XL1100 Sportster Gets Retro Tracker Treatment
Cool nostalgia-machine performs just as good as it looks.
Cool Performer
With copper lighting bolts, and heaps of metal flake floating in the Blue Pearl paint, this 1986 XL1100 is a blast from the past. Found as a basket case, the XL1100 was salvaged by Red Max Speed Shop in Devon, England. The end result is a cool nostalgia-machine with modern upgrades, one that performs as good as it looks.
Photos courtesy of Red Max Speed.
Regular Test
Owned by Steve Hillary, Red Max Speed is the place to go for everything street tracker and café racer related. A dedicated enthusiast, he unequivocally states, “I've had a bike shop all my working life.” More than just flashy paint and shiny parts, Hillary puts his products to the test on a regular basis, racing his 1977 Harley-Davidson XR750 in the UK National Flat Track series.
Photos courtesy of Red Max Speed.
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Water Logged
Dubbed 'Andrea,' the glittery XL1100 was completed just in time for the 2019 Bike Shed London show — Europe’s biggest and best motorcycle show. It was quite an accomplishment considering the XL's motor was full of water and the frame was rusted through in places. Rebuilt, the engine was fitted with a Mikuni HSR42 carburetor and treated to a set of WTF Rocker Box Covers XR from EMD.
Photos courtesy of Red Max Speed.
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Ugly Side
Andrea was built for a return customer, who wanted something different. Part of the build request was to route the custom exhaust pipes on either side of the bike. Hillary elaborated, “There is always an 'ugly' side as both pipes come out on the right of a Sportster, so we devised a solution by bringing the rear pipe forwards under the front and out the left side.”
Photos courtesy of Red Max Speed.
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Blue Match
The XL's frame was repaired and cut short of the shock mounts. It was then powder coated to give it the look of chromoly steel. To complete the solid foundation, the swingarm received some extra bracing. Complementing the period-look, the seat and fiberglass pan are from a Bultaco Astro. Matching the paint, the seat was recovered in blue leather with diamond stitching.
Photos courtesy of Red Max Speed.
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Flawless Effect
Working in harmony with the race-ready Bultaco seat is a classic BSA Lightning scrambler tank. The stunning paint and copper lightning bolts were laid-down by Joeby’s Airbrush Art — a local paint firm. Hillary explained that the color was reminiscent of an old AJS motorcycle he had seen years ago. Commenting on the overall effect, he said, “The look is incredible and the detail flawless.”
Photos courtesy of Red Max Speed.
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Balanced Match
The frontend is off a Triumph Speed Triple, with upgraded four-piston brakes attached to custom controls on the alloy Renthal MX bars. Vintage or not, modern life takes precedent. Tucked-away, up front, is a phone holder with a built-in charger. In a balanced match of old and new, a Motogadget M-Unit was used to update and simplify the wiring.
Photos courtesy of Red Max Speed.
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Iron Passion
Giving the XL the right pedigree, an AMA alloy number board was modified to accept a dual projector headlight setup. 'Andrea' is just one of the countless stunning bikes built at Red Max Speed over the decades. It speaks volumes to Hillary's passion for vintage iron, and his reputation as a premier builder. All this XL1100 needs now is some flat track dirt to complete its provenance.
Photos courtesy of Red Max Speed.
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