Since 1998, the Classic Driver Market has been the place to find important cars for sale. Naturally, many of these machines are thoroughbred racing cars – here are our twenty favourites currently being offered...
samedi 29 mars 2014
BELL BULLITT MOTORCYCLE HELMET
If you're looking for a retro look to complement that beautiful vintage bike of yours, look no further than the Bell Bullitt Motorcycle Helmet. Made in recognition of Bell's 60th anniversary, its styling is inspired by the first ever Bell Star helmet, but it also throws in some modern elements to keep it up to date. It's made to give riders an exceptional fit, and serious comfort with world-class protection — thanks to five
vendredi 28 mars 2014
SUMISURA DEUXIEME FLAT TRACKER
The effervescent front man of Milanese outfit Moto SuMisura, Franco Augello, has been at it again. His deep rooted passion for BMW’s boxer knows no bounds and if potential clients weren’t complete fanatics when they arrive, they certainly will be by the time they’ve been through the beer and salami fuelled creative consultation in the workshop. Check out the Milguass & Inge which were in the shed last month.
There’s always a story with Frank’s builds and this one, the Deuxieme Flat Tracker, is no different.
Wanting an alternative city ride to ‘JM’, his GS-based build, Frank needed a beating heart for the next project so England’s fine shores were scoured for an 800cc Airhead. A chap from Liverpool had sadly died leaving behind his bike to be ravaged by the elements for many years before finally ending up in a local scrap yard.
The engine arrived in Milano feeling slightly sorry for itself, made worse by the courier launching it across SuMisura’s garage floor, smashing the starter motor housing. Inside the news was not much better so a full strip down and rebuild was required. After painting and polishing the motor Frank sat it on the bench and stared intently, awaiting the inspiration, it came in the form of a flat tracker for Milano’s mean streets.
An R100 kickstart gets things going and an R45 35/9 five-speed box set the wheels in motion. Cone filters, heat-wrapped headers and stubby mufflers do the breathing. The frame is a modified R45 with the rear end chopped and the battery box masked with mesh sheet. Rather than paint, the steel frame was stripped, left a bit rough around the edges and patinated before being lacquered.
Wheels were commandeered from an R65, 18 inches front and rear, wrapped in Michelin M45s. Forks are rebuilt R65 units with flat track guards to keep things clean, both practically and visually. BiTurbo adjustable shockers suspend the rear.
The wiring loom has been re-made and hidden inside the frame tubes and wide, lazy angled flat track handlebars, capped off with bar end indicators.
The seat is a one-off in stitched black leather, canted forward suggesting racing off the lights will be a common occurrence, or maybe giving space for the prone position, left hand on the forks between turns one and two of Milano’s ring road.
The slim tracker tank is actually from a 1949 R25/3, now painted in silver with subtle pin striping, matching the handmade tail section. The slack head angle and mesh front number board make for a racy looking ride whilst the machined from billet aluminium foot pegs, mini spot-headlights and LED stop-lamp juxtapose the rest of the bike’s classic origins.
Frank has had many offers to buy the Deuxieme but he is not a seller, the story behind the engine pulls at his heart strings every time he fires it up. I’m sure if you ask nicely Frank will build one to your spec, but be prepared for him to insist on at least a little artistic licence. See more from Moto Sumisura HERE on the Bike Shed and on their Facebook Page.
Les folles acrobaties d'un pilote d'avion dans le canal de Corinthe
OFFICINE ROSSOPURO GUZZI CAFE RACER
The custom world is rife with fads and fashions, but there are a few one-marque specialists taking the slow and steady route to win the race. On the east coast of the USA, Walt Siegl springs to mind for his high-performance Ducati builds. In Italy, if you want a Guzzi cafe racer you give Filippo Barbacane a call.
Barbacane aims to make his bikes “elegant and refined,” and he invariably succeeds. “It’s a bit against the trend,” he acknowledges. “It seems to be the fashion to leave bikes looking well ‘lived’.”
There’s nothing ‘lived-in’ about this Moto Guzzi 1000 SP, called Purosangue(Thoroughbred). It’s clean, well-balanced and ready for the road, a precision tool crafted for Mandello Del Lario enthusiasts. Unlike most Officine Rossopuro builds, this bike was not a commission—Barbacane built it to suit his own tastes. But before you ask, it has been sold.
The handling is a quantum leap from the 1982 original, with modified 45mm Marzocchi forks matched to Bitubo shocks. The brake system is built around Brembo’s upscale Serie Oro components, with 320mm discs and four-piston calipers. And the wheels are now lightweight spoked Borranis, shod with Metzeler rubber.
Barbacane is not afraid of CNC work to create new components, and for this bike he’s designed a custom mount for the rear caliper and a new engine mount. He also designed the minimal exhaust system, which was built by MASS. Despite the straight-through look, concealed baffles in the end pipes reduce the sound to acceptable levels.
Adding to the super-clean look are a compact battery, a clever rewire that hides the electrics behind the left-hand side panel, and discreet hand controls originally designed for custom Harleys. The engine and frame have been refinished in matte powder, leaving just the tank to provide a splash of color.
Fine work from a master at the top of his game. Visit the Officine Rossopuro website to see more exquisite Guzzi cafe racers, or hit up our Archives.
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