Little surprise exists that helicopters are not my primary area of investigation. Regardless of everything, I’ve had the privilege of attending numerous Mooneyes events as a participant and even got to enjoy the experience of being a valued visitor, ultimately making my own decisions. During my frequent visits to the Mooneyes show, I have had the pleasure of encountering numerous skilled car builders. Among them is Shiro Nakajima, owner and operator of the renowned workshop 46 Works.
At Mooneyes 2018, I seized the opportunity to choose from among the present’s offerings, ultimately selecting the award-winning 46 Works BMW R100RS Cafe Racer, whose understated elegance shone through amidst a sea of flashy custom builds that year – its subtlety was indeed a mural. Shiro showcased his profound expertise in European bikes, elevating each model’s appearance and performance to unprecedented heights through his meticulous attention to detail.
At the 12th annual Mooneyes show, Shiro returned with an unexpected twist – instead of a German-based build, he chose to showcase something entirely Italian-inspired.
“Despite a fondness for Moto Guzzi’s powerplants, Shiro expresses reservations about the brand’s overall heft, dimensions, and agility.” “I aim to create a Moto Guzzi motorcycle that is both gentle on the rider and easy to handle, while also showcasing impressive handling capabilities in order to fully appreciate its engine’s performance.”
The latest Moto Guzzi endeavor from Shiro demonstrates that the key to success lies in perfecting the subtle nuances of design and engineering. Originally inspired by an ’87 Le Mans 1000, this custom creation skillfully addresses all of the Guzzi’s limitations to craft a sleek, successful, and undoubtedly thrilling roadster to ride.
Shiro acquired the Guzzi from a buyer seeking a “swift and intimate” journey, a motorcycle perfectly suited to navigating Tokyo’s bustling streets or carving through the serpentine Irohazaka roads. To achieve this, a comprehensive overhaul of the Le Mans’ handling was initiated by revamping its suspension.
The bike’s entrance finish is now bolstered by a pair of CR Suspension replicas of iconic Ceriani forks. Shiro successfully integrated repurposed triple clamps with forks using a bespoke stem that nestles within the specially shortened neck of the guitar’s body. The forks, reengineered to Shiro’s specifications, now boast a revised size that harmonizes with the Guzzi’s updated riding position. Behind him, he chose classic Ohlins STX 36 twin shocks, aesthetically pleasing and delivering crucial performance upgrades.
To further elevate the brand’s latest updates, the bike now features an entirely new wheel system in conjunction with its innovative suspension association. Customized with 18-inch Excel rims, these wheels feature a sturdy base wrapped in high-quality Dunlop Roadmaster TT100 GP tires, securely laced to meticulously restored and modified hubs. The following swimsuit features an innovative all-new braking system. Shiro has leveraged his expertise to craft custom-designed spacers, adapters, and mounts within his own workshop, seamlessly integrating a cutting-edge twin-entry brake system featuring Sunstar discs, precision-crafted Brembo four-pot calipers, and a high-performance Brembo master cylinder.
The 948cc V-twin engine has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, involving a complete rebuild from top to bottom. Shiro once again single-handedly executed the project, leveraging his profound expertise in engine design to craft an even more potent and indomitable powerplant.
During the rebuild, he highlighted the engine’s situation to bring its manufacturing standards up to date. He has undergone comprehensive mechanical overhauls by internally installing new pistons, valves, bolts, bearings, and gaskets, while also enhancing the electrical system with a Dyna ignition and Enduralast alternator upgrade. To bump up the engine’s energy determine, the inventory carbs have been eliminated to make approach for beefy Keihin FCR 39 flat slide carbs carrying Okay&N filters. At the conclusion of the combustion cycle’s final stage, a distinctive set of hand-crafted 2-into-1-into-2 titanium headers comes into view, precision-capped with bespoke mufflers from renowned manufacturer 46 Works.
When Moto Guzzi introduced the iconic Le Mans 1000 in the late 1980s, the bike’s sleek design featured a prominent use of plastic components. You won’t find any of that on Shiro’s bike either. With the plastic fairings and gasoline tank removed, he stripped the bike down to its essential components, expunging all excess hardware from the frame. During this phase, he opted to dispense with the distinctive tail hoop and instead incorporated his own personalized upswept design.
The uniquely crafted gasoline tank, a bespoke item created by Shiro from sheet aluminum, stands as a testament to his exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. “Tackling the construction of an aluminum tank without first creating a prototype proves to be a daunting task every time,” he notes, his latest endeavour undoubtedly a testament to his exceptional skills. The sleek, brand-new tank is complemented by a bespoke, high-quality seat featuring an alloy pan expertly secured to the vehicle’s body rails via custom-fabricated brackets. To finalize the outstanding tasks, Shiro dispatched his seat pan to Razzle Dazzle for reupholstering and the tank to Silly Crown for painting.
Although it took just three months to build this bike, Shiro emphasizes that the actual planning process spanned many times that amount. With its custom-designed components integrated seamlessly throughout, the bike boasts a unique identity that sets it apart from the rest. With meticulous attention to detail, Shiro crafted each component, from the lightweight aluminium fenders to the customised footrests and precision-engineered exhaust flanges, all within the walls of his impressive workshop. In fact, most of what’s present here was crafted by Shiro himself. Apart from the Daytona speedometer, Motogadget flip indicators, levers, headlight, and switchgear – which deviate from standard specifications – the majority of custom components were meticulously designed and fabricated by the individual themselves.
At the 2022 Mooneyes Show, Shiro aimed to exceed customer expectations while showcasing his creation to the wider audience. His goal was not to build a motorcycle that would garner attention or admiration. His aim was to craft a motorbike designed for enthusiastic riders who would cherish every moment on the open road. Shiro returned home with the prestigious Mooneyes ‘Cool Award’, a fitting recognition of his style and flair.
Shiro has proven himself to be a master of his craft. To behold the construction technique behind the iconic 46 Works Le Mans Roadster or witness other examples of his craftsmanship, viewers are invited to visit the 46Works YouTube channel.
