This version of The Speed Read is our sportiest bike yet, chock full of custom superbikes. First, we introduce a Ducati ST3 sport tourer-turn-café racer from France. We then browsed through a remodeled Honda CBX1000 from Dubai, Buell’s new Hammerhead Freedom Edition and a Nicky Hayden Honda RC51 for sale.
Ducati ST3 by Jerem Motorcycles Despite its sporting prowess, you can say that the Ducati ST3 is the most Honda-looking Ducati Ducati has ever produced. Square headlights, full bibs, and double one-piece saddles have more VFR than Desmosedici—even when painted red.
Happily, Jeremie from Jerem Motorcycles in France is back with another gorgeous Ducati he built. He turned a sports car that looks a bit vanilla into a razor sharp car cafe racer.
Starting with the ST3S, Jeremie removed the crank plate, bringing Ducati’s glorious 992 cc L-twin engine back to full display. The original fork was refurbished and then anodized in gold. Round LED headlights from the Jeep are fitted up front, along with custom fenders.
A pair of black Kineo wheels replace the factory cast wheels; they looked at the business wrapped in sticky Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires. The ST3 frame has been freed from all excess racks and covered with a gold powder coating (inspired by a Peugeot 106 hatchback, on top of everything).
The swing arm (itself a work of art) belongs to a Monster S2R, as well as Öhlins rear shock absorbers. New Brembo twin-piston calipers and discs are also included, along with custom brake hoses from Exact. Other equipment includes a clamp bar, a new top yoke and carbon trim from Avia Compositi.
The engine has been refurbished, inside and out. The radiator is usually hidden behind the bib, so Jeremie swapped it for a more aesthetic part from a Ducati 749. This also allowed him to tuck the tubes inside the frame for a cleaner look.
High-performance cooling tubes and transparent clutch cover have been bolted in, along with a box economizer from GB Racing. The voltage regulator has been moved for better cooling and the fuse box has been moved for easy access. The belly pan is another custom piece, made by Jeremie himself.
The fuel tank is intact, but the rear of the car is not. With the right upholstery on the saddle and the fuel tank cushion (by Yaya Brush Saddlery), it’s certainly a pretty image. Finally, the bodywork is painted satin gray, with the lower part painted black to give the car a more assertive look.
It’s more sport than travel, and we love it. It’s another one in the bag for JeremMotorcycles. [Jerem Motorcycles]
Honda CBX1000 by Cafe Rider Custom First released in 1978, muscle Honda CBX1000 It wasn’t the first in-line six-cylinder, but it was one of the most iconic. The huge engine protruding from the sides of the fuel tank is just one reason why. Another reason is the sound (we recommend you search it on Google, increase it to 11 and thank us later).
This CBX1000 by Fahim Rehman, of Cafe Rider Custom in Dubai, looks like a neatly restored original. But once you dig a little deeper into the details, you’ll find that it’s far from shipping.
We love a good thing fix, and Fahim and his team really blew us away. Like most modifications, this CBX1000 still carries the manufacturer’s saddle and fuel tank. But everything else has been slightly modified—with an emphasis on ‘slight’.
The entire front end is taken from an Aprilia, with a custom upper splint that grips the fork. The new front end allows the Cafe Rider team to upgrade the front brakes with new Nissin brake calipers and braids. The front fender is from a CB400 and the headlight is an aftermarket 7-inch unit.
Classic turn signals are fitted and a pair of horns are mounted below the headlights. (The original CBX ships with a single horn mounted under the headlights, so it’s a nice throwback from Cafe Rider Custom.)
The dashboard has been upgraded to a new tacho and GPS speedometer, housed in a new mount. They look flashy but don’t steal the show. The tracker bars, switch blocks, mirrors and Biltwell handles are all new.
The engine has been thoroughly overhauled and cleaned, and the oil cooler has been upgraded to a larger one. The blue Motogadget mo.unit takes care of the brains, the rest of the bike is rewound from scratch with a new Lithium battery. A six-of-six aftermarket exhaust has been installed—if you listen carefully, you can hear it squeal through the photos.
The rear end is where things get a bit messy (in a good way). The entire subframe has been removed and replaced to accommodate the new mono-shock rear suspension setup—while creating space for the rear wheel to be moderately wide.
The saddle has been trimmed to accommodate the slightly shorter design, while the large square taillights and ducktail cover have been refitted. The original Honda side panels have been reassembled and the bodywork is painted in Honda red.
With original CBX decals finishing it off, it looks downright incredible. Fahim and the rest of the Cafe Rider Custom team did an excellent job. [Source]
Buell Freedom hammerhead version Since Buell’s return to the world of motorcycles, the American company has been on a mission. They plan to roll out 10 new models over the next few years (including the monstrous Baja Dune Racer), and they’re well on their way to that goal.
They just opened the hood of their newest bike: the 40th Anniversary Free Edition Hammerhead. And if that’s not the most American name for a bicycle you’ve ever heard, we’re gonna eat our beef stew.
The Hammerhead 1190 is based on the older 1190 model, but it’s been thoroughly updated for 2023. It still has all the best Buell has to offer in previous years — the Rotax engine (currently 185 horsepower). force), that frame is also a fuel tank and a great circumferential brake setup on the front wheels.
With a dry weight of 416 lbs, the Hammerhead is pretty slim for a full-size American sports car. Combine that with the new 72-degree Rotax V-twin engine, and it’s a bit of a program fit. The reverse travel fork is fully adjustable, so is the rear shock; both are from Showa. With low fuel delivery in the frame (and low oil delivery in the swingarm), the new Hammerhead has all the characteristics of a great sports car.
The Freedom Edition 40th Anniversary Hammerhead comes in red, white and blue paint. And we have to say, the Hammerhead definitely looks striking with the stars and stripes.
It will be available online and at dealers from July 1, 2023, in time for Independence Day. Prices start at $24,990, with the top-of-the-range models available from $26,775 for anyone who wants a slice of fries with their new bike. [Buell Motorcycle]
For sale: Honda RC51 Nicky Hayden version The Honda RC51 ranks high on our list of collectible superbikes that we want to own. Also known as the RVT1000R in the US and VTR1000 in other parts of the world, the 999 cc V-twin engine was launched to take Ducati into the World Superbike Championship.
The first generation of the Honda RC51 – SP1 – arrived with a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled DOHC engine, a 6-speed gearbox and a dual aluminum frame. It does well with 130 horsepower and a top speed north of 165 mph, and weighs 440 lbs, dry. The second-generation SP2 debuted in 2002 with a stronger (but also lighter) frame, longer swingarm, revised shape, slightly more power, and a larger windshield.
Although it wasn’t quite as successful on the track as Honda had hoped, it did help Colin Edwards win two championships in 2000 and 2002. It also won the 2002 AMA Championship, driven by legend. Kentucky Kid, Nicky Hayden.
Two years later, Honda released the RC51 SP2 to celebrate this victory. The Nicky Hayden Edition bikes come in distinctive red, white and silver paintwork, with white license plate areas on the bibs and tail. They also have aluminum frames and swingarms, and Hayden’s signature on the fuel tank.
This Honda RC51 Nicky Hayden Edition is currently up for auction at Iconic Motorcycles. And it was sold by none other than Darren Begg at dB Customs. Darren is a regular on these sites, known for his retro-styled Japanese superbikes.
Darren bought this bike eight years ago from the original owner, and as you’d expect from him, he took great care of it. It had just been serviced with new brake pads and tyres, brake fluid drained, oil change, new chain and sprocket. He also replaced the windshield because the old one had started to yellow.
This particular example also has a few mods. The Power Commander V chip optimizes power output, while the Elka rear shock, tuned by Acceleration Technology, improves ride quality. There’s also a carbon fiber rear end with integrated turn signals and a carbon fiber rear gripper from Magical Racing Japan. Kyle Racing grips, custom aluminum bar tips, HRC tank spacers and a full set of Pro-Bolt screws complete the kit.
The auction only runs until the weekend. So if this excites you, you better hurry! [Source]
