ICON THRIFTMASTER

YAMAHA SR400 ‘YARD BUILT’

The big news for the European custom scene right now is the official return of theYamaha SR400. The icon of the Japanese ‘brat style’ scene will be available through Yamaha’s European dealers in fuel-injected form, providing a ready-made platform for pro and amateur builders alike.

Yamaha announced the news a few hours ago at the EICMA motorcycle show in Italy. To celebrate, they’ve also taken the wraps off three new Yard Built customs. This SR400, nicknamed ‘GibbonSlap,’ comes from the Wrenchmonkees, who are in Milan to help launch the bike.

It’s what you might call a factory custom: the Wrenchmonkees have added their own understated style to the machine without making major structural modifications. “The challenge was to keep the rebuild simple,” says Per Nielsen, “by not cutting the frame, and using only bolt-on parts—or universal parts that would need only minor modifications.”

It’s an urban bike, built in collaboration with the German custom parts company Kedo, and outfitted with scrambler-style tires, a titanium megaphone exhaust and stubby polished aluminum fenders. “It’s light, lean, loud and loads of fun. Makes you wish for gravel roads everywhere you want to go,” says Per. (And it sure sounded good when he revved it up and rode it onto on the Milan stage.)

There’s also a single-seat conversion, and the extra space has been used to mount a luggage rack with soft panniers. In keeping with the Wrenchmonkees’ design ethos, the paint is matt black—which also extends to the forks, frame, tank and even the top yoke. The new shocks and the engine cases are also blacked out, contrasting with the chrome bars and polished fenders.

The Wrenchmonkees view the SR400 as a cost-effective route into customization: “The purchase price is low and maintenance costs are low as well. You can do most of that yourself, if you can use a spanner. And there are a huge number of rebuilt SR400s all over the world, for inspiration and encouragement.”

To make the process easier, in 2014 there will be custom parts on sale for SR400, devised between Yamaha, the Wrenchmonkees and Kedo.

Great to see the return of an all-time classic—and another factory-fresh bike that can be easily customized as soon as it’s out of the box.

via BIKEEXIF

Caterham présente sa division deux-roues

Caterham Group a présenté aujourd'hui à l'International Motorcycle Exhibition (EICMA) de Milan les premiers modèles développés et par sa nouvelle entité Caterham Bikes.

Comme l'a expliqué Al-Ishsal Ishak, CEO de Caterham Bikes, l'idée n'est pas de concurrencer les constructeurs déjà en place, mais bien de proposer des produits originaux en conservant l'esprit deCaterham. Et on peut dire que l'objectif est en passe d'être atteint, tant les trois véhicules présentés ne manquent pas d'originalité.

Le Brutus 750, présenté par la marque comme le « premier SUV deux-roues » jamais construit, est une moto utilisable sur route ou en mode tout terrain, et convertible en motoneige ! Une transformation nécessiterait toute de même quatre heures de travail.

Les deux autres nouveautés sont des vélos équipés de motorisations électriques. Le Classic E-bike au look « vintage » est capable de vous faire parcourir sans effort entre 60 et 80 kms, et le Carbon E-bike est un VTT inspiré de la Formule 1. Les deux modèles bénéficient d'un look très soigné qui devrait séduire une clientèle aisée.

Caterham Bikes aura pour cible privilégiée l'Asie mais ses produits seront également disponibles en Europe et sur le continent américain. 

by Samuel Morand from http://www.motorlegend.com

SUPERPANTAH 900

A tribute to the 1980 Montjuich 24 hours winner, a Ducati 900 SS NCR ride by Mallol and Tejedo.
Made in 2003.

-Donor bike : Ducati Pantah 500
-Modified frame
-Ducati 900 SS’92 engine
-Tarrozzi footrest
-Ducati 900 Super Sport’90 Ohlins rear schock
-Marzochi 900 Super Sport’90 front fork
-Dell’Orto PHM 40 carburetors
-Tomaselli double gas cable quick open throtle
-Dyna Coils
-Pederccini 2.4 ignition units
-High comp pistons.
-Ducati 900 SS’92 swingarm
-RAD carbon fiber rear mudguard
-Superlight rear floating brake caliper system
-Brembo PR19 radial brake pump.
-Ducati 900 SS ’92 calipers
-Brembo GP floating cast iron rotors
-Frentubo Kevlar brake lines
-851 modified front mudguard
-Wolfman 2 in 1 exhaust system
-Ducati 900 SS’83 NCR megaphone
-NCR type fiberglass bodykit(fuel tank + solo seat)
-RAD glass fiber front fairing
-Cibie H4 endurance lights
-Montesa rear light.

Pictures : MOTOCICLISMO
http://radducati.blogspot.com.es/2013/11/superpantah-900-2003.htm