GSX-R1100 - The Flying Pharaoh

Lately there's been a great resurgence of interest in religion-not just traditional ones, but new faiths too. Some beliefs such as Jedi and Scientology are obviously bogus as they're based on fiction, but a surprising number of pagan faiths still remain active-one of which is a lesser-known sect in the darkest corners of Cornwall, England.

The Cornish tin miners have their own deity, named "Ginster," and the sacrifice of choice for the tin god of Cornwall is a mix of minced meat and vegetables wrapped in pastry and thrown down the mineshafts. This act of worship is carried out by a designated priest who collects the offerings before making the culinary sacrifice during the first month of the year. This minor Cornish sect has recently enjoyed an increase in popularity, and the new head priest, Kevin Roberts, is the owner of this Martek GSX-R1100.

Using one of the last ever Martek alloy frames to leave the factory, this bike was originally built by its previous owner. Roberts made an offer to buy it but ended up being given the runaround for some time regarding the actual purchase.

He finally got his hands on it, though, and once it was parked in his garage, Roberts began making mental notes about what else he could modify. However, the sudden realization struck that he basically owned someone else's bike. So Roberts quickly stripped it down and carried out a swift rebuild using a 1216cc engine from another bike he'd built previously. He then installed Sprintek triple clamps and a set of hlins forks while he was at it.

The remaining problem was that the bike still looked much the same as it did when Roberts bought it, and there's nothing more annoying for someone who owns a bike that's a true one-off than having people walk up and ask, "That's so-and-so's old bike, isn't it?"

So Roberts whipped off the existing Ducati 916 seat and replaced it with an MV Agusta F4 tail unit-complete with an MV-style four-pipe exhaust system featuring a set of custom-built Blueflame cans that had originally been fabricated for a Yamaha R1. This was easier to say than do, because the subframe needed to be modified in order to allow the pipes to tuck in neatly below the seat, and stainless steel pipes were made from the bends of two sets of Micron headers-that also involved Roberts having to learn how to weld.

But in order for the bike to be truly different, it needed a dramatic new paint job. After looking through various bike mags for inspiration, Roberts sat back in his easy chair and realized that the perfect paint scheme was all around him in the form of his better half's collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts and doodads (not that it would work for me, though, as bike parts, empty pizza boxes and crushed beer cans wouldn't inspire anyone).

While the ideas for the Egyptian paint were being interpreted by Art Attack, Roberts totally rewired the ride. He also happened to spend a few more bucks on a set of carbon-fiber Dymag wheels for good measure.

But when he hooked up the new hoops, Roberts noticed how the original Gixxer brake discs looked decidedly jaded-so he replaced them with carbon-centered Braking Wave discs.

Despite clearing out his bank account, he now had a unique ride he could call his own. And though it isn't exactly a tribute to his tin gods, it provides a near-religious experience each time he throws a leg over.

The Buyer's BoxMartek Suzuki Gsx-R1100

Front end: hlins Yamaha R1 Road and Track forks, Dymag carbon-fiber Yamaha R1 wheel, Braking Wave discs, Yamaha R1 brake calipers, HEL Performance brake lines, Sprintek Engineering yokes and risers, Brembo radial master cylinders, Renthal fat bars

Rear end: Martek single-sided swingarm, Honda VFR hub, brake disc and caliper, hlins shock, HEL Performance brake line, Harris master cylinder, Dymag carbon-fiber Ducati 916 wheel, custom-made final drive sprocket

Motor: 1216cc Wiseco pistons, gas-flowed cylinder head, slotted cam sprockets, 38mm Mikuni flatslide carbs, K&N air filters, custom-made oil cooler brackets, HEL Performance oil cooler and top-end cooler with stainless steel oil lines, Dyna 2000 ignition system with Dyna coils, Taylor ignition leads, Micron exhaust with Blue Flame cans, Sprintek Engineering billet crankcase covers

Paint: Martin at Art Attack Paint

Polish/chrome: Owner

Bodywork: Martek fuel tank with Goodridge quick-release filler cap, Pingel high-flow fuel tap, MV Augusta F4 seat unit with Ducati 916 seat pad

Accessories: QB carbon-fiber fender, Acerbis headlight unit, SPA Design combined speedo/tacho

Builder: Kev Roberts

Owner: Kev Roberts

"It provides a near-religious experience each time he throws a leg over."