Have a lot of drooling this week. How about a classic ‘streamlined’ sidecar rig based on a modern Triumph? Or a road-legal Honda CB500 racer? Or a classic kit for the Honda CB400 Super Four?
If that’s a bit too expensive for you, check out the latest motorcycle show coming up at the Petersen Automobile Museum — which includes one of our all-time favorites, the Zero XP by Untitled Motorcycles.
Alliance II sidecar by BAAK Motocyclettes We always have a little something for sidecar outfits, from utilitarian Urals with two-wheel drive to elegant classic lines. This new release from BAAK’s workshop in Lyons there are legs in both areas: it carries the style of previous years but also includes a huge 70 liter trunk space.
The sidecar was built with the help of leading French specialist Précision Side-car. It is based on Gran’Large model and is paired with a Triumph T120 has been beautifully customized to fit. The sidecar there is a carefully dialed third shock for maximum comfort and the third wheel is also braked.
The craftsmen at BAAK have carefully hand-polished the aluminum leather, and polished stripes have been added to enhance the ‘refined’ aesthetic. Simple yet elegant leather seats envelop the entire passenger compartment, with classic linear stitching to keep the theme going. And there’s an Alpaga tonneau cover to protect the internals when there’s no passenger.
The T120 has been fitted with a custom aluminum bodywork with a satin finish. The cockpit has been cleaned up and the Bates headlights reassembled (with integrated speed indicator) are located in front of the bars.
The whole vibe is just perfect and unlike many custom builds, is extremely realistic. It is sure to beat you when running to the stores with a backpack slung over your shoulder. [More]
Honda CB400 Super Four retro accessory set Doremi is a famous factory in Japan, but it is under radar to the west. Sometimes they are asked to collaborate with producers, as happened with Kawasaki’s Z900RS Projectbut they also make bicycles and sell a large range of parts.
The Workshop based on Kurashiki just released a kit for the Honda CB400SF, a bike popular in Southeast Asia — and sold in Australia until about five years ago. The SF isn’t a bad looking car, but this kit takes it to the next level by assimilating the style of the 1980s CBX400.
The kit includes a new steel fuel tank, with the condition to move the pump. There’s also a new saddle/tail unit that gives the CBX considerable efficiency, although the bike now has a twin suspension instead of a monoshock setup. Even the stitching on the CBX’s seat mirrors.
Other parts include a distinctive four-in-one exhaust system, complete with a diagonal exhaust that places the ‘X’ into the CBX and a slim silencer.
The kit was revealed at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show a few weeks ago, and Doremi is still finalizing the production details. The good news is that it will cost less than 300,000 yen, which is about $2,400. That sounds like a bargain to us. [Via]
‘Electric Revolutionaries’ at the Petersen Automobile Museum There’s a new exhibit coming up at the famous Los Angeles museum. Opening on April 14, ‘Electric Revolution’ presents 25 of the coolest electric motorcycle was ever built.
They were selected by Paul d’Orleans of the Motorcycle/Bicycle Arts Foundation. Featured include KillaJoule [above], a land speed racer built by Eva Hakansson, clocked at 240.7 mph. Built by Hakansson and her husband at home – and on a limited budget – it’s the fastest sidecar sorter ever, regardless of engine type.
World premiere will be ‘The One’ by Curtiss Motors [above], designed by JT Nesbitt. Visitors will also be able to check out Walt Siegl’s extreme minimalism.RONTU‘using carbon fiber, aluminum and no body panels to keep the weight down to just 100 lbs.
Hugo Eccles ‘pioneer and award-winning’No XP‘ [below] will be familiar to readers of this site. It’s a radical reinterpretation of the manufactured Zero SR/F and one of the most striking e-bikes we’ve ever seen.
Petersen CEO Terry L. Karges said: “It is unbelievable how far electric motorcycles have come in such a short time since our first show in 2019. “Details, craftsmanship level. The public and unorthodox thinking behind these electric scooters makes them a must see.” [Petersen Automotive Museum]
1970 Honda CB500 Racer There aren’t many successful race bikes that you can legally ride on the road, but this is one of them. It was built in the late 70s by racer Brian Brownrigg, and won several British championships before being registered in 1997.
Brownrigg converted the rear suspension to a monoshock, and has CB500 tuning motor. The four-in-line is designed and balanced, and also features a 20mm Amal Mk II carburetor, a Yoshimura YH-2-1 racing cam, upgraded pistons, a re-drilled hole up to 56mm and a furnace set. Kibblewhite valve spring to prevent the entire bellows from pointing upwards.
New brakes keep the machine on the road, and for a staged race bike, it’s also in pretty good aesthetic condition.
If your idea of a good weekend is slinging a genuine retro racer around country roads, you’ll be happy to know that the CB500 is for sale. It is powered by Collecting Cars and is based in East Sussex, England.
As I write this, bids are at a very reasonable £2,500, but you’ll need to be quick. The auction is literally coming to an end. [Via | Auction page]
