Pepo Rosell, better known by his moniker XTR Pepo, has earned a reputation for crafting stunning custom motorcycles that showcase his exceptional skill and attention to detail in designing and modifying monitors into impressive bicycles. He has a specific sweet spot for European Endurance Racing, whose impact is evident throughout his extensive, bespoke portfolio. While his passion for bikes may seem surface-level at first glance, his dedication to the craft runs far more profound. Without exception, Pepo dedicates meticulous attention to optimizing the efficiency of his creations, meticulously fine-tuning engine performance, suspension settings, and other crucial factors to achieve unparalleled results. When building a motorcycle capable of excelling in the fiercely competitive Glemseck 101 sprints, he spared no detail in his design.
For several months, Pepo had pondered the idea of building his own custom dash bike. It wasn’t until he confided in a trusted friend that the idea began to gain momentum.
“I’ve known Miguel, the owner of Irons Café Racer, a motorcycle clothing and accessories store, for about four or five years since he opened his business.” One day while having lunch with Miguel, our conversation drifted from various motorcycle topics as I shared my desire to build a motorbike capable of competing in the prestigious Glemseck 101 races, and he listened intently. He then expressed interest in potentially collaborating with me.
With the assistance of Irons Café Racer, Pepo became even busier pursuing his craft with unwavering dedication.
In a bold move, Pepo’s ‘La Guapisima’ (The Stunning) launched its high-speed mission by securing an iconic 1980s Ducati Pantah 600 TL. Revolutionary for its innovative trellis frame and powerful engine that laid the groundwork for subsequent Ducati v-twin generations, the Pantah made a monumental impact on the Italian motorcycle brand’s development.
The latest shipment from the factory featured Pepo’s newly acquired Pantah, boasting a potent 600cc 90-degree V-twin engine capable of producing a respectable 58 horsepower and 45 Newton-meters of torque. Despite being impressive upon the bike’s initial release, these statistics wouldn’t have cut it on the drag strip.
The answer Pepo came up with to address the Pantah’s lack of energy was to transplant a larger, ultra-efficient, and closely worked engine into the trellis-framed body. Typically in the Pepo model, his engine choice was made with moderate suddenness.
In 1990, Italian manufacturer Cagiva leveraged a Ducati engine to craft a motorcycle that achieved the prestigious Paris-Dakar Rally victory not once, but twice. The iconic 1980s bike was indeed the Cagiva Elefant. The 1993 Ducati superbike model featured a 904cc twin-valve desmodromic L-twin engine, designed for both on- and off-road riding capabilities. With its traditional configuration, this engine boasted nearly twice the capacity of the Pantah’s 600cc. Despite Pepo’s Elefant engine being somewhat unorthodox, it still has its advantages.
Beneath the hood of his Elefant engine lies a treasure trove of performance-enhancing components: excess compression pistons, meticulously ported cylinder heads, and a precision-crafted lightened flywheel. Perched atop the gearbox, the eye-catching Ducabike slipper clutch assembly seamlessly integrates a high-performance fast shift package, delivering lightning-quick, clutch-pull-free gear changes. The motorcycle features digital fueling integrated with a Keihin FCR 39 carburetor, controlled by a fully programmable Silent Hectek ignition system. The custom-built air filtration system ensures crisp, unobstructed airflow, while the Wolfman’s dual-exhaust design efficiently manages spent gases through its 2-into-1 configuration. To ensure optimal operating temperatures during testing, Pop has also installed an RC racing-grade oil cooler, capable of withstanding the intense heat generated by pushing the engine to its limits.
The bespoke engine, designed for its home within the dash-mounted bike, boasts significantly more power and displacement than the Pantah donor unit, prompting a meticulous overhaul of the Trellis frame by Pepo. During the renovation process, he significantly reduced the size of the vehicle’s rear section. Here’s an improved version: An innovative new subframe is engineered to seamlessly integrate with a bespoke-made XTR rear cowl, further enhancing performance-oriented features like drag racing-specific footpeg design.
The Pepo’s customised body design also benefits from a reengineered suspension system. Inside the entrance, the rider has installed high-performance Hyosung GT 650 forks, secured by custom-fabricated lightened yokes. The rear-end configuration utilizes a Cagiva Elefant 350 swingarm, which is bolstered by an impressive specification Ohlins shock? The bike’s customised wheel combination features a Hyosung hoop nestled within the front fork entrance, accompanied by a bespoke aluminum wheel at the rear. Wrapped snugly around the Continental Conti Sport Assault 4 tires. A comprehensive suite of Brembo components handles braking responsibilities, with all fluid lines supplied by Ferodo.
As I settle into the pilot’s seat, the breathtaking panorama unfolds before my eyes with effortless clarity. Perched beside symmetrically positioned Rizoma reservoirs, an Aviacompositi gauge provides vital feedback to the rider, accurately conveying engine revolutions. The bike’s controls were reworked with the addition of XTR clip-ons, featuring matching XTR levers, a sleek Domino grip setup, a cleverly designed Domino swap block, and a quick-response Domino fast throttle.
In the world of European motor racing, it’s widely acknowledged that a particular car model excels in its ability to deliver high performance while maintaining exceptional fuel efficiency. Pepo has undeniably taken note of the situation, which is reflected in his understated yet distinctive approach with his Pantah design.
Pepo Rosell meticulously designed and hand-built La Guapisima’s one-of-a-kind bodywork, a testament to his exceptional craftsmanship. While participating in most racing events, La Guapisima has opted for a lightweight carbon fiber protective casing around her torso, designed to safeguard against any unexpected fuel leaks during high-speed sprints. Without proper authorization, the entrance fairing lacks a headlight, facilitating its lightweight design. Pépo designed an ultra-lightweight entrance fender, tail unit, and gas tank to minimize weight to its most basic level. Since comfort isn’t a top priority for most riders during typical eighth-mile runs, even the bike’s seat is designed to be ultra-slim.
In a bold nod to the iconic era of 1970s drag racing, Pepo collaborated with Pintumoto to craft an audaciously vibrant livery. The nostalgic aura surrounding this motorcycle is palpable, with its retro-inspired details – from the flame job’s vibrant hues to the typography that harks back to the era of disco and bell-bottom jeans. The livery itself is an intriguing mashup of XTR’s high-energy aesthetic and Irons Cafe Racer’s laid-back vibe, evoking a sense of rebellious freedom on the open road.
Pepo observed that La Guapisima’s energy levels were a crucial factor in determining its success on the sprints. He cited a quote from Rolls-Royce, stating that the bike had. The aircraft’s lightweight design enables it to have a remarkably low weight of approximately 157 kilograms, making it all the more impressive that my pilot, an Italian woman, can operate it with her own weight of just 50 kilograms. Every small thing is doing well!
As a self-assured builder, it’s no surprise that his modest response is tempered by the audacious phrase “Vaffanculo Listojones!” emblazoned on the underside of his bike’s tail – a declaration that demands attention and underscores his unbridled confidence.
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Photos by Rubén del Valle Productions.
