With a passion for crafting unique, high-performance customized bicycles, Sugimoto-san also harbors a deep affection for the time-honored world of competitive cycling. I don’t merely observe from the sidelines. Sugimoto-san is an enthusiastic and dedicated attendee of these events. Utilizing his vast knowledge base and honed mechanical skills, he has meticulously crafted a racing bicycle that is certain to garner envy from many of his competitors. A racing car that’s dripping with performance, flaunts unique custom design, and most impressively, consistently takes the checkered flag.
“The bicycle’s identity, according to Sugimoto-san, is Beeley Westlake.” This bespoke motorcycle, a tongue-in-cheek homage to Seeley, whose team crafted the chassis, and Weslake Nourish, which powerfully fueled the engine, respectively. The ‘B’ of Beeley can also stand for Better Beginnings. Westlake holds a special place in my heart as my hometown, situated on the western shore of Japan’s largest and most significant lake, Lake Biwa.
Built to excel in vintage racing events prior to 1972, Sugimoto-san painstakingly restored the iconic Beeley Westlake to its former glory during the challenging COVID lockdowns. To optimize his performance in upcoming competitions, he invested countless hours in fine-tuning Beeley and its engine.
On the coronary heart of this construct is an 8-valve Weslake Nourish engine primarily based on a design by Weslake R&D. Harry Weslake was a renowned English engineer, widely regarded as the country’s leading authority on cylinder head design. Collaborating closely with Norton Bikes, he made significant contributions to boosting the fuel flow of their iconic Manx engine, subsequently earning commissions from multiple prominent British manufacturers to revamp their engine blueprints. Ferrari’s Sixties Formula One efforts received a significant boost from his innovative work in designing and developing new engine heads for their racing cars.
In the course of the Seventies Weslake R&D produced bike engines that have been extremely regarded in racing circles. Following Weslake’s passing, his innovative eight-valve head design for twin-cylinder engines was acquired by Nourish Racing. This innovative engine embodies the culmination of knowledge passed down through generations.
Although the engine had been highly successful since Sugimoto-san acquired it, he still needed to tailor it to meet his specific requirements. By modifying his approach, he would become more attuned to the engine’s intricacies, enabling him to perform trackside maintenance with greater ease, while also allowing him to build it as robustly resistant to the stresses of racing as feasible?
Internally, the Nourish engine underwent a comprehensive rebuild. Sugimoto-san gave his engine a thorough revamp by installing Carillo Solid connecting rods throughout, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. The initial drive has undergone modifications using a Bob Newby racing configuration, featuring a six-speed TTI cross-ratio transmission system for enhanced performance. The customised exhaust headers terminate in alloy megaphone-style mufflers, carefully insulated to prevent accidental contact and potential discomfort. A sophisticated powertrain relies on two Keihin CRS37 Particular Racing Carburetors to precisely manage fuel delivery, while strategically situated oil filters and coolers ensure optimal operating temperatures within a narrow and controlled range. A proprietary blend of expertise from renowned Sugimoto-san fine-tunes the An Interspan ignition system to optimize its sparking performance, incorporating a unique, closely guarded recipe.
One distinctive aspect of this vintage racing bicycle is its sleek, aerodynamically designed frame. Colin Seeley, a renowned British bike designer, created the iconic tubular chassis. This MK4-type body was arguably one of Seeley’s most iconic and impressive designs in the motorcycle world. As a harried member utilizing the Nourish engine, the body’s ability to shed pounds is hindered by the absence of a supportive cradle. The body also features a remarkable rigidity, thanks to its optimized handling geometry.
Sugimoto-san meticulously examined the vehicle’s entire structure before embarking on the rebuilding process, adhering to his established protocol. To ensure its long-lasting durability, the entire construction was thoroughly electroplated with a corrosion-resistant layer of nickel.
A superior physique demands a correspondingly exceptional suspension and braking system. Sugimoto-san went to great lengths to honor the vision of Seeley’s design while ensuring compliance with traditional racing regulations.
Starting with the wheels, a harmonious blend of components from various manufacturers has been carefully selected and retrofitted to achieve optimal performance. “The humble beginnings of Yamaha’s iconic SR series were marked by innovation and a passion for performance.” Sugimoto-san notes that the new motocrosser, YZ, can be used again, with the added benefit of a disc brake also being an option. The braking system at the entrance features a pair of 298mm Sunstar rotors in tandem with Brembo’s reliable two-pot caliper design. The edges are typically wrapped in Avon racing-bias tires, specifically designed for use with Excel.
For this suspension setup, he has opted to employ a brand-new set of classically styled 35-millimetre Ceriani forks up front, while the rear end relies on a pair of Nitron NTR R1 traditional shocks for its smooth operation.
As you’d expect in Beeley Westlake’s cockpit, there’s a palpable air of entrepreneurial zeal. On the centrepiece of a bespoke alloy sprint, an A Smith’s custom-built, left-handed ATRC tachometer takes pride of place. The device is accompanied by a vital oil temperature sensor and strain gauge from Omoni. This innovative timepiece boasts a digital gear indicator and a sophisticated Solo 2 lap timer, which not only enhance its functionality but also make it a stylish accessory on any wrist.
The pièce de résistance of this remarkable vehicle lies in its stunning, expertly crafted bodywork, a testament to the artisan’s skillful touch. Perched atop the sleek design, a precision-crafted rocket-shaped cowling, precision-machined from aluminum, perfectly complements the overall aesthetic. Perched atop the Seeley body’s highest rails, a sleek, contemporary aluminum gas tank bears a sleek Monza-style filler cap. Located discreetly within the triangular recess at the rear of the vehicle’s body is a bespoke aluminum oil reservoir, while an equally unobtrusive aluminum condensate collection vessel is cleverly concealed within the rear cowling. Despite its effective disguise, the tail unit stands out as an anomaly. The ducktail-styled cowl is actually manufactured from fibre-reinforced plastic. Despite appearances, Sugimoto-san cleverly concealed the alteration by finishing the job with a layer of chrome paint that perfectly blends with the rest of the vehicle’s bodywork, leaving no visible trace of the transformation.
The bike’s aesthetic appeal is completed by its distinctive, off-centre logo arrangement. On one side of the tank, a distinctive Westlake emblem proudly displays its identity, while directly across from it, another Beeley insignia takes center stage. Sugimoto-san’s meticulously curated collection of 79 racing trophies, perfectly balanced between her tail and entrance, masterfully completes the visual aesthetic.
Despite any doubts about racing the bike, Sugimoto-san’s efforts have successfully addressed the concerns. The Beeley Westlake made its racing debut at the prestigious 2021 Fuji Speedway ‘Legend of the Traditional Championships’. To his profound surprise, the bike exceeded Sugimoto-san’s optimistic projections.
“The assembled Beeley proved to be surprisingly quick,” he remarks. Probably exceeding 90 horsepower in output. The bike’s impressive acceleration to 230 km/h was merely the tip of the iceberg; its true potential lay in the subtle nuances that emerged as the race unfolded. Because of the Seeley-style body, optimized suspension, and successful braking system, Sugimoto-san consistently secured pole position throughout the qualifying process. As Group 46 Works’ dominant leader drew near, he seized the top spot and claimed victory.
Unfortunately, Sugimoto-san’s farewell outing at Beeley Westlake did not unfold according to plan in traditional motorsport fashion.
As I took to the track at Tsukuba Circuit for the inaugural event of the year on the challenging and unfamiliar course, I secured a respectable seventh-place finish. Within the final race, I managed to secure a spot as close as second place by the end of the first lap. As soon as I pursued the lead, I stumbled and fell; yet, I managed to complete the fastest lap.
Following a brief layoff to address minor injuries, Beeley Westlake is undergoing rigorous rehabilitation with the ultimate goal of returning to competitive racing form. Given the bike’s exceptional performance, we’re confident it will earn numerous accolades, including many more trophies, under Sugimoto-san’s leadership.
