We kick this Weekly edition of Speed Read off with further proof that Yamaha SRs make great cafe racers. We also cover Guy Martin’s latest feats, and a custom Yamaha RD400 and Honda CB750.
Yamaha SR250 by deWolf Moto Co. Built in his hometown of Zaragoza, Spain, this is Santi deWolf’s third work under the banner of deWolf Moto Co. Santi started with two sponsors Yamaha SR250 Donors; The first SR follows the knife turned into a bobber, with the second SR patiently waiting for his turn. This is the second SR, and the end result of a lot of hard work.
Yamaha’s SR platform is perfect for custom builders, and it looks like Santi has made the most of this. Small, light and extremely fun, deWolf has transformed the tiny commuter bike into a complete neoclassical bike. cafe racer. When not building bicycles, he was a mechanical engineer, working for a large home appliance company, so he used his engineering skills to good effect.
“Why can’t little bikes be fun, perform better than stock and luxury?” Santi asked. “The goal was to create a distinctive cafe racer with modern flares on a very tight budget. It’s a car that doesn’t run – damaged but cheap. “
With this feature in mind, Santi started with it, handling every aspect of the construction on its own except for the paint and upholstery. The front crank and saddle were built using foam blocks before being made of fiberglass. Everything has been rebuilt, including the engine, suspension and wheels.
The rear subframe has been modified to accommodate a new set of seats, with all power cleverly hidden. The frame was powder coated and the bike was completely rewound, as the donor’s bike arrived in deplorable condition.
Santi has proven he has what it takes to build a stunning machine, and even scored an invitation to this year’s Bike Shed Motorcycle Show in London. This car is currently for sale so that Santi can work on his next project, a Honda SLR650.
We will watch with great interest. [deWolf Moto Co. Instagram]
Guy Martin on the Crighton CR700W Guy Martin is there again. No, he’s not building another Spitfire – he’s looking to break another land speed record. This time, he aims to double the tons (200 mph) on the rotary-powered Crighton CR700W.
Brian Crighton is the man behind the machine, and the same man who worked for Norton years ago, when they led the turnaround on the track with the iconic JPS Nortons. Working in a garden on the Norton factory grounds, Crighton proved himself to Norton’s higher-ups that spinning power and motorcycles were a pair made from heaven. Quickly making breakthroughs, Norton suddenly returned to the top of the time chart.
The Crighton CR700W is a direct descendant of the first rotary-powered Nortons. As if the aluminum frame, swingarm and carbon fiber bodywork weren’t impressive enough, it’s the engine that stands out. An excerpt from their website puts it all into perspective:
“220 hp at 10,500 rpm from the CR700W’s fuel-injected twin-rotor 690 cc engine means 319 hp per liter. For comparison, the most powerful normally aspirated Formula 1 engine – the Ferrari F2004 – makes 309 hp per liter at 18,500 rpm and the latest MotoGP bikes deliver around 300 hp per liter. “
Driven by Martin, the team achieved 188 mph, 16 mph faster than the previous record. With a multitude of options to choose from (like different gears and regulators), it looks like another record will soon be added to Martin’s already impressive resume. [Via]
Coti Sanders’ Yamaha RD400 Moving on to another bike that benefits from lubricating fuel, it’s this: a 1976 Yamaha RD400 built by Coti Sanders. Hailing from southern Maine, USA, Coti grew up with two-stroke dirt bikes and quads. When he has his first classic, he will always be a smoker.
Received the RD400 12 years ago, around the time of a global pandemic that caused Coti to dive into the car in earnest. Kicking off the party is a full front-end swap, donated by a Suzuki GSX-R.
The spoked front wheel is from a Suzuki GT750, rotating in front of a custom built belly pan. The engine is running Banshee pistons, with the work to make them fit by Coti himself. He also did the entire exhaust system.
The fuel tank is original, albeit with a new Jaguar ‘Underhood Blue’ paint job and a recessed fuel cap. The flat style seat is new and sits above the KTM swingarm and rear wheel. Coti, a self-proclaimed “cheap bastard”, found parts for the bike from all over the place, the aforementioned KTM parts coming from a local dump.
Although the bike is literally a special part, I think Coti has done an excellent job. I’m not the only one impressed with his skill either — Coti received an invitation to the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin, Texas.
With his first build, I’m excited to see what he does next. [Via]
1975 Honda CB750F by Mile Zero Racers When I got into the bike business many years ago, there was an incredible Honda CB750 that was featured on Bike EXIF. It’s been on my mind ever since, so to this day, I have a light spot for Honda’s legendary inline four.
Mile Zero Racers’ Thomas Manno also has a love for CB. He rescued himself from a Facebook Marketplace seller in 2020. This means it doesn’t matter to finish what he started, as evidenced by two things. First, the bike itself. Second, the fact that he was actually following up after the first sentence “Hello, is this still available?”
First, Thomas was in college when he started his custom motorcycle journey and also had little prior experience in building or twisting ropes. Working with Cycle X’s Honda CB expert Mike Rieck to rebuild the top end, Thomas handled the bottom end himself. Talk about throwing yourself into the depths!
The front end is from the Suzuki GSX-R (the front end chosen by this week’s custom bike builders), which is said to do wonders for the ride. The bike has been wrapped up with a complete set Motogadget gears, and it looks like every nut and bolt was replaced at some point along the way. I especially like the sporty belly that barely conceals the new four-in-one exhaust.
Motorcycles have traditionally been metallurgical, but early in the build, Thomas wanted to add wooden details. Tank and hunchback badges were made with the help of an experienced woodworker friend. They really do look like business, especially with the way the tail lights are fitted in.
Thomas also drew inspiration from the Porsche Clubsport race cars but wanted to keep as much of the CB as possible. My everything CBias aside, this is a good build and it proves that you can do anything you set your mind to. [Via]
