Zero XP: Untitled explores an electric future

A few short months after Zero Motorcycles revealed its newest SR/F model, the California electric motorcycle manufacturer has unveiled the Zero XP, a custom build from Hugo Eccles of Untitled Motorcycles.

Last year, while the SR/F was in the final stages of development, Zero gave Hugo exclusive access to the pre-production prototypes and to their team of engineering and electronics experts.

“We’ve been fans of Hugo’s work since we saw his Hyper Scrambler, says Zero’s VP of Product Development, Brian Wismann. “We felt the SR/F was the perfect fit for Hugo’s future-forward design approach.”

For Hugo, who trained at the Royal College of Art in London and has worked on concept cars for Ford, the SR/F project was an opportunity to rethink the design language of motorcycles.

“When you’re dealing with an internal combustion engine, you have built-in physical constraints,” he explains.

“The fuel tank has to sit above the motor to gravity-feed the carbs, the carbs are positioned away from turbulent airflow, the exhaust is routed to avoid heating the fuel or the rider, and so on.”

“But those rules don’t apply to an electric motorcycle—and that freedom is an incredible opportunity for a designer. If things like a fuel tank, exhaust, carbs, and clutch are no longer necessary, then what is?”

Apparently, not a whole lot. The bodywork of the Zero XP is minimal, with just enough to support the rider. And what there is, seems to float off the frame almost like an exploded diagram of a motorcycle.

The process began with removing everything except what was strictly required, like the knee panels—which Hugo found were critical to the rider’s ability to control the bike.

The knee panels blend into a transparent top surface that holds the system display and allows the rider to see down through to the electric powertrain.

“From the outset, I didn’t want to hide the powertrain behind a fairing,” says Hugo. “I wanted to unapologetically celebrate the character of this motorcycle.”

The XP’s powertrain is a machined aerospace-grade aluminum core that contains the batteries, motor, charger, and other control components—and also incorporates the seat.

“Drag bikes were an inspiration,” says Hugo. “With the XP, you’re literally riding the motor. This is a deceptively powerful bike and I wanted to physically embody that raw power.”

Hugo also drew inspiration from rally car aerodynamics and experimental aircraft. “The XP can go from zero to 200 kph (124 mph) without a single gear change, and the acceleration feels a lot like piloting a jet. I started thinking in terms of control surfaces, both human and machine, and everything fell into place from there.”

Hugo has lightly modded the Zero’s frame and the Showa suspension, and installed a Motogadget Motoscope Mini LED display into a custom CNC’d top bracket. Motogadget also supplied the m.lock keyless RFID ignition, integrated into ‘tank’ screen.

The brakes are hooked up using Goodridge braided stainless steel lines and an ISR master cylinder, and use twin 320mm NG floating discs at the front. The battery charger has been discreetly relocated, and the lighting now comes from Motobox.

Despite the extensive mods, the XP’s ergonomics will be familiar to Zero owners. “The SR/F already had good ergonomics, so I didn’t want to mess around with them,” says Hugo.

He left the seat in its original position, along with the footpegs—which are now held by custom CNC’d aluminum carriers that support edge-lit heel guards.

Clip-on bars, with an internal throttle and minimal switchgear, lend the Zero a more aggressive stance.

The final result is unlike anything we’ve ever seen, right down to the ‘Ghost Grey’ aircraft paint.

“Hugo is one of the most interesting designer-builders out there, and it shows with the XP,” says Wismann. “You can really see his industrial design perspective in every detail. He’s created something truly exceptional.”

As extraordinary as the XP looks, Hugo says he didn’t set out to design a futuristic version of a motorcycle. “This isn’t about novelty for novelty’s sake, or some nostalgic idea of the future.”

“The goal was to celebrate the unique riding experience with a new and function-led aesthetic. If the Zero XP looks futuristic, it’s because electric motorcycles like the SR/F are the future.”

If you’re in England and you’d like to see that future close-up, the Zero XP debuts at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this Thursday and throughout the weekend.

Untitled Motorcycles | Facebook | Instagram | Zero SR/F | Photography by Ludovic Robert

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Triumph over adversity: A vintage bobber built from parts

It takes a measure of blood, sweat and tears to build a good custom motorcycle. And then there are the tricky projects that call for an even higher level of perseverance. Like this vintage Triumph bobber—which took four years to complete and included a massive scavenger hunt for parts.

“I’d always wanted to build a custom bobber using a pre-unit Triumph motor,” owner Marnitz Venter tells us. “But finding old and close-to-vintage parts is almost impossible.”

Marnitz lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he runs the parts and apparel site Old Skool Trading. He trades in old bikes on the side, builds the occasional custom, and hosts the local leg of the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride. And in the middle of this build he got married, moved house, and then renovated the place.

So it’s little wonder that his vintage bobber project took so long to come to fruition.

Marnitz had help too; a small army of friends that pitched in on everything from machining and welding, to advice and straight-up heckling. But finding time wasn’t the only struggle—getting all the ingredients together proved to be a huge mission.

Marnitz first found an old set of engine casings, and then eventually a BSA M20 transmission, a Japanese front drum brake hub, and bits and pieces of a BSA rear wheel. But the most important parts eluded him: a vintage Triumph hardtail frame and a girder front end.

“I learned that collectors do not like to part with vintage parts,” he quips. He eventually found an incomplete 1935 BSA Blue Star—and promptly traded it for a 1940s Triumph frame, along with various pieces of a 1930s girder fork.

That was enough to make a start. The girder front end was built up by machining the assortment of parts to fit together, and fabricating a few new pieces to tie everything in. Out back, the frame was stretched out by four inches.

Marnitz laced the front hub up to a wider rim, with stainless steel spokes, and modified the rear hub to work with the Triumph frame. He also added some drillium to both drum brakes, and wrapped both wheels in sawtooth treads from Allstate.

The motor is effectively an early 1950s Triumph iron-head unit, matched up to the 1940s BSA box. “The motor and gearbox was a complete rebuild,” Marnitz tells us. “I did not have all the parts to start out with. The rest of the stuff I scratched around for among friends and at the Classic Motorcycle Club of South Africa, and fabricated.”

The finished engine is a thing of beauty—from its open primary, to the drilled-out mounting plates. The setup includes a perfectly restored Amal carb, and a set of brutally short pipes, made for the project by V-Customs.

Up top, you’ll find the modified gas tank off an unnamed, late 60s Yamaha. It’s been finished in a classy piano black by Rudi Stark, and adorned with a pair of custom made Triumph badges. Just behind it is a leather saddle, upholstered Dion Korkie, and a custom-built rear fender.

Most of the remaining parts are all one-offs. That includes the oil tank, handlebars, foot controls and a number of rear brake components. There’s a small vintage headlight up front, a side-mounted taillight, and a host of nifty brass and leather touches to finish it off.

Marnitz made a point of crediting Louwrens Miller, Justin Waddington, Reginald Walddeck, Kyle Harvey and Dirk Coetzee for their help on various tasks. And then told us that he’d probably forgotten a bunch of other people, too.

But Marnitz has dedicated his Triumph to other friends who never saw the finished product. Matthew Morgan, Peter Moody, Piet Maas and Marnitz’s closest friend, Matthew Pape, all had a part to play—but all passed away at different times during the course of the project.

Marnitz’s bobber is a masterpiece, and a bittersweet reminder of camaraderie, loss and perseverance. And that’s not something you see every day.

Old Skool Trading | Marnitz Venter Instagram | Images by Kevin Sutherland

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Perfectly formed: Kingston’s Yamaha MT-125 tracker

If you live in the USA, you probably won’t have seen the Yamaha MT-125. But the mini ‘hyper naked’ is popular in Europe with younger riders and city commuters, where it’s an alternative to the Honda Grom and Kawasaki Z125 Pro.

The MT-125 is loosely based on the more familiar YZF-R125, with a high-revving 15 hp single, a six-speed ‘box, and a top speed of around 80 mph. Performance is peppy, build quality is high, and weight is low—a mere 138 kg (304 pounds).

Dirk Oehlerking, owner of Kingston Custom, is a fan.

He built ‘Young Star’ for Yamaha Motor Germany, and we’re betting they were surprised when Dirk said he wanted to build an MT-125, rather than the MT-07 or MT-09 chosen by most customizers.

“I wanted to build a beginner bike for youngsters and the young at heart,” he says. “A small tracker whose conversion costs should not exceed €1,000 [US$1,130].”

“There are only a few bike builders in Europe who dare to ride small motorcycles. In Europe, almost nothing under 400 cc is offered,” Dirk points out. “But one of the co-founders of the custom scene, Deus Ex Machina, rebuilt a Yamaha XT250 ten years ago.”

Dirk decided to go for a ‘beach tracker’ vibe, and it suits the little MT-125 perfectly. “I took the bike apart, removed the seat and stripped the frame at the rear.”

“In the workshop I had a Storz flat tracker seat, which was perfectly tailored for the Yamaha—I just had to adjust it a bit. And wow, the optics fitted perfectly with the original tank cover. Already the line of the tracker was finished.”

The new tail unit hides a compact lithium polymer battery, and the original wiring harness (including the ABS system) is tucked under the microfiber-covered seat.

Dirk has added a custom-fitted aluminum seat pan to protect everything, and hidden the radiator reservoir behind the tank cover on the left hand side.

The stock suspension is good—with 41mm KYB USD forks—but to get a flatter stance, Dirk has shortened the forks by 40 mm. He’s also extended the original shock linkage by a few millimeters, moving it downwards, to flatten the rear a tad.

Adding to the flat track vibe is a headlight board from C-Racer with two small headlights built in.

It works perfectly with the original bars, and the cockpit looks much cleaner now that the stock headlight nacelle has gone and the instrument panel has been moved backwards to sit right on the bars.

On each side are small flat track number boards, handmade from aluminum. Dirk has also switched out the enormous stock muffler for a sleek Norton Commando-style reverse cone unit, and replaced the turn signals and tail light with discreet units from the German LED specialist Highsider.

None of this is radical surgery though—just careful tweaks that, when combined, completely transform the look of the MT-125. Even the color of the bike is stock, although the rims have been finished in gold and shod with Heidenau’s grippy K60 tires.

“My goal was to keep as many original parts as possible,” he says. And the plan is to offer this conversion as an easy-to-fit kit.

Unlike most custom builds, Kingston’s MT-125 is practical and well suited to young urban riders—who may not have the skills or cash to handle a bigger bike.

As Dirk says, “It doesn’t always have to be big to be great!”

Kingston Custom | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Kati Dalek

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4 Practical Car Modifications That Benefit Every Driver

• The possibilities are endless (and even expensive) when it comes to different car modifications.
• While some mods are more fancy than others, not every addition to your vehicle needs to be. 
• Some upgrades to your vehicle will actually increase performance, fuel mileage, and safety. 
• Here is a look at four car modifications that run the gamut from cost-effective to creative.

The temptation to modify your ride can be irresistible. You see souped-up vehicles everywhere; on TV, on the highway, and in your friends’ driveways. However, not everyone has an infinite budget, and you may harbor a concern that any “mods” might be detrimental to your car’s efficiency. But fear not! There are several practical, cost-effective ways to modify your vehicle to improve your driving experience without turning your ride into the Batmobile. Here are four practical car modifications that benefit every driver.

#1: Better Tune-Up Parts = Better Engine Performance

While the traditional engine tune-up is a thing of the past thanks to modern technology, you still need to replace certain wear-and-tear items like spark plugs and air filters. Many people opt for the least-expensive replacements. If you’re looking to elevate your car’s performance, consider upgrading these parts, neither of which will break the bank.

Spark plugs with platinum or iridium tips will last longer, be less likely to fail, and may improve both gas mileage and power. Cheap paper air filters, which you can buy in any big-box store, aren’t necessarily the pinnacle of efficiency either. Consider an upgrade to a cotton-based, washable, reusable air filter to improve air flow to the engine. Filters like these can last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles.

When it comes to getting the job done, anyone can replace an air filter in about five minutes. However, spark plugs are not as easy for the casual DIYer. It is best to have a professional with the proper tools do the job to avoid complications.

Spark plugs with platinum or iridium tips may improve both gas mileage and power.

#2: Seat Covers Add Comfort & Style To Your Interior

You see them every day so you may not notice, but if your car is a few years old, the upholstery on your seats might be a little worse for wear; with seams coming apart and, most likely, a few stains. If you presume that seat covers are too expensive, too ill-fitting, or too difficult to install, you’d be wrong on all counts. You can find high-quality seat covers for as low as $100 per row that can be installed in under an hour. There are dozens of custom options from choice of fabric (cotton, nylon, neoprene, vinyl) and color (solid and multi).

Best of all, modern manufacturing methods guarantee a perfect fit, no matter what make or model you’re driving around!

Related: Three ways to indulge your classic car hobby on a budget.

#3: When It Comes To Tires: Performance Categories Matter

Most people shop for tires by brand, price or recommendation. Few drivers realize that within most brands, and at most price points, you can select your tires based on performance type as well. That means choosing among summer, winter, all-season, all-terrain, and other categories of tires.

The decision for which class of performance tires is right for you depends on a number of factors, including vehicle characteristics, geographic area, and what conditions you’ll likely encounter on the road. Putting it simply: summer tires are best if you live where it never snows while all-season tires are the best compromise for all driving conditions. Performance tires maximize grip without sacrificing comfort. All-terrain tires allow both off-roading and paved road driving.

Before you purchase your next set of tires, research the choices. Most importantly, consult an expert who is not just trying to sell you what’s on sale.

Research from AAA finds that driving on relatively worn tires at highway speeds and on wet surfaces can increase stopping distances by nearly 90 feet. That’s more than the length of an eighteen-wheeler. Consider upgrading your tires if they currently measure 4/32″ or less.

Related: When should we replace our tires? The answer is sooner than we think.

#4: Creative Car Modifications Kick It Up A Notch!

For most drivers, adding practical accessories which increase safety, comfort, and efficiency is enough. However, for car owners looking to make more of a statement, it’s easy to enter the world of customization with creative add-ons. For instance, body kits are available for almost all makes and models, and can refresh a vehicle’s look easily. With many options to choose from, you can decide how outlandish you want to go with a body kit, from brightly-colored side panels to custom bumpers and spoilers.

Custom headlights are another option if you’re looking to make a statement. Depending on your make and model, you have many fun choices including LED bulbs, colored lighting, and light bars, which are popular with truck and Jeep owners looking to go off-road.

Performance tires can also be elevated to the next level of style with the addition of custom wheels. Decorative rims and floaters come in every color under the sun these days and are available for most vehicles. The possibilities are truly endless!

Decorative rims are available for most vehicles.

Car Modifications: Putting It All Together

With any custom accessory, it’s important to ensure you’re getting the right style/fit for your particular vehicle, especially when it comes to headlights and wheels. You don’t want to drop a large sum of money on flashy rims that don’t meet your car’s safety requirements. Most aftermarket retailers have experts on staff and knowledgeable customer service folks, so don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Related: Opting for the “Restomod” may present the best of both worlds.

The market for car modifications is still very much alive and full of possibilities. Depending on the type of upgrade you’re looking for, it is not necessary to empty your pockets to get increased performance, comfort or efficiency. The landscape of mods ranges from practical to the more visual and performance-based. And once you start exploring options, it’s easy to find affordable ways to make your vehicle stand out and last longer.

Richard Reina is the Product Training Director for CARiD.com. He enjoys restoring and driving old cars with a special love for anything Italian. Richard is also passionate about music and is a huge Beatles fan.

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