Velocity Learn, February 19, 2023

For some individuals, it’s about constructing the quickest machine attainable. For others, it’s all about type. For just about each bike we characteristic right here, it’s a mixture mendacity someplace within the center.

This week’s Velocity Learn options three wildly completely different bikes, all strolling completely different traces between type and velocity. We’ve acquired a stretched out Honda Ruckus from Australia, a Suzuki café racer from Portugal, an absolute weapon of a vintage-styled Baja desert racer from Italy, and lastly, a brand new documentary specializing in that beautiful factor on the middle of all of it—velocity.

Honda Ruckus by Ellaspede Not all scooters are created equal. The Honda Ruckus continues to show this with each unbelievable {custom} constructed on the platform; the tubular metal body simply begs for alteration.

Ellaspede, based mostly in Queensland, Australia, is just not recognized for its Ruckus customs—removed from it. In the event you have a look at the huge record of {custom} builds on the model’s web site, you gained’t see a single scooter. Apparently this one is particular.

The inventory Honda engine was changed with a GY6 unit that was stroked out to 171 cc, good for a claimed high velocity of 100 km/h [62 mph]. That new engine was fitted with pod filters and an upswept carbon Yoshimura exhaust.

12-inch billet engine mounts give the bike its stretch. Extra billet parts mount the slammed rear suspension system, with a set of lowered forks and clip-ons fitted up entrance to match.

A 12” entrance wheel and 13” rear are wrapped in Michelin Energy Pure tires. Brembo calipers seize 220 mm discs at each ends, working by means of CNC’d grasp cylinders and teflon-coated traces. As a result of when you have to redo all of the stock-length cables anyway, why not go to the nines?

A full aftermarket wiring loom was put in, and a brand new Koso gauge system was connected, giving all the obligatory info with an added dose of tech and elegance. The remainder of the lighting suite was minimized with Koso and Motogadget elements, in addition to a brand new LED headlight and a custom-built license plate mount.

Slammed and stretched, Ellaspede’s {custom} Ruckus is a reminder to not sleep on this plucky scooter. Who else is itching to take it for a spin? [Via]

Suzuki GSX750 by Rusty Wrench Bikes Rusty Wrench is a motorbike mecca tucked away in Loulé, Portugal. In the course of an space recognized for its temperate climate and fantastic motorcycling roads, Rusty Wrench serves up sizzling espresso, the newest moto gear and equipment, contemporary haircuts and tattoos, and sure, lovely {custom} bikes—like this 1987 Suzuki GSX750.

The donor bike was simply that—a donor. It was in tough form. So tough, that Francisco and Vera Correia, the group behind Rusty Wrench, named the construct ‘Fenix,’ as a very new and refreshed chook would rise out of those ashes.

The entire authentic GSX’s authentic bodywork had to get replaced. A brand new gas tank was taken from a Honda CB750, a composite tail part was mounted to a {custom} subframe, and a classic re-popped fairing was fitted to the bike with custom-made mounts.

The forks and entrance brakes got here from a Yamaha R1, and the entire swingarm, rear shock, and rear braking system had been taken from a Honda CB600. A set of spoked aftermarket wheels full the working gear, including extra of a basic contact.

Regardless of the form of the remainder of the unique bike, the engine was surprisingly sound. After just a little clear up, pod filters, and a freer-flowing four-into-to-one exhaust system, had been fitted. Your entire wiring system was redone with the assistance of a Motogadget mo-unit, with LED lighting all-round.

Now the bike balances the added efficiency and reliability of added fashionable parts, with killer retro type. [Via]

Honda XR600R by GPgarage Moto In 1991, Honda developed a four-stroke single to beat out the people who smoke that had been profitable the Baja 1000. The factory-built race bike was known as ‘The Monster,’ or, extra formally, the XR667. As you’d count on from a motorbike that has the prolong of Honda’s assets thrown at it, the XR667 had all the trick stuff.

The cooling fins on the top had been prolonged, and an oil quick-fill from an RC30 endurance racer was geared up. It had a brand new oil cooler, a higher-wattage energy output, a big aluminum gasoline tank, and a detachable subframe with a built-in airbox and little door for the filter to be swapped. Large forks, excessive efficiency brakes—this factor was completely kitted.

However this bike is just not that bike. As an alternative, it’s a rigorously crafted duplicate, based mostly on a 1991 Honda XR600R.

It’s the work of Matteo Gualandi of Italy’s GPgarage Moto. He’s been constructing {custom} duplicate desert race bikes for years. For him, the Monster 667 is the “Sacro Graal [Holy Grail], essentially the most difficult Baja duplicate.”

To get as near the unique as attainable, a {custom} one-off fairing needed to be made. Subsequent, an aluminum gasoline tank, oil cooler, {custom} exhaust system went on. Out again, a custom-made removable subframe, aluminum airbox, and new aluminum swingarm had been fitted.

A 660 cc package was put in too, with a big-fin head to match the OG Monster. Even the blue aluminum particulars had been anodized or ordered in to match.

This new bike gained’t be raced or pushed to the boundaries that the unique manufacturing unit racer was, however it can stay on and be honored all the identical—bringing pleasure and candy reminiscences to Matteo each time he sees it or is ready to share his imaginative and prescient. [Via]

Fast Movement By way of Area: An Incomplete Historical past of Velocity Lastly, now we have a brand new movie about much more than bikes—but additionally bikes. Produced by The Cosmic Shambles Community, and titled ‘Fast Movement By way of Area: An Incomplete Historical past of Velocity,’ the documentary focuses on MotoGP, interviewing world champion racers, journalists, and group members.

The second half of the doc focuses on one thing utterly completely different: how riders and their haste might help ship medical samples and provides by means of Africa quicker than just about every other land-based journey. Riders For Life and Two Wheels for Life present life-saving companies in these areas.

I gained’t give away any particulars, however the movie offers new and attention-grabbing methods to consider velocity, bikes, and the methods all of us use these two-wheeled mechanisms. It’s at present free to view—simply hit play beneath. [Via | Image source: MotoGP.com]