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(Photographs: QuickPic)
Honda Motor Europe is really getting into the spirit of ‘Glemseck 101’ as it is featuring eight customised machines at the ongoing Glemseck 101 in Leonberg, Germany, and participating in the event’s ‘Sprint International’ 1/8th mile invitational race. While four of the machines are based on Honda’s current model line-up, the other four are customised classics. The Glemseck 101 is a three-day weekend event considered as the biggest annual motorcycle ‘happening’ of its kind in Europe and the current edition is the 12th round of the annual event.
A CBR1000RR Fireblade SP had been sharpened up and stripped back in preparation for Glemseck’s Sprint International race. It features WSB-style aluminium rear sub frame and carbon fibre fairings, a longer swing arm and aluminium fuel tank both derived from Honda’s endurance racing programme, a shorter final drive, bespoke crank case covers and full titanium Akrapovic exhaust.
Three-time World Champion Freddie Spencer would be piloting the re-worked Fireblade in the ‘Sprint International’ invitational race this Sunday, September 3, and also take a trip down memory lane with a demonstration run alongside his erstwhile rival Kevin Schwantz.
Two versions of the neo-retro classic CB1100 will also be on display: the first is a fully blacked-out version of the current CB1100 EX made in collaboration with Milan-based customisers South Garage. It is a dark and elegant mixture of café racer and bobber styles. The matt-black tank, blacked-out engine, clutch covers and wheels create the overall mood; low-slung clip-on bars, radial master cylinder and short tail section give it the café racer edge. Touches like miniature LED indicators, new headlight and matching diamond-patterned leather seat and tyre tread gives an elegance in keeping with the appeal of the CB1100 EX.
The second is the CB1100TR concept created entirely in-house by Honda’s Rome-based R&D design team to convey the emotion and excitement of USA flat track culture. It was developed as the ‘King of Urban Flat Track Circuits’, as a counterpoint to the off-road oval circuit look of the traditional flat tracker, with a street-orientated design familiar to European customers.
Rounding out the four customisations of current models is an ultra-modern, urban ‘scrambler’ version of the 500cc A2 licence-friendly Rebel, which has seen order books full across Europe since its arrival at the start of the 2017 season. It is fitted with big-block tyres, oversized brake discs and handmade ‘lobster’ welded bespoke exhaust. The look is embellished by references to BMX and skateboard culture (complete with skateboard holder located on the left-hand side) and moto-cross influences.
The other four machines on display draw on Honda’s uniquely rich and varied manufacturing history.
The world’s first mass production superbike, the CB750 – a longstanding favourite among customizers – has been given a raw, naked re-imagining by Billy Mackenzie, an ex-MX1 level moto-crosser, who has swapped the dirt track for the workshop. His black and red version of the CB750 is designed to showcase the clean lines of the frame and the seminal air-cooled in-line 4 engine, without interfering with the perfect proportions of the base machine.
The CX500 – with its transversely-mounted V twin engine – is another favourite among customizers; two CX500’s made by Kingston Customs of Gelsenkirchen will be at the Honda stand. Both have been given the full Café Racer treatment, one of them using as a base the well-known turbo-charged version of this classic Honda of the late 70s and early 80s.
The ‘joker’ in the pack is a CB250G made by Munich-based customizer Black Beans. It is the result of a painstaking part-by-part re-build of a ‘barn treasure’ machine. New carburettors and muffler were fitted, creating a rich, deep exhaust note, and new brakes, footrests and shock mounts added. The overall aesthetic is minimalist, elegant and quirky.
The eight machines are a powerful, eclectic mix of influences and individuality that show case the work of enthusiasts united by the desire to place their own imprint on their Honda machines; and all of them are in tune with the spirit of freedom and creativity that underpins the Glemseck 101 – the biggest annual motorcycle ‘happening’ of its kind in Europe.
Glemseck 101
Glemseck 101 is a European motorcycle ‘happening’ taking place in Leonberg, Germany with tens of thousands of visitors, guests and participants who represent the entire motorcycle scene and who live the ‘Spirit of the 101’ for three entire days. This year is its 12th round.
Glemseck stands for pure motorsport tradition in southern Germany. Up to the 1960s, two- and four-wheeled legends of motorsport where engaged in thrilling fights on the legendary Solitude race track around the Glemseck. The Glemseck 101 is a three-day festival that seeks to preserve this tradition for a wide audience. Offering free entry for the visitors for the entire three days, it is open to all brands, and characters, from any motorcycle ‘scene’.
It also serves as a meeting point for designers, engineers, developers and their motorcycles, for international personalities, racers and trendsetters. It centres on a mile-long paddock and ‘International Village’, consisting of customizers and clubs from all over Europe. This unique gathering brings together the motorsport history of Glemseck, local sponsors and dealers, and the added attractions of 1/8-mile motorcycle sprint races, and live music throughout the weekend.
