This week’s edition of Speed Read is a selection of interesting machines from all over. We start with the Indonesian Yamaha MT-25, then the fastest Australian Honda CT90. A Danish company supplied us with an electric bike with a gas tank, then a German garage builder turned a 1990s Triumph Thunderbird Sport into a reality.
Yamaha MT-25 degrees by Treasure Garage Emphasizing the extreme popularity of Yamaha’s naked MT line is an interesting fact; you can buy MT with one, two, three or four cylinders, depending on where in the world you live. We can’t think of another manufacturer that has this level of flexibility in their range.
Today we’re looking at the smaller end of the MT spectrum with this 249 cc twin-cylinder Yamaha MT-25 street tracking. It has been artistically remade by Imanuel ‘Nuel’ Prakoso and his Balinese costume, Treasure Garage.
Due to budget constraints, the team started with an older model rather than a donor bike. Earlier models had small, slim front forks so they started by ripping them off. An upside-down fork from the later MT model was installed, along with twin brakes.
Luckily, the original MT cranks and lights also found their way into the trash. In its place is a custom unit, complete with stacked twin LEDs. It looks about 3,995,739 times better than the factory design.
All of the bike’s bodywork has actually been replaced, hand-formed from sheet metal. After the rear subframe was shortened, the one-piece fuel tank cap and saddle were designed to match MT’s clumsy frame design. The ‘small wings’ on either side of the barrel contain some sneaky custom indicators, for the sharp-eyed among you.
The side caps and top fuel tank cap are crafted from carbon fiber, which looks great against the blue paintwork. The diamond-embossed black seat with contrasting blue stitching blends in perfectly with the overall theme.
The bike’s tools have been integrated into the carbon fiber portion of the fuel tank cap so that the new handlebars are clearly visible. The handles, switches and rearview mirror are all sporty black, it has the badass look we all aspire to.
The engine was almost left alone. Like most great custom builds, though, this one has a fully custom exhaust system that ends with an Akrapovič silencer with a carbon finish. A pair of Michelin Pilot Sport tires were fitted, completing the build plate.
We didn’t know a lot of people would call the factory Yamaha MT-25 beautiful, so what Treasure Garage has done is exemplary. With the high quality finish, you won’t for a second think this is a ‘budget’ build.
You could say they are providing a valuable public service, by saving the world, every ugly MT. [Source]
SXK Moto’s Honda CT90 land speed racing car Wherever you come from, you should be familiar with the Honda CT90. It was sold around the world before production almost ended in 1979. We say ‘most’, because there are a few places in the world where the CT90 has become as iconic as the Vegemite on bread. grill.
Yes, we’re talking about Australia and how Big Red’s rudimentary scooter has dominated the local mail delivery industry. Before Amazon, before eBay, before almost every shipping method below, there was the Honda CT90—or we call it the ‘post bike’. Some say they appeared at the end of the Cretaceous period and remained largely unchanged until they reluctantly evolved into the present-day CT125.
Straight from the Japanese factory, the Honda CT90 has an incredible 7 hp to the touch. Honestly, the carbureted 89 cc engine has an aluminum head, a dual-range transmission and… not much else.
However, this postie bike has a lot more to offer. This cool CT90 was built by Matt Sheppard and Matt Kennedy, two enterprising Australians who joined forces to form SXK Moto. Based on their workshop in Enfield, South Australia, they built the (probably) fastest bike in the world.
That’s right, this mail machine lives for salt flats. The boys wanted to compete in the 100-MPS-CG class (meaning up to 100 cc, modified, partially streamlined, classic and regular petrol), and the CT90 seemed to be the starting point. perfect head.
Matt moved the front end and fitted a new intake and exhaust manifold. A 28mm Yoshimura downgrade carburetor delivers fuel and surprisingly has a performance camshaft inside. Also, Matt found that by using the Honda CB175 pistons (and some persuasion) he was able to get a little closer to the 100 cc limit.
The heated engine was then implanted in a heavily modified Honda CT110 chassis. The front end has been scraped off, a built-in steel wrap-around fender for the front wheels (to cut through the air) and a set of Yamaha RD350 bibs have been fitted. New handlebars and a revised saddle setup have allowed Matt’s six-foot-tall body to fit behind the new bib.
After the construction is complete, the car is painted with a new layer of paint to increase the slippery.
The bike was completed just days before Speed Week, so the real test run had to wait until the salt flats opened. After waiting for the weather and fixing some power and fuel issues, Matt was awarded a time ticket of 66.06 mph. His average speed across all runs was 62.81 mph — the new Australian record for the 100-MPS-CG class.
“Just a little more interesting note,” quipped Matt, “I couldn’t find any information about a faster Honda CT90 with the standard engine. Is this the fastest CT90 in the world? Maybe…” [Source]
Electric motorcycle Poulsen Motors Three-hole bags are a bit cumbersome, but you can’t deny their convenience. Plus, there are companies that make really nice looking gas tank bags. Well, if you like gas tank bags then you’ll love this one electric bicycle from Poulsen Motors in Denmark.
Poulsen has moved away from traditional motorcycle design in many ways. The first and most obvious way is something we’ve never seen before—using container space to store large amounts of luggage. Since an electric motorcycle doesn’t need a fuel reserve, Poulsen reversed the scenario.
Basically, what we’re looking at is 60% motorcycles and 40% gas tank bags. Poulsen calls their suitcase design a “lifestyle product that can be used with or without a bike.” They plan to release suitcase designs in different colors, sizes and materials.
Buyers can choose which style they like or need, depending on their activity. Just sipping to the store to grab a few things? Slide on a small bag. Going away for the weekend? Slide the full-size suitcase into place. Poulsen also plans to offer customers similar customization options for the seats.
But the funk doesn’t stop there. Poulsen also designed their concept with a less traditional frame design. According to their website, each part is designed to be so simple that the same part can be used in many different places as a way of cutting production costs. We’ll cover the fact that center-focused steering systems are incredibly complex and much rarer (and therefore more expensive) than traditional motorcycle forks, but we still appreciate the situation. passion and dedication to the craft.
Smashing hard in the middle of the bike is the engine. It has a beautifully designed case and belt-driven rear wheel drive. Single shock absorbers and matching fenders are used at both front and rear, again to cut production costs. No numbers on range or capacity are yet available as the car is still in the concept stage.
While looks don’t necessarily light up our flames, it’s certainly a fun and practical package from the Danish company. And it’s refreshing to see an electric bike with a useful ‘fuel tank’. [Poulsen Motors]
Erik’s Thunderbird Sport Victory Before Triumph released them they were extremely popular Bonneville range, the British brand tried to penetrate the vintage market. That market is a far cry from today in terms of popularity, but Triumph is trying anyway. Leading the way is the Triumph Thunderbird 900.
Launched in 1995, it featured a 900 cc inline 3-cylinder engine, a vintage-shaped fuel tank and Triumph’s ‘portcullis’ fuel tank badge. Besides the Hinckley twin, the Thunderbird 900 is clearly related.
This particular Thunderbird began as the Thunderbird Sport—a slightly more aggressive evolution of the Thunderbird, which was produced a few years later. This one is owned by a German guy named Erik Wankerland is his interpretation of what the modern Thunderbird looks like.
For a little extra impetus to the Thunderbird’s move, Erik swapped out the engine for another Triumph trio—the Trident T300. The Dyno tested at 108hp, it’s a lot more powerful than the 70hp Thunderbird, and it still manages to retain some classic styling cues.
The bodywork, as you might have guessed, is entirely handcrafted from aluminium. The car was sent to Erik’s mate, Ekkehard Homann, a mechanical engineer and artist who created the elaborate bodywork out of aluminum. The small front apron houses the twin LED headlights and the fuel tank is designed to hug the engine, creating a beautiful silhouette from any angle.
The combined seat and tail unit looks like something out of an airplane that we love. A subtle brown leather seat sits at the top, while small LED taillights complete the package.
Wheels and brakes are donated by a Ducati 999, and look particularly purposeful when wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires. The engine generates more power, but it’s still handled by a new three-in-one-two exhaust. The YSS rear shock absorber has been bolted to provide a smoother ride.
As for the garage construction, Erik and Ekkehard did a great job with Thunderbird, don’t you think? [Images by Ben Schmelter]
