THE WARRIOR – HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER XL1200 ’02

Written by Donny Ariyanto

You might have already seen our earlier features on Studio Motor’s, but really this is totally different!. THE WARRIOR is one of our latest ventures, based on 2002 Harley Davidson Sportster XL1200. Unlike most owners who slap on bits and bobs from the parts catalogue, Mr. Onny Hendro wanted to go the custom way, and make his ride stand out and different than others. Maybe you don’t know about this bike’s owner? Yup, Mr. Onny who got the nick name “Kaji Edan” ever made public shocking with his Toyota Alphard “Metromini” style. Back to topic, unsurprisingly, he approached us with the intention of crafting something inspired by Scrambler look. With the exception of the engine, he wanted everything to be custom-made, and so it was.

We added a custom frame looks like an original frame and Showa Upside Down front end, along with spoke wheels sized 19X2.50 inch at the front and 16X3.50 inch for rear, fitted with 4.00-19 and 5.00-16 Firestone ANS Military respectively. Khrome Werkz fatbar handlebar is joined by Billet Specialties hand control, custom headlight with 2 lamps, offset aftermarket rear light, custom solo seat and bag rack at the top of rear fender, Avon handgrip, EMGO bar end mirrors and Dan Moto 2 in 1 competition exhaust system. Post a stunning paint job and airbrush by Komet Studio (it almost catchy look, doesn’t it?), this custom Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200 is Scrambler style, with a hint of modern touches here and there, and speaks volumes about satisfaction, as well as the owner’s desire to make a personal statement. Have a nice ride Mr. Kaji Edan, one day we will trying this bike for long trip. Gotcha!!!

Specification :

• Frame Custom by STUDIO MOTOR
• Body Custom by STUDIO MOTOR
• Painting & Airbrush by KOMET Studio
• Showa Upside Down Front End
• Khrome Werkz Handlebar
• Spoke Wheels 19X2.50 Inch & 16X3.50 Inch
• Firestone ANS Military 4.00-19 & 5.00-16
• Custom Mid Control by STUDIO MOTOR
• Custom Headlight
• EMGO Bar End Mirror
• Billet Specialties Hand Control
• Dan Moto 2 In 1 Competition

  from STUDIO MOTOR Custom Bike

VARANO CIRCUIT - ASI MOTO SHOW

Was the Alpina B2 the original German super-saloon?

Not all fashions that emerged in the 1980s became retrospectively tragic. In fact, some – such as the German super-saloon – have prospered, but the modern crop of ’bahnstormers might well owe their existence to the Alpina B2 of the mid-70s…

In the 1980s, young professionals began to demand practical saloons that replicated the style statements made by their suits: powerful, striking, and often specified in contrast colours. The preference for these attributes packaged within a practical four-door bodyshell was perhaps the result of the commercial success of the European Touring Car Championship, whose German following and participation almost made it the national sport. 

As official as unofficial can be

Several years before the arrival of the official BMW M535i in 1980, Alpina had been transforming relatively staid Bavarian 4-doors into so-called super-saloons – and considering it had won both the ETCC title and the 24 Hours of Spa in 1970, the Alpina name carried enough weight with those in-the-know to elevate it above other German tuners. The company was held in such high favour within top ranks at BMW that Alpina-fettled cars were allowed to retain their BMW warranty, plus the tuning company’s ability to stay a step ahead of stringent European environmental regulations – often through turbocharging – meant it was considered a major player, despite not being recognised as a manufacturer in its own right until 1983.

Ahead of its time

Before Alpina enjoyed major success with the late-1970s B7 Turbo, it produced the car pictured here, the B2 saloon: a substantial rework of a standard 528 that BMW’s M-division had not yet thought to breathe fire upon. The recipe was by no means a simple one: the standard, non-injection engine was bored out to 3.0 litres, fitted with Solex or twin Weber carbs, and given a number of other Alpina parts, whose sum total was an impressive 230bhp. This allowed the ‘Bayerische Bastard’ to reach 60mph from rest in just 6.9 seconds on its way towards a top speed of 140mph. By contrast, the M535i – which arrived five years later – took 7.5 seconds to reach 60mph, and amassed 218bhp.

Bespoke Bavarian tailoring

Other improvements included Alpina-Bilstein suspension, brakes, plus tailor-made wheels, interior components and a bodykit – and, of course, the distinctive contrast-colour graphics from which BMW clearly took inspiration when putting the finishing touches to the M535i. In total, only 11 examples of the B2 were built before the 300bhp B7 Turbo took the mantle – but considering its rounded package, pioneering spirit and the obvious respect it commanded in Bavaria and beyond, it can stake a genuine claim to being the original super-saloon.

Photos: © Frederic Seemann for Classic Driver

The 1986 Alpina B2 seen here was recently sold via Classic Driver dealer DLS Automobile, but you can still find several Alpinas, as well as hundreds of modern and classic BMWs, for sale in the Classic Driver Market.

The road to Le Mans: Pegasus Racing Team Total

At the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours, Michelin will have 20 partner teams which we will be introducing one by one up to race week. After one refused Le Mans entry and twice being brought in as a late substitute, Pegasus Racing received a formal invitation for this year’s race...

Based near Strasbourg, France, Pegasus Racing was founded in the 1990 when Julien Schell started his career in Formula Ford. The small operation soon expanded to run several cars in single-make championships and the VdeV series.

It turned its attention to the Le Mans Series in 2009 with an LM P2 Courage LC75-AER, but its application to race at Le Mans was turned down by the ACO.

In 2010, it applied again, this time with a Norma-Judd (LM P2). It was named first reserve and got a slot in the 24-hour classic when Dome withdrew. The adventure ended in gearbox failure after just 40 laps.

Pegasus Racing turned to a Formula Le Mans programme in 2011 in the hope that it might lead to an entry for Le Mans. However, despite a score of four wins from five, its budget was too tight to contemplate racing at La Sarthe.

It returned in 2014 with a Morgan-Nissan after benefiting from a number of late withdrawals at the end of April. This time, its LM P2 prototype reached the finish, 10^th in class.

This year, Pegasus Racing was on the ACO’s original list of invited teams for the 83^rd Le Mans 24 Hours, again with an LM P2 Morgan-Nissan equipped with Michelin tyres. For the great French race, as well as for a one-off FIA WEC outing in Shanghai, it has been renamed Pegasus Racing Team Total. Young Léo Roussel will team up with former OAK Racing Team Asia drivers Ho-Pin Tung and David Cheng.

Cars entered for the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours

N°29 Morgan-Nissan (LM P2): Léo Roussel / Ho-Pin Tung / David Cheng

Le Mans record

2010: retired, Norma-Judd LM P2 (Schell/Da Rocha/Zollinger)

2014: 10^th LM P2, Morgan-Nissan (Schell/Raffin/Leutviler)