Volkswagen, 30 ans après Audi / Volkswagen – 30 years after Audi…

Volkswagen a remporté son second titre mondial des rallyes 30 ans après un autre constructeur allemand, Audi, sacré pour la seconde fois en 1984 avec Michelin. Encore deux victoires mondiales et VW rejoindra Audi au palmarès du WRC.

Audi et Volkswagen, aujourd’hui réunis au sein du même Groupe automobile, ont marqué l’histoire du Championnat du monde des Rallyes FIA.

Le week-end dernier, en Espagne, Volkswagen a remporté sa 22^e victoire mondiale avec Sébastien Ogier. VW n’est désormais plus qu’à deux succès d’Audi qui totalise 24 victoires WRC entre 1981 et 1987 obtenues avec les différentes versions de l’Audi Quattro.

1987, c’est aussi l’année où Volkswagen a remporté sa première victoire WRC avec Kenneth Eriksson, Rallye de Côte d’Ivoire (VW Golf GTi). En deux saisons, Volkswagen a pratiquement rejoint Audi au palmarès mondial avec deux titres Constructeurs et 22 victoires. En revanche, VW doit encore scorer 24 podiums pour égaler Audi (71).

Pour Audi, la campagne 1984 avait débuté par deux triplés au Rallye Monte-Carlo (Rohrl, Blomqvist, Mikkola) et Rallye de Suède (Blomqvist, Mouton, Eklund), et une victoire au Portugal (Mikkola). Battues par la Toyota Celica Twincam au Safari et la Lancia 037 en Corse, les Audi et leurs 4-roues motrices avaient remporté trois autres victoires (Grèce, Nouvelle-Zélande, Argentine), avant une fin de saison plus disputée face aux nouvelles Peugeot 205 T16. Audi avait décroché le titre Constructeurs avec 12 points d’avance sur Lancia.

Pour fêter le 30^e anniversaire de son dernier titre mondial en rallye, l’Audi Sport Club Italia avait exposé l’Audi Quattro victorieuse en 1984 à l’occasion d’un show de véhicules historiques à Padoue (Auto Moto Epoca Padua). Le Suédois Stig Blomqvist, Champion du monde 1984 et Christian Geistdorfer (copilote de Walter Rohrl) étaient présents.

Volkswagen a remporté son second titre Constructeurs à l’issue du Rallye d’Australie, mi-septembre (un record de précocité). Cette année, la marque allemande a signé un triplé et huit doublés. Avant le Wales Rally GB, Volkswagen compte 198 points d’avance sur Citroën.

Volkswagen’s second Manufacturers’ world rally title came three decades after the crown of another German carmaker, Audi, which earned its second championship success with Michelin in 1984. VW is only two wins short of Audi’s WRC score (24).

Audi and Volkswagen, today part of the same automotive group, have both marked world rallying history.

Last weekend, Volkswagen notched up its 22^nd WRC victory in Spain with Sébastien Ogier and is now only two wins short of the 24 totalled by different versions of the Audi Quattro from 1981 until 1987.

Coincidentally, Volkswagen took its first world class success in 1987 with Kenneth Eriksson in Ivory Coast (VW Golf GTi).

In just two seasons, it has now practically equalled Audi’s record, although it must still claim a further 24 podium finishes to match Audi’s score of 71.

Audi’s 1984 campaign kicked off with one-two-three finishes in Monte-Carlo (Röhrl, Blomqvist, Mikkola) and Sweden (Blomqvist, Mouton, Eklund), followed by victory in Portugal (Mikkola). The make’s four-wheel drive Quattro was beaten by the Toyota Celica TC on the Safari, and then again by the Lancia 037 in Corsica, but it bounced back to achieve victories in Greece, New Zealand and Argentina. The end of the season saw it face tough opposition from the new Peugeot 205 T16 but the Germans still claimed the Manufacturers’ title, 12 points clear of Lancia.

To celebrate the 30^th anniversary of that title, Audi Sport Club Italia displayed the winning Audi Quattro at the Auto Moto Epoca Padua historic car show where the 1984 Drivers’ winner Stig Blomqvist and Walter Röhrl's co-driver Christian Geistdorfer were also present.

Volkswagen made sure of its second Manufacturers’ title in Australia in September (the earliest ever) and the make has collected one one-two-three and eight one-two finishes so far. With Wales RallyGB remaining, it has 198 more points than Citroën.

GANNET CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES; FROM DESIGN FANTASY TO CARBON-CLAD REALITY?

AUTHOR: ANDREW CRAIG

When former Renault, Nissan and Infiniti designer Ulfert Janssen introduced some of his motorcycle designs earlier this year, the two-wheeled world took a collective sharp intake of breath.

The drawings of various Motor Guzzis, Ducatis, MV Agustas, BMWs and Triumphs were a blend of classic and contemporary design. In the case of the Guzzis the old V8 racer was the inspiration, whereas with the Ducatis the streetfighter and cafe racer looks combined to make a muscular ‘Cafe Fighter.’ Beautiful work, but at the time there were no plans to drag any of them in to reality, until now …

‘I`m working on it,’ Ulfert tells us. ‘Some of the projects could become reality soon, especially the Guzzi. That would be very cool to build and right now I`m looking for some sponsors to put it on the street.’

Promising stuff, and it turns out that ‘Cafe Fighter’ Ducati may be at a more advanced stage than the Guzzi. ‘I`m in talks with couple of part builders to make a kit…but it’s too early to say anything definite about when it will be available. Negotiations to realise a project always go much slower than designing something!’

So, you heard it here first. One would imagine that if/when the Ducati design becomes a reality that some of the others would soon follow suit.

As stunning as they all look, our choice would be either of the Guzzi racers. Way cool…

See more at www.gannetdesign.com

1966 Porsche 906 – Hillclimb

Sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of the glorious 1966 Porsche 906 as it blasts through a pair of Italian Hill Climb events. Spotted at the 2014 Trofeo Vallecamonica and the 2014 Alpe del Nevegal, this 1966 Porsche 906 is absolutely beautiful. Powered by 8000rpm and 210 horsepower worth of 2.0L flat-six engineering, it’s as much a treat on the ears as it is the eyes.

MORE: 1966 Porsche 906 (Gallery)

Driven here by Italian local Mario Sala, the 906 weighs in at just 617kg (1360lbs), making it a lively ride indeed.

While you’re here, take a look at what’s on offer through our newly released premium content delivery service, Motorsport Retro Premium;

BMW Custom Party

BMW Custom Party from Etienne Boisson on Vimeo.

a venir la première : Andorra 500

L

es motos ont toujours été ma passion. J’ai commencé à rouler quand j’avais 14 ans et depuis les motos font partie de ma vie, c’est pourquoi juste après avoir décidé de passer à la compétition en quatre roues, j’ai commencé à réfléchir à une implication dans le monde de la moto avec l’équipe de personnes qui ont été à mes côtés pendant ces dernières années. Nous avons tout de suite eu le déclic d’organiser un rallye de régularité sur route avec des motos classiques. J’ai participé à un évènement de ce genre et j’ai énormément apprécié le mélange de convivialité et de compétition dans une ambiance très amicale.

De plus, je suis mécanicien moto de formation et je partage avec mon équipe la passion des motos classiques. D’autre part, j’ai la chance de vivre dans un endroit très pittoresque avec des routes de montagne qui font rêver tous les motards. Le cadre idéal pour l’Andorra 500. A travers ce site Web, vous devriez trouver tout ce qu’il faut pour vous motiver à participer à un séjour inoubliable de 4 jours de moto, mais n’hésiter à nous contacter si vous souhaitez de plus amples informations.

Cyril Despres

Le programme exact est en cours de finalisation et nous vous donnerons plus d’informations au fur et à mesure. La date précise par exemple, sera fixée mi-novembre lorsque la fédération confirmera son calendrier d’épreuves. Par contre, nous pouvons déjà vous informer que l’événement aura lieu en Juin 2015, débutera un jeudi par l’accueil des participants suivi des vérifications, un briefing et un prologue, la journée se conclura par une parade en ville. Ensuite place à trois jours de roulage, une boucle par jour dans les montagnes des Pyrénées Andorranes avec tous les jours comme point de départ le camp de base d’Ordino. Le côté compétition se déroulera essentiellement sur des secteurs chronométrés qui seront des tronçons de routes fermées à la circulation où les participants devront tenter de maintenir une vitesse moyenne. En plus de l’aspect de régularité, il y aura également des gymkhanas, test de navigation et un concours d’élégance.

Nous supposons que certains prendront le côté compétition très au sérieux, c’est pourquoi grâce à l’utilisation du système Tripy nous pouvons vous assurer que vos efforts seront justement récompensés. Nous connaissons le monde de la compétition et savons à quel point il est frustrant de douter de l’authenticité des résultats.

Nous supposons aussi que d’autres concurrents seront plus intéressés par le côté social de l’événement et nous n’allons pas du tout négliger cet aspect. Sur la route, nous prévoyons des pauses café régulières et déjeuners adéquats servis en pleine nature. Le soir à l’hôtel de rendez-vous du rallye, nous organiserons des barbecues, concerts, une présentation de pilotes moto renommés issus de différentes disciplines, une exposition de motos d’exception, une soirée gala et de remise de prix.

Compétitif ou pas, si vous aimez les motos classiques, les routes sinueuses, les grands paysages et souhaitez rencontrer des personnes venant de divers horizons qui partagent la même passion que vous, nous sommes quasi sûrs que vous allez adorer l’Andorra 500.

Andorra 500 from Cyril DESPRES on Vimeo.

K-KUSTOM MEGAPRO 150

To prove how wide spread the custom bike scene has spread, here’s a lovely little tracker all the way from Indonesia. Built by Aries Thuex for a friend and customer, Aries has made a few custom bikes for himself and his friends and runs his workshop under the name K-Kustom Garage. The donor bike is a Honda Megapro 150 and is a 2010 bike, which is a smart move for a donor, old bikes are great, but a newer machine; especially a simple one will undoubtedly have more life left in it and have a few better parts than an old basket case, but that said, the only original parts remaining are the frame, swingarm, front and rear hubs and the motor!

Wheels have gone from 18” to 17” and are dressed with cross purpose rubber, this bike has been built as a daily ride and to be capable on and off road. Aries tells us that he likes to do about 400km to test a bike after a build, not a bad habit to have, the last thing anyone having a bike built wants is to have to take it back a week later with a snagging list as long as your arm. Aries actually took the bike to a track, as seen in the image above, then to the beach, and that was just for the photos, so this bike has been given a thorough shake down.

The bike has a few unique touches, the engine fins have been taken back, nothing original there, but then Aries has also engraved a few motifs, they’re subtle and not out of place and adds a little difference to the simple little Honda lump.

I particularly like the mounting of the mirror within the top yoke clamp and the smiley airfilter cover brings a sense of fun to the bike for those that won’t get the chance to be blessed with a go on her.

Lighting is all new, from the small bates style headlamp with K-Kustoms KK logo; something all his builds have somewhere on them, to the stop/tail light and mini indicators, having the rear indies located upon the swingarm and the side mounted licence plate all helps keep the rear mudguard clutter free the short mudguards keep style and function together; after all this is an everyday ride.

A rear drum brake is ample for a little bike, but I’m a true believer of having good stopping power and the 320mm disc upgrade ensures that this light weight will pull up without trouble; in fact it’ll probably be a bit too good when in the dirt, let’s hope the owner takes that into account!

A twin seat and pillion pegs add to the bikes versatility; I love the pressed pattern in the seat cover, it reminds of a 70’s dirt bike, as does the overall stance of this 2010 machine, Aries has done a great job of keeping proportions spot on, she’s the right length and the right height with a nice level stance.

The exhaust system is handmade by Aries, something many people just buy off the shelf and the tank, side panels and swingarm have continuity in their detailing, the deep blue paint and pin striping continue to echo the 70’s inspiration. The donors suspension was scrawny, so the rear shocks were swapped for an alternative and aesthetically pleasing set and the front forks were replaced with a meatier pair from a Yamaha Bison.

This really does look like a great fun little bike and so well laid out, thanks for sharing it with us all Aries, we look forward to seeing what comes out of K-Kustom Garage next, to follow Aries blog, check out k-kustom.blogspot.com

via the Bike Shed

WRC : Les brèves du mercredi…/ Wednesday’s WRC notes: Catalonia

Sébastien Ogier (pour une fois) avantagé par sa position sur la route, Citroën Racing à l’amende, Ken Block fait le show, Hayden Paddon dans l’histoire du WRC… Voici quelques brèves rapportées de la Costa Daurada…

- Après les dernières vérifications techniques du Rallye de France-Alsace, les moteurs des Citroën DS3 R3 ont été jugés non conformes par rapport à la fiche d’homologation (arbre à cames). Toutes les DS3 R3 classées ont été exclues du classement officiel du rallye (Domzala, Giordano, Koci, Lefebvre, Fisher, Camilli et Rossel) mais restent dans le classement J-WRC du championnat. C’est peut-être la première fois dans l’histoire du WRC que des concurrents marquent des points dans une épreuve où ils ne sont pas classés ! Au passage, Citroën Racing a écopé de 22 500 € d’amende…

- Le pilote américain Ken Block avait choisi le RallyRACC-Rally de Espana pour des raisons de planning, les magnifiques spéciales sur asphalte, l’ambiance et les fans espagnols. La star planétaire du Gymkhana leur a offert un beau spectacle dans la Superspéciale de Barcelone et dans la Power Stage où il n’a pas hésité à boucler un tour de rond-point supplémentaire en « driftant »…avant de crever à l’avant gauche !

- Hayden Paddon a réalisé son premier temps scratch en WRC (ES3) au RallyRACC 2014, le premier d’un pilote Néo-Zélandais depuis Possum Bourne dans l’ES1 du Rallye de Nouvelle-Zélande 1999. Mais à l’époque, il s’agissait d’une Superspéciale…

- L’Espagnol Nani Roma et son copilote Michel Périn étaient de passage au parc d’assistance de Salou. L’équipage X-Raid Mini ALL4 Racing/Michelin est en pleine préparation du Rallye Dakar 2015.

- En conférence en Espagne, le numéro 2 de Hyundai-Kia Motors Group en a profité pour visiter l’équipe Hyundai Motorsport qu’il avait reçue en grande pompe en avril dernier à Séoul. Il a eu droit à un « codriving » sur terre au côté de Juho Hanninen dans l’i20 WRC de test.

- Comme chaque année, le Mexicain Benito Guerra participe au RallyRACC. Il a bouclé la 2^eétape sans direction assistée sur sa Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. Il a malgré tout pris la 4^e place WRC-2 derrière Al-Attiyah, Maurin et Barrable.

- Andreas Mikkelsen a sans doute raté la 6^e place finale en raison d’une pénalité de 10 secondes au départ de l’ES17. « Il est parti trop tard de l’endroit où on s’était arrêtés avant la spéciale, il lui restait 30 secondes pour parcourir plus d’1,5 km, racontait son adversaire Thierry Neuville. Un dîner était en jeu entre les deux pilotes.

- Les débuts très attendus du nouveau champion du monde Junior Stéphane Lefebvre en WRC-2 sur la Citroën DS3 R5 ont été écourtés par une sortie de route dans l’ES3. Le Français n’a pu repartir en Rally2. Son compatriote Sébastien Chardonnet (Citroën DS3 R5) a quant à lui eu recours à deux Rally2 mais n’a pas vu l’arrivée après un nouveau problème mécanique et une pénalité de 7 minutes (pointage en avance) à l’entrée du regroupement (avant ES17).

- Les pilotes espagnols ont brillé sur les Ford Fiesta R2. Nil Solans a remporté la dernière manche du DMack Fiesta Trophy, alors que José Maria Lopez Planelles s’est imposé en Fiesta Trophy Spain.

- Le dernier champion du monde de rallye espagnol, Xevi Pons (Champion S-WRC 2010), a dû abandonner après une sortie de route dans l’avant-dernière spéciale au volant de sa Ford Fiesta R5. Il était 15^e du général et virtuel 3^e en WRC-2 (non-inscrit au championnat).

- La péninsule ibérique réussit bien à Mikko Hirvonen cette saison : après son podium du Portugal, le Finlandais a terminé 3^e en Espagne, son 7^e podium au RallyRACC en 13 participations, tout de même !

RallyRACC-Rally de Espana’s post-event stories include Citroën Racing’s fine, Ken Block’s show and Hayden Paddon’s historic WRC moment…

At post-Rallye de France scrutineering, the camshafts of the Citroën DS3 R3s were judged not to comply with the car’s homologation papers. Drivers Domzala, Giordano, Koci, Lefebvre, Fisher, Camilli and Rossel were all excluded from the official results but their J-WRC classifications were not annulled. It’s probably the first time in WRC history that points have been awarded to non-classified crews! Citroën Racing was fined €22,500…

Ken Block’s diary allowed him to sample the magnificent stages and atmosphere in Catalonia. The American drifting superstar provided spectators with a great show on the super-special in Barcelona, as well as on the Power Stage when he performed an additional tour of the roundabout in a spectacular power-slide… before collecting a front-left puncture!

Hayden Paddon claimed the first WRC stage win of his career on SS3. It was the first fastest time for a New Zealander since Possum Bourne’s victory on SS1 (super-special) of his home round in 1999.

Spanish rally-raid expert Nani Roma and his co-driver Michel Perrin paid a visit to the service park in Salou. The X-Raid Mini ALL4 Racing/Michelin crew is busy preparing for January’s Dakar.

The number two of Hyundai-Kia Motors Group, who was in Spain for a conference, took time to visit Hyundai Motorsport. He was treated to a ‘co-driver ride’ alongside Juho Hanninen in the team’s test car.

True to tradition, Mexican Benito Guerra contested the Spanish round where he came fourth in WRC-2 behind Al-Attiyah, Maurin and Barrable, despite tackling Day 2 without power steering!

VW’s Andreas Mikkelsen lost sixth place because of a 10-second penalty before SS17. “He was late leaving the spot where he had parked before the time control. It left him 30 seconds to cover 1.5km,” related Hyundai rival Thierry Neuville. The two drivers had bet a dinner on the rally’s result.

The WRC-2 debut of recently-crowned 2014 Junior champion Stéphane Lefebvre in a Citroën DS3 R5 was curtailed by an ‘off’ on SS3, and the Frenchman did not re-start under the Rally2 ruling. Despite making use of this ruling twice, compatriot Sébastien Chardonnet (Citroën DS3 R5) also failed to reach the finish after suffering further mechanical trouble. He also took a seven-minute penalty for early arrival at the re-group before SS17!

Spanish Ford Fiesta R2 drivers did well on home soil. Nil Solans won the year’s last DMack Fiesta Trophy round, while José Maria Lopez Planelles topped the Fiesta Trophy Spain order.

Spain’s most recent world champion Xevi Pons (2010 S-WRC champion) crashed on the penultimate stage in his Ford Fiesta R5. He was 15^th overall and virtual third in WRC-2, although he isn’t registered for the championship.

The Iberian peninsula has been happy hunting ground for Mikko Hirvonen this year. Ford’s Finn was on the podium in Portugal and again in Spain where he achieved his seventh top-three finish on the event from 13 starts!

british

Open Door to Solitude

Every couple of months, 68-year-old Ed Zevely rides into the Colorado high country to camp for weeks at a time—and he does it completely alone. Through thunderstorms, open meadows and treacherous passes, he finds his own patch of serenity. Far from the modern world, it’s a place where the only goal is to move and breathe, and where you can truly understand the difference between loneliness and solitude.

Open Door to Solitude from Filson on Vimeo.

Ducati Sport Classic by StradaFab

KEVILS SPUTNIK

Either Kev Hill is ruled by a Thatcher-esque sleeping schedule or the guys in his workshop are still looking for the holiday request forms. It only seems a couple of weeks since we featured the last bike from Kevils Speed Shop and here’s another fine example.

Sputnik was built for customer George who spends time between England and Russia hence the name and satellite theme; using a 1978 BMW R80/7 donor. As with all Kevil’s customs the bikes are stripped completely, painted, powder-coated, serviced; with engines rebuilt if necessary.

The subframe is a break from the norm with the rear loop more rectangular, but streamlined all the same and finished with a sumptuous brown diamond stitched leather seat; designed for two-up comfort. The 12v charging point allows George to keep his iPad full of juice while it’s transported around in the matching brown leather pannier bag. To think that there is considerably more computing power in that pannier than that available to the first NASA mission to the moon is mind boggling, and Sputnik’s launch predated that by over a decade.

The fuel tank looks like a normal R-series monolith but in this case the material is a touch more space age than Bavaria’s original mild steel unit. An aluminium replica was fabricated to the stock dimensions, then brushed and clear coated. Side panels and stainless steel mudguards complete the bare look.

Low and wide bars allow George to wrestle his ’80 around whilst the visual flow of the bike is uninterrupted. The guys at Digital Speedos sent over a new Koso all-in-one unit to try so that takes pride of place and makes up the minimal dash. The headlight grill compliments the luggage and scrambler style, suggesting an off-road excursion is imminent. The much revered Heidenau Scouts are currently one of the best dual-sport tyres available; so Kev fitted a pair. A sturdy fork brace sits between the rebuilt forks in case George decides to put the tyres to the test.

To match the pannier a neat leather tool roll lives under the rear hoop, not only providing obvious back up but dealing with the issue of the mudguard to saddle void. A sleek, in-house fabricated scrambler exhaust with perforated heat shield looks the nuts and will provide a bark, while the Mikuni carbs offer more bite.

Kev would like to point out that the emblem on the fuel tank was requested by the owner and intends no offence, should any be taken.

To turn your ideas into a BMW based reality get in touch with Kev via their website.

via The Bike Shed

RENARD’S RETRO-FUTURISTIC BMW SCRAMBLER

By Wesley Reyneke | Rather Be Riding
In a sea of identikit BMW customs, we’re always on the hunt for a fresh take on Bavaria’s finest. And this sharply-styled scrambler hits the mark effortlessly.
It’s from Estonia’s Renard Speed Shop, and it’s based on one of the more modern boxers—a 2006-model R1200S.
Renard’s Andres Uibomae had the R1200S in his workshop and was planning to build a café-racer when a new customer came along. “He recently rode around the world with his GS,” says Andres, “but now he wanted something for the ‘Sunday ride.’ A similar bike, but a bit ‘lighter,’ and with the Renard Speed Shop touch.”

Andres decided to build a rideable scrambler that could easily pass for a factory prototype. With 122HP and 112Nm of torque on tap, the R1200S was the perfect candidate.
It was visually off the mark though, so Renard ditched all the bodywork and began redesigning every inch of it. This meant fabricating a new fuel tank, fenders, an enduro-inspired seat and new side panels; all from aluminum. The seat and side panels have both been covered in Alcantara.

The bike’s stance has also been altered slightly, thanks to a new pair of Kineo wheels (19” at the front and 17” at the rear) wrapped in Metzeler Karoo 3s. Kineo’s unique wheels are both spoked and tubeless—making them incredibly practical for off-road applications.
With no real need to boost the power from the boxer engine, Renard focussed on suspension and brake upgrades. Öhlins shocks and Beringer brakes have been installed, along with a Beringer hydraulic clutch.

Mated to the brake and clutch levers are Renard’s signature CNC-milled switches. Finishing off the cockpit are bars from Neken, a Motoscope Pro speedo from Motogadget, and LED bar-end turn signals from Kellermann (used at the rear too). The headlight is a Speaker LED unit, capped off with a hand-made fly screen.
One of the the less obvious changes is the new exhaust system. Akropovic headers flow into a shortened Fresco silencer, mounted vertically on the left of the bike. It’s connected to two stainless steel cones via custom-made branches.

Renard certainly don’t do things in half measures. The R1200S is loaded with tiny, easy-to-miss features—like the beautifully crafted heat-shield ‘wings’ that visually connect the back of the seat to the side panels.
Our favorite detail is the subtle splash of color on the subframe, matching the light blue from the BMW Motorrad racing motif on the tank. It’s tastefully carried out through the entire build—from the shock springs to the switchgear buttons, and even on one of the swingarm linkages.
The result is a trifecta of technical prowess, thoughtful details and a unique aesthetic.
Not to mention a breath of fresh air.
Follow Renard Motorcycles’ work via their website and Facebook page.

via BIKEexif

Toyota V8 45 Series Landcruiser Test

Testing out Flat Out Off Road Racing Teams 6.0L v8 45 series landcruiser, running King triple bypass shocks all round.

FOUNDRY MC THE PIPELINE

Foundry Motorcyles have delivered yet again. Not just a lovely looking bike with some nice detailed finishing touches but something with a genuine wow factor, a result that is becoming more elusive as the custom scene grows and standards are set stratospherically high. Breaking the mould, experimentation and plain old fashioned balls in a wheelbarrow bike building is what fuels the creative fire, keeping sheds warm across the land.

After a succession of boxer BMW projects and a couple of Harley Sportster’s Tom & Simon of Foundry were looking for a new ‘shop project and a fresh direction. Moto Guzzis have always been appealing with their charismatic ‘aero’ style engine that, like the BMW’s, is a gradual development of a really old school machine.

Not being Guzz-istas, they bought a 1998 Moto Guzzi 1100i Sport from a couple of photos and assumed that under it’s extensive panel work would be some form of lattice frame as on the Le Mans, lending itself to a café racer update. Once in the shop, they realized that it’s a different beast altogether and quite some beast at that!

The guys tell a good story, so here it is, in their words. I’m going to sit back and stare at those exhaust pipes; for a long time.

“Pretty much everything hangs from a single box section with the headstock at one end and the swing arm at the other. The more we removed from the frame, the better it looked. The simplicity of the structure gives a ‘blank canvas’ for new designs, but there lay a problem, after a couple of mock ups, we found ourselves doing styling concepts for what might be a new generation of production Guzzi’s, which wasn’t what we wanted”.

“Grumpy fuel injection and mega wiring looms are not really café racer attributes so the whole lot was pulled off. It just kept getting better and better! A discussion with an old buddy Richard Oakes of Blackjack Cars seeded the idea of a single twin-choke Weber carb, but our 44 IDF is ‘down draught’, straddling the main frame (well it’s got to go somewhere!). Carb balancing was eliminated, but a big hole in the fuel tank was needed. The pipe work for the inlet and the desire to run the exhaust over the ‘heads, started to give the look we were after and The Pipeline’ was christened. There was only one way forward – mega industrial”.

“Bare stainless tank, inlet duct, 2 inch exhaust with heat shields and high level end box and inlet manifolds are all fabricated and finished in house. As you can imagine, our stainless TIG skills have come on leaps and bounds. Stainless is great stuff to weld, but hell does it move about a lot!”

“Right from the outset we wanted to keep the back end of the bike clean looking and the seat to seem like it’s supported by the ‘Pipeline’ exhaust. In there’s actually a narrow monocoque sub-frame buried between the twin pipes, which holds the seat and also carries the power to the hand made tail light”.

“We’ve recently discovered Moto Gadget, the German manufacturer of electrical components for motorcycles. It’s really tasteful stuff and beautifully engineered. After using their bar end indicators on a couple of projects, we decided that The Pipeline deserved ‘the full system’ and so, M-Switches (handle bar switches), M-Unit (main electronic controls/relays etc), M-Blaze (bar end indicators), M-Button (signal transmitter)and M-Lock (it had to have keyless ignition!) are all linked together with Moto Gadgets micro wiring system. Not a task for the ‘chubby fingered’ mechanic”.

“The headlight cowl houses a Silent Hectic ignition, a Ducati SS headlamp, the keyless ignition and a Daytona digital/analogue speedo, which is driven electronically from the gearbox”.

“As usual with our builds, it’s been stripped back to basics, all blasted and powder coated, the engine’s had a top end rebuild and all bearings and bushes replaced.

The process was pretty straight forward. Si did a couple of scribbles on the back of an envelope and sat back, then Tom spent several hundred hours getting very, very hot and swearing a lot, easy eh!

This one’s not for the feint hearted, but the seating position is original and the bar positions are comfortable. It first turned a wheel for the Distinguished Gent’s Ride in London and is great to ride. The throttle’s smooth and responsive with ‘bags’ of grunt. The end cans are decorative, so even though the exhaust’s been ‘choked’ to get the right back-pressure, it barks like a very big dog.

We thought it’d be a Marmite bike, but so far it seems like most people like Marmite”!

Having seen The Pipeline at Goodwood Revival Meeting a few weeks ago I can confirm the extreme, yeasty flavour of this Marmite machine, but my god, put the toaster on and start racking up the sliced white. For me, this is bike building at its finest; rulebook torn up, creativity to the fore, stomping down an untrodden path. If the chaps could take an angle grinder to the decimal point on the price tag I’d be writing a cheque right now, unless they take rubbery ones!

If you’re interesting in owning a truly individual Moto Guzzi and have a grown up cheque book, give Tom & Simon a call on +44 (0) 1243 532 888 or send them an email.

via the bike shed

VENCE PRODIGAL LADY O

Big single dual purpose machines reimagined as retro scramblers and trackers are something of a favourite at the Bikeshed. The Honda Dominator engine, in it’s many different guises, accounts for a large corner of our vast virtual garage. However one of the Honda’s closest rivals, the flatulently monikered Suzuki Freewind, returns zero hits in the search bar. Hidden beneath swathes of plastic the fine ingredients of this underused donor have long cried out for a customisers attention and now Flavio from Brianza in Italy has finally given the Freewind it’s Bikeshed bow.

44 year old Flavio has set up a garage under the name Vence Prodigal Bikes. Vence is a nickname bestowed on him by a long time friend and  supporter of this new adventure, the Prodigal part of the name refers to his poetic view of the machines he intends to create,

“Similarly to the “Prodigal Son who arose and came to his father”, these bikes come back to the Garage in order to be reborn and to do all they can for their new owner.”

Flavio specifically targets those misunderstood machines, like the Freewind, that left the factory to little acclaim and minimal commercial success and seeks to turn them into something he defines as “New Vintage”,

“These bikes will involve themselves in daily emotions made of dynamics and simplicity under a careful and timeless style.”

This machine, named Lady O, is Vence Prodigal’s first completed bike.

The Suzuki came to him as a mistreated learner school hack that had been abandoned for two years and was in much need of attention. The engine was completely overhauled along with the front forks which were dropped 15mm in the process. The wheels and swing arm are the original items that Flavio had “pickled” before being brushed and re-anodized. Any other parts that betrayed the bikes former life were replaced or refurbished.

The look Flavio was aiming for was “Scrambler-Flat Vintage” so all of the Freewind’s existing bodywork was junked. The short bulbous tank was a remarkable find at his local corner market, it originally graced a Moto Guzzi Lodola 175 and instantly adds a dollop of the vintage aesthetic Flavio was after. The tank is left bare with some strategic dark blue painted around the edges to enhance its shape.

Flavio was not willing to settle for a single tail option and has instead created two units to cater for differing moods. Both feature a thick seat, clad in a deep navy leather, the scrambler option ends in a blunt square with the tail light mounted low on the rear hugger whilst the cafe option features a sculpted aluminium cowl with a built in light. The exchange of units is achieved simply by removing four screws and a few minor alterations.

Flavio loves working in the “Noble material” of aluminium, amongst the parts he hand fabricated for the project are the side panels, the front light fairing and ignition key cover, the sprocket cover, the fender struts and the license plate holder. The aluminum fenders are aftermarket items.

Flavio is unsure exactly how much weight has been saved in the transformation but approximates a thirty kilo reduction. He reports a remarkable transformation in the engine characteristics, eager to rev with far livelier responses, but this could also be down to the engine work.

“I think overall, some more hp were sprung, but in my opinion, pure numbers don’t matter. I am more interested in the practical yield of every kind of riding (city, mixed fast, tight mixed in the mountains).”

As the build progressed Vence Prodigal have established strong relationships with good local suppliers and expert craftsmen which Flavio will continue to develop in his future projects. A Honda CB500 PC32 and a small Guzzi Florida V35 are next in the workshop, maintaining the unusual donor theme of Prodigal bikes. Find out more at the VenceFacebook page. Now who out there is going to create the second Freewind to grace the Bikeshed?

via The Bike Shed