NICO DRAGONI bike #5

HONDA NIGHTHAWK BY CLASSIFIED MOTO

If there’s a builder entitled to look back on 2013 with a quiet sense of satisfaction, it’s John Ryland of Classified Moto. He’s enjoyed both critical and commercial success, with so many commissions he’s had to close the order book on more than one occasion.

This is the final 2013 build to roll out of Classified’s Virginia workshop, a 1992 Honda Nighthawk—better known as a CB750 to those of you outside the USA. “This one was built for a pilot in the UAE,” John explains. “He’d seen a bike we shipped to the Biker’s Cafe in Dubai, and wanted something ‘similar but unique.’”

“We’ve been looking for a new build platform to explore as we phase out the XVs that we’ve become associated with. We liked the idea of the Honda Nighthawk: the motors are pretty reliable, and the Nighthawk is readily available here in the States. ‘Classifying’ them provides a great before/after.”

For the Nighthawk, John wanted a street tracker vibe—a higher seat with less of a cockpit than usual, a narrow tank, and upright bars. “Maybe an inline four isn’t the motor of choice for trackers,” he observes, “but we like the way it looks. Like a big motor swapped into a small bike.”

Seth Ingham of Sleeper Designs worked with John to find an intake solution. It needed to be somewhere between the huge stock airbox and compact but finicky pod filters. “I was pushing for a slim aluminum airbox, until Seth came up with the twin intake setup,” says John. “It was an expensive process, but it fixed a lot of the issues that pods cause—and looks super clean.”

The motor has been completely rebuilt, and the stock carbs rejetted. The front end is from a 2008 Yamaha YZF-R6R, installed using Classified’s now-familiar Triple Tree Conversion and a custom billet upper clamp. The back is suspended via a Ducati Multistrada swing arm and Hypermotard shock. Sitting atop the powdercoated frame is a nickel-plated tank from a 1974 Yamaha RD250.

Visually, the Nighthawk has all the Classified cues: perforated nickel side panels, a stripe along the top of the bodywork, a Roy Baird seat and gold forks. “Oddly for us, this one also has turn signals, which came out looking pretty sweet!”

There are three more Nighthawks in the works right now at Classified, but the biggest news is a move into an amazing historic warehouse near downtown Richmond. “It’s been a long time dream,” says John. “It was sometimes frustrating to see all the other upstart brands in cool shops while we were still in the family garage!”

After the dust has settled, John will be delivering actress Katee Sackhoff’s second build (see our coverage of the first here) and a first bike for actor Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead and Boondock Saints. “And our episode of Cafe Racer TV finally ran, so we’ve been selling lots of t-shirts. That’s a lot easier money than building bikes!”

A wry comment on the realities of the custom business these days. But Classified Moto have proved it’s possible to make a living out of the custom business. We’re looking forward to seeing what John and his crew come up with for 2014.

Images by Adam Ewing.

via BIKEEXIF

Lamborghini 'Koenig' Countach by Benedict Radcliffe

Here at Classic Driver we love to tease and tempt you with ultra-rare and special cars from upcoming auctions. Today’s no different, except that the lot we’ve chosen isn’t technically a car. That’s not to say it won’t take pride of place in your collection, though…

This wacky wire-frame replica of the Lamborghini Countach – dubbed the ‘Koenig’ – is the brainchild of UK artist and sculptor, Benedict Radcliffe. Using a whopping 160 feet of 10mm steel rods, painted in an eye-catching fluorescent orange, Radcliffe skilfully reproduced an accurate hollow frame of the iconic 80s supercar.

It’s life-size, too, meaning you’ll need at least 14 feet (and six feet across!) of free space if you’d like to ogle it in your living room. Well, Lamborghinis were never known for their petite dimensions, were they?

In an amusing publicity stunt the sculpture was ‘parked’ on the streets of London, confusing passers-by, some of whom, upon further inspection of the mysterious frame, actually climbed inside. Perhaps inevitably, the car received a parking ticket. Boo! We hope the artist appealed. 

The ‘Koenig’ Countach will go under the hammer with no reserve at RM’s Paris sale, taking place on 5 February 2014 during the world-famous Retromobile week. 

Photos: RM Auctions

You can find several more mobile Lamborghini Countaches in the Classic Driver Market.

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