A burly custom Laverda 1000 Jota leads our selection this week, with a rare collection of vintage British and European bikes sitting at the opposite end of the list. Wedged between them is a pair of wild Suzukis; a custom 90s Suzuki GSX-R750 SRAD, and the new 25th anniversary Hayabusa.
Laverda 1000 Jota by Motorcycle Mania Despite being one of the lesser-known Italian marques, Laverda has always had a certain mystique around them. After their founding in 1949, they went on to produce a slew of unique (and often orange) bikes, meant to take on the likes of Moto Guzzi and BMW.
Laverda came under pressure from the big four Japanese manufacturers in the 1960s. Their answer to the inline-fours from the Land of the Rising Son was a new 1,000 cc triple, based on the gorgeous Laverda 750 twin of the day. The Laverda 1000 made good power—and, although it wasn’t a lightweight, it handled well.
The Laverda 1000 Jota came in 1976—a racing-derived 1,000 cc triple with plenty of go-fast bits. The overall power output was bumped from 85 hp to 95 hp, and it was clocked at speeds of over 130 mph, which made it one of the fastest production bikes at the time.
You don’t regularly see Jotas (or Laverdas in general) riding around, let alone custom examples. This one was built by Stephen Anstis of Motorcycle Mania. Based out of his workshop in Frome, a town in Somerset, England, Stephen has been in the game for more than 40 years.
Stephen started with a 1983 model 120 Jota (named for the 120-degree crank phasing), then got rid of basically everything. A set of large-diameter USD forks were fitted to the front, along with modern cast wheels with tubeless tires. Double twin-piston Nissin calipers take care of the braking duties up front; a considerable upgrade over the factory options.
The Jota also sports a large single headlight and a completely new rider cockpit. Out back, a custom subframe supports a handmade tail section and seat. The flowing tank is also custom—it’s a far cry from the classic lines of the original, but it works.
Lower down, you’ll find the single-sided swingarm and belt drive from a BMW F800S, adapted to fit the Laverda. Three slash-cut mufflers poke out on the open side of the rear wheel. The red and orange livery is as lush as they come, while the reworked engine looks clean enough to eat off.
The bike was on display at this year’s Bike Shed Motorcycle Show, and it took the Judges Excellence Award at the recent Kickback Thruxton Custom Classic Bike Show. Why are we not surprised? [Via]
Suzuki GSX-R750 SRAD by Mim Moto We’re suckers for classic superbikes—especially those produced by Suzuki. There’s something about their lines, paint schemes, and outrageous performance that just feels right. Early Suzuki GSX-R models are fast becoming cult classics, and you’d be mad to not want one in your garage.
The late-90s Suzuki GSX-R750 SRAD (‘Suzuki Ram Air Direct’) is a prime example. With 134 hp on tap, and the only rider aid being your right wrist, the early fuel-injected Gixxer is a streamlined monster. Even the bulging, shapely bodywork is starting to look on trend again—which is something that nobody saw coming.
Someone who did see it coming though was Ammar—the owner of this 1997 model SRAD. Ammar wanted to fill a vacant spot in his garage with a 90s racing bike, something with classic headlights, steel bar work behind a big fairing, and a bulky tail. Naturally, the old SRAD was at the top of his list.
He eventually found a well-kept model with only 21,000 km [13,050 miles] on the odometer. He brought it home and rode it… a lot. But eventually, Ammar decided it was time to add some custom touches to his SRAD.
Ammar started by upgrading the brakes to Brembo calipers with braided stainless steel lines; an apparent weakness of the bike. But pretty soon, he had sent the whole bike over to a fellow SRAD lover who works under the handle of Mim Moto. This was no small undertaking, as Ammar is in the Netherlands and Mim Moto is in Turkey!
Mim stripped the bike down and rebuilt with all-new factory parts. Suzuki reportedly has an excellent classic parts department, making this step all the easier.
No classic superbike would be complete without custom graphics, and this GSX-R is no exception. Inspired by the J.David Porsche 935 Moby Dick Le Mans race car, Ammar chose a stunning blue and white livery that puts the RAD in SRAD. Rather than paint the factory fairings he chose to swap them out for race items, which was a good move.
The final modification was a period-correct Yoshimura exhaust—because why not? Next time we’re in the Netherlands, you had best believe we’ll be begging Ammar for a test ride. [Via]
Suzuki Hayabusa 25th Anniversary edition How are you feeling today? Old? Then look away now, because this is going to make you feel really long in the tooth; the Suzuki Hayabusa turns 25 years old next year.
That’s right—the big bird is all grown up, has left home, graduated from university, and is paying taxes on a full-time income. How time flies.
For its 25th birthday, Suzuki has decided to glam up the upcoming 2024 ‘Busa with a special throwback livery. The special edition features a unique orange and black paint scheme that recalls the 2008 model. (We would’ve loved to have seen Suzuki bring back the ‘Busa’s classic bronze and silver scheme though.)
Aside from the paint, the badging on the tank is unique to the anniversary edition. There are also commemorative etchings on the mufflers, and on every sixth chain link (which is a weird flex, but OK). The pillion seat cowling is included in the package, and the brake rotor carriers and chain adjusters are anodized gold.
When the Hayabusa hit the scene in 1999 it boasted a 175 hp output and a top speed of 194 mph. The motorcycling world rejoiced again when Suzuki brought out the third-generation Hayabusa in 2022. Power is a whopping 190 hp now, although a limiter caps its top speed at 186 mph.
In the age where a lot of iconic bikes are falling foul of the latest Euro emission regulations, it’s great to see that Suzuki has managed to muscle the ‘Busa through. Now boasting a host of modern material and electronics upgrades over older models, it should stick around for many years to come.
Now if only Suzuki would take a page out of Kawasaki’s book, and add a supercharger. [Suzuki Hayabusa 25th Anniversary Edition]
The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection Hot on the heels of the 2023 running of the Isle of Man TT, Bonhams auction house has announced the upcoming sale of the Anthony R. East collection of motorcycles.
You may know of the A.R.E. Classic Motorcycle Collection if you’re an Isle of Man TT regular. Assembled by collector Anthony R. East, it is housed within the grounds of The Old Vicarage at Kirk Micheal—a village located on the TT Course itself.
Tony East had a successful career as an automotive parts supplier, and his fascination with motorcycles started when he was quite young. He retired in 2002 and shortly thereafter moved to the Isle of Man, bringing his impressive collection with him. He was the president of the IoM section of the VMCC, organizing and hosting events at his museum over the years.
Sadly, Tony passed away in 2022 and he left behind what some describe as the best collection of privately owned vintage Triumphs in all of the British Isles. Over 80 motorcycles are going under the hammer at the Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale in October.
Of particular interest to some enthusiasts will be the meticulously restored early Triumphs. This includes 1938 and 1951 Speed Twins, a range of 1930s Triumph Tigers, and a wonderfully attractive example of a 1937 Ariel Red Hunter.
There are Nortons, BSAs, and even a few European bikes in there as well. The 1952 Moto Guzzi 500 Falcone Sport (complete with the salami-slicer flywheel) is rather tasty looking, as are the Sunbeam S7 and the Greeves 24RDS Silverstone.
There is something for everyone in the auction. It’s a representation of Tony’s love for motorcycling, and we’re glad that even after his passing, this love can still be shared. [Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale]
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