Showing posts with label T.W.O.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label T.W.O.. Show all posts
14 October 2015
7 October 2015
TWO - G2 P51 Combat Fighter by Confederate Motorcycles
Confederate Motorcycles started out 24 years ago in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with the aim of producing the most exclusive, small-batch handcrafted thoroughbred motorcycles ever produced. Right from the start it was determined that the company would be design driven and product focused, with an engineering first approach to motorcycle design. Of the small run of models that they’ve produced over the years the G2 P51 Fighter by is possibly the epitome of that ethos; a bike that’s beautiful possibly because form follows function.
The original P120 Fighter debuted in 2009, a limited production all-aluminum 'streetfighter' motorcycle with a unique monocoque frame design and a powerful big inch V-twin that used the desig to its fullest. Now 6 years later, the P51 Combat Fighter is the second generation evolution (hence G2), and a lot has changed while retaining the original concept.
We see the first sign of Confederate's mindset in the frame; an in-house designed aluminum monocoque that they describe it as "the stiffest, most fatigue-resistant and lightest chassis capable of housing the greatest amount of torque as a percentage of weight ever achieved in all of motordom."
It has some innovative features too: the strongest part of the frame, at the headstock area, incorporates an intake box that leads the air through a structural downdraft manifold – an industry first, according to Confederate. At its highest point, the air filter element is housed in a canister-shaped box with transparent sides. The same see-through design is used for the petrol tank, which is located under the seat and is embodied in the rear part of the central beam of the frame.
The frame on it own would be a conversation piece, but the dialogue is only just starting. That front end is also designed and built in-house; the forks are double wishbones machined from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminium, with the outer supports designed to be aerodynamic, tubular wing blades. Bellcranks and a single coilover provide the suspension. That eyecatching rear swingarm is (again machined from 6061) and the rear suspension is fully adjustable; wheelbase for the whole ensemble is 64 inches.
The CX4 transmission is also designed by Confederate; a patented close-ratio 5-speed transmission derived from a drag racing-derived design; its a stress-bearing part of the chassis, putting the power down through an 18 inch BlackStone Tek solid carbonfibre rear wheel, with a 3.5 inch five spoke front wheel keeping it company.
French brake company Beringer takes much of the responsibility of stopping the bike; four-pot Aerotec radial calipers clamp Aeronal iron rotors at the front while a matching caliper is alllied to a cross-drilled Brembo stainless steel rotor at the rear.
The 57-degree V-twin has grown from 120 to 132 ci (1,966 to 2,163 cc) and the horsepower catapulted from 160 to 200 bhp. The torque output has made a huge leap forward as well, from 135 to 170 lb/ft . An prodigious power output from an air-cooled pushrod bike engine, and was achieved through the increased displacement and new cylinder heads,
This level of excellence does not come cheap though; they cost a smidge over $100,000 a piece. But with only 10 of each colour (black or blonde) being made, you're not likely to run across another one down the Ace café.
- Mr Fablulous
Original concept sketches; the reality seems to follows it very closely:
30 September 2015
22 July 2015
T.W.O. - Honda NX650 Motorpsycho by Basic Garage & Keiichi Tanaami
This bike has been built in Milan to celebrate sunglasses manufacturer Retrosuperfuture's Spring/Summer 2014 Motorpsycho collection. Conceived by Retrosuperfuture, designed and built by Basic Garage, and pinstriped by Keiichi Tanaami, a legendary Japanese artist.
Tanaami, born in 1936 in Tokyo, is one of the most appreciated Japanese post-war pop artists, whose psychedelic, ultra-colored, artwork have received international acclaim.
Basic Garage’s craftsmen have built and equipped this Honda NX650 Dominator with steel grills on the front and side of the bike, custom-made black chicken leg-skin for the seat, custom aluminium side panels, black steel braided brake lines, and the psychedelic skeletal drawings by Tanaami.
- Mr Fabulous
3 July 2015
T.W.O. - Roland Sands Schlege Triumph
A Triumph scrambler with a dose of evil from Roland Sands Design. The essential character of the bike has been retained with a healthy smattering of new RSD parts; Black Ops Del Mar wheels with knobby tyres give a huge attitude adjustment, improved braking is handled by floating Galfer wave rotors and the heavy, standard, steel sprocket is swapped for a hard anodised, Renthal aluminum version. The raised front mudguard, Pro Step bars, Traction grips, Nostalgia risers and a custom skid plate helped spike this Trumpet with plenty of attitude to match the altitude.
The handmade stainless steel RSD Slant low pipe and K&N filters increased intake and exhaust velocity, while Progressive Suspension's 970 Series reservoir shocks and fork springs helped tune up the suspension. Black on black paint by AirTrix and pinstriping by Tom Clark keep it simple.
Other more subtle modifications including a hidden storage compartment, drilled/meshed side covers and single gauge bracket completes the anger management.
- Mr Fabulous
1 July 2015
30 March 2015
US MotoGP, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 10 August 2014
Marc Márquez (no.93) on the Repsol Honda RC213V makes the move on Jorgé Lorenzo (99) and Valentino Rossi (46) on Movistar Yamaha YZR-M1s to take the lead at the 2014 Indianapolis Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Lorenzo was on a mission to put an end to Márquez's winning streak, having won nine races in a row. Lorenzo, Marquez, Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso waged a fierce battle for the lead and while Dovizioso kept up during the opening laps, he dropped back during the latter stages to finish in seventh.
Márquez scored his tenth win of the season, while Lorenzo, Rossi and Dani Pedroza finished second,third and fourth respectively.
Lorenzo was on a mission to put an end to Márquez's winning streak, having won nine races in a row. Lorenzo, Marquez, Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso waged a fierce battle for the lead and while Dovizioso kept up during the opening laps, he dropped back during the latter stages to finish in seventh.
Márquez scored his tenth win of the season, while Lorenzo, Rossi and Dani Pedroza finished second,third and fourth respectively.
27 March 2015
25 March 2015
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