This version of Velocity Learn is our sportiest one but, jam-packed with customized superbikes. First, we profile a Ducati ST3 sport tourer-turned-café racer from France. Then we run by a Honda CBX1000 restomod from Dubai, Buell’s new Freedom Version Hammerhead, and a Nicky Hayden Version Honda RC51 that’s simply popped up on the market.
Ducati ST3 by Jerem Bikes Regardless of its sport touring prowess, you could possibly say that the Ducati ST3 is essentially the most Honda-looking Ducati that Ducati ever made. The square-ish headlight, full fairing, and single-piece twin seat are extra VFR than Desmosedici—even when painted crimson.
Fortunately, Jeremie from Jerem Bikes in France is again with one other considered one of his beautiful Ducati builds. He’s turned a relatively vanilla-looking sport tourer right into a razor-sharp café racer.
Beginning with an ST3S mannequin, Jeremie removed the fairing, placing Ducati’s superb 992 cc L-twin again on full show. The unique forks have been refurbished after which anodized in gold. A spherical LED headlight from a Jeep was fitted to the entrance, together with a customized fender.
A pair of black spoked wheels from Kineo changed the manufacturing facility solid wheels; they give the impression of being the enterprise wrapped in sticky Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires. The ST3 body was liberated of all superfluous bracketry and given a dose of gold powder coating (which was impressed by a Peugeot 106 hatchback, of all issues).
The swingarm (which is a murals in itself) is from a Monster S2R, as is the Öhlins rear shock absorber. New Brembo twin-piston calipers and discs have been bolted on too, together with customized brake hoses from Actual. Different accouterments embrace clip-on bars, a brand new prime yoke and a carbon sprint from Avia Compositi.
The engine was refurbished, in and out. The radiator is often hidden behind a fairing, so Jeremie swapped it for the extra aesthetic unit from a Ducati 749. This additionally let him tuck the hoses contained in the body for a cleaner look.
Excessive-performance coolant hoses and a transparent clutch cowl have been bolted on, together with case savers from GB Racing. The voltage regulator was relocated for higher cooling, and the fusebox was moved for simple entry. The stomach pan is one other customized half, made by Jeremie himself.
The tank is inventory, however the rear finish shouldn’t be. With matching upholstery on the seat and tank pad (performed by Yaya Brush Saddlery), it actually cuts a superb determine. Lastly, the bodywork was painted in satin gray, with the underside part performed in black to provide the bike a extra assertive stance.
It’s extra sport than touring, and we find it irresistible. That’s one other one within the bag for JeremMotorcycles. [Jerem Motorcycles]
Honda CBX1000 by Cafe Rider Customized First launched in 1978, the brawny Honda CBX1000 wasn’t the primary inline-six bike, nevertheless it is without doubt one of the most iconic. The big engine protruding both aspect of the gasoline tank is only one purpose why. Another excuse was the sound (we suggest googling it, turning it as much as 11, and thanking us later).
This CBX1000 from Fahim Rehman, of Cafe Rider Customized in Dubai, appears like a neatly restored unique. However when you delve somewhat deeper into the small print you’ll see that it’s removed from manufacturing facility.
We love a great restomod, and Fahim and his crew have given us an actual doozy. Like most restomods, this CBX1000 nonetheless wears its manufacturing facility seat and tank. However all the pieces else has been barely modified—with emphasis on ‘barely.’
Your entire entrance finish was lifted from an Aprilia, with a customized prime yoke gripping the forks. The brand new entrance finish allowed the Cafe Rider crew to improve the entrance brakes with a pair of latest Nissin calipers and braided traces. The entrance fender is from a CB400 and the headlight is an aftermarket 7” unit.
Retro flip alerts have been fitted, and twin horns have been put in beneath the headlight. (The unique CBX got here from the manufacturing facility with a single horn mounted beneath the headlight, so this can be a fantastic throwback from Cafe Rider Customized.)
The dashboard was upgraded to a recent tacho and a GPS speedo, set into a brand new mounting bracket. They appear flashy however don’t steal the present. The tracker-style bars, change blocks, mirrors, and Biltwell grips are all new.
The engine obtained a radical overhaul and cleansing, and the oil cooler was upgraded to a bigger unit. A Motogadget mo.unit blue takes care of the brainpower, with the remainder of the bike rewired from scratch with a brand new Lithium battery. An aftermarket six-into-six exhaust was put in—in case you pay attention exhausting sufficient, you may hear it scream by the pictures.
The rear finish is the place issues get a bit whacky (in a great way). Your entire subframe was chopped off and changed to accommodate a brand new mono-shock rear suspension setup—which additionally created house for a mean-as-heck vast rear wheel.
The seat was trimmed to match the marginally shorter design, and the massive sq. taillight and ducktail cowl have been refitted. The Honda’s inventory aspect covers have been reinstalled and the bodywork was painted in Honda crimson.
With unique CBX decals ending it off, it appears downright unbelievable. Fahim and the remainder of the Cafe Rider Customized crew have performed an excellent job. [Source]
Buell Freedom Version Hammerhead Since Buell returned to the world of bikes, the American firm has been on a mission. They plan to launch 10 new fashions over the subsequent few years (together with the ridiculously bonkers Baja Dune Racer), and they’re nicely on their method to reaching that aim.
They’ve simply pulled the covers off their latest bike: the fortieth Anniversary Freedom Version Hammerhead. And if that’s not essentially the most American identify for a motorbike you’ve ever heard, we’ll eat our stetsons.
The Hammerhead 1190 relies on the older 1190 mannequin, nevertheless it’s been totally up to date for 2023. It nonetheless has all the perfect issues that Buell delivered to the desk all these years in the past—the Rotax engine (now pumping out 185 hp), the body that can also be the gasoline tank, and the wonderful perimeter brake setup on the entrance wheel.
Weighing in dry at 416 lbs, the Hammerhead is relatively svelte for an enormous American sportbike. Couple that with the brand new 72-degree Rotax V-twin, and it has a good bit of go to match the present. The upside-down forks are totally adjustable, as is the rear shock; each are from Showa. With the gasoline carried low within the body (and the oil carried low within the swingarm), the brand new Hammerhead has all of the makings of an important sportbike.
The fortieth Anniversary Freedom Version Hammerhead provides a crimson, white and blue paint job. And we’ve to say, the Hammerhead certain appears spiffy in stars and stripes.
It’ll be obtainable on-line and at sellers from July 1st, 2023, simply in time for Independence Day. Costs begin at $24,990, with top-tier fashions obtainable from $26,775 for anybody who needs a aspect of fries with their new bike. [Buell Motorcycle]
On the market: Honda RC51 Nicky Hayden Version The Honda RC51 ranks excessive on the record of collectible superbikes that we’d like to personal. Often known as the RVT1000R within the US, and the VTR1000 in different elements of the world, the 999 cc V-twin was launched to take Ducati on within the World Superbike Championship.
The primary era Honda RC51—the SP1—hit the scene with a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected DOHC mill, a six-speed transmission, and an aluminum twin-spar body. It was good for 130 hp and a prime velocity north of 165 mph, and weighed 440 lbs, dry. The second-gen SP2 got here out in 2002 with a stronger (but in addition lighter) body, an extended swingarm, revised geometry, a bit extra energy, and a much bigger windscreen.
Though it wasn’t fairly as profitable on monitor as Honda would have hoped, it managed to take Colin Edwards to 2 championship victories, in 2000 and 2002. It additionally claimed the 2002 AMA Championship, piloted by the legendary Kentucky Child, Nicky Hayden.
Honda launched a run of RC51 SP2s two years later to commemorate this victory. The Nicky Hayden Version bikes wore a particular crimson, white and silver livery, with white quantity plate areas on the fairing and tail. In addition they bought brushed aluminum frames and swingarms, and Hayden’s signature on prime of the gasoline tank.
This Honda RC51 Nicky Hayden Version is presently on public sale over at Iconic Bikes. And it’s being offered by none apart from Darren Begg at dB Customs. Darren is an everyday on these pages, recognized for his retro Japanese superbike restomods.
Darren purchased the bike eight years in the past from the unique proprietor, and, as you’d count on from him, has taken excellent care of it. It’s simply had a service with new brake pads and tires, a brake fluid flush, an oil change, and a recent chain and sprockets. He’s additionally changed the windscreen for the reason that previous one was beginning to yellow.
This specific instance options a number of mods too. A Energy Commander V chip optimizes its energy output, whereas an Elka rear shock, tuned by Accelerated Applied sciences, improves the trip high quality. There’s additionally a carbon fiber under-tail part with built-in flip alerts, and a carbon fiber rear hugger from Magical Racing Japan. Kyle Racing clip-ons, customized aluminum bar-ends, an HRC tank pad, and a full set of Professional-Bolt fasteners full the set.
The public sale solely runs till the tip of the week. So if this tickles your fancy, you greatest hurry! [Source]