Free Kustom Cycles Kz400

Free Kustom Cycles is yet another Spanish workshop knocking on the doors of the custom brat/cafe scene, and we’ve been waiting a while to see what proprietor Marcos Vazquez  would come up with next. This tasteful Kz400 is exactly what we were hoping for; simple class.

The bike was built for João Novaes who knew exactly what he wanted; a bike with “classical essence’. It was completely disassembled, part by part, screw by screw, cleaned-up and rebuilt into this scrambler/brat hybrid machine, complete with pipe wrap and Firestones.

The engine had a complete facelift with the barrels cleaned and the covers polished. The carbs were re-installed with chromed conical competition filters, while the jetting was set up to improve the engine performance and fuelling.

The rear of the subframe has been looped, but also vertically widened under the flat brown brat-style seat to hide the electrics and hold the ignition barrel in a really subtle way. The bike comes complete with a FKC keyring.

New bars wear Biltwell Kung Fu grips, while the original brakes run braided steel Goodridge hoses.

Simple pipes follow the cradle frame on both sides of the engine, exiting in a short reverse cone pair of Megatron endcans. Shiny engine cases and foot controls help the kickstart lever stand out – an essential item for those rare Steve McQueen moments outside the nearest roadside cafe.

48mm mini-Mini speedo and matt black headlamp with integrated stone guard keeps it tight at the front, although a lack of a front fender suggests she’ll be a dry weather ride.

Cream and flat black paint with a pinstripe  gives a timeless look and is by KILIAN RAMIREZ of PIC-ASTUDIO, who also did the photos.

Brown seat is flat but looks supportive.

And I’ll leave the final comments to Marcos:

“Since long time ago we warned you and here they are !! The pics of our latest project !! If your follow our blog already know that this bike has taken time because it has been completely disassembled, screw to screw, everything needed to clean up and create exclusive pieces for her. I wanted to give special thanks to Gabri and Edu, for their help during the process. To Kilian Ramirez Caballero of PIC-ASTUDIO, also for your unconditional support, excellent paint job and these amazing pictures !! And especially to its owner João Novaes, for placing their trust in us to do the bike of his dreams?”

from thebikeshed

To The Khunjerab – A Motorcycle Journey Through Northern Pakistan

To The Khunjerab - A Journey Through Northern Pakistan from MalangFilms on Vimeo.
A story of a motorcycle journey through Northern Pakistan. We run into many different people from a pashto music group to the Chinese Army. Have fun! Follow us Twitter for updates on future films! And like us Facebook!

SMALL TIME BIG SHOT

by Adam Kaslikowski from petrolicious

They say size doesn’t matter, but I can tell you that style does. For proof of that you need look no further than the Isetta. The diminutive little runabout shows that you don’t need acres of sheet metal to have beautiful style and clever engineering. This “bubble car” is a testament to thinking differently. It may be seen now as more of a historical oddity, but upon introduction the Isetta sold in huge numbers across the world.

The car was such a “blue sky” design that it still looks like nothing else on the road; the Isetta is truly a case of imposed limitations breeding and greatness. From the obvious lilliputian proportions to the unique hinged-front entry method, this is a vehicle like no other. At only 7.5 feet long and 4.5 feet wide, the small size actually makes the car stand out more. While you could originally pick one up for about $1,000 when new, you can now expect to part with anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 to park this micro machine in your own garage.

The Isetta’s history is one of multinational manufacturing and continual adjustment and refinement. BMW’s version of the car is the most famous and widespread, but the Isetta was built by manufacturers all over the world. Originally dreamt up by Iso (of Iso Grifo fame), the design and tooling was quickly licensed out to whoever was interested. It would eventually be available with three wheels or four, two doors or four, and a variety of engines all depending on year of production, country of sale, and manufacturer. As you can gather, there was an Isetta to suit just about any taste. All Isettas, regardless of manufacturer, came with a cloth sunroof. This was less a style decision as much as it was a safety precaution. While having the front of the car hinge forward as the door is a stroke of engineering and style genius, it doesn’t work out so well should the occupants find themselves involved in an accident. The cloth top was there not just for al frescomotoring but as a necessary escape route.

BMW was interested in the design as a way to compete with the VW Beetle.  At the time what European customers were clamouring for was cheap, small,  and economical inner-city transport (which is also why the Vespa was so popular),  and BMW’s stable of large, expensive sedans were not doing well.  The German marque’s gamble paid off as the Isetta went on to become  the best selling single-cylinder car of all time. The BMW Isetta was powered  by a 13hp 4 stroke engine brought over from the company’s R25 motorcycle.  Other motorcycle-like features included a simplified dash (in this case just a speedometer),  a tiny 3 gallon fuel tank, and a reserve tank—no instruments also means no fuel gauge.  In fact, in many countries you could operate an Isetta with only a motorcycle license.  Acceleration was a less motorcycle-like 11 seconds to 30mph, with a top speed of about 50mph.  However, the car regularly achieved 50+ miles per gallon, which was highly  attractive to European customers of the time. Despite selling far and wide, and having such famous owners as  Elvis Presley and Cary Grant, the Isetta eventually lost out to  more traditional competition like the Fiat 500 and Mini.  The Isetta was a product of and for its time, but as the market matured  consumers wanted more space and refinement in their vehicles.  Thankfully we still have a fair number of these special little  runabouts cruising around our cities and neighborhoods to be reminded of that past.  Any students of Italian can tell us that Isetta means “little Iso,”  but no particular language is required to praise this small car’s appeal. Make: BMW Model: Isetta Coachwork Design: BMW Years Built: 1955-1962 Total Produced: 161,728 Engine: 250cc - 300cc BMW 4 stroke Power Produced: 12hp -13hp Torque Produced: 13.6lb-ft Curb Weight: 1,100lbs Price When New: $1,000 Price Today: $10,000 - $25,000

Wolf Racing boosts Ford Focus ST up to 370 HP

From 250 HP standard output

Wolf Racing has developed a significant three-part power boost for the latest Ford Focus ST.

Under the hood it has the same turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine which produces 250 HP (184 kW) and 265 lb-ft (360 Nm) in its standard configuration, but output can be raised to 285 HP (209 kW) and 326 lb-ft (441 Nm) via a stage 1 kit which brings a remapped ECU and a new air filter.

Stage 2 comes with all the goodies of the first kit and adds a turbocharger, lifting output to 300 HP (220 kW) and 333 lb-ft (451 Nm). If this isn't enough, Wolf Racing is offering a stage 3 program bundling the previous two along with a custom sports exhaust system. As a result, the EcoBoost engine churns out 370 HP (272 kW) and 409 lb-ft (554 Nm).

Other changes include a coilover suspension which lowers the hot hatchback by 50mm front / 40mm rear, as well as a high-performance brake system. Wolf Racing can also provide new side skirts, headlight covers, rear skirt attachment, roof spoiler lip and other styling enhancements as well.

Source: Wolf Racing

via Worldcarfans