2017 s&s build custom board track

GPR Custom Board Track_0048_Background.jpg

Year: 2017

Make: S&S Build

Model: GPR Board Track

Engine Capacity: 1819cc - 111cube

A handcrafted two wheeled masterpiece - handcrafted over two years, by one person, a serial sportbike thrasher and MotoGP fan. The perfection of this build lies in the modern design, with old school attitude and the hint of MotoGP elements in the right places. Sharp lines, smooth curves, expensive components and perfect dimensions – this piece is AS bespoke as they come.

This build was completed at the end of 2016 – 2 years in the making, this intricately designed machine has graced the pages of magazines from New Zealand to the UK also Spanish and Australia. This machine, which started as a MotoGP machine and morphed into a bespoke showpiece.

Built with Valentino Rossi in mind – Steve the builder had organized to have the hand built machine sent to his hero, but this was put to a stop by Italian customs. Oh well. Since then the bike has been sitting in Steve’s front room.

No expense was spared for perfection, and each part was specifically designed with suppliers that are the best in their field. The most critical part of the build, the frame, was custom made in the US – it is very unique with a 30-degree rake and some very aggressive bends in the down tubes. A banana style swing arm was incorporated and the whole frame was considered so it can be ridden safely and comfortably.

To get the desired look took hours of planning, drawing, sketching and mock ups in timber and paper. Past this phase, Steve took some heavy sheet metal and got to work on the English wheel himself. He actually fabricated the guards himself with an astounding result. The rear guard is built onto the chassis, with an integrated tail light. The custom tank houses a Motogadget m-unit keyless ignition system.

The front of the bike is immediately distinctive, with made-to-order IMA billet triple tree clamps and 58mm Marzocchi forks. Top top it off are ABM clips ons and reservoirs, Rizoma hand grips and mirrors, Ducabike billet levers and switch blocks which run the SAS air ride controls for the rear suspension.

Powering the bike is a complete crate motor from S&S Cycles - a highly detailed V-twin backed by a 5-speed baker transmission.

The wheels were made to order – machined from forged blanks running billet hubs with 9.3mm stainless spokes plus candy-coated stainless nipples.

The GPR-X nickel plated Brembo brakes actually came off Marc Marquez’s Moto GP Honda bike and now grasp the 320mm Braketeck rotors.

The front wheel is a 21 x 3.5 running a 120-70-21 tyre with a massive 20x7 running 200-40-20 which is very uncommon dimension on a practical motorcycle. Most of the one-off machined parts – right down to every nut and bolt, were flown in from Germany, the US and Italy. These parts include the stainless headers with small Coffmans mufflers, the begs and shifters, the chain guard, the leather seat and the list goes on. As visible in the photos, it has been finished to a standard well beyond most motorcycles.

There is easily 1800 hours of work in this, and that doesn’t include the time spent daydreaming, conceptualising and researching.

With 160kms on the clock, the lowest of all low riders has only been ridden from photoshoots to shows. It was set up to ride, with ample clearance for cornering and a compressor that pressurizes the rear shock when the bike is rolling, so the ride height is dropped 80mm when the motion stopps. Amazing. The Motorcycle is fully engineered and registered in NSW.

No test rides on this one (understandably) but all welcome to come and gaze.

All yours for only