2006 Ducati Sport Classic by Corse Motorcycles

Written by Ian Lee.

What's better than a Ducati Sport Classic 1000? A Ducati Sport Classic built by an ex World Super Bike/Moto GP mechanic. It doesn't get much better than that. This machine has an amazing mix of aesthetics and power that just whispers seductively in your ear: 'look at me'. Over 10 years experience on the European racing scene, including some time at the Ducati factory, has culminated in today's feature bike: Corse Motorcycles' rework of the 2006 Ducati Sport Classic. 

Opened in 2012, Corse Motorcycles is the baby of Anthony Warnock, a well travelled mechanic who specialises in late model Ducatis. According to Anthony: ”I was lucky – I went to the UK to study motorcycle engineering for one year, that turned into two and then I got the opportunity to work in British Superbikes, after a short term at Warrs Harley Davidson in London. Then it just kept getting better and better”. After his time in Europe was over, Anthony returned to his home town of Perth, in Western Australia, and after a few luckless job changes, took the plunge of starting his own business. And that is how Corse Motorcycles came into being. 

One of Anthony's customers, and now friend, is Nat Graham-Helwig. A late model, fast bike aficionado who has an eye for detail, and the right mechanic in Anthony to help him transform the stock Sport Classic into something unique. Six months of discussion as to the desired look, meant a few changes during the course of the build. For instance, three seats and four sets of handlebars were tried before settling on a choice of what adorns the bike today.

Utilising the factory fuel tank and rear cowl, they both sport a two tone paintjob, with gold pinstripe. A Wasp tail tidy sits under the ducktail, flanked by Rizoma indicators. The seat that was finally chosen is finished in diamond quill design with white stitching. Keeping with the 'look at me' styling are the Rizoma billet timing covers with Perspex windows, showcasing the EVR clutch componentry.

This bike isn't just about looks though, with Anthony's experience in motorcycle racing producing a hell of a handling setup. Front forks, rear shock and steering damper are all Ohlins branded and black Rizoma fluid reservoirs. On the front forks sit Discacciati billet brake calipers, biting into new rotors with titanium hardware. The Ducati rolls on black rims wrapped in Metzeler Race Tech K3 rubber. 

The power output for the bike has been bumped up as well, the Italian powerplant treated to a Wasp power up kit, along with twin K & N filters and a Power Commander. The engine is held together using a Pro Bolt engine fastener kit. Power is shot to the back wheel from a 14 tooth sprocket through a 520 chain, protected by a Speedy Moto sprocket cover. Sitting in place of the sky cannon stick exhaust, sits a Moto Creations shotgun exhaust. 

The final choice in bars ended being Woodcraft clip-ons, mounted along with Brembo RCS brake and clutch master cylinders. Hydraulic connection from the cylinders are through a Goodrich brake and clutch line kit. The headlight and instruments have been treated to powder coating.

From a standard Sport Classic, to the bike you see before you today, you can see where years of experience have helped in the build. A rather sporting orientated bike that wouldn't look out of place at a local bike show, according to Anthony ”it's subtle but unique, sounds and rides beautiful and draws a crowd where ever it's parked.” Couldn't have put it better myself. 

via PIPEBURN

OFFICINE ROSSOPURO ‘EROICA’

Most of the leading custom builders work on commission—they get a brief from a client, a direction is agreed upon, and a motorcycle starts to take shape. Compromise is inevitable, whether it’s around budget or aesthetic direction.

But every now and then, as you can imagine, it’s good to get free rein. And that’s how Filippo Barbacane of Officine Rossopuro created this machine—a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP that he effectively built for himself.

“I wanted to make a very classic motorcycle,” he reports. “One that looks simple and clean. A bike that’s both slender and ‘long’.” Filippo wanted the color to look elegant too, so he selected a green hue from Moto Guzzi’s racing heritage.

The 1000 SP arrived in exceptional condition, with only 24,000 km on the clock—an unusually low mileage for a 1982 bike. And with a broad, torquey powerband, little work was required on the engine.

The highlight is the hand-crafted aluminum bodywork, a huge improvement on the somewhat chunky, squared-off standard paneling. The wheels are now spoked, rather than alloy, and adjustable Bitubo shocks are fitted to the rear. The front brakes have been upgraded to twin 300 mm Brembo discs, retaining the excellent standard linked braking system.

The bulky 1000 SP instrument panel has gone, and Filippo has flush-fitted a simple, single analog instrument into the custom headlight. The bowl is painted green to match the new bodywork, and is topped off with a hooded chrome bezel.

And why the name ‘Eroica,’ meaning ‘heroic’? “It’s to remember the past,” says Filippo. “When bikes were ridden by heroes, lying down and stretched out, the chin a few inches from the tank.” An apt name for a long, low machine like this one.

‘Eroica’ is now for sale; interested parties should make contact via the Officine Rossopurowebsite.

from BIKEEXIF

YAMAHA SR400 ‘BOOGIE SINGLE RACER’

The Yamaha SR400 has been selling strongly in Japan for over three decades now, so the locals are well versed in making the venerable thumper look good. This is one of the best we’ve seen: an archetype of the classic Japanese custom style, with perfectly judged proportions and a beguiling mix of old and new.

‘Boogie Single Racer’ is the third and final Yard Built machine from Yamaha’s EICMA display. It’s no surprise to learn that one of Tokyo’s top custom builders—an SR specialist of some 16 years—helped out with this one. The transformation looks simple, but a lot of work has gone into this build. Beautiful vintage Ceriani forks have been grafted on, the tank has been painstakingly cut-and-shut, and there’s a neat rear frame loop that sneaks over the handcrafted fender.

The closer you look, the more there is to see. The front drum brake is a vintage Honda fitment, and the wheel rims and tank and oil caps have been treated to elegant filigree-style engraving. The metalworking throughout is immaculate, contrasting with the slightly rough finish of the paint. It’s an authentic rather than slick result. Adding to the vintage look are curvaceous side panels, a Bates headlight and old-school rubber footpegs.

Like the two other Yard Built customs revealed at the Italian EICMA show, this SR400 is the brainchild of Yamaha Europe product manager Shun Miyazawa. He’s a long-time fan of both the European and Japanese custom styles, and this build has a special significance for him—it takes him back to his younger days and “those crazy summer Sundays spent tearing around a secluded beach or competing in a sand race.”

Yamaha has just put the SR400 back on sale in Europe, and over the next two years, will be releasing several new bikes that also hark back to the simplicity of the past. And we’ll be seeing custom versions of those too.

“Customization is a big part of our story,” Miyazawa explains. “So we’re going to be involving more builders, from both Japan and Europe. As a manufacturer we can only show a few directions, but the builders can provide extra inspiration. That’s the idea behind the ‘Yard Built’ machines, and we’ll also be putting a lot of the custom kit from the show bikes on sale too.”

So … any guesses on which builder helped out with this SR400?

from BIKEEXIF

On the set of 'Grand Prix': Pit stop with Françoise Hardy

John Frankenheimer's 1966 film, a fast-paced story of Formula 1 excitement, featured many genuine racing legends on set - and a young French singer by the name of Françoise Hardy...

With James Garner, Eva Marie Saint, Yves Montand, Brian Bedford, Antonio Sabàto and Toshiro Mifune in starring roles, John Frankenheimer had put together an impressive international cast. Yet the real reason for the success of 'Grand Prix' - one of 1966's ten biggest box-office hits that year, winning three Oscars - was the thrill of the racing scenes, thanks in large part to help from Phil Hill: he captured real-life footage with on-board cameras at some 1966 Grands Prix, and also drove a GT40 camera car during the making of the film. Other big names making guest appearances on screen included Graham Hill, Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jochen Rindt and Jack Brabham. 

Fast cars, melancholy looks

There was another reason for movie-goers to buy tickets, and that was the actress who took the role of driver's girlfriend Lisa, namely the alluring Françoise Hardy. Her melancholy looks and gentle smile had already bewitched Mick Jagger and David Bowie, and on the set of Grand Prix, where she posed wearing the helmet of fellow actor James Garner, and at the wheel of a Ferrari, she likewise put the film crew under the spell of her innocent charm. She actually suffered from severe stage fright and hated being the centre of attention; hence the picture below, in which she perches, somewhat lost-looking on a float to help launch the film in New York, is all the stranger.

From Grand Prix to style icon

From the 1970s onwards, Françoise Hardy was only rarely seen in public, although she was still very much in the public eye thanks to her fashion photoshoots for Dior and Yves Saint Laurent.