Icon Old Ghost GPz900R

This is one of the latest builds by Icon in Portland. It's a 1984 GPz900R, they've called the Old Ghost.

Icon say, 'Modified fairings and dry-break tank gave the Ninja the sophistication of a monocled endurance racer. A Wiseco big bore kit, K and N filters, ducted Earls oil-cooler, and Racefit pipe increased her mechanized punch. The oversized Roaring Toyz swingarm, equipped with Ohlins TTX race shock, kept things properly stanced in the rear. And while the English origin of both the Avon tyres and EBC rotors was well known, the suspicious domestic origin of the bespoke billet wheels could be neither confirmed nor denied.'

CoC Mixing It Up

I've always loved motorcycle builders that mixed different styles and genres of bike on one build and Jeff Wright (of FTWCo and Church of Choppers) does it better than most.

This is his latest build (though he always has four on the go). A Shovelhead that uses a Moriwaki ignition cover as a faux air cleaner cover, has proper brakes, RaceTech twin shocks and blows through a Racefit titanium Legend silencer. Jeff is a multi-talented mofo and made the stainless two-into-one himself.

If you don't check out the ever disparate, often surprising Church of Choppers blog (the daddy of all motorcycle blogs I reckon), you're missing out. G

The Black Arrow on Bubble Visor

Lenny at Bubble Visor sent me some questions to go with some photos of my Suzuki street bike project, the Black Arrow, taken at Racefit last summer. You can see more photos and read the Q&A at Bubble Visor.
Massive thanks to Mat for these photos. They were taken a few months ago and the bike is now a runner with a custom wiring loom, chain, the whole lot! G

Muscle

By Racefit.

Classic TT Formula 1 snaps

There aren't many places in the world I like more than the Isle of Man when the sun is shining. These are my phone snaps of bikes lining up for the inaugural Classic TT Formula One race, last Monday. 

Our mate and fellow DTRA racer, Paul Baleta has been racing the Manx for seven years. This year he also competed in the Classic TT Formula 1 race and was third privateer! Amazing result. He was also 14th out of 29 in total in the race that was won by multiple TT winner Michael Dunlop. Paul's average race speed for the 4-lap race was close to 106mph average and he won a Silver Replica.
His pit crew was his girlfriend and his brother.
Redmaxspeedshop rebuilt the 888 motor that finished the gruelling race. Redmax boss, Steve Hillary is a Ducati 8-valve expert.
Paul was also 19th out of 44 in the Supertwin Manx GP on a Suzuki SV650. He had an Aprilia Mille to compete in the Senior too, but the race was abandoned due to poor weather.
Massive respect!
Read more about Paul's racing antics at his Speed Therapy blog

My favourite bike to line up. Reno, Nevada resident Jimmy Mac borrowed this Bakker-framed Z1000 from a mate of his and came to race. He was smiling and not showing his nerves as we chatted in the holding area. He did admit that he felt he'd bitten off more than he could chew. 'This is not my niche'.

The Trident Engineering XR69-style Suzuki team took advantage of the slack rules to fit GSX-R1100/Bandit 1200 motors, instead of the GSX 8-valve based motors they are forced to use in normal classic racing. They also fitted 17s not the usual 18s.

This is Conor Cummins' bike. The team had the seat off with about 5 mins to go, hence the tape all over the seat pad. 

Conor (below) came in second, lapping at 120-plus mph on the steel-framed GSX-R1100 on treaded tyres! 

This bike, and the winner's Suzuki, were both fitted with Racefit Ti Legend pipes.

As long as his Suzuki kept running there was never any doubt Michael Dunlop was going to win this race. He was doing 125mph practice laps and, he admitted, just taking it easy.  In the end his fastest race lap was 123.6 and he won at a canter.

GPz.

 I love oil-cooled GSX-Rs and there were plenty here. Cheap race bikes (comparatively).

Among the TT winners and professional looking teams there was this Guzzi and pit crew in sombreros. The TT has become so fast and professional you don't see much of this at the TT any more. There's still room for it at the Manx/Classic though. Rider Rob Paget was final finisher, in 29th place. Doesn't sound impressive, but the amount of bikes that don't make the finish would fill a ferry. This team did a great job with the only Guzzi in the race.

TT frontrunner (and winner) Gary Johnson was racing this wonderful Yamaha FJ1200 Harris. Didn't finish though.

 German Kenny Hinck. ZXR750RR

Russ from Blackheart Racing was over with a big crew of Americans. Couldn't find his RC30 on the results sheet and left before I had chance to catch up with him.

Harris XR69 replica. Orange bib denotes newcomer.

Two eras in one photo. The Classic TT was a great event. G

Racefit Katana

Racefit were one of the sponsors of Dirt Quake II and brought this work in progress Katana along to the event.
We're big fans of the Derbyshire company, who wouldn't be when the exhaust company turns out bikes like this to promote their titanium pipes? G

Black Arrow update

I've been updating progress of the custom-framed GSX-R1100 on Instagram (search @sideburnmag), and also in Performance Bikes magazine, nearly every month, but I haven't put many photos up here. Sorry to the blog faithful. So, here's a catch-up.
Above, is the bike on the bench at Racefit, where I had a Legend Ti exhaust made for it. G

Matt at AH Fabrications made me this amazing oil cooler and bracket. I'm after an Asahina Monster feel. Below is the sketch I sent to him to check the feasibility.

RCD quick filler has been on a while, but this photo shows the Brembo master cylinders mounted on the front of the top yoke.

 Keihin Flatslides on the Guy Martin-polished and ported head.

 Before the engine went in.

Geoff Co-Built putting in a radical (and secret for now) mod into the tank. Lovely job. 

Getting there. G

Racefit x Sideburn

If you're going to Motorcycle Live at the NEC, that starts on Saturday, make sure you check out the Racefit stand. They're stocking Sideburn too, so you can buy the latest issue from them. G

Racefit Parts Bin

Racefit is having a garage clear-out HERE. Go bag yourself a lightweight bargain. BP

Jason x Racefit

Jason's UK short track, Skooter Farm C&J Rotax, with Racefit titanium pipe. This bike featured in Sideburn 5 in a previous (gold leafed) guise. Photos lifted from Racefit. G

New Racefit website

Racefit have a new website up and running. It's iPad-friendly too.
I visited them again and picked up the titanium Legend they made for the Black Arrow and a titanium paddock stand too. Very happy. G

 A detail of my exhaust.

 A bike with taste - Racefit Legend and RCD rearsets.

 Racefit titanium paddock stands.

 Spondon GSX-R in for new system.

 Jon Racefit's new hauler.

Jon (in an old SB T-shirt) and his wife Tam.