The Sinroja Brothers, Rahul and Birju, are marking a milestone – the 5-year anniversary of their innovative workshop. Perusing their portfolio is an exercise in marveling at the astonishing breadth and depth of their accomplishments in such a remarkably brief period. With their expertise in crafting bespoke bike collections, they have collaborated with industry leaders to develop several unique projects, leveraging their collective knowledge to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence. Their crowning achievement lies in the successful collaboration with Royal Enfield. The past year proved to be an exhilarating and eventful one for the siblings. After completing a custom-built prototype for the unveiling of the cutting-edge GT 650s, Rahul and Birju focused on entering the prestigious Sultans of Drift European racing series. As Royal Enfield arrived at the celebration, they spared no effort in ensuring their Two Smoking Barrels GT 650 drag bike would leave a lasting impression.
What’s behind your passion for building a GT 650 Drag Bike? Are you looking to create a sleek, high-performance machine that turns heads on the track or strip?
First off, you’ll need a solid foundation – a base bike with a strong frame and reliable engine. The Suzuki GT 650 is an excellent choice, offering plenty of power and potential for customization.
To transform your GT 650 into a drag racing beast, start by upgrading the suspension. Stiffer springs and adjustable shocks will help you maintain control at high speeds. Next, swap out the standard tires for sticky drag slicks that can handle the intense acceleration and braking forces.
Now it’s time to tweak the engine. You’ll want to focus on increasing power output while maintaining a smooth, consistent pull. Consider porting or re-jetting the carbs, as well as installing a performance exhaust system.
Don’t forget about the transmission – you’ll need a strong, reliable clutch that can handle the intense torque and acceleration. A high-performance clutch kit should do the trick.
Finally, don’t overlook the importance of safety gear. A good set of leathers, gloves, and helmet will protect you in case of an accident or unexpected stop.
So, are you ready to unleash your inner drag racing enthusiast and create a GT 650 that’s the envy of every track and strip?
“The Sultans of Dash household has long considered us an integral part of their ‘Circus’, making it almost surreal that we ever thought we could own a motorcycle within its confines,” declares Rahul. “We were ecstatic when Royal Enfield partnered with us to build a motorcycle, but unfortunately, the timing was off.”
Due to unforeseen setbacks, Sinroja was forced to condense their timeline to just four weeks to complete the ‘Two Smoking Barrels’ GT 650 drag bike. The team partnered with renowned automotive designer Tamas Jakus from Jakus Design to bring their innovative concept to life. Tamás designed a sleek, minimalist vision for the GT 650. A motorcycle unencumbered by excess, boasting a harmonious balance of type and performance that meets the exacting standards of the revered Sultans of Dash. To have a chance at winning, simply striving for goodness would not suffice? Sinroja was poised to take on a formidable array of machines built by seasoned competitors that had dominated the series for years, their speed and precision honed from countless battles. Fortunately, they didn’t have to start from a complete blank slate. Enfield, having previously developed a GT 650 drag bike dubbed the ‘Lock Inventory’, gained valuable insights from this project, which informed their approach and leveraged the expertise of two highly skilled team members.
In conventional trim, the Continental GT 650 produces around 47 horsepower and tips the scales at 205 kilograms. While these numbers may pass muster for casual city cruising, they’re hardly the stats to boast about when taking in the view from a great height. Lucky for me, some old friends had extended a helping hand in the past. Royal Enfield’s efficiency companion S&S Cycles offered the brothers with some severe engine upgrades that boosted capability as much as 750cc. By incorporating high-performance injectors, cams, a reworked ECU, and a liberated exhaust system, Sinroja engineered a potent combination that elevated the vehicle’s overall performance capabilities. Although the brothers’ initial move proved a remarkable ploy, they were still at risk of being outmatched in firepower. To achieve this level of performance, they partnered with Trevor Langford, known as the Wizard of NOS, to install a state-of-the-art nitrous oxide system. Despite their efforts to perform well, significant areas for improvement still existed, particularly in terms of body composition.
The brothers aimed to reduce the weight of their GT 650 motorcycle to 150 kilograms, requiring a substantial loss of 55 kilograms. With a view to enhancing performance, they disassembled the Enfield and substituted its traditional, weighty components with streamlined, racing-caliber alternatives. Here is the rewritten text:
The latest gadget lineup featured an innovative antigravity battery, precision-crafted alloy yokes, a single entry disk replacing the traditional dual design, and a sleek, lightweight sports bike front end. The revised body design yielded additional weight reductions, resulting in significant cost savings. With the subframe thoroughly revamped and a hardtail integrated, the requirement for a swingarm and associated suspension components was effectively eradicated.
Sinroja replaced the original gas tank with a diminutive 2-liter unit perfectly tailored for rapid, high-intensity bursts of speed. Chris Walton, Sinroja’s trusted alloy expert, meticulously crafted a bespoke alloy tank cowl, which the brothers paired with a sleek carbon fiber fender to complete the bike’s refined entrance. Surprisingly, some of the most impressive gains in weightlifting performance have stemmed from unconventional sources. Sinroja decided to replace every individual component of the bike, swapping out bolts for lighter alternatives and installing a streamlined wiring system designed by Towzatronics. Imagine the exhaustion that would stem from contemplating these two modifications, which collectively yielded an impressive 5kg reduction.
Stiff competitors on the Sprints
The GT 650 model from Two Smoking Barrels was inducted into the esteemed Sultan’s of Dash assembly, specifically categorized under the ‘manufacturing unit’ classification. This course focuses on motorcycles equipped with four-stroke engines that utilize either air cooling or liquid cooling systems. While there may not be strict restrictions on bike capability, there are indeed limits imposed by physics-based energy-to-weight ratios. The Manufacturing Unit Class is open to all producers supporting the event, having featured a diverse range of well-known brands in 2019, including BMW, Yamaha, Harley-Davidson, Indian Bikes, and, of course, Royal Enfield. Unfortunately, this relegated the GT 650 to being the most compact option in the lineup, a diminutive motorbike. As they tuned in to their competitors’ performances, any hope of an effortless victory vanished into thin air.
“This year, we faced formidable opponents: a turbo-charged Harley-Davidson capable of producing nearly 300 horsepower; a high-performance India Appaloosa with nitrous oxide boost; a BMW Spitfire that could unleash flames; and Phil, aka ‘Rocketman’, riding a nitrous-powered BMW K1200.”
Sultans of Dash Race Outcomes
The 2019 Sultans of the Track racing series comprises three distinct events across Europe. At the primary reunion in Monza, Italy, the brothers aimed to refine any remaining issues that had gone unnoticed during the four-week build process. Unfortunately, the heavy rain led to all racing being cancelled due to concerns over safety and security. The second incident took place at the prestigious Cafe Racer Competition held in Montlhéry, France. With Sinroja and rider Curtis Wright finally having the opportunity to test their GT 650 drag bike’s capabilities. Despite being the smallest motorcycle in its class, the Enfield left a gigantic impression. With thrilling burnouts that thrilled the crowd, the motorcycle just fell short of a podium finish, settling for an impressive fourth-place result despite its valiant effort. According to its manufacturer-provided equipment, the GT 650 recorded a 0-60mph acceleration of approximately four seconds, while reaching the 100mph mark in just seven seconds.
Before the third Wheels and Waves event in France, the brothers again rode their Enfield to success, exceeding expectations once more. Rahul and Birju entered their bike into the prestigious Punks Peak Sprints, a highly respected event in the European motorcycle custom scene. Competing against formidable opponents within their ’75 class, they faced stiff competition. As Royal Enfield test rider Paul Younger expertly piloted the GT 650, the motorcycle was thoroughly put through its paces. Consistently dominating every competition, this exceptional vehicle proved unstoppable, regardless of its opponent, as it relentlessly pursued victory and secured a well-deserved top spot on the podium.
With palpable excitement, Sinroja made his way to the highly anticipated Sultans of Shave event at Glemseck 101 in Leonberg, Germany. Sinroja was resolute in his pursuit of a podium finish, yet he knew it wouldn’t be an easy feat. “With minimal distractions on the table, we had to go all-in during the final rounds, which doubled our stakes,” says Rahul. “So long as we crossed the finish line before the clock expired, we were confident that we’d also secure a spot on the podium and compete for the championship.”
As the stakes grew higher, every team revved up their engines and pedaled their bicycles to the absolute limits. A few key moments saw some teams eliminated from contention. Despite some issues with their machines, Sinroja’s GT 650 team managed to maintain a consistent performance, securing second place in the class and third overall. The group was taken aback as the petite Enfield motorcycle effortlessly outpaced its rivals at the racing track, according to Rahul’s account. “We were ecstatic about the results.”
The 12 months forward
Following their impressive success with the GT 650 drag racer, Sinroja Bikes are gearing up for an even more ambitious 2020 endeavour. Their primary goal has always been to offer customers a budget-friendly gateway to the bespoke market. Within the next 12 months, they intend to successfully implement their plan through continuous testing and refinement. We will closely monitor their development as they transition to short-run production. Their primary goal is to craft bespoke, limited-edition packages for the Royal Enfield 650 Twins and BMW R 9T, emphasizing customization and exclusivity in their offerings. Given their previous track record, one can hardly expect anything less than monumental challenges from this pair of exceptionally skilled siblings.
SINROJA MOTORCYCLES
Images by Marc Holstein, Christine Gabler & Gotz Goppert
