Sabine Welte sent me a few interesting photos she took recently of this Suzuki GSX-R powered custom, called Project "K" built by Kris Moto Pieces (KMP) in France. When I first looked at the photos I thought, hmm ..., nice naked bike, nice looking engine, no tank, ..., wait a minute, where's the tank?
Starting with a frame from Moto Martin, it was modified to accept the 1100N engine, after which KMP added the Ducati Monster S4R swingarm converted for a cantilever shock. Marzocchi forks hold up the front end, with perimeter brakes from Braking. Wheels come from a Triumph Speed Triple. Yoshimura duplex downpipes and collector are used for the exhaust. There's a carbon fiber tailsection and mudguard from Ducati, ... but about the tank.
The NOS bottle under the seat actually serves as the fuel tank, it may not be designed for long trips but it does give the bike an interesting appearance. Different and kinda cool.
Sabine takes photos of lots of really neat bikes (when she's not dragging her knees around a racetrack). Stop over at her website and check them out. She has a couple of calendars and a book, too. Good stuff.
Photos: Sabine Welte
More photos below:
Kickboxer Subaru WRX Powered Motorcycle Concept
{ 12 comments… add yours below ... }
Looks like his “muffler” popped off in that last picture; it’s lying on the ground next to the rear wheel…
sure would suck slide into the bar on a hard stop
I love the way these guys can piece meal a bike and have it come out looking so good. Expect to see a reconfuiured seat design after some hard breaking on a bumpy road.
I like everything about it… except for the relocated tank.
Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD.
just because you cant do something doesnt mean you should say that people who can, shouldnt.
I like gas tanks, but this bike looks good.
I dig the perimeter brake and radial mounted caliper, showing off the wheel.
I like Project Skeleton for its intended purpose….
make an unsuspecting gearhead’s head spin when the owner takes off from the pub hangout.
How light would a bike like this weigh with a Ducati DS1100 motor and cf wheels?
Consider what other people use for bar hopping….800 pounds of pointy chrome pieces attached to a front-end 10 feet long.
Big perimeter brakes and a central tube right in front of the seat: I dub thee “Nutcracker.”
I love it, total minimalism. Loose the NOS sticker on the tank though.
Imagine the sound of the thing without the (tiny) muffler!
Anyone know where the perimeter brakes came from?
Yeah, I second that David. The appeal of this bike is in its mechanical honesty. If your gonna relocate the fuel tank fine, but don’t lie about what it is. No sticker no fake exhaust tip.
Can there be a worse place for the gas weight; up high, over the back wheel?
Why not in the frame?
I find it interesting that even though the tank is not over the motor the top tube was still bent in a shape that shows the viewer where the tank would normally be. Maybe it was on purpose, or maybe it would have looked unfinished without that bent bar.
I read in a magazine article on the bike it was added for that very reason, the shape was too odd looking without it. The spine gave it the right look without ruining the concept of the bike.
The owner also said it was to prevent falling down into the carbs… you’d want to make sure your fly is done up otherwise…
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