1996 Yamaha XJ6 / F86 Sabre Jet "Speedking"

Anyone old enough to have seen the 1958 film "The Hunters" may remember that it featured Robert Mitchum and Robert Wagner but they will remember that it starred the F-86 Sabre Jet. These 1950's American jet fighters were built by North American Aviation and nearly 8,000 of them took to the skies between 1949 and 1956. It had a high-aspect-ratio wing with a 35-degree sweepback and a very distinctive air intake and was regarded by many as one of the best looking Military Jets of all time. They were every schoolboy's favourite and, amazingly, still have an active 'fan club' now.

One of those 'fans' chose to take his enthusiasm for this gorgeous aeroplane in an unusual direction by replicating a couple of the Sabre jets design features on a Motor Cycle!!

The donor motorcycle was a 1996 Yamaha XJ6, 600cc road bike, and the project, to be known as "Speedking" was handed to Evan Favaro, owner of Speakeasy Motors, Fabricator and Creative Director of the American TV Show 'Orange County Choppers'. He was asked to replicate each panel out of hand formed aluminium and take some of his styling cues from an F86 Sabre jet, particularly the distinctively shaped air intake.

After about 450 hours of work, the project was finished and you can judge for yourselves how successful it was

Speedking. Technical specifications:

Engine

Type: Four cylinder parallel, Four stroke, DOHC with 2 valve per cylinder, Air cooled

Displacement: 599cc Bore & stroke: 58.5 x 55.7mm

Compression ratio: 10.0:1 Compression pressure: 156 psi

Carburetion: Four 28mm Mikuni BDST (BDS26) down-draft carburettors

Lubrication: Wet sump; 3300 cc capacity; 3.1 US qt

Max power: 61.0 HP @ 8500 rpm Max torque: 39.1 ft.lbs @ 7000 rpm

Starter: Electric

Transmission

Gear: 6-speed, Constant mesh Clutch: Wet, Multiple discs Final drive: Chain

Electricity Battery: 12 volt Ignition: Electronic

Performance 0-60 mph: 5.1 seconds 0-400m: 13.7 seconds Top speed: 117 MPH (190 KPH)

Average fuel consumption: 44 mpg (18.7 Kpl)

Speedking is a unique motorcycle. Each panel is hand formed from sheet aluminium and represents craftsmanship at its best, built by one of America's most talented custom-bike builders. Speedking is a tribute to great craftsmanship, talent, youth, and the history of the F-86 Sabre Jet. If you are looking for something really different, with a story to tell you should take a closer look at this motorcycle.