This “Rothmans Sportster” is the tribute that the owner of Lord Drake Kustoms, Francisco Ali Manen, wanted to pay to one of his idols and automotive legend, Ayrton sennaon the 30th anniversary of his death.
On May 1, 1994, while the San Marino Formula 1 Grand Prix was taking place, the Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna died after hitting the Tamburello curve of the Enzo e Dino Ferrari Racecourse with his Williams FW16. Now Fran Manen wanted to pay tribute to his idol with this preparation, wearing the colors of that car with which the Brazilian driver lost his life.
“Rothmans Sportster” in detail
The “Rothmans Sportster” by LDK has been developed on a Harley-Davidson RH1250 Sportster S customized in its transformation workshop in Velez-Malaga. Sourced from a customer in a town near Lisbon, Portugal, this Sportster S arrived completely original. Its owner wanted to give it a new look, and rather a restyling to get more out of the motorcycle's characteristics.
The first idea was to modify the rear, especially the license plate support, and put some type of mask or dome on it. Fran Manen got to work together with his work team, installing a café racer-style screen, a new tracker handlebar, new turn signals and a round headlight, in both cases equipped with LED lighting.
Additionally, the odometer has been relocated to the front of the handlebars. At the rear, the license plate holder and all the lighting have been modified, and the seat has also been upholstered with double stitching in red, recreating diamond shapes.
On a mechanical level this “Rothmans Sportster” mount a 2:1 exhaust from the brand Dr Jekill & Mr Hydefully approved, which in addition to sound regulation has a beautiful carbon fiber collector protector, giving it a more racing touch in line with the spirit that is breathed in Formula 1.
But the most significant change in this restyling has been the paint job inspired by the official colors of the Rothmans tobacco company, the same ones worn by the Williams FW16 racing car driven by Ayrton Senna. Without a doubt a nice tribute from LDK to the emblematic Brazilian pilot commemorating the 30th anniversary of his death.
