Velocity Learn: The return of the Honda Motocompo and extra

The Honda Motocompo is again, electrical, and cuter than ever. In different information, Deus Milan has simply constructed a Ron Wooden Rotax framer, the Traditional GP Assen yielded an immaculate Cagiva C588, and our pals at Goal Constructed Moto have turned the Harley Fats Bob into an journey bike.

New Honda Motocompacto Again in 1981, Honda created a folding scooter that would match into the trunk of a automobile. It was known as the Motocompo, it was lovely, and it’s lastly again… which makes us very, very comfortable.

Meet the brand new Honda Motocompacto—a Twenty first-century, all-electric Motocompo. And sure, it’s very actual. So actual, that you simply’ll be capable of purchase it in November, on the modest value of $995.

The Motocompacto adopts the identical philosophy that the Motocompo did all these years in the past. It’s designed as a last-mile answer—one thing that may get you out of your parking spot to your vacation spot in city areas the place parking is difficult to return by. So it’s designed to be utilitarian and compact, with a restricted prime velocity and vary.

Like its predecessor, the Motocompacto is designed to remodel into its personal carrying case (loosely resembling a foldable picnic desk with wheels). The concept is that you would be able to stick it in your automobile’s trunk or take it with you whereas utilizing public transportation, then stash it away simply if you get to work. Excellent for anybody who works within the metropolis and parks removed from their workplace—or for college students who wish to zip round campus.

This tiny scooter boasts a prime velocity of 12 mph, with a variety of as much as 12 miles. So it truly is designed only for that final (or first) stretch of your commute. It additionally takes 3.5 hours to cost, so topping it up in a single day or throughout the day is a chunk of cake.

Naturally, the Motocompacto additionally has the identical quirky and blocky aesthetic as its predecessor. It makes use of a heat-treated aluminum body and wheels, and is stacked with a plethora of sensible options. The facet stand has a metal lock loop welded to it that’ll work with most bike locks, the lighting is all-LED, and there’s on-board storage too.

Honda has additionally included a digital speedo, and there’s a smartphone app that allows you to alter the Motocompacto’s settings. The OEM charger is stowed on board too.

Designed by Honda engineers in Ohio and California, the Motocompacto has solely been introduced for the US market to this point. It’ll be out there on-line or at Honda and Acura vehicle sellers. Who else needs one? [More]

Ron Wooden Rotax flat tracker by Deus ex Machina Milan The basic mixture of a chromoly Ron Wooden flat observe racing body and a single-cylinder Rotax engine is difficult to beat. Nevertheless it’s additionally onerous to return by—so leaving one to collect mud within the nook of a workshop is borderline prison.

That’s how the story of this svelte Wooden Rotax racer began. Its body and engine had been stashed at Deus Ex Machina’s Venice Seaside store in Los Angeles for years—till their Milan store laid declare to them and had them shipped over to Italy. The second it arrived, Deus Milan’s mechanics set about turning it again into a completely functioning flat tracker.

So far as Deus Milan is worried, the Ron Wooden body and Rotax motor are sacred—however each different part is honest sport. So this isn’t precisely a period-correct restoration. This bike makes use of a Discacciati brake, Yamaha R6 forks, and totally adjustable piggyback shocks from TFX Suspension within the Netherlands. The bike’s been upgraded with an electrical starter too.

Redmax Speedshop within the UK provided the basic flat track-style tank and tail, with quantity boards on the entrance and sides. (And people aren’t only for present both—this bike will get raced.)

The unconventional vintage-style alloy wheels are from Efficiency Machine, and the {custom} exhaust system comes from DBR. A handful of custom-made elements are sprinkled all through the construct, whereas flat observe handlebars with Biltwell Inc. grips full the package deal.

It’s a well-judged mixture of elements, and it makes for one very enticing machine. Subsequent time we’re in Milan, maybe we will persuade the staff there to allow us to take it for a spin. [More]

Randy Mamola Cagiva C588 Scores of racing fanatics and splendorous classic machines descended on the Cathedral of Velocity final weekend, for the TABAC Traditional GP Assen. Photographer Sascha Nagal was there and noticed a really uncommon motorbike among the many different classics—a 1988 Cagiva C588.

What makes the Cagiva C588 so particular, is that it was the bike that secured Cagiva Corse their first-ever Grand Prix podium, piloted by the legendary Randy Mamola. Mamola had been let go by Yamaha after the 1987 season and snagged by Cagiva for 1988. After a rocky season begin, he finally put the C588 on the rostrum—incomes himself a Ferrari Testarossa as a reward within the course of.

There’s additionally the truth that it’s drop-dead attractive. It was designed by one other legend of the game, Massimo Tamburini, and though it took cues from Mamola’s 1987 Yamaha YZR, it stands as an icon in its personal proper.

Placing it on the rostrum was no stroll within the park although. The 150 hp Cagiva was the one bike working Pirelli tires in 1988, and the mix was reportedly not nice. Each Mamola and his teammate, Raymond Roche, described the bike as ‘unrideable,’ struggling some gnarly crashes throughout the season.

However Pirelli made enhancements, and Mamola finally rode the Cagiva C588 to a third-place end within the rain on the ninth race of the season, held at Spa-Franchorchamps. It was a giant milestone for the Italian marque, who had entered Grand Prix racing in 1980, and picked up their first championship factors in 1982.

Solely six manufacturing facility C588s have been ever constructed, making this magnificence ultra-rare too. Sascha tells us that this specific bike got here to Assen from Scotland, which implies it’s more than likely the C588 that the Traditional GP web site reviews as being restored by Dunbar Race Engineering within the UK. Both means, it’s a surprising instance of a noteworthy motorbike from one of many golden eras of racing. [Images by, and with thanks to, Sascha M. Nagel]

Harley-Davidson Fats Bob by Goal Constructed Moto The concept of turning a meaty Harley-Davidson Fats Bob into one thing resembling an journey bike would possibly sound bonkers to most individuals—however no concept is off limits for the crew at Australia’s Goal Constructed Moto. When their shopper rolled in with a 2021 Fats Bob and a need to take it additional off the crushed observe than most Fats Bob house owners would, the PBM staff sprung to work.

The transient was to enhance the Milwaukee-Eight-powered Harley’s dealing with, retain an upright driving place for lengthy days within the saddle, and provides it only a smidge of off-road functionality for gravel detours. PBM’s shopper additionally wished a bit avenue tracker-slash-supermoto styling, detachable baggage racks, and a nasty exhaust. The result’s a motorcycle that he loves—and purists are more likely to hate.

PBM set its sights on the suspension and wheels first. They’re the Australian distributor for Canyon Wheels, so that they ordered a set of {custom} 17” hoops for the construct, fitted with Pirelli MT60RS tires. Talking from expertise, the MT60 hits the mark for mild off-road responsibility, however nonetheless has oodles of asphalt grip; a sensible selection.

Trip Dynamics helped out on the suspension setup, which ended up consisting of a longer-than-stock Legends rear shock and Öhlins fork cartridges. PBM added {custom} fork extensions too, successfully including a big elevate to each ends of the bike.

Different efficiency upgrades embody a stage three Screamin’ Eagle engine equipment, and a brand new braking package deal with Lyndall and Brembo elements. The exhaust system is a {custom} two-into-one-into-two system, utilizing a pair of rowdy Competitors Werkes mufflers. Some artful tuning courtesy of Dynomite Moto, and this Fats Bob now makes 116 hp on the rear wheel, with 125 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm.

Shifting to the bodywork, PBM wished so as to add a tracker-style tail part, however the Fats Bob’s body wasn’t enjoying ball. In the long run, they constructed an aluminum field to ‘increase’ the seat, then fabricated the tail unit on prime of it. The field doubles up as a cupboard space, and the tail unit homes a pair of LED taillights.

The Harley’s ending equipment consists of Efficiency Machine foot pegs, custom-made handlebar risers, and a bunch of Tough Crafts engine trim bits. There’s additionally a set of detachable saddlebag racks, made out of chromoly tubing.

Livin’ Loco Storage dealt with the bike’s paint job. It seems easy from afar, however get shut and also you’ll discover a bunch of particulars to enrich the shiny black base, together with copper sweet, copper leaf work, and flat gray hand-brushed striping. Dubbed the ‘Gravel Gorilla,’ this Fats Bob is certain to lift some eyebrows… however we’d nonetheless experience it. [More]



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