When Massimo locked up of Fuchs Workshop obtained a name from his good pal Niko Sorbo a few new challenge, it didn’t take a lot convincing to get him on board. Niko is a three-time French FFM flat monitor champion, holds gold and silver medals from the German Krowdrace collection, and completed third within the Italian FMI Cup. A mud racer at coronary heart, his motto is “Go quick, flip left, * brakes.”
“Niko represents many issues: a rider to admire on the monitor, a pain-in-the-neck shopper who’s at all times obtained one thing new to ask, however above all, a real pal,” beams Massimo. “Somebody who looks like household, like a brother.”
The bike that launched Niko to the game of flat monitor racing all these years in the past was this humble Honda NX650 Dominator. “Since then, the Dominator has change into a private image for Niko,” Massimo provides. “A lot in order that he gave it his mom’s nickname: Rusinella.”
Niko got here to Massimo’s workshop in Ravenna, Italy with the previous Dominator and one thing that he has in abundance—enthusiasm. The bike was worse for put on, so Massimo knew they have been in for a problem, even earlier than they went down the rabbit gap of modifications. Massimo and Niko are masters of their crafts although, so placing in work behind the scenes is what they do.
“The bike needed to completely meet Niko’s wants as a rider, with geometry tailor-made for filth, pace, and oval racing,” Massimo explains. “Nevertheless it additionally needed to be stunning to have a look at, as a result of each welded joint, each line, each coloration selection displays part of me, too.”
To prep the Honda Dominator for its new life within the filth, Massimo tailored the swingarm from a Honda CRF450 to suit the older body. Chosen for its longer size, elevated stiffness, and light-weight building, it’s paired with an adjustable YSS rear shock. 19” Kineo tubeless spoked wheels have been chosen for his or her lightness, energy, and appears, and shod with Anlas ARD-1 flat monitor tires.
41 mm Honda CBR forks with {custom} YSS internals sit in CNC-machined aluminum fork yokes, with a modified 25-degree headstock for sharper steering. And since this can be a correct flat monitor bike with no entrance brake, the fork lowers have been liberated of their brake caliper mounts.
A tiny handmade aluminum gas tank sits in entrance of a fiberglass flat monitor tailpiece, which is supported by a bolt-on aluminum tube subframe. An electronics field is tucked underneath the seat, built-in with the subframe so as to add structural rigidity. A custom-made inside fender protects the electronics and air filter from filth and dirt.
Tall, vast CMV Meccanica handlebars sit up high, fitted with ODI bolt-on grips, a brand new clutch lever, a decompression lever, and a tethered killswitch. A easy plastic quantity plate is affixed to the fork clamps, sporting Niko’s racing quantity and different small graphics.
The engine additionally obtained a significant rebuild, because of Fuchs Workshop’s engine guru, Claudio Lanconelli. Efficiency-focused upgrades embody a high-compression outsized piston, a port-matched cylinder head, a lightened crankshaft and flywheel, and a re-profiled camshaft. The consumption options an up to date carb with an unlimited pod filter, and the exhaust system was pieced collectively utilizing elements from SC-Mission.
The Dominator’s livery is a beguiling mixture of traditional Honda colours, set towards the clear-coated aluminum of the gas tank and the bike’s blue body. Gold wheels and contemporary black paint on the engine give the entire thing a manufacturing facility race bike really feel. A machined gas cap provides a of completion, engraved with the names of the store, Niko, and the bike.
“Whereas it might seem like a ‘easy’ bike, there are numerous custom-built particulars,” says Massimo. “A lot of them have been crafted from scratch utilizing a lathe, a CNC mill, and even 3D-printed elements, highlighting simply how a lot care went into each ingredient.”
This Honda NX650 Dominator flat tracker is a mix of two mates’ passions—Niko’s for driving, and Massimo’s for element, performance, and aesthetics. They’ve nailed the general design and proportions, and it’s even obtained that legendary air-cooled Honda reliability as a bonus.
The one modifications we’d counsel are lights and a license plate, in order that we may make this our every day runner.
Fuchs Workshop Fb | Instagram | pics by Christian Followers
