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Buell XB12S Makes a "Neoretro" Norton Manx Substitution

Turning a Buell into a Norton Manx is of course, impossible. However, turning a Buell XB12S into a Manx-tribute motorcycle boasting both modern custom elements and a hefty retro character looks like a very feasible task. At least so it seems to French sculptor and bike enthusiast Sebastien Beaupere.
Buell XB12S Neoretro by Sebastien Beaupere 7 photos
Photo: Sebastien Beaupere
Buell XB12S Neoretro by Sebastien BeaupereBuell XB12S Neoretro by Sebastien BeaupereBuell XB12S Neoretro by Sebastien BeaupereBuell XB12S Neoretro by Sebastien BeaupereBuell XB12S Neoretro by Sebastien BeaupereBuell XB12S Neoretro by Sebastien Beaupere
To be honest, we believe that one could hardly find a better name for this project: Neoretro say it all and says it well. It's retro because we're looking at a tribute honoring the 1947 Manx and its neo because of two more reasons: Buell has always stood for spearheading the racing bike industry and is an emblematic brand in the two-wheeled history. On the other hand using top-drawer parts to create this custom bike gives it all the contemporary brawn one might need.

The Norton Manx has a 500cc thumper heart - the Neoretro blasts an 1200cc V-twin fire-breathing power unit. The old suspensions have been replaced by state-of-the-art Öhlins fully-adjustable inverted fork and rear monoshock.

To keep the Neoretro from going too "neo", Sebastian Beaupere went for a more traditional approach when it came to the wheels: tossing away the cast aluminium rims and replacing them with more traditional spoked ones, and dishing the rim-mounted rotors with the more casual hub-mounted ones. However, Beringer and Brembo brake component are anything but retro.

And since Sebastien is a sculptor by trade, the was not afraid to discard all the plastic bodywork and replace it with hand-hammered alloy and leather components. The tank and air intakes, as well as the front mini-fairing are Beaupere originals and worth many hours of work.

While some of you will hate the Neoretro for either being a Manx mockery or a Buell disaster, we love it because it's a custom racing beast and we'd ride it like we stole it. At any given time.

Via Return of the Cafe-Racers.
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