover. The Carbon (which is the color we’d choose) sports exposed carbon bodywork, a black seat and carbon fiber BST Rapidtek wheels.
The injection of cash from TVS means that Norton is staying put in their Solihull factory, where they continue to build every new Norton by hand. Limited to 200 units, the new V4CR looks damn good and will set you back a mere £41,999 [about $52,291].
But what we’re really curious about, is how it rides. There’s only one way to find out. (Norton, are you listening?) [Via]
Triumph T120 Trackmaster by Storagebuilt From a literal box of bits to a One Moto Show masterpiece—this is the story of Storagebuilt’s Caleb Grissom, and his 1969 Triumph T120 Trackmaster.
Growing up with a dad who raced pro flat track in the 70s, Caleb must have had a pretty awesome time as a kid. All the right things imprinted on young Caleb, because he grew up riding—and continues to do so today. Born in Indiana, he moved to Portland where the local bike scene only nurtured his love of motorcycles.
Ten years ago, Caleb’s dad traded some stuff for an early 70s Trackmaster frame and other associated parts from Gary Beach (the father of current flat track racer, JD Beach). Gary kept these parts with him all the way up until last year, when Caleb was able to drive up to Seattle and collect them. With the rolling chassis taking up valuable space in his imagination, Caleb quickly got to work turning the basket case into this incredible flat tracker.
Living around the corner from See See Motor Coffee, Caleb had the brilliant idea of building the bike in time for the 2023 One Moto Show. He had the parts, and now he had the deadline, but what he didn’t have was the space. So he set about building the bike on his covered patio.
The engine that Caleb paired up with this Trackmaster frame also came from Gary… sort of. It belonged to Caleb’s dad, who had handed it over to Gary for a rebuild around the same time as the frame deal. Gary kitted it out to 750 cc with high-performance internals, with a pair of Amal carbs squirting the fuel.
The engine breathes in through a huge pod filter, and out via a short TT twin exhaust that terminates under the bike. The vintage forks are from Betor, the brakes are Brembo and the rims are from Akront. Wrapped in Dunlop flat track rubber, they look incredibly purposeful.
Caleb wanted the bike to look like it had rolled straight off the track in the 70s, so that dictated the overall style of the bike. The front and rear number plates were from his dad’s old race bike, so they actually have some race providence which is a very neat touch. Caleb also designed the tank graphics, which suit the vibe perfectly.
Above all else, it looks like an absolute hoot to ride. The only change we’d make is a liberal splashing of mud. We can’t wait to see what Caleb comes up with next! [Via]
Yamaha XSR900 by CROIG Our friends over at CROIG are not only custom motorcycle aficionados of the highest order, but they like to get their hands dirty too. This carbon-clad Yamaha XSR900 is their latest build—or, more specifically, it’s the first iteration of their latest built.
Supported by the Yamaha Yard Built program, the project is titled ‘Yard Built for Good.’ This version of the bike is just a teaser, unveiled recently at the Bike Shed show in London. CROIG will eventually be transferring the kit they’ve developed here to a second bike back in the USA, adding a suitable paint job and trim, and auctioning it off for charity.
Taking inspiration from Yamaha endurance race bikes from the 80s and 90s, the bike is an essay in carbon fiber. The CROIG guys started by laying foam over a factory-fresh Yamaha XSR900. After the fairing, tank and seat mock-ups had been filed and shaped to perfection, everything was 3D scanned, and then 3D printed, to make full-size plugs.
Carbon fiber was then laid over the plugs to form the bodywork that could then be draped over the XSR. Finished with a black leather seat, it sure does look the business. But the genius of the CROIG design is that it can be installed on the XSR900, without altering the base bike.
The Rotobox wheels are also carbon fiber, to sharpen the handling of the already maneuverable XSR. A smoked bubble windshield provides added wind protection, flanked by wing-style mirrors from Rizoma. Look past the the sea of carbon, and you may spot the custom aluminum air ducts that snake their way from the front of the fairing, and into the intakes under the tank.
“This has been a passion project of mine, to build motorcycles with the motorcycle community, with talented people that I have always admired and followed, and create something that people really enjoy,” says CROIG co-founder, David Chang. Proceeds from the sale of the bike will go to support a charity close to his heart. Called Waves for Water, it’s an NGO that aims to bring clean water to those in need. [Yamaha Yard Built]
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