If you’re someone who shares my enthusiasm for motorized pursuits, you may find yourself often lost in thought, conjuring up innovative ideas and projects related to the world of motorsports. That track-day bike You’ll make something out of nothing? BMW S1000RR. Perhaps it’s a customised scrambler you’re planning to craft from a retrofitted Bonneville? What’s holding you back from giving new life to a neglected Honda Dominator by transforming it into a rugged and reliable flat tracker? Actual life is what. With an overwhelming number of bills to settle and a scarcity of daylight hours, it’s unrealistic to even consider something as absurd as… hand-building a motorbike.
While many of us own possessions that could far surpass the value of a high-end bicycle, it’s crucial to acknowledge that such items are likely gathering dust rather than providing lasting benefits or experiences. Thank goodness for the rare individuals who refuse to conform. These individuals, often labelled as idealists, entrepreneurs, and trailblazers, are the ones who defy conventional wisdom by transforming what seems absurd into a tangible reality.
I’m thrilled to introduce you to Santina and Will, two of the most passionate and innovative individuals I’ve had the pleasure of meeting – the co-founders of Revelry Cycles in Sydney.
Grasp Wizard
As Sydney enters another lockdown, Santina finds a window of opportunity amidst her busy schedule of building bicycles and navigating the pandemic’s challenges to engage with us. Established in 2013, Revelry Cycles has a rich history, and I’m delighted to share that story with you today. Within the metropolis’s interior west lies a reputable Royal Enfield dealership. Here is the rewritten text:
With modern amenities taken care of, our true passion lies in high-performance enhancements, leading us to open a dedicated race shop at the rear.
As you consider the reality that her husband, Will, is both a skilled mechanic and an expert in all things bicycle-related, it becomes clear why any technical issues would likely require prompt escalation. “He was driven by the promise and potential of Royal Enfield’s newly launched Twin models,” says Santina.
It’s unclear why Santina and Will shouldn’t be allowed to observe bike films; the statement lacks context or justification. Santina’s eyes sparkle as she quips, “They make us do issues,” her youthful expression betraying the complexity of the situation. “It was March 2019. Royal Enfield had just introduced its cutting-edge new platform, marking a significant milestone in its journey. ‘On Any SundayHe was participating in a massive exhibition on our premises. As we watch these shows, they present us with outlandish ideas. It’s harmful.’
With a history of success in the world of racing, the pair ran a lucrative Harley-Davidson drag racing team out of their previous establishment. “I was once the one driving marketing efforts, promoting opportunities, and supporting others,” Santina recounts, “but on that particular evening, something shifted – I finally found the courage to take control and tackle my own challenges head-on.” There, beneath the soft glow of scrolling film credits, Revelry Racing took shape.
What was intended to be a jarring departure from normalcy for a former 2019 Royal Enfield Continental GT demonstrator took an unexpected turn when Santina and Will covertly extracted the unsuspecting bike from the store’s entrance lot and hatched a plan to transform it into a fire-spewing, drag-racing phenomenon.
Will drew upon his extensive experience in designing and competing with high-performance bicycles. With no prior racing experience, I started with a base model bike and incrementally refined it as my skills improved and confidence grew.
Taking the Mickey
“The inventory body is unmodified. We collaborated with Trac Dynamics in California to design and build a bespoke, dual-adjustable, twin-drive swingarm specifically tailored to accommodate the Mickey Thompson seven-inch drag slick. As the device traversed the globe’s antipodes, it effortlessly glided into position, the pivot bolt clicking softly into place as if magnetized to its destination. An ideal match,” Santina remembers.
The Mickey Thompsons ride on lightweight, cast aluminum wheels from renowned RC parts manufacturer. The entrance to the structure is liberated from the constraints of a mudguard, while the rear section is elegantly ensconced within the boundaries of a bespoke Beasley Composites Customized Wheel Tub. The fork is equipped with Pingel struts and ICS Racing’s top-of-the-line suspension system, further refined by the addition of Scott’s Professional-grade steering damper. Ultralight Wildwood brakes provide ample stopping power to haul you back up after the ride.
Typical queries regarding the duo centre on the air bottle, often mistaken for NOS. The oil reservoir serves as the primary storage site for the Pingle air shifter, according to Santina’s explanation. Onboard compressors provide supplementary air boosts during routine maintenance operations? The newly applied paint boasted a vibrant finish, courtesy of renowned artist Marc Houssenloge, who brought his exceptional skillset to Sydney Customised Spraypainting.
Cleansing the prodigious quantities of contemporary air the bike gulps at full tilt is dealt with by some excessive movement Ok&Ns, whereas the exhaust passes via domestically fabricated, ceramic coated open headers. The inventory engine has been upgraded with the S&S Cycle 865cc huge bore package which incorporates new cam, pistons, and cylinder liners. S&S additionally CNC ported the heads and the cylinders had been machined by Serco Pty Ltd.
To push the limits of performance, a specially designed PowerTRONIC piggyback ECU combines with a custom-built harness to enable a genuine rev limiter extension, optimizing both gasoline and ignition systems. Will has successfully adapted a Dyna Shift Minder to function as an automatic transmission shifter, while also repurposing a Dyna DRL 300 to serve as a dual-stage rev limiter. The installation of a Rekluse Torq-Drive clutch proved crucial for effectively managing increased power output, eliminating slippage, and significantly extending the lifespan of the drivetrain.
All Shook Up
“I’ve been riding bikes for over 25 years, but I’d never attempted to race before.” I secured a spot on Wednesday nights at Sydney Dragway’s ‘Racing for Real’ event and got my start. With our team arriving at the event on a pair of identical, straight-from-the-manufacturer demo motorcycles. As I stood at the threshold, a mix of apprehension and anxiety coursed through my veins, causing my knees to tremble uncontrollably. Leaving the inexperienced behind, I made my first 1/4 mile count.
“I initially felt sluggish, but even the first attempt clocked in at a respectable 15.67 seconds.” I was hopelessly addicted. As I crossed the finish line, I’d never experienced the rush of emotions that washed over me. As I delve into the essence of the push, I find myself enthralled by its sheer exhilaration – yet simultaneously, an unexpected sense of serenity washes over me, evoking a palpable feeling of inner peace. A fleeting moment of exceptional clarity sparked a warmth in my heart and a hunger for more within me? Amongst the staging lanes awaiting my next attempt, I cautioned Will, “The wait time between runs is excessive.” We’d like our personal observe!”
“One shot,” Will said, his tone firm and resolute. Have we taken just one step forward and are we now building an observation deck? “I’ve unleashed a force beyond my control.”
“Looking back, our current record stands at an impressive 113.7 mph (183 kph), with no signs of slowing down.” The fastest time recorded thus far stands at a remarkable 11.213 seconds. On our current setup, we’re confident we can shave off a 10-second improvement from the bike’s performance. While progress may require a slight delay and favorable conditions, we’ll eventually arrive at our destination.
REVELRY CYCLES | Instagram
Pictures by Machines That Dream
