The Race of Gentlemen - Xtreme Bikes | Cafe Racers | Free

Princess Sandi
by
C hoppershack
The Race of Gentlemen
Red Rooster Clandestina Honda Dick Mann
STAFF
Publisher
Daniel Gil-Delgado
Design
Samuel Gómez
Translations
Álvaro Cabeza de Vaca
Community
P. Jara
Regular Contributors (Spain)
Chus Catalán, Javier Huertas, Jose
Hernandez, Outsider, Old School Racer,
Pilar Gárgoles, Raul Ranz
Regular Contributors (International)
Mike Dirksaw (USA), Maurice Van Den
Tillaard, Floris Velthuis (Netehrland),
Oscar Romagnolli (Argentina), Dirk
Behlau, Horst Rösler (Germany), Paulo
Santos (Portugal), Marco Frino (Italy)
Production
Xtreme Bikes Media, S.L.
caferacers@caferacersmag.es
Advertising
marketing@caferacersmag.es
It’s prohibited the total or partial reproduction of pictures, texts and illustrations without the
corresponding written authorization of the publisher. Likewise, Xtreme Bikes is not responsible
neither for the opinions expressed by its contributors, or for the veracity of the products
presented by its advertisers
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Contents
Good Vibrations 08
Princess Sandi 24
The Race of Gentlemen 42
Red Rooster 70
Clandestina 90
Honda Dick Mann 108
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ICONOS BRITÁNICOS
LEYENDAS GLOBALES
PURA REENCARNACIÓN
NUEVA GENERACIÓN BONNEVILLE
MÁS BELLAS. MÁS POTENTES. MÁS CAPACES DE TODO.
VER
VÍDEO
GENERACIÓN
BONNEVILLE
RESERVA
TU TRIUMPH
Síguenos en:
triumphmotorcycles.es
Good Vibrations
Project Thruxton BIT2
A clear example of the fruitful collaboration between two British icons from the motorcycle world
as Barbour International and Triumph is the project Thruxton R based which both firms have commissioned to Down & Out Café Racers.
The BIT2 Thruxton Café Racer combine perfectly classic style with current trends in a creation that
calls attention to details such as the Black wheels with Firestone Champion tires, the handmade
aluminum half fairing that was being positioned lower gives the bike a more aggressive and contemporary look, or the headlight on the side as endurance race bikes.
Barbour International has made its
​​ mark with details like the brackets used as a trim at the windshield, upholstered seat with the famous fabric waxed cotton, characteristic signature of British fashion, or the jacket belt holding the tank gasoline.
The BIT2 Thruxton R Café Racer is an example of Triumph likes about classic without renouncing
to the latest technology. After its presentation at The Bike Shed London, this special Thruxton R will
road through different European tour events.
If you wasn’t lucky enough to attend his coming- out , here you are the video of the “making off “ of
the BIT2 for you to enjoy it.
Belstaff Suit
The technical advances and materials that
will employ the equipment manufactures
for motorcyclist apparel on current garments offer levels of security that pilots
from only a few decades ago never dreamed of having.
That does mean that some brands are taking advantage that the vintage fever has
broken out in the field of motorcycle
around the planet, to return to manufacture garments that were stored in the
trunk of memories.
A particular case is that of Belstaff, that
with this leather suit recovers the spirit of
those times of Cromwell helmets and men
like Angel Nieto, Santiago Herrero, Giacomo Agostini, Renzo Pasolini or Mike
Hailwood, who have written some of the
most beautiful pages in the history of motorcycle racing.
www.belstaff.com
Speed & Strength
Clothing
Designed thinking of those who seek
maximum security on the bike, but
also want to be sufficiently discrete so
we can use it in our daily lives, Speed​​
& Strength Clothing proposes a wide
range of clothing for men and women
made ​​with many different tissue types
that, certainly, we will find those that
suit best our tastes.
www.ssgear.com
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Good Vibrations
All prepared for Motorrad Days
The ski resort of Formigal will once again host the annual meeting organized by BMW Motorrad
Spain. In this edition, which expect to surpass the 6,000 registered last year, the expected G 310
R and R-NineT Scrambler, two of the BMW news for the second half of the year, will be presented.
Besides the exhibition, attendees will also have the opportunity to test the S1000XR, the R1200RS,
the K1600GT, and all versions of the GS on the asphalt or the BMW Eye Ride simulator.
Another attractive of the BMW Motorrad Days are the Motordrome, in which attendees will appreciate how some pilots perform maneuvers over 160km / h with a decent skill to admire, Zone Classic
Racer in which some custom bikes by the most representative builders of the current scene will be
exposed , and live music.
Sing in: www.bmwriders.es/eventos/bmw-motorrad-days-formigal-2016 and participate in the draw
for travel and other attractive prizes.
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Good Vibrations
Farewell to a myth
50 years after its launch, Kawasaki announced the end of the W series with a “Final Edition” model
which will be available in limited edition in all distributors of the brand this fall.
Faithful to the original concept of W1 from the mid-60s, Kawasaki successfully launched the W650
in 1998, followed years later by a new 800cc version with its line simple and remarkably retro look is
considered by many the best neo-retro motorcycle in market.
Naturally, in Kawasaki they expect this “Final Edition” to highlight the legacy of the W800 and assume a fitting end to this successful model.
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Good Vibrations
Harley Flat Tracker
After more than four decades accumulating championships of flat-track with the XR750R, Harley
have decided to take a short break to the “old fighter” and in collaboration with Vance & Hines was
developed the XG750R, a new competition model based on the water-cooled Street 750 debuting at
the hands of the pilot Davis Fisher last June at the X-Games celebrated in the circuit of the Americas
in Austin.
We do not know if this will be a final to goodbye the XR750R that so many successes have given to
the brand, but it is clear that competition is increasingly hard, and sooner or later they had to find an
alternative to the old V-Twin, which otherwise had already gained a well-deserved rest.
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Good Vibrations
Indian Anniversary
This year marks 115 years since George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom started working together to
make Indian motorcycles. In 1897 George Hendee was already manufacturing push bikes with the
name ‘American Indian’, but this was shortened to ‘Indian’. Three years later in 1900, Oscar Hedstrom joined the firm. Both Hendee and Hedstrom were former bicycle racers and they decided to
build a motorized bicycle to use as a pace bike in cycling races.
A prototype and two production units were built in 1901 and the first Indian motorcycles were sold
to the public in 1902. In 1903, Oscar Hedstrom set a world motorcycle speed record of 56 mph and
in 1904 the company introduced the deep red paint scheme that would become Indian’s trademark
colour. In 1905 Indian built its first V-twin factory racer, putting a road-going version of the motorcycle on sale in 1907.
In 1923 the Indian motorcycles were selling so well that The Hendee Manufacturing Company
changed its name to The Indian Motocycle Company – no “r” was used in motocycle when used
along with the name Indian – but the “r” has since returned into the modern day name
It was a rapid pace of development that Polaris, the modern day custodian of the brand, continues
after acquiring Indian in 2011. In the five years that Polaris has overseen Indian Motorcycle, the
number of models in the line-up has grown rapidly to nine, with the most recent additions this year
being Scout Sixty, Springfield and the Chieftain Dark Horse.
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Good Vibrations
Style and Protection
The Italian brand PMJ is taking much force across
Europe with a collection that includes jeans and jackets. All garments are made ​​in Italy, where PMJ has
a factory with over 30 years of experience in the fashion industry.
To ensure our security, in all garments is used the
Twaron, a synthetic fiber used in making bullet proof
vests, and that far exceeds the abrasion resistance of
any other material.
www.promojeans.it
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Good Vibrations
Taylor Stitch
In 1973 Albert Kemp stepped off a U.S. Navy
submarine and into a leather shop in Massachusetts. Flush with service pay, he purchased a whiskey-brown, café-racer-style leather jacket. 42 years
later, his son Nick, a Taylor Stitch product designer,
wore the beautifully-aged jacket into our studio.
Struck by the garment’s incredible craftsmanship,
we retraced its roots back to Golden Bear, a famous SF outerwear manufacturer housed exactly
one block from our office. We visited Golden Bear’s
owner Schirley and learned that not only had they
made the jacket, but she still had the original hard
pattern on file.
Inspired by the provenance, we decided to remake
the jacket as a capstone piece in a full moto collection. We enlisted the help of our friend James
Crowe of Crowe Metal Company and West America to ensure the collection’s every detail was up to
snuff. He put the garments through hell and came
back smiling. We hope you do too.
This product is part of a small batch manufacturing
run that may use exclusive materials like dead stock
fabrics. The product is limited in quantity and may
never be in stock again. Limited products are available for immediate shipping.
www.taylorstitch.com
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
La XSR900 es sinónimo de autenticidad y carácter. El brutal motor tricilíndrico
Crossplane de 850cc que ruge en su interior junto con su estilo clásico, brindan al
piloto una experiencia de conducción única. Una moto que recoge el testigo de las
míticas deportivas de Yamaha y sus legendarias victorias, como la TZ750 de Kenny
Roberts. Da rienda suelta a la imaginación y customízala para convertirla en una
moto única.
XSR900 edición 60 aniversario desde 10.199€
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www.yamaha-motor.es
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Good Vibrations
Horizon Jacket
With the mentality to create the most
durable, minimalist and modern clothes
as possible, action apparel Company Aether just released one of the best motorcycle jackets on the market
With sealed seams, the three-layer shell
made from Japanese field nylon is highly abrasion resistant, waterproof, and
surprisingly breathable. Its mesh liner
allows more air flow, along with the critical water-resistant pit-zips wich allow
for even more ventilation.
Horizon jacket comes with D30 armor
protection for the back, elbows and
shoulders-a material that hardens impact, and is available in green, blue or
black.
Colors available: green, blue or black
www.aetherapparel.com
Ducati
Summer
If you think of buying soon a
Scrambler you’re in luck, because Ducati has prepared a
promotion for buyers of this
model (except Italy Independent) with which will have a
direct discount from the price of 800 €, the 3rd year of
free official guarantee and a
pack of Ducati Scrambler gift
products valued in 650 €.
The only conditions to take
advantage of these special
conditions are buying the
bike before August 31, and
fund with Ducati Financial
Services.
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Urban Clothing designed
by tattoo artists for urban people
C/ Galicia, 2 03600 Elda, Alicante (Spain) +34 965 390 291
Email: info@ink4ever.eu www.ink4ever.eu
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Princess Sandi
The bike you see here is the latest in a long line of bikes for Sandi Piper. You would think that being married to a renowned
chopper builder her choice of bike would actually be a hardcore chopper but unfortunately Sands doesn’t like choppers!!
T e x t : S h o v e l P h i l ( w w w . c h o pp e r s h a c k . c o m ) P i c s : A l a n C a r v i l l e P h o t o g r a p h y M o d e l : S a n d i P i p e r ( t h e
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h a pp y o w n e r o f t h e b i k e )
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he likes looking at choppers
but doesn’t like riding
them. Her husband had
built her a show winning
sportster chopper but she
rode it just once and hated it. After that she went
through a long line of modified
XL´s but really wanted something
different that would stand out from
the crowd. What Sands was starting
to notice was a trend towards older
Japanese twins particularly the air
cooled ones as they were lighter and
could be tuned to make them faster
and handle better whilst at the same
time looking cooler.
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They started looking for a donor bike
which was easier said than done. Suitable bikes were overpriced or in a
poor condition! Eventually they came
across with a Z440 which wasn’t very
pretty but it was a runner and it was
taxed and MOT’d. A few emails later
they had agreed a price and Phil went
to pick it up.
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It was in a sorry state covered in surface rust and a cracked and flaking
paint job. It eventually fired up and
limped in to life rather pathetically
and he wondered what the hell he had
agreed to buy however he was committed so in to the truck it went the
Kawa and off to start the next leg of
its life.
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Once the bike was at Choppershack, Phil’s
workshop, it was time to sit down and look
at it and decide the route they were going to
take. Sands was very taken with the Brat style
of bikes coming out of Japan but also liked
the flat track XR750 type of styling . They
decided on a hybrid – a Brat Tracker. So when
they put hands on it to strip it down and see
what parts they could reuse, they only could
reuse frame, fork, wheels, brakes and engine.
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To get the stance right Phil shortened the
forks by 2” and had them re-chromed. The
rear shocks were swapped for ER500 repros which were also 2” shorter than stock.
Then he cut the rear subframe off completely which shortened the frame by about 16”
and then bent up a new frame loop which
he welded back in much nicer! A day or so
with the disc cutter and all unused brackets,
tabs, plates and mounts were removed.
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Phil was offered a Wassell peanut style
tank which fitted perfectly with a couple of
small modifications on it would be perfect
with the fiberglass replica seat of a Mike
Hailwood Honda 6 unit that came off eBay
which he modified until it fitted like a silk
glove on the frame rails.
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The engine was looking decidedly scruffy as well as not running too
strong so he stripped it down completely to rebuilt it with new seals and
gaskets throughout and fitted a new
set of rings as well as a new condenser. But it was still wrong because the
carburetors failed without the original
air box. Phil found in the US someone
who offers Mikuni roundslide conversion kits for most old Jap bikes and
they supplied a very comprehensive
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kit including new manifolds etc. After fitting them it was a little bit better but still not perfect. If that wasn’t
enough, the brand new Performance
coil had failed, and with it, the starting, so he fitted a heavy duty chrome
Harley coil and it started straight away
and ran perfectly. It crackles like a race
bike with the twin megaphone exhaust
system and having chopped so much
weight off it, it was light and fast as
well as easy to ride!!
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Sands, to which we are grateful for accepting to be the model for this reportage, feels so well and comfy riding her
Brat Tracker around the twisted roads
of Malta that had started modifying
her Mash 250 for its daily usage. For
sure Phil would have preferred her liking choppers better, but we all know
that if your wife is happy, then you are
happy… and the rest doesn’t matter at
all.
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General
Bike: Princess Sandi
Model base: Kawa KZ 440Ltd
Year: 1980
Owner: Princess Sandi Piper
Builder: Phil Piper
Workshop: Choppershark
Country: Malta
Website: www.choppershack.com
Engine
Manufacturer: Kawasaki
Type: Parallel Twin
Displacement: 440cc
Carbs: Mikuni VM30
Rebuilt: Phil Piper
Exhaust headers: Handmade by Phooey
Slip-ons>Megaphone style
Coil: Heavy duty Harley
Chassis & Accessories
Frame: Kawa modified
Fork: Kawa re-chromed and 2” shortened
Bars: Tracker
Headlight: Mini Bates
Front Wheel: 19” Kawasaki
Tire: Avon
Tank: Wassell Peanut modified
Seat Unit: Modified Hailwood Honda 6 Unit
Rear Shocks: Repro Kawasaki ER 500
Rear Wheel: 16” Kawasaki
Tire: Avon
Taillight – 12v Univeral
Paintwork – Jon Coopers Artworks
Chroming and Polishing: Honest Kerns Used
Plating Bargains, Coventry, UK
Powder Coating: Central Wheel Components
Coleshill UK
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The
Race of
Gentlemen
Sand, Oil, Gas...
...And lots of fun!
Imagine a beach of spectacular dimensions
with an old amusement park that Bruce
Springsteen has made reference in some
of his songs. Now fill it with cars and
motorcycles from early last century... and
you got the Race of Gentleman
Text &
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pics:
D.R.
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f course this
is much easier
said than done. To
start the Oilers Car Club, the organizers of this event has become a
must for lovers of cars and motorcycles in its most “authentic” side,
they apply to the fund each year
to recover even the tiniest more
insignificant details the “real” side
of racing and motorcycle racing,
as the race of Gentelmen more
than a drag race is a throwback in
time.
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Vendor stands, advertising posters, clothing of participants and organization, and
even auxiliary vehicles like ambulance or
crane found on the beach in Wildwood
(New Jersey), appear to be part of a giant
decorated worthy of a Hollywood production in which the pin ups clothing set and
impossible hairstyles, and leather jackets
of his companions with slicked hair have
the protagonist role.
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“
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For two days and two nights Wildwood beach looks like a stage worthy
of the best Hollywood production
”
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And to deal with other fans on the beach sand with hot
rods and motorcycles from the World War II, wrapped
with the smell of gasoline and oil that permeates the environment must be a very difficult experience to forget.
And not only for those who are fortunate enough to experience it can be behind a handlebar or steering wheel,
but also for the spectators, who two days and two nights
will feel moved as if by magic to a time when everything
was much easier that the world in which we live today, to
enjoy these races acceleration motorbikes and modified
cars, some with most of a century old, that despite the
many faults that chase along all the weekend, when they
work they do it in the way it was done for decades: no
shame, fear or contemplations.
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As the regulation is concerned,
the organization intends that
everything is in line with the period since the early 1920s to the late
40s, so to comply with the spirit
of the event a rigorous pre selection of participants is made, who
at the time of registration will have
to send a photo of the vehicle.
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“
Constant breakdowns, hands stained with oil, gasoline odor and
cheap perfume... The Race of Gentlemen is the pure hot rod culture
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”
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Much importance to appearance is given, so all
selected vehicles must be prepared in the style
of authentic racing vehicles of the category in
which they participate, and no sedan cars or
pick-ups are allowed unless they are much modified.
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In the case of motorcycles regulation is more exclusive, since
they necessarily have to be manufactured in the USA and have
to be from 1947 or earlier. Needless to say that aftermarket parts
are not allowed. Engines, carburetors, transmissions and clutch
mechanism must be of the time, so in Wildwood we won’t see
many clutch levers on the handler. The telescopic forks are not
prohibited but must pass a test. With the suspensions you will
not have problems is with Springer Harley and Indian Girder or
crossbows, but you must be careful that the tires are not aluminum, which retains its drum brakes and the tires are not motocross or with white band.
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“
In these coastal towns in New Jersey you may listen just by closing your
eyes “Racing in the Street”... Bruce Springsteen forged in them his legend
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”
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Yet despite the strictness of the rules (and
stating that we have not exposed even
half of the requirements) the members
from most bikers’ clubs from the area
won’t let pass the opportunity to get out
the garage their Harley, Indian and Excelsior to show that though have tens of
years behind, they are still in good shape
and are still able to excite the fans even
more so than the old hot rods.
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Summing up: if you like cars, motorbikes
and vintage atmosphere, and want to
live one of the most fun and memorable
experiences of your life you cannot miss
The Race of Gentlemen. Take a walk by
beach or at night through the streets of
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Wildwood is a true spectacle because it
is not usual, even in the United States,
to see so many modified cars as elegant
as you’ll find in this time travel. You will
not regret.
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“
This beach has not changed
in decades. In the same sand was
born part of the hot rod culture
of the United States
”
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Red Rooster
Since nothing less than Ljubljana,
the Capital of Slovenia, it comes
the KZ1000 that the boys from
Krakenhead Customs have been
retur ned to life after years of
neglect...
T e x t : CR ´ s ; P i c s : J a n i N e n d l ( D i r t y S h u tt e r )
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f all the big four that were manufactured in Japan in the 70s, the Kawasaki Z900 and Z1000 are among
the most legendary models. Not only
because they were the fastest bikes in
its time, but also because they are considered the grandmothers of modern
superbikes.
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This low-slung Kz1000 was a mere shell of
its former self, when Rok and Luka of Krakenhead Customs got their hands on it. The
1981 ‘J’ model was found abandoned on a
farm, in their native Slovenia. “The farmer
was a home-brew winemaker,” says Rok, “and
it looked like some of that fermentation had
moved over to the bike.”
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It was the perfect bike for us to create a Kraken from
scratch!” so with the help of some workers, tractor
parts, duct tape and some questionable welds, they
managed to lead it away. The idea was to “create
a stylish, but practical, old school café racer, with
modern components.” A bike that would be happy
on the twisty roads as well as riding from one café to
the next turning heads along the way.
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They had things clear, and that is important, but to achieve the target that they had
marked yet had much work ahead. The first
was to leave the frame completely naked to
cut and replace the rusty pipes. Incidentally they prepared it to hide inside the wires
of the electrical installation, reinforced the
steering head, which is one of the weak
points of the Z, to adapt the 43mm upside-down Kayaba fork, and finally remade
the rear section and replaced by another
rocker with rectangular section in which
they installed a Cantilever suspension system with Showa shock. Once the 17 inch
aluminum spoke wheels equipped with
Brembo rotors, Tokico calipers and Pirelli
Phantom Sportcom rubbers were placed in
their place, and Luka gave Rok finished the
chassis. Now it was the motor’s turn.
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“
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The idea was to create a stylish, but practical, old school café racer,
with modern components
”
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The old warrior inline four-cylinder
always had a reputation for being
hard as a rock unless its owner was
careless with the oil level. Winemaker had not been abandoned and even
the appearance of the bike did fear
the worst, the state of internal organs
of the engine said otherwise. What
were not so well were the carburetors.
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That they still had the box filter was
fortunate because it prevented a family of rodents to turn the engine in its
“home sweet home”, but it was clear
that it should be restored, as was also
needed to expose all the powerplant
to an intensive rejuvenating session
based in sand blasting, cleaning, polishing and painting.
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The list of replacement parts is endless. There’s everything
from new stainless steel fasteners to wheel and frame
bearings, along with a smorgasbord of electrical components. Even went so far as to zinc plate the carb springs
and bolts for a perfect finish. Clearly, it would have been
much easier if Rok and Luka had found another Kawasaki as donor bike, but that in Slovenia was impossible. So
they had no choice but to manage to solve the problems
as they arose.
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With the chassis and the heart of
the beast restored, it was time to
upgrade the bodywork and start to
work in the finishing details of the
bike. In front of the KZ1000 gas
tank we can see a new headlight
with the digital speedo and warning lights embedded in its shell,
and a pair of clip-ons with integrated mini-switches. There are
probably a hundred more mods
that Rok isn’t telling us about, but
he did point out that the Kz1000
should now weigh significantly
less than it did before. Less weight,
more power, modern components
and better handling we all know
what it means… Guaranteed fun!
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General
Bike>Red Rooster
Base Model>Kawasaki Kz1000
Builder> Krakenhead Customs
Country>Slovenia
Engine
Manufacturer>Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Type>Four in Line
Displacement>1000cc
Carburettors>Mikuni
Air cleaner>K&N
Exhaust>2 in to 2 Krakenhead Customs
Rebuild & Wiring> Krakenhead Customs
Chassis & Accessories
Frame>Kz1000 modified
Subframe>Krakenhead Customs
Fork>43mmShowa fully adjustable
Type> USD
Handlebar>Clip-Ons
Master Cylinder>Brembo
Headlight> With integrated speedo and lights
Front Wheel>3.5 x 17”
Brake rotor>320mm Brembo
Caliper>Tokico 6 pots caliper
Tire> Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp 120/70x17
Gas Tank>Kz1000
Seat>Krakenhead Customs
Swing arm> Krakenhead Customs Square section
Rear suspension>Cantilever
Shock>Kayaba single shock
Rear Wheel>5.5 x 17”
Brake rotor>220mm Brembo
Caliper>Tokico 2 pots caliper
Tire> Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp 180/55x17
Paint>Krakenhead Customs
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The nice thing about a magazine
like this is that it is not required
to be so politically correct like
other publications. This does not
mean that we should disrespect
your mother, or to trouble you for
your thinking, sex, skin color, or
your religion choice, but we can
tell things as they are. And if that
bothers someone... that’s not our
problem.
Clandestina
The bike GLEMSECK 101 was afraid to invite
Text: Pepo Rosell; Photos: Sergio Cardeña
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hen Pepo Rosell told
us he did not think we
had nuts to publish the
original text of “Clandestine” we lacked time to say
yes. We haven’t even read it before publishing the article, so
you know: if you have to beat
the shit out of someone ... That
person is him!
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The idea of creating the “Clandestina” was a challenge to me
to participate last summer in the
sprint of the Glemseck 101 in
Germany. He had already participated in this test in 2013with
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the Ducati 900SS “Matador” that
I had done for my brother. I was
the first Spanish who participated in this event and had so much
fun that I felt with many desire to
return.
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In 2015, returning from the “spiritual
retreat” that I had done after leaving my
activity in Radical Ducati, my previous
company, I went to expose a motorcy-
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cle at Motor Bike Expo in Verona, and
the people of the organization Glemseck 101 invited me to participate in
the meeting with a stand.
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I told them that I was interested in competing in the sprint and that I will prepare
a bike for this test. It would be an unconventional bike: no electronics, loud, wild,
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and contaminant and anti social. Summing up: it will be a “clandestine” pileup
(hence the name that I baptized it) for
this times...
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Shortly before the test date the organization asked me to show them the bike
and send them the technical characteristics, so I sent some pictures of the
bike under construction, it was like it
was at that time, and I told them it
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was a Bultaco Pursang 250 of 2 stroke
with increased displacement to 370cc
and reed intake. It weighs about 90kg
and is about 47hp, so for acceleration
race of 200m is more than enough,
but they answered that they could not
admit it because it was not powerful
enough to fight with 1000cc bikes,
some of them with turbocharger and /
or Nitrous Oxide.
When I left my amazement I just came
with an answer: either you are assholes, or
have no fucking idea about motorcycles,
or both at a time. And how could it be
otherwise, after that I declined the invitation to go to the exhibition!
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Anyone who understands a little about motorcycle, just a little, know that a well managed 2
strokes is able to ridicule any 4 strokes that triples in weight, so it is not a question of power,
but because the organization has to get along
with sponsors and his “cronies” of this wave of
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builders have reached the custom motorcycle
industry four days ago, to illuminate his savoir faire and authenticity of Hipster market
the rednecks who took more than 20 years in
this without knowing doing things ... A real
shame that a meeting with both atmosphere
and flavor as this has become a fashion parade. And the worst part is that this same way
of doing things is spreading to other events
of this “media circus” of good vibes, because
with the organization of the Wheels & Waves
has been exactly the same.
103
I find it very sad that in such an exciting and
wide world as custom motorcycles to discriminate against those who do not like to follow
the herd (we are not COOL), but it seems sad104
der to me that people in their thirties do not
know what a Bultaco is, that there is no biker
culture, or that many cling to stereotypes that
have discovered two days ago as the Jet helmet,
the English motorcycle or the fucking Steve
McQueen. It is clear that from now on we will
have to go to the dark side (clandestinely) and
remain XTR. Sorry, I meant Xtrem.
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General
Bike>Clandestina
Base model>Bultaco Mercurio
Year> 1962
Builder>Pepo Rosell
Workshop>XTR Pepo
Country>España
Website>
Engine
Manufacturer>Bultaco
Type>Pursang single cylinder
Displacement>250cc over bored to 370cc
Intake>Reed box
Carburetor>Keihin 39mm
Exhaust>Supermario TSS 250
Ignition>Motoplat electrónic with double spark
Chassis & Accessories
Frame>Mercurio heavily modified
Subframe>XTR Pepo
Fork>USD Cagiva Mito
Clip-ons>Cagiva Mito
Clutch control> Suzuki GSXR600
Rev counter>Motoplat
Bracket>XTR Pepo
Plate number>XTR Pepo
Front wheel>Cagiva Mito
Brake rotor> NG Wave style
Caliper>Brembo
Tire> Bridgestone Battlax
Gas tank>Bultaco Mercurio modified
Gas cap>Laverda 500
Seat unit>Carbon fiber RAD 2 modified
Side plate numbers>XTR Pepo
Rear set>RAV
Swingarm>Yamaha SR500 modified
Rear Suspensión>XTR Pepo Full Floater
Shock absorber>Betor
Rear wheel>Cagiva Mito
Brake rotor> Cagiva Mito
Caliper>Brembo
Master cylinder>RAV
Tire> Bridgestone Battlax
Paint>Artenruta
Weight>99Kg without fuel
106
107
The lost bike
When in the 68’s “Tokyo Motorcycle Show” Honda launched their CB750, they left the industry astonished.
The sophistication level of that bike with 4 cylinder engine, 5 speed gearbox and front disc brake hasn’t
got any precedents in the market.
Text: Old Times Racer; Photos: D.R.
108
109
he brilliance of the CB750’s
naval engineering, its impeccable finishes attached to a performance that removes breath, and
an excellent price-quality ratio, catapulted Honda to the top of world’s
biggest market, the US, although
those responsible for the Japanese
firm hasn’t got enough. They wanted to be absolute leaders of the world
market and they would not rest un-
110
til archiving it. In the old continent,
where European brands were the absolute owners in large displacements,
Honda had clear that the only way
to achieve the favor of the audience
was showing the value of his products in competition, so in 1969 they
sent to France some street CB with
some improvements, that to everyone’s surprise, won the Bol d’Or, the
hardest 24 hour race in the world.
111
After that success Bob Hansen, Honda USA technician director, convinced
those responsible for the brand that to
run at Daytona was the best way to
strengthen its leadership on both sides
of the Atlantic. Blunting in the Daytona 200, in which ending up in a good
position already was a major success,
was the Big Dreams of all brands for
the advertising repercussion. Honda
was not convinced but finally agreed
and prepared thoroughly the appoint-
112
ment in Florida, building in Japan
four prototypes that will be held by
British pilots which only ran for Honda Europe. Fortunately one of those
bikes was assigned to the American pilot Dick Mann to face pilots like Mike
Hailwood, Dave Aldana, Gene Romero, Gary Nixon or Carl Rayborn, that
in control of its Honda, Harley XRTT,
Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3
will not make it easy.
113
“
Honda was not raised to offer the public a racing bike
when he created the CB750 Four, but to sell motorcycles... it
first had to win in the circuits
114
”
115
We all know the final results of that
Daytona 200 edition. None of the Europe Honda riders finished the race,
and Mann hit the record of the track at
an average speed of 152mph winning
the1970 Daytona 200 editing. After he
gave the lap of honor with his Honda CB
he withdrew the bike, and the 750RT
(Racing Type), was used never again in
competition, it disappeared forever.
116
117
During more than three decades collectors around the
world searched it in Japan,
the United States and Europe, and even in the year
2000 someone said it was
Paris nobody could ever
prove to be the winner of
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the Daytona 200 because
the story says that of the
four prototypes that Honda
was built two pairs rum to
France to participate in the
Endurance Championship,
and was most likely that motorcycle to be one of them.
119
“
Since the racing boom of classic bikes
the aftermarket industry have developed
many parts that anyone can have his
own CB750RT
”
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121
But as it was, or not, it is not important
because since the racing boom began for
classic motorcycles, the aftermarket industry has been in charge of developing
hundreds of parts and accessories that any
Honda Four well “made-up” can become
a very worthy replica of the bike that won
the Daytona 200 in 1970.
122
123
It surely haven’t got the 90hp that gave
that bike if you do not get the pieces of
RSC kit (Racing Services Club) but you
will not have any problem to get its beautiful frame, its Keihin CR carburetors,
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the four megaphones to improve the old
Four, and even an exact copy of the Smith
rev counter for the inside of the fairing.
Of course, if you want to try if some polycystic radar is able to “catch you” flying
245Kmh on the highway you will have to
spoil its pretty picture with things as vulgar as a headlight, a taillight and a number plate.
125
“
Winning the Daytona 200
was the best advertising campaign
that a brand could dream
126
”
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