American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 180 July 2014 | Page 20

<< specialist Harris Performance Engines, a business which has 40 years experience in pushrod engines and drag racing. Hesketh will be offering buyers all of the limited edition 24 motorcycles with at least three different power options on the bespoke builds, with Harris providing stage engine tuning for various levels of preferred power. One change that will be made to the X-Wedge engine on all models is the air intake being moved to the left side of the motor to allow the use of a longer intake manifold for increased torque. A Baker enclosed primary is used along with a matching King Kong clutch and six-speed transmission, with a chain final drive to complete the running gear. The bike in which the tuned X-Wedge is used was inspired by the design of the RLX by US-manufacturer Darwin Motorcycles, which won the Production Manufacturer class at the World Championship of Custom Bike Building in 2011. Sleeman was introduced to Dar Holdsworth of Darwin Motorcycles by the management team at S&S Cycle and he agreed to work with Sleeman on the development of 20 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - JULY 2014 the 24, which shares many styling cues with the Darwin RLX, and Holdsworth is continuing to work as a consultant for Hesketh, with the two companies discussing ideas for further collaborations in the future. One aspect that has carried over from the RLX to the 24 is the construction of the frame by Racing Innovations, but changes to the Hesketh version include the swingarm being used as a supplementary oil tank. Another significant difference between the two bikes, alongside the lighting requirements needed to make the 24 street legal in Europe, is the use of a fuel tank under the bottom frame rails. This tank is one of three on the bike, the other two being one in the conventional location and a third under the seat. The decision to have three tanks was taken because the 24 has been developed as a sports touring bike, and a large fuel capacity was needed to make this a viable option. The bodywork, which covers those gas tanks, is in the colors of James Hunt’s Hesketh F1 car, with graphics designed and produced by British Superbike champion Tommy Hill, and Hill will be the first person to ride the Hesketh 24 in public during the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Finishing kit on the 24 features componentry from the world of racing with Öhlins supplying the suspension components, Beringer the brakes, and Blackstone Tek the carbon fiber wheels. Each of the limited edition Hesketh 24 models will feature an 18-carat gold plaque on top of the gas tank with the unique number of that particular model, and owners will enjoy full service back-up from the Hesketh team with a comprehensive twoyear warranty as standard. HESKETH MOTORCYCLES Redhill, Surrey, UK Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.heskethmotorcycles.co.uk www.AMDchampionship.com