This tight-looking motorcycle hides a 198-horsepower engine between its polished frame rails.
Photography by Scott F. Odell
Originally purchased as a salvage bike that was badly damaged in a fire, Cedric Anthony's Viper red-and-silver Hayabusa has come a long way, baby. Custom painted by Ant's Final Finishing in Charlotte to follow the stock design, this tight-looking motorcycle hides a 198-horsepower engine between its polished frame rails. Anthony wanted to retain the ability to ride his bike to work, so the motor mods aren't overly outrageous--JE pistons bump the displacement up to 1397cc, and Web Cams work the stock valves in a mildly ported and polished head. A BMC air filter in a modified airbox frees up airflow on the intake side, while a Muzzys pipe releases the burned fuel into the atmosphere. A Power Commander II upgrades the ignition system, and a hidden nitrous bottle under the rear seat hump gives an extra 60 horsepower for those days when Anthony just has to make it to work on time.
Anthony's next step was to put a little shine on his bike, sending the fork out to the chrome shop, along with the Adams adjustable/extended swingarm (run four inches over) and various other bits such as the rear brake caliper, footpegs, brackets, engine covers, triple trees, hydraulic reservoirs and levers. Shine on.
RC Triton chrome wheels help the big 'Busa get its roll on, the rear widened and fitted with bead locks to grip the super-sticky Shinko 190/70-17 drag tire. Up front the righthand rotor and caliper have been removed to afford a better view of the chrome wheel. The remaining left caliper is, of course, chromed. Carbon-fiber trim panels compliment the cockpit, and LED turn signals from Air Tech announce upcoming turns. The seat has been cut down and recovered, and the mirrors were shaved to clean up the profile of the bike. In keeping with the clean, uncluttered look, TWC also hid the on-board compressor that powers the Schnitz air shifter.
Because his bike is an almost-daily rider, Anthony kept the rear end of his 'Busa sprung with a Fox aftermarket shock to replace the heavy stock unit. A lowering strap is used to drop the front for weekend racing--Anthony's best time at the local eighth-mile track is 5.85 seconds at 122 mph. Next up, Anthony is preparing to race his rocket in the new "Fat Man" class (for riders more than 240 pounds) at Rockingham Dragway. Requirements for this are a 64-inch wheelbase, a functioning headlight and taillight, and stock brakes--not to mention nearly an eighth-ton worth of rider! No comment on the rider, but we certainly think Anthony's bike will be up to the task.