mono motorcycles review of 2022. Time to reflect on some of our projects & events from 2022.
As we head towards 2023, we take some time to look back & reflect on some of the projects we have worked on in 2022.
Coming out of 2021 whereby lockdowns were still rumbling around & Covid had surged again in December 2021; 2022 was going to be a breath of fresh air. With a full diary & plenty of projects in the pipeline, 2022 started with a burst of positivity.
Let’s look at just a few of the highlights from 2022 & let you in on some of our plans for 2023!
Triumph Speed Triple R Jack Lilley
In January 2022 we welcomed a 2014 Triumph Speed Triple R Jack Lilley to the mono motorcycles workshop. The model we had in the workshop was an original Jack Lilley Triumph Speed Triple R Special. The bike was created to be displayed on the Triumph stand at the NEC & was featured by British Eurosport during their NEC show report.
The bike has since had a couple of owners before it’s current owner tracked it down & purchased it a little over a year ago.
The JL Special joined us for a strip down, for many items to be re-powder coated, cerakoted, professionally polished, repainted, paint touch up, new discs, etc, etc
Despite the bike having been booked in with us in January & originally been on a 4-6 week turnaround, due to unforeseen issues with parts availability & some outsourced processes not being up to spec; the JL Special remained with us until April.
The Speed Triple underwent some considerable changes since January 2022, but not necessarily that obvious. To find out more about the processes the JL underwent, please do check out our blog. https://monomotorcycles.co.uk/triumph-speed-triple-r-jack-lilley-special-regeneration-by-mono-motorcycles/
Dirty Bandit
Late in 2021, we were contacted by one of our existing customers to enquire about the possibility of customising a Suzuki GSF1200 Bandit. Our customer showed us some photographs of a bike he had purchased which had already had some fabrication work done.
Our customer didn’t really have much idea of what he wanted or how to achieve the end goal, but he did send us photographs of a GSF1200 customisation he found on the internet of a flat tracker/scrambler style. Once we had chatted a few times we got a picture in our heads of the kind of idea the customer wanted.
One thing he did know was he wanted an entire motogadget rewire, to take advantage of the minimalistic momentary push switches which could replace the original switchgear, heated grips & a couple of USB ports to charge his phone & sat-nav. He also mentioned he would like a long flat seat so if need be, he could take a passenger.
To find out more about the Dirty Bandit customisation, please do visit our blog https://monomotorcycles.co.uk/the-dirty-bandit-suzuki-bandit-1200-mkii-full-customisation/
Breakfast Club
The mono motorcycles Breakfast Club celebrated its 5th season this year! Despite us having to take a break during lockdown & 2021 being a shorter season; 2022 saw us fully back up to capacity.
It is always marvellous to see such an eclectic collection of motorcycles arrive at the mono motorcycles breakfast club & such a great opportunity to catch up with friends & supporters of mono motorcycles & to welcome many new faces.
The 2023 mono motorcycles Breakfast Club kicks off on Sunday 23rd April from 9am-11am & continues every fourth Sunday of the month until October. Note: There is no Breakfast Club in June.
Custom & classic Bike Show
After 9 months of planning, preparation, advertising, gathering bike entrants, booking trade, catering & a multitude of other things; the mono motorcycles first Custom & Classic Bike Show arrived!
The day was absolutely incredible. The sun shone, over 320 people visited the show & everyone had a fantastic time.
We would like to thank our sponsors Dunlop Tyres for supporting the show.
We would also like to thank all of the trade attendees, Alex from The Barleycorn for the catering & the bike owners who brought their incredible motorcycles to the show.
We would like to thank all of our visitors for making the show such a great success & last but by no means least, we would like to thank the mono motorcycles cheerleaders – Pip, Carole (Katy’s Dad & Mum) Stu, T, Andy, Sarah, Glen & Will who always give 100% of their love & support.
To find out more about our first Custom & classic Bike Show, please do read our blog & check out our incredible event video https://monomotorcycles.co.uk/mono-motorcycles-custom-classic-bike-show-2022-review-what-an-incredibly-fantastic-day/
See you again next year at the mono motorcycles Custom Bike Show, Sunday 18th June 2023.
Honda CBR 929 Fireblade
By far out greatest success story of 2022 was the regeneration of the Honda CBR 929 Fireblade. Our customer, Alastair, kindly offered to write a guest blog about the process & how he felt working alongside us bringing his beloved Fireblade back to life.
Honda CBR 929 Fireblade regeneration in the words of her dedicated & lifelong owner Alastair
Motorcycle wiring
Motorcycle wiring & electronic innovations are one of the core disciplines of mono motorcycles.
Daniel Morris – Proprietor & Master Motorcycle Technician has his finger on the pulse when it comes to the very latest innovations in the motorcycle world.
mono motorcycles are the premier motogadget specialists in the UK. Having installed dozens of motogagdet systems into a wide range of custom motorcycles; our customer base is broad & varied.
We have welcomed motorcycles from all over the UK for physical wiring, but our motogadget bespoke wiring diagram service has a much more international reach. With customers from Brazil to Los Angeles, from South Africa to France, we have worked with a good selection of international customers.
To find out more about the motogadget options for your custom bike, please do check out our website & follow some of the links to specific blogs about the bikes we have worked on. https://monomotorcycles.co.uk/motogadget/
To find out more about our bespoke motogadget wiring diagram & motogadget kit options, please follow the link https://monomotorcycles.co.uk/motogadget/wiring-diagrams-kits/
Daniel’s Track Bike
In July Daniel bought himself a Suzuki GSXR750 to use for track days. It’s a 2009 model which had previously been used as a track bike but had been stood for a couple of years.
It came with quite a few good bits, including Ohlins rear shock, full arrow exhaust, Ohlins internals in the front forks, HM Quickshifter, thumb brake, & a few other bits & bobs.
A few late nights were had tinkering & servicing the GSXR. Daniel added a few new bits. SES provided him with a new set of adjustable rear sets with fantastic service from word go. These particular rear sets you can buy each part on its own, ideal if you have an off.
The original Arrow exhaust silencer was a bit battered & is really a bit on the loud side for UK tracks, so Daniel decided to contact MHP exhausts. MHP make a “clubman” 450mm end can to your spec.
Dunlop came up trumps & sent Daniel a pair of their SportSmart TT tyres. The SportSmart TT tyres are Dunlop’s new “track day” road legal tyres. These do not need to be preheated on tyre warmers with a really quick warm up so ideal for the people that ride to the track. Find out more about the Dunlop SportSmart TT tyres performance n Daniels review blog https://monomotorcycles.co.uk/dunlop-sportsmart-tts-tyre-review-5-track-days-on-my-suzuki-gsxr-750-still-got-incredible-grip/
Daniels first track day was a James Whitham Motorcycle Track Training Day.
James Whitham presented the briefing, explaining that the training days were about improving your riding steadily throughout the day. Each of the instructors were or are current racers from the likes of the TT or BSB.
The groups were split into 3 & you were asked which group you wanted to be in. Advanced, intermediate or novice. All the groups were small with 12-15 riders in the advanced group & around 20 each in the lower groups.
Daniel opted for the advanced group & Billy McConnell – Superstock Racer & Richard Cooper – BSB Racer – were their instructors for the day.
Find out more about the James Whitham training day in our blog https://monomotorcycles.co.uk/james-whitham-motorcycle-track-training-mallory-park-20th-july-22/
Honda Zoomer
The Honda Zoomer motogagdet installation is one of the more unusual motogadget installations we have undertaken.
The Honda Zoomer also known as the Honda Ruckus, is a rare site on UK roads but are very popular in the USA. The Zoomer is normally fitted with a 49cc moped motor, but this example is rather special.
This particular Zoomer is fitted with a 125cc motor from a Honda PCX scooter with wide wheels, custom exhaust, modified suspension, bigger brakes, carbon hugger, the list is endless. When going this far with a build why wouldn’t you go with the very best in electronics & run a motogadget m.unit & motoscope pro dash!
That’s exactly what our customer wanted! Find out more about the Honda Zoomer motogadget installation in our blog.
https://monomotorcycles.co.uk/honda-zoomer-motogadget-wiring-installation-at-mono-motorcycles/
Oaklie joining us
In October we welcomed a new member of the mono motorcycles team. Oaklie White joined us as Motorcycle Workshop Assistant.
Oaklie has been trials riding since he was five years old & is currently running First in the Clubman B Class of the Bognor Regis & District MCC .
Oaklie is currently studying Level 1 Motorcycle at Chichester College.
Honda CB200 Custom
The Honda CB200 Custom project is in it’s final stages & we look forward to revealing the completed bike in January 2023.
Our customer initially wanted a BSA barn find to be converted to a scrambler/flat tracker custom. However, the bike was too damaged to become a viable custom option.
Therefore, he purchased a 1976 Honda CB200 with only 326 miles on the clock.
The bike was in exceptionally good condition & despite having been sat for years, with a change of plugs, fuel & oil it started on the second kick. We could have restored it from here, but it was destined to be transformed.
The process of agreeing on a plan of action & working with our customer on his vision was a lengthy but necessary one with plenty of emails & a Zoom meeting to finalise details. Once we had the base idea of the bike agreed, Daniel started the process of dismantling & modifying the bike. The paint colour choices came much later.
Thus far, the bike has been stripped & the frame completely modified & professionally filled/painted. The engine has been completely stripped, vapour blasted, cerkoted & rebuilt. The carbs have been stripped, cleaned & completely rebuilt with all new parts.
The wheels have been professionally re-spoked & the rims powder coated gloss black. The exhaust have been modified & cerakoted black. The headlight has a new bespoke made surround & has been professionally painted. The fuel tank has been reworked & professionally painted. The wiring loom has been completely replaced & a new bespoke motogadget system installed by Daniel.
As we look forward to the new year, the bike will be complete & ready for a full shake down. Once the project is complete, a series of test rides competed, photographs taken & the customer having collected the bike; we will then write a full custom build blog to support the build.
What’s new for 2023?
Triumph Thruxton R at Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show on Dunlop stand
For those regular followers of the mono motorcycles journey, you will know that Daniel sold his Custom Triumph Bobber recently & invested in a Triumph Thruxton R.
The Thruxton R lends itself to customization. As soon as Daniel had revealed online that the bike was destined for his unique touch, Dunlop Tyres contacted him & asked him if it could be ready for the weekend of the 17-19th February as they were looking for a bike for their stand at the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show.
Therefore, although we have been closed over Christmas, Daniel has been busy designing & dismantling the Thruxton, getting parts ready for paint, powder coat & cerakote & his unique vision for the bike will be revealed at the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show in February. Watch this space!
Breakfast Club
The 2023 mono motorcycles Breakfast Club kicks off on Sunday 23rd April from 9am-11am & continues every fourth Sunday of the month until October. Come & join us in 2023 on a Sunday morning for a hearty breakfast or drop in for a pit-stop. Catch up with friends, admire the bikes & come & have a chat with Daniel or Katy about any motorcycle projects you need help with.
Note: There is no Breakfast Club in June.
Custom & Classic Bike show 2
Following on from the success of our first Custom & Classic Bike show in 2022, our second show will be on Sunday 18th June 2023.
Join us for an incredible line up of custom & classic motorcycles, trade stands, great food & live music from The Dave Baker Project.
Entry £5 on the door. Bike entries are Free!
Trade contact info@monomotorcycles.co.uk for more information
- Best in Show – Open to all categories.
- Best Paint – Consideration will be given to quality, quantity, effect & degree of execution.
- Best Custom – A fully customised build, fabricated & modified by the owner, with free range of any style of chassis, engine & bespoke build.
- Best Cafe Racer – Traditional, modern or even futuristic variations on the “café racer” theme.
- Best Bobber – Any bike which has been adapted to follow the traditional bobber style & theme.
- Best flat tracker/scrambler – All motorcycles built or modified in the Scrambler, Vintage MX style, as well as Flat Track & Street Track.
- Best Modern Classic – Any fully restored modern classic 1970-1999)
- Mini Mayhem – Fully restored classic or custom under 200cc
- Best eBike Custom – Fully electric motorcycle, home built or customised
Thank You
So, as we take time to reflect on this past year, we would like to say an enormous thank you to all of our incredible customers for all of their support this year. Thank you for believing in us & we hope to continue working with you in the future.
We would like to say thank you to all of our amazing suppliers & those who provide such outstanding service in their own individual specialisms. Special mention to Olly at The Wheel Specialist, Fareham, Stuart from S.Jago Designs, Chichester, Tony from Moto Velo (wheel builder), Selsey, Wesley from Hi-Spec Coatings & Vapour Blasting, Horsham, Ben from BM Fabrications, Funtington & Sam from Destination Triumph Washington.
We would also like to thank Dunlop Tyres UK for all of their ongoing support & for sponsoring our Custom & Classic Bike Show.
We would like to thank Oaklie for all of his hard work these past few months & look forwarding to him joining us on our continued journey into 2023.
We would like to thank Danny from DJK Motorcycles for using mono motorcycles for all of his pre-sales service & repair.
Finally, we would like to thank our family & our friends for everything they do for us. In particular we would like to thank Katy’s Dad & Mum (Pip & Carole to those who know them) to Stu, T, Andy, Sarah & Glen for their friendship & support & for giving up so much of their own time to help us. Thank You.
Therefore, as we see out 2022 & welcome in 2023, we would both like to wish you all a very Happy & Healthy New Year. See you soon!
All the best, Daniel & Katy
Here’s a little round up of some of the other bikes we have worked on & some of the events from 2022