Riding at such breakneck speeds, it was a stroke of luck if riders could manage to crack the 100mph mark, with the suspension and brakes struggling to maintain control as they pushed the limits of their vehicles. Today, hitting 100mph is just a mere flex of the throttle away for most motorcycles exceeding 650cc in power. Most modern 250cc scooters are capable of effortlessly reaching speeds over 100 km/h without worrying about stability issues or vibrations. With the monumental advancements we’ve witnessed in chassis engineering, suspension technology, and braking systems over the past six decades, it’s unrealistic for anyone – let alone Brits – to maintain a pace that keeps up with such exponential progress.
Exceptions exist; similarly, high-performance bicycles custom-built by experts have unique enhancements, but such modifications don’t come cheaply and neither do these bespoke vehicles. For avid motorcyclists with a strong affinity for speed and a penchant for retro aesthetics, finding the right modern donor bike can be a crucial step in achieving their ideal ride.
In Chicago, Robert Catanese faced a daunting dilemma as he pondered the possibility of transforming his motorcycle into a sleek, high-performance cafe racer. As a 53-year-old man, he credits his formative fascination with two-wheeled vehicles to none other than the daredevil exploits of Evel Knievel. Despite the passing years, he has continued to pursue a wide range of motorcycling disciplines, including motocross, tug, and road racing, and claims his passion for motorcycles remains unabated. While he no longer obsesses over the daredevil feats of Knievel. It’s the iconic riders like Giacomo Agostini, Kenny Roberts, Barry Sheene, and Valentino Rossi that he attributes his enduring fascination with Grand Prix motorcycles and cafe racers to.
Due to his motorcycle-related condition, Rob has forged a strong connection with several highly skilled custom motorcycle builders. Behind the project is a father-son duo from Framecrafters, who collaborated closely with him to bring this ambitious cafe racer build to life.
“When I saw the Mad Max franchise, I was inspired to create this bike as a personal challenge, combining elements from both high-speed GP racing and post-apocalyptic adventure.” How could a design so deeply rooted in nostalgia simultaneously harness the technological prowess of the 21st century? One of the fastest bikes on the road, cleverly disguised as a 1970s-style cafe racer.
The donor vehicle chosen by Rob as most suitable for his project was a 2012 Yamaha YZF-R1. The Yamaha YZF-R1’s sleek, full-fairing design, built around a robust Deltabox alloy chassis and powered by a potent 4-cylinder, 1000cc engine, represents a significant departure from its cafe racer predecessors. With its 182 horsepower readily available, the ability to complete a standing quarter-mile run in under 11 seconds and a top speed of 185 mph, this vehicle precisely met Rob’s expectations for a high-performance machine. However, one of his necessities having been met, the R1’s opposite outcome would necessitate a drastic overhaul to its original design.
“We sought to acquire the donor bike’s motor, electronic control unit (ECU), and key geometric parameters.” Rob recounts, “I acquired all the remaining parts from eBay.” The previous owner treated this R1 as a prized possession, pampering it with meticulous care. He proudly boasted that his land had never experienced rainfall. The pristine model had never known a moment’s imperfection throughout its existence. As soon as he became aware of our true intentions, he was on the verge of reneging on the agreement.
Rob’s unconventional approach to the cafe racer project mirrored that of its rugged underpinning. As an old-school artist, I’m more comfortable creating freehand designs than navigating the realm of 3D or CAD software.
Walter and I once sketched out the design for our R1X prototype on a napkin, fueled by a few beers. As I examine the intricate drawing before me, I notice an uncanny resemblance between it and my trusty bicycle.
Rob brought his design to life and dismantled the R1 before heading to the Framecrafters workshop in Union, Illinois, where he met with owners Randy and Karsten to discuss his vision. To initiate the project, our team first crafted a bespoke chassis tailored specifically for the R1 motor, an endeavor that happened to align with their core competency in this area.
The 1,000-cc inline-four engine now resides within a custom-designed and purpose-built chassis. Instead of relying on boxed aluminum, Framecrafters wisely opted out of using the typical material found in modern sports bikes. Crafted using Aviation-Grade Chromoly Metal tubing for unparalleled durability and strength. Engineered to withstand the demands of a high-performance setup, the newly designed chassis is built to meet racing specifications, capable of handling the output of the R1 motor and accommodating Rob’s aggressive riding style? The swingarm’s Chromoly construction has been paired with billet aluminum axle carriers at the rear, featuring a bond between the tubes for added strength. To complete the vintage aesthetic, Rob suggested that the entire meeting be refinished with a nickel plating, a nod to the iconic watch frames crafted by Rickman during the 1970s.
The subsequent arrival brought with it the bodywork, but this time, there was not a hint of modern sportbike styling to be found.
At the outset, Framecrafters installed a legendary bubble fairing that immediately grabs attention. The Ducati 750SS’s duplicate unit now sits alongside its brand-new Bonneville counterpart, having been meticulously modified to harmonize with the R1’s cutting-edge front-end geometry. The tail unit, a faithful replica of the iconic 750SS, boasts custom-designed rear-end illumination and a richly appointed diamond-stitched leather saddle. The aluminum gas tank has undergone a meticulous hand-beating process, boasting a substantial capacity of five gallons. Beneath the surface lies a finely crafted alloy air intake system, which supplies the airbox with vital oxygen, while intricate hand-fabricated alloy brackets and mounts ensure everything remains precisely positioned.
As the R1 successfully met Rob’s nostalgic demands, the project seemed complete; yet, he aimed to elevate its performance even further. While striving to emulate modern Moto GP bike components, I sought a balance between performance and reliability. He describes the motorcycle as essentially a street-legal version of a high-performance Moto GP bike.
Rob has significantly reduced unsprung weight by installing a high-end set of BST Diamond Tek carbon fiber wheels. The wheels have been wrapped in Dunlop Sportmax sticky Q4s and equipped with ceramic bearings. Energy dissipation is facilitated by Berenger’s 6-piston entrance calipers and a solitary piston at the rear, which collectively bite onto Brake Tech rotors with considerable force. The rear-end suspension was upgraded with an Ohlins TTX fully adjustable mono-shock unit. A high-performance motorcycle setup features forks situated within a sturdy Assault Triple Clamp equipment, augmented by clip-on bars that seamlessly integrate with premium Australian-made Moto GP controls. While the GP Shift foot controls from Vortex have garnered attention, it’s also worth noting that other notable brands like Lightech and Motogadget have a long history of producing high-quality upgrades for these systems. Rob further enhanced his vehicle’s performance by installing a custom-titanium exhaust system featuring a distinctive Bologna mid-pipe, thereby liberating an additional boost in power. He also opted to reprogram the engine control unit (ECU) with a customized calibration to optimize the car’s overall output and unleash its full potential.
With its reputation for delivering exceptional performance, Rob’s Yamaha cafe racer comes as little surprise to anyone familiar with its capabilities. The chromoly metal body exhibits a distinctly agile character, differing significantly from its inventory counterpart, allowing for enhanced acceleration and responsiveness when cornering. “I’m convinced those lightweight BST wheels play a significant role in that as well!” Primarily, my bike weighs approximately 50 pounds less than the standard inventory R1 model. Energy efficiency is key when dealing with vehicles that have a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 400 pounds and 200 horsepower. I haven’t underestimated her, but!
Rob’s R1X took 2.5 years to complete, necessitating nearly 3 years of customization and modification due to its ground-up design, which demanded bespoke components from start to finish. After a substantial investment of time and resources, it’s essential to grasp the magnitude of effort and financial commitment invested in the challenge; yet, Rob is reaping the rewards. His R1 isn’t just a trailer queen that only sees action on sunny days. As a substitute, it has become the daily companion he relies on, put to the test with each passing opportunity.
