Dreams sometimes become reality. and this Cagiva/Bimota V500 Strada Squalo Projectthe work of a Scottish engineer, is the living image that this is possible based on dedication, work and love for two wheels. Roughly speaking, we are looking at the only copy developed on what was once a “simple” sketch drawn by the “Michelangelo” of two wheels, Massimo Tamburini.
We are talking about the same guy who acquired the DB11 VLX concept presented by Bimota at EICMA 2012 and who, after several years of restoration and tuning, has managed to put it into operation and homologate it for road use.
But this is not all, since he is currently working on another prototype designed by Bimota that also did not ultimately come to fruition, and which is very likely to end up being fully functional like the exclusive supercharged DB11 VLX that was completed this year.
Cagiva/Bimota V500 Strada Squalo Project in detail
Now it’s time to focus on this V500 Strada Squalo Project, which Gavin officially presented a few months ago at the international Cagiva meeting in Kludzko, Poland, as detailed by Rupe’s Rewires, a workshop specialized in preparations of this type that took care of some aspects project technicians.
There the V500 Strada Squalo Project took the first prize for the best motorcycle of the contest, which was attended by more than 100 mounts from the brand. Nostrebor also showed other of his works signed under the elephant’s signature, specifically two Cagiva Elefants. One with a Ducati 999R engine, and another made by one of the mechanics who at the time competed in the Lucky Strike team in the famous Paris-Dakar.
However, the star of the rally was this V500 Strada Squalo Project, a frame made from scratch and following Tamburini’s old idea of installing the well-known V-Due engine in a high-performance supermoto. Everything, absolutely everything, is the authorship of Gavin and those who have participated in the project over more than four years.
From the chassis, designed and built by Gavin, to the swingarm, fuel tank, complete exhaust system or the fibers, inspired by those found on the Cagiva SuperCity 125. The engine fitted to the V500 Strada Squalo Project is the well-known V -499 cc 90º twin that powered the iconic V-Due, and that literally bankrupted Bimota. Let us remember that until that moment no one had dared to try to put an electronic injection system into a 2-stroke engine.
So Gavin, one of the first things he did was send the engine to a German specialist to install a carburetor fuel system. Subsequently, a custom electrical installation and electronic system was manufactured, including Zeeltronic ignition and electric water pump. But this is only part of the project, since, based on accessories manufactured in CNC, it has modeled the silhouette and technique of this incredible V500 Strada Squalo. As he explains himself:
“All inspiration has been taken from previous CRC design drawings and hand-formed alloy parts have been used… rolled and struck with hand tools.” Furthermore, throughout all this time the motorcycle has sported two different color schemes and the instrument panel has been changed for a different one, up to three times.
In short, we are looking at a unique motorcycle in the world that sports an aesthetic similar to that of a 125 cc SuperCity, with the size of a Yamaha TDR250 and the power of a V-Due 500. All this for a reasonable weight. of gear that probably does not even reach 150 kilos, and accompanied by a top-level chassis where we find an inverted front fork, an adjustable rear monoshock or a braking kit signed by Brembo.
There is no doubt that Gavin is an inveterate lover of motorcycles coming off the Rimini assembly line, but he is also addicted to premium modifications and even, if necessary, to building his own 2T Supermotard following the original idea that germinated the Tamburini himself a quarter of a century ago.
Now it’s time to wonder what Mr. Nostrebor will surprise us with next. We’ll give you a clue: It looks Italian style and inside it beats a KTM Lc8… Stay tuned.
