Velocity Learn, February 12, 2023

Czech hypercar producer, Praga, unveiled their $92,000 restricted version ZS 800 this week. We take a better take a look at it, together with a Ducati 749 and Moto Guzzi NTX 750 from Italy, and a Kawasaki Z750FX restomod from Japan.

Praga ZS 800 What’s fantastically engineered, wrapped in luscious blue paint and has carbon fiber in all the suitable locations? When you guessed the Praga Bohema hypercar, you’d be proper. However for those who guessed the Czech firm’s model new restricted version bike, the Praga ZS 800, you’d even be proper.

The ZS 800 is a throwback to the primary bike that this boutique producer ever constructed—the 1928 Praga BD 500. The resemblance is simple—however the ZS 800 is clearly a contemporary machine.

This bobber’s construct sheet is sufficient to make any bike designer weak on the knees. A chromoly girder fork sits up entrance, geared up with an adjustable Öhlins shock with a titanium spring. There’s no rear suspension—however there’s a little Öhlins air shock beneath the solo seat to take the sting off.

What seems to be the gasoline tank is definitely only a solid carbon fiber cowl. Hiding beneath it’s a CNC-machined reservoir that additionally acts as a structural a part of the chromoly body.

On the coronary heart of the Praga ZS 800 lies some of the elegant manufacturing engines at the moment available on the market: the 773 cc parallel twin from the Kawasaki W800. It inhales by way of a pair of distinctive, mesh-covered intakes, and exhales by way of a full titanium exhaust system. (Most of the particular person titanium components that make up the mufflers had been truly 3D printed.)

The ZS 800’s 18” wheels are notably spectacular. They’re made out of solid carbon, with tensioned carbon spokes and beautiful hydraulic drum brake hubs. It’s a surprising mixture of previous type and new tech.

It’s loaded with high-end touches too. Swooping fenders bookend it, with a svelte baggage rack on the again fender additionally enjoying host to the taillight and rear flip indicators.

The tank badges function gold detailing on a solid carbon background, whereas the seat sports activities a number of materials, distinction stitching and a laser-cut sample up high.

There’s extra solid carbon within the type of the bike’s natural chain guard, and subtler particulars just like the fender stays. The wheel and swingarm axles are titanium, as is each final fastener. All informed, the ZS 800 clocks in at 142 kilos [313 lbs] dry, with an ideal 50:50 weight distribution from entrance to again.

Tempted? Praga are taking pre-orders now for a restricted run of 28 items. A ZS 800 (which takes 300 hours to supply) will set you again €86,000 [around $92,000], excluding tax.

events, please type an orderly queue. [Praga ZS 800]

Ducati 749 by North East Customized Earlier this week, we confirmed off a {custom} Ducati 749 from Estonia. There should be one thing within the water in Europe, as a result of yet one more 749 café racer has simply dropped into our laps.

This one comes from brothers Diego and Riccardo ‘Riki’ Coppiello, at North East Customized in Padua, Italy. Diego and Riki are massive enduro and journey driving nuts—however they’ve bought a knack for constructing candy street-based customs too.

The construct began out as a 2005-model Ducati 749, with the intention of constructing a café racer with somewhat little bit of an 80s endurance racing vibe.

North East redressed the trellis-framed Ducati in a fiber glass fairing, with twin headlights tucked behind yellow-tinted covers. The OEM tank sits simply behind, adopted by a hand-crafted aluminum tail unit. The rear finish’s perched on a brand new subframe, with a race-style seat up high.

Decrease down you’ll discover a carbon fiber entrance fender, carbon fiber belt covers, and a custom-built aluminum stomach pan. North East saved the suspension, brakes and wheels principally inventory—however they did add a Bitubo steering damper, a Ok-bike slipper clutch and a Ducabike clutch basket cowl.

The paint job is minimal and timeless; a standard crimson and white affair with 80s-style Ducati logos. The body wears a recent coat of paint too, with anodizing on the forks and components of the engine.

It’s an amazing search for the punchy 749—and the proper template when you’ve got a 749 or 999 in want of a makeover. We’d wager that North East’s neighbors aren’t keen on that exhaust although. [North East Custom | Images by Filippo Molena]

Moto Guzzi NTX 750 by Matteucci Storage When Marco Matteucci bought a fee for a {custom} Moto Guzzi NTX 750, he discovered inspiration in his personal portfolio. Marco had constructed a child blue Moto Guzzi V35 some years in the past, and noticed potential for adapting that very same type to the larger donor bike—with a couple of upgrades, naturally.

The early 90s journey bike was stripped down, earlier than Marco tore into the subframe. It’s been closely modified within the type of his earlier construct, however with one main distinction; the V35 had a solo seat, however this one has room for a passenger.

Sitting under the seat is a custom-built mono-shock system, hinging off a repurposed Yamaha R1 shock. The entrance finish’s an aftermarket springer system designated for Harleys. Marco tailored it to the Guzzi with {custom} spacers and yokes, a {custom} brake caliper mount, and an LED-equipped Bates-style headlight.

The cockpit options drag bars, outfitted with bar-end mirrors and mini push buttons. Simply behind it’s a hand-made gasoline tank, impressed by the strains of the classic Laverda 125. A GPS-based speedo is neatly built-in into the tank’s neck space.

Out again, an LED taillight is built-in into the again of the seat, with the flip indicators Frenched into the again of the decrease subframe rails. Beneath the hood, Marco rewired the bike and upgraded the ignition to an digital one.

The paint scheme mimics that on the construct that impressed this one; a pearly blue impact made up of a number of coats of various shades. Bottega Vasì added a crowning glory with the leatherwork, which features a touchscreen-compatible smartphone pouch on high of the tank, and a storage bag under the seat.

Sitting someplace between a scrambler and a bobber, Marco’s {custom} NTX 750 is nothing if not fascinating. [Matteucci Garage]

Kawasaki Z750FX by Bull Dock Few bikes are alluring as a traditional Japanese massive 4 restomod completed proper. And few {custom} outlets construct them as good as Bull Dock in Japan. When you want proof, might we current this impossibly elegant Kawasaki Z750FX.

The Z750’s massive promoting level again within the day was its relative low weight. Bull Dock determined to lean into that concept on this mission; shaving extra weight the place they may and upgrading the Kawasaki’s key elements.

A typical Bull Dock Z750 construct begins with a teardown, and a set of body tweaks and reinforcements that pulls on the workforce’s expertise. As soon as that was out the best way, Bull Dock turned their consideration to the bodywork—shedding weight with out shedding its OEM type.

The gasoline tank is a light-weight aluminum reproduction of the unique, whereas the aspect covers, fenders and tail part are all fiberglass and composite components. A {custom} alloy swingarm from McCoy and solid aluminum wheels add much more lightness.

Subsequent, Bull Dock put in custom-built Nitron forks up entrance, held by a set of CNC-machined yokes. Absolutely adjustable Nitron shocks prop up the rear, whereas a full Brembo braking setup handles stopping duties. Raised clip-ons present some rider consolation, whereas the unique dashboard retains issues traditional.

The engine’s a complete beast too. Bull Dock bumped it to 1,197 cc with high-comp Pistal pistons, balanced the internals and added Yoshimura camshafts. 36 mm carbs from Pop’s Firm, and a digital, assist to enhance the throttle response, whereas a hydraulic clutch provides a contemporary contact.

Ending touches embrace crimson engine and carb covers, and a livery that matches the Kawasaki proprietor’s Lamborghini. A titanium exhaust from Win McCoy ensures that this muscle bike has the bark to match its chunk. [Via]