The Castrol Rocket - “World’s Fastest Motorcycle”

Ever since the dawn of man, we have strived to go fast.  Motorcycle enthusiasts and gear-heads perhaps have this desire slightly more so than the average Joe.  A few such men - Matt Markstaller, Bob Carpenter, and Jason DiSalvo - have pulled together a team of people to restore Triumph Motorcycles’ legacy in landspeed racing. Man’s passion has always launched innovation, and these three men have set out to design, build and ride the world’s most advanced streamliner, the Castrol Rocket.

Triumph held the title of “World’s Fastest Motorcycle” from 1955 to 1970 with the exception of a brief 33-day period. The Triumph streamliners to carry world records were Devil’s Arrow, Texas Cee-gar and Gyronaut X1, the last being at 245.60 mph (395.28 km/h). Today's bar now sits at 376.363 mph (605.697 km/h).

Markstaller serves as aerodynamic engineer; Carpenter is the high-peformance engine builder; and Daytona 200 winner and Bonneville class record holder DiSalvo bravely pilots Triumph’s latest entry. This cross-country team converges on the Bonneville Salt Flats, a 40 square mile salt pan in northwestern Utah, with the goal of a 400 mph plus record-breaking run.

The 2013 edition Castrol Rocket features Carbon Kevlar monocoque construction with two turbocharged Triumph Rocket III engines producing a combined 1,000+ HP. It is 25.5’ long, 2’ wide and 3’ tall, a true rocket on two wheels powered by methanol fuel and filled with Castrol 4T 10W40 full synthetic oil.

Motorcycle Modification Triumph Bonneville

Here at The Bullitt, we're no stranger to modified Triumph Bonnevilles.  There's no doubt these bikes beg to be customized, and with so many being done, it's harder to stand out from the crowd.  It can still happen...there is in fact room for more good looking Bonnies out there and this fine specimen is exactly that.  Macco Motors' "Dusty Pearl" started it's life as a mag-wheel Bonneville SE.
The bikes owner initially wasn't too into customized bikes but after seeing Macco's first build he fell in love with their style and wanted to change everything.
  

The premise was to make an industrial-looking bike yet retro at the same time. The first modification was to change the original mag wheels to spoked wheels. Once they cracked the egg, the decided to make a full omelet, changing nearly everything on the bike. 

According to Macco, the most noteworthy contributions to Dusty Pearl are the handmade and the rear side panels that left the rear brake brake pump outside.  Some of our favorite mods are the Supertrapp dual mufflers, the beautiful paint scheme and the seat/tail combo.  All in all, it's a job well done.

Note worthy specs include:
· Rizoma 22 mm handlebars
· Short control levers polished
· Tomaselli grips
· Single Speedometer
· Rizoma front brake reservoir
· Bates 5 ¾ headlight
· Tail light “Mongrel”
· Mudguards and bracket by Maccomotors
· Rear Tire: Metzeler Tourance 140
· Front Tire: Dunlop 110
· Racing footpegs
· Side panels by Maccomotrs
· Progressive rear shocks Bitubo WME rear
· Progressive fork front springs
· Subframe chopped and looped
. Custom seat by Maccomotors
· Custom paint by Maccomotors
· Supertrapp exhaust

Motorcycle Guzzi V7 Stone

The boys at Cafe Racer Dreams in Spain recently finished up a new build, using a Moto Guzzi V7 Stone as a base.  This isn't a insane build with a laundry list of custom work but everything added, and everything removed was intentional and with purpose.

The Guzzi was given a scrambler-style treatment with a definite vintage feel by way of the custom mesh headlight grill, thin steel fenders and old school seat.  The Continental Twinduro TKC80 rubber rounds off the bike with an aggressive posture to the bike.

How sexy is that tank?  It's inspiring us to rethink our plain old raw tank on the Bullitt OG.

The black Renthal Ultra Low bars pull together the off-road feel up front, coupled with non-distracting, minimalist electronics.  The custom exhaust below was done by local specialist GR.

Huscati Motorcycle Style

 Husqvarna Nuda 900 Cafe Racer:: Huscati

The Husqvarna name is well known in the off-road world but is certainly not a common contender for a cafe racer conversion these days.  True, they've been making Huskies since 1903, and even had a brief stint road racing.  The vast majority of Huskies were enduro or motocross bikes.

Husqvarna competed in Grand Prix road racing in the 350cc and 500cc classes during the 1930s, and even entered bikes it the prestigious Isle of Man TT. 

 

The 'Huscati' pictured here is a blend of the modern Husqvarna Nuda 900cc Twin-powered street bike with some shared bits from a Ducati, like the Öhlins front end.  It clearly has been re-skinned with a cafe racer treatment.  I wish I could tell your more about this interesting cafe but there's no doubt it's a handsome racer. 

The Barstow :: Modern Goggle, Vintage Flair

MX company One Hundred Percent is releasing a new vintage motocross goggle that pays homage to the old desert racers yet still takes advantage of modern day technology - like triple-layer-foamed, solidly-strapped, anti-scratch and anti-fog-lenses. 

The goggles look the business and 100% put out a short little video showcasing the new goggles that's reminiscent of On Any Sunday. 

There are a handful of style options for you to choose from with just two represented below.  To see the full line, 100% has dedicated a full site just for the Barstow.  Go to their site to see for yourself.

The Bullitt Fullface Helmet

We couldn't be happier to report that the Bullitt helmet concept we featured back in 2012 was picked up by Bell Helmets.  With the seemingly ever-growing popularity of all things retro, there's no doubt there's still room for another full face helmet that blends vintage style with modern technology.  Here at the Bullitt, that's basically the definition of what we stand for.

The Ruby Castel was really the first to hit the market but with a price point of $1250 USD, it's not really a helmet for the masses.  Enter Biltwell, with the budget friendly Gringo.  Now that's a vintage-inspired fullface for us all. Until the Bullitt by Bell hits the market, those are your two choices for DOT approved modern fullface with a vintage feel.  In March of next year, Bell will slip right into the middle with a point of entry at $400 USD.  

Not all the details are out on Bell's Bullitt just yet but based on everything we see so far, we know this one will be a big hit!

Full Specification Sheet for the Bell Bullitt Helmet:
- Ultra low-profile fiber composite shell
- Multi-Density EPS liner
- Removable, washable and anti-bacterial interior
- Perforated micro-suede interior fabric with leather trim
- Padded chin strap with stainless steel D-Ring closure with leather pull tab
- 3 shell 3 EPS system
- 5 Metal Mesh intake vents with 1 rearexhaust vent
- 3D Cut cheek pads with speaker pockets
- Magnefusion shield closure system
- Accessory shields available for personalized look
- Industry-leading five-year warranty
- Certification: DOT
- Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL
- Weight: 1400g
- Available March 1, 2014 for $399.95

All we can say is we wish this handsome retro-lid was a collaboration with us here at The Bullitt.  Bell, if you're listening...it's not too late.  Hit us up!

Triumph Racer Holographic Hammer Design

Holographic Hammer is the alter ego of BMW Motorrad designer, Sylvain Berneron.  You may have seen his work under his Holographic Hammer name in concepts for Fuel Motorcycles, Untitled Motorcycles and here, when we posted his great image, “Norton: Old vs. New”.  

Working in the motorcycle industry, Berneron has tons of moto-minded friends and has digitally sketched out numerous garage build for his pals.  Being able to “see” the end result prior to actually building it can save a lot of time in the long run. 

OK, this last one isn't a Triumph, but I had to include it anyway.

I’m sure we’re all guilty of convincing ourselves a mod would be perfect on a build only to decide later that it just doesn't look right.  Berneron takes the guess work out of it.  I’d love to get a few mock of the Bullitt OG done myself…