Honda XL600R Thunderbike from Fuchs Workshop…
Last week we had the pleasure of featuring the #48 Honda 650 flat tracker of professional racer Niko Sorbo, built by Italy’s Fuchs Workshop to compete in the Thunderbike class. As the story goes, the godfather of UK flat track, Peter “Boastie” Boast, introduced this class in the early days of the British flat track scene.
“The Thunderbike class was designed for heavyweight framers, twins, and modified roadbikes, and, before the scene was big enough to support a dedicated vintage class, vintage bikes too.” –Sideburn
Today, the class allows the following engines, purposely excluding MX-based 450 machines:
- 2 stroke, multi-cylinder machines: 500cc to unlimited
- Twin Parallel, four stroke machines: 500cc to unlimited
- Singles, four stroke: 600cc to unlimited
- V-twins and multi-cylinder four strokes: 600cc to unlimited
Massimo Rinchiuso, who runs Italy’s Fuchs Workshop, specializes in handmade aluminum bodywork, 3D design, CNC parts, custom builds, and flat trackers like Sorbo’s #48 and the #94 thunderbike you see here.
In this case, the donor was a mid-80s Honda XL600R, the company’s 589cc RFVC-powered dual-sport. For those who don’t know, Honda’s RFVC (Radical Four Valve Combustion) singles remain some of the most bulletproof and beloved big single engines ever made. They powered most of the air-cooled XR and XL series, the NX650 Dominator, and continue to be produced in the XR650L dual-sport.
This bike was built to be less aggressive than Niko Sorbo’s #48 thunderbike, but a potent machine nonetheless. Massimo’s engine master, Claudio Lanconelli, rebuilt the RFVC engine to flat track spec, though it’s more mildly tuned than the previous build. The exhaust system was custom-built from stainless steel and tipped with an SC-Project silencer.
Massimo rebuilt the rear subframe from aluminum tubing to lower the riding position, and it now houses a custom aluminum electronics box.
The swingarm was replaced with a longer, stiffer, lighter CRF unit, and the bike is running beefier sportbike-derived forks and CNC-machined yokes with YSS internals. The 19-inch wheels consist of FaBa billet hubs and Excel rims with Maxxis DTR-1 rubber.
The frame was repainted red, and the tank is a gorgeous custom aluminum unit bearing the Honda HRC colors.
“Despite appearing to be a ‘simple’ motorcycle, countless details were built from scratch using a lathe, CNC milling machine, and even 3D-printed components, demonstrating how carefully every single aspect of this project was developed.” -Massimo
Massimo says the bike weighs just 236 lbs dry — about 60 pounds lighter than the street-trimmed stocker. Originally named “Zeronove” (09) for its race number, the bike was renamed #94 — the number of the new owner.
While it was built for competition, this bike is currently being used more as a display piece than an actual racer…but we hope the new owner will unleash it on the track at some point.
Below is our full interview with Massimo of Fuchs Workshop about the build. Credit goes to Craig Stuart (@scrambler_ams) for the photos from the MBE Verona show, and Fuchs Workshop for the rest.
Honda XL600R Flat Tracker: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
#94 was a Honda XL600, ’85/87.
• For what class of racing was the bike built?
#94 was built for the Thunderbike class, but as soon as it was unveiled, it was bought by a collector who parked it in his living room at home.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
#94 is “Zeronove.”
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
#94 I think between 42/45cv, as a stock engine, and 107 kg without liquids.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride/race this bike?
#94 it’s certainly much more manageable than #48; unfortunately, there was no opportunity to test it on the track, because — as mentioned before — it’s on display in a private living room.
• Anybody you’d like to thank?
My engine master Claudio Lanconelli, SC-project for the material of the exhaust system, YSS for the suspension.
Follow the Builder
Instagram: @fuchs_workshop
Facebook: @fuchsworkshop
Outdoor Images: Christian Fussi (@chrifussi)
Indoor Images: Craig Stuart (@scrambler_ams)
More from Fuchs Workshop
Big Single Thunderbike: Honda XL600S Tracker - Honda XL600R Thunderbike from Fuchs Workshop… Last week we had the pleasure of featuring the #48 Honda 650 flat tracker of professional racer Niko Sorbo, built by Italy’s Fuchs Workshop to compete in the Thunderbike […]
Sorbo’s Thunderbike: Honda Dominator 650 Flat Tracker - From Fuchs Workshop: Niko Sorbo’s Honda Thunderbike, “Rusinella”… More than two decades ago, Massimo Rinchiuso of Italy’s Fuchs Workshop began preparing track bikes. Today, his Ravenna-based workshop specializes in hand-shaped aluminum bodywork, 3D design, CNC […]
Moto Guzzi “Riviera” Custom Cruiser - From the Land of Motors: Moto Guzzi “Riviera” from Fuchs Workshop… The Italian region of Emilia-Romagna has been christened the “Land of Motors” or “Motor Valley” for its high concentration of car and motorcycle manufacturers, […]
Special Ciao: “Speciao” 75cc Piaggio Tracker - Fuchs Workshop builds a Piaggio mini-tracker… In 1967, Piaggio introduced their first moped, the Ciao — a 50cc two-stroke with a belt drive, drum brakes, and 6-volt electrics. Produced in various versions well into […]
