lundi 17 février 2014
YAMAHA XS650 BOBBER
Roughly a year ago we featured a slammed 1982 Yamaha XS650, resplendent in an intricate gold paintjob. It was built by Taipei-based Mark Huang, who still has it and rides it regularly. He’s since built another XS650 in the same Japanese street-bobber style—and it looks just as great.
It was commissioned by a good customer and friend of Mark’s, Gregory Wu. Mark had built an off-the-wall SR400 for Greg back in 2011, but the customized SR wasn’t road legal in Taiwan, making it difficult to ride freely. So, Greg asked Mark to modify another bike for him—less radically this time.
Mark started with a 1980-model XS650 that, like his own, had to be sourced from California, as the XS650 is ultra-rare in Taiwan. The two bikes share a few traits—both ride on 11-inch rear shocks, lowered front forks and 18-inch wheels front and back, fitted with Firestone’s Deluxe Champion tires.
A similar seat, rear loop and fender were fabricated for Greg’s XS, and the airbox and side covers removed in favor of a beautiful, handcrafted battery box. The exhaust headers and mufflers are also one-off parts. The headlight is from Unity, and a modified ’47 Chevrolet truck taillight has been installed at the back.
The bike’s most striking feature is its fuel tank—a Yamaha DT250 unit that Mark lengthened by about 4 inches, creating a 1-to-1 ratio with the seat. It’s wrapped in a lush green paint scheme by Air Runner Custom Paint, who Mark uses for all his bikes.
To be completely honest slammed bobbers have never been my thing. But with excellent workmanship, clean lines and perfect finishes, Mark has me convinced.
How about you?
If you speak Taiwanese and are looking for classy custom parts, you’ll find Mark’s sitehere. Mark’s own XS650 is the September 2014 bike in the 13-month Bike EXIF custom motorcycle calendar.
viaBIKEEXIF
50th Anniversary Honda Super 90 Concept
Back in the 60's Honda has been focusing on more stylish lightweight bikes that could be used in rural areas, bikes that were cheaper and had better gas mileage compared to the bigger bikes. One of the bikes was the iconic S90 (Super 90). It was a truly unique looking motorcycle with its shiny chrome tank and a stamped frame, boosting a 89.6 cc SOHC 2-valve 4-stroke air-cooled engine with a top speed of 64mph.
It has been 50 years since the first S90 and I thought it would be a great to give this amazing motorcycle a second life!
More images and info at http://www.igorchak.com/honda-s90-con...
MOTO SUMISURA
This bike started out life as 1977 BMW R100S, but nearly ended on the Autostrade 1 when the owner decided to try to average a ‘ton up’ the whole way from Bologna to Milano on his way to visit Moto SuMisura. Potentital new customer Luca had bought the BM as a gift for his father but didn’t know one end of a spanner from the other so enlisted Frank’s expertise to build something a bit special.
After a bump start, a trail of oil and some help from Technical Director Inge, the worn out old girl was coaxed the final few kilometers to Moto SuMisura’s HQ. The spirited ride and weeping gaskets had used up all but a cupful of engine oil so Frank had to break the news to Luca that an expensive and comprehensive rebuild was required.
The engine was completely overhauled and given a new lease of life, the original 1000cc providing plenty of torque, and a deep note from the wrapped headers and megaphones accompany the sharp new look. Forks are standard with rebuilt internals and rather tasty, adjustable Oram shockers bring up the rear.
The wheels have been powder coated black and fitted with fresh Metzelers, together disappearing slightly to allow the monolithic motor, light grey frame and two-tone tank (with Monza cap) to take the stage.
Where possible weight has been reduced, never a bad thing on these beasts, and billet aluminium parts replacing pig iron where possible. Standout are the BMX style, machined rider and pillion foot pegs. The levers have been drilled giving the impression of lightness and draw the eye to the vintage odometer.
The rim of the glass is tinted green in the style of the namesake Rolex Milgauss, which looks great lit up. Steel braid sheathes the cabling and machined aluminium grips wrapped in leather subtly mix materials without distracting from the rest of the bike.
Upon completion Luca turned up to collect his father’s resplendent gift. He was so delighted with the result, that the bike has been named Marea after his daughter whilst poor old dad waits for a replacement present.
Keep an eye out for Moto SuMisura’s next project. Frank will be chomping at the bit to tell us all about it.
CARBON DUCATI LEGGERO BY WALT SIEGL
The Leggero is a limited edition series of custom Ducatis produced by world renowned motorcycle builder, Walt Siegl. Each one is made to order and the amount of thought and engineering that goes into them is slightly incredible, each one has a frame made from chrome-molybdenum tubing that’s stronger than steel but only weighs 19lbs.
The engine is a 900SS unit that’s been fitted with a performance oriented, lightened fly-wheel to improve throttle response, the forks are Showa and the rear suspension is a combination of Showa and Ohlins. Braking is provided by Brembo and the engine has been fitted with new Keihin 39mm FCR carburettors and high compression Wiseco pistons.
An entirely new, custom wiring harness was created for the bike, a significant feat that’ll be appreciated by anyone who’s ever spent time playing with the electrical systems on Italian motorcycles. The new wiring harness has a Moto-Gadget M-Unit display and it’s done away with the bulky relays.
We’ve covered a number of Walt Siegl bikes in the past, if you haven’t seen them you really should take a look. Walt’s a guy that other custom motorcycle builders go to for advice when they’re stuck.
If you’d like to see more, you can see the Riviera Ducati SS here, a faired version of the Leggero here, the beautiful WS Sport Classic here and the original Leggero here.
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