A modern take on TT racers of the ‘80s.

skunk machine's royal enfield continental gt 650 goes road racer

Many Royal Enfield models call back to the halcyon days of motorcycling. From the INT 650’s old-school Brit bike silhouette to the Meteor 350’s bobber influences, the brand’s lineup favors nostalgia over new. That adherence to the past can also limit customizers, though.

Luckily, Australian design firm Skunk Machine didn’t let the Continental GT 650’s period-specific design stop it from delivering an ‘80s Isle of Man TT-style road racer with the Cerra GT865 project. Led by industrial designer Carl Cerra, the Melbourne-based shop pulled out all the stops to turn the café racer-inspired GT into a refined road ripper.

“The thing I really loved about this project was the support I got from my network of creators;” explained Cerra, “They believed in the project and they didn’t hesitate to help out. They are real supporters of Australian design and manufacturing and were glad to be given the opportunity to let the world see what we have to offer down under.”

After securing the Continental GT 650 build bike from Urban Moto (Australian Royal Enfield importer), Cerra sketched a few ideas before committing his favorite design to clay. The project soon gained support from local Aussies as well, with Hallam Cycle Works installing an 865cc Big Bore kit and Revelry Cycles throwing in upgraded throttle bodies.

A set of custom-made stainless-steel headers snake up to the tail section and terminate in SC-Project end cans. While the team hasn’t released performance figures yet, Cerra anticipates the new powertrain to produce nearly double the stock Continental’s 47 horsepower. That’s even more impressive when you consider that Skunk Machine already shed 66 pounds from the donor bike.

To control all that extra power, Cerra custom-machined a new triple tree to accept a 2015 GSX-R front end. Paired with an Excel wheelset, the Cerra GT865 sports a dual-disc braking system with Brembo calipers. On the tech front, a Motogadget electronics system retains the build’s minimalist aesthetic while improving functionality.

Despite all that performance under the hood, Skunk Machine’s carbon fiber bodywork steals the show. From a front cowl that resembles MV Agusta’s Superveloce to the race numbers on the rear cowl, the GT865’s road racing regalia captures both past and present.

“And with results as sleek and innovative as this, what a great ad for “Made in Australia” this retro racer has turned out to be,” added Cerra. “I thank Royal Enfield for giving me this opportunity to unleash my creative potential on one of the most gorgeous motorcycles in the recent past.”

Keyword: Skunk Machine's Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Goes Road Racer

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Racer Scott Briody Dies In Crash At Age 50

He died in a qualifying incident at Brainerd International Raceway.

View more: MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Racer Scott Briody Dies In Crash At Age 50

McLaren’s Artura Trophy is a GT4 racer unleashed... that you can buy

Motorsport … and race in a “relaxed and sociable” one-make series. Which sounds lovely In case you’re not following McLaren’s every move, the Artura is the replacement for the putatively entry-level 570S – even if McLaren says it isn’t. The Artura Trophy, on the other hand, is a proper GT4 ...

View more: McLaren’s Artura Trophy is a GT4 racer unleashed... that you can buy

Ferrari 296 GT3 racer revealed

Ferrari‘s next-generation GT3 racer ditches the familiar twin-turbo V8 for a twin-turbo V6 powertrain based on that of the plug-in hybrid 296 GTB road car. Dubbed the 296 GT3, this car be purchased and used by customer teams to go up against GT3-homologated versions of the Porsche 911, McLaren Artura, ...

View more: Ferrari 296 GT3 racer revealed

Porsche 911 GT3 R racer revealed

There’s a new Porsche 911 racer in town. The new 911 GT3 R has been revealed, with a 4.2-litre engine and a rear wing that’ll trouble low-flying planes. The GT3 R isn’t a road-going partner to the GT3 or upcoming GT3 RS; it’s a proper race car for customer teams ...

View more: Porsche 911 GT3 R racer revealed

Racer/Weed Dealer Randy Lanier Recounts His Wild Ride In "Survival of the Fastest"

Selling drugs is an unusual way to fund a race team, but it worked for Randy Lanier—until it didn't.

View more: Racer/Weed Dealer Randy Lanier Recounts His Wild Ride In "Survival of the Fastest"

How Does Audi RS Q E-Tron Dakar Rally Racer Perform In A Drag Race?

Versus the road-going RS E-Tron GT, this is an interesting matchup.

View more: How Does Audi RS Q E-Tron Dakar Rally Racer Perform In A Drag Race?

Porsche Motorsport reveals new 911 GT3 R racer

Porsche’s new 911 GT3 R racer will be run by both factory and customer teams across various GT3 formats

View more: Porsche Motorsport reveals new 911 GT3 R racer

Wild Porsche 911 GT3 R racer uncovered for 2023

Based on the 992 generation of Porsche’s rear-engined sports car, the new GT3 R boasts improved driveability and up to 557bhp from a 4.2-litre flat six

View more: Wild Porsche 911 GT3 R racer uncovered for 2023

New Ferrari 296 GT3 racer revealed with detuned 600bhp V6

New Ferrari 296 GT3 racer revealed with 600bhp

Tarform Makes the Right Electric Cafe Racer Motorcycle

BMW to race at Le Mans in 2024 with M Hybrid V8 racer

Maserati returns to sportscar racing with MC20 GT2 racer

LFA Successor Could Miss Entire Point, Get Twin-Turbo V-8 From the LC500 Racer

Ericsson praised as the ‘best racer in the series’ by Power

Is Ericsson IndyCar’s best racer? His rivals’ verdict

Drag Racer Gordon Collett, 88

Sebastian Vettel takes to the track in a 100-year-old racer

Maserati announces track-only 730bhp Project24 racer

Sebastian Vettel dons flat cap, drives 100-year-old Aston GP racer

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel