Racers
Perhaps you caught that tidbit about this being a production bike and it actually is. It’s hard to believe that this isn’t just a far-out one-off, but it’s slated to be reproduced in numbers up to 250 if things go right. The basic design was worked out completely on paper and computers before a cutting machine or any welding ever began to take place. Sergio’s innovative aluminum frame contained design parameters that rarely come into play in a custom V-twin build like exceptional handling and good rider position. So much so that you’ll have to check out the Up Close frame sidebar for more highly-thought-out details that are definitely outside the box.
With the computer-aided frame complete, Sergio sourced the best suspension components available and world-renowned Ohlins was the choice front and rear. “The difference between Ohlins and other brands is a world apart. We also had great help from Ohlins with spring selection and final setup. It was a natural choice to make and we are more than happy with their performance,” said Sergio. More MotoGP-style components like superlight 17” Marchesini magnesium wheels that aid handling, braking, and acceleration were added to the mix along with a set of sticky Continental Race Attack rubber in corner-carving sizes (190mm out back instead of some bloated rubber for quirky looks). Since this bike was aimed for track-day use, Sergio didn’t get cheap with brakes either as dual Brembo Monoblock calipers pinching lightweight 320mm Galfer Wave rotors. If you’re a techno-freak more than a chrome freak, you understand what this all means.
The twin fuel tanks, front fender, and the seat/tail section are all built of carbon fiber with not a hint of paint to cover up the perfect vacuum-bagged layup that Sergio did. The work was laborious, involving many steps from making molds to a finished product, but the end result is perfection. “I must admit, I made three tank shapes before I was happy with the result,” said Sergio. Cosmetically, the combo of aluminum frame and carbon fiber body parts along with the wicked cool copper oil lines running over the top tube and around the engine and the sinister dual exhaust running under the RevTech 110” engine and exiting stage- right adds an inviting aspect that makes you want to look at this bike from every angle possible for its scrumptious, harmonious details. They’re so mesmerizing you could get lost in the details and forget what day it is.
The delicate Rizoma foot and IRS hand controls are high-quality sportbike pieces that give a high-tech look and superior feel to run-of-the-mill V-twin custom controls. “Front braking feel can be adjusted in seconds to rider preference thanks to the IRS adjustable levers,” said Sergio. Adjustable brake levers, shifter and foot peg position have to be tried to really be appreciated. You’d never buy a car that didn’t have built-in adjustments to accommodate you, why should you have to adapt to controls on a motorcycle? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
So what’s it like to ride you ask? “We have ridden at the track on open track days with Ducatis and the like and the outcome was astonishing. Suspension and braking are spot on and no matter how hard you brake you never bottom out. Leaning angles will take you to the edge of the tires without any effort and full leathers with knee sliders are a must. It is not the fastest bike, but it sure is an excellent machine, noble, extremely powerful, and a joy to ride,” said Sergio. “If I had the chance to go back in time and make changes on the Flying, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Up close: Sbay Flyer Frame
Frankly, if all Sergio Bayarri had done differently on this bike was the knockout aluminum frame with its combo of CNC’d aluminum strips, oil-bearing round top tube, and a single-sided Ducati swingarm, he could have called it a day. “If the V-twin engine is the heart of a motorcycle, the frame is the soul,” said Sergio. “Before a single aluminum strip was cut, months of CAD work was done as V-twins with their gearboxes are extremely long and long wheelbase bikes are great for highways, but on twisty roads they become clumsy and unstable.” His inspired solution was to raise the gearbox and tuck it in as close as possible to the engine cases creating a shorter wheelbase for quick handling along with moving the large clutch basket up and away from the rider’s left foot so racing-style rearset pegs could be comfortably used.
Compared to a lot of frames that are constructed around just an idea with a hope for the best and changes done as necessary, Sergio took this to a new level. “The frame was drawn in Autodesk Inventor and a stress analysis was carried out using ANSYS technology delivering all the necessary physics and analysis required to optimize and evaluate the frame,” he said. “The outcome was the need of two lateral structures connected to the swingarm axle. Without the rear reinforcements, the frame would twist under hard acceleration.”
Speaking of that Ducati swingarm, Sergio said, “Ducati makes the best single-sided swingarms on the market. Minor modifications were done to the linkage system through measurements of loads at different angles. The outcome is a progressive system that hardens as it travels.”
Summing this frame up, Sergio’s design is not a continuing work in progress, but a great handling, track ready piece that looks absolutely stunning from an artistic and engineering viewpoint.
Builder: Sbay Motor Company
When you think American V-twin customs, the first thing that doesn’t come to mind is Built in Spain. But, after checking out Sbay’s Flying and accepting the fact this is the winner of the production bike class at the 2010 World Championship in Sturgis and that it’s also going to be a production bike, you’ve got to rethink everything you know. Sbay’s Sergio Bayarri’s imagination, detail-oriented construction, and dedication to making sure all his customs actually work as motorcycles in every sense of the word has a way of dragging you into his world of what a custom could be. “Building one-offs is a thrilling experience, but nobody wants to pay the real price in man hours. It is easy to assemble a bike from parts purchased from catalogs, but there is nothing special in the final bike,” said Sergio.
“We build our bikes for one reason only, because we love it. Working at a repair shop, I have seen and tested bikes that looked real nice, but the truth is they were a terrible ride. It must be stated that for Sbay Motor Co, form follows function. People have approached Sbay with bike projects we refused to build because they were simply unrideable,” said Sergio. “Any bike we develop must have excellent brakes, excellent suspension, and the total weight of the bike must be kept to a minimum. The power to weight ratio is the secret to a successful machine. Aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium are materials we use due to their outstanding mechanical properties. We always use stock engines to keep the price low and we will spend time and effort reducing a bike’s weight rather than increasing the bike’s power.”
For more information on Sbay Motor Company’s cool twist on custom American V-twins, visit their website at www.sbaymotorco.com.
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