In the universe of customizations and handmade motorcycles there are projects capable of defying any logic. The HF355without a doubt, is one of them. And, furthermore, one that we have not tired of talking to you about. It is not simply an extravagant custom or a radical superbike, but a practically unrepeatable piece of engineering that combines the soul of a Ferrari F355 with the wildest philosophy in the world of 2 wheels.
Its creator is Max Hazanone of the most recognized trainers in Los Angeles and a regular at high-level international custom motorcycle competitions. For about a year and a half he worked on an idea that many would consider impossible: transforming the V8 of a Ferrari F355 1999 at the heart of a fully functional motorcycle. And, as is obvious, the final result is simply enormous.
All the secrets of the HF355
As we will never tire of repeating, the HF355 borrows the 3.5-liter naturally aspirated engine from the Ferrari F355one of the most iconic sports cars of the Italian brand in the nineties. This V8 engine is capable of around 400 hp and go up to almost 10,000 rpm, offering a sound and mechanical experience closer to a competition car than to a superbike conventional.
The figure is even more impressive when combined with the weight of the bike: around 265 kg dry. Although it is not exactly light compared to a modern superbike, the power-to-weight ratio is still absolutely insane and enough to reach around 300 km/h top speed. But beyond the numbers, what is truly special is the feeling it transmits. own Hazan He described the sound of the ensemble as “an IndyCar in the pit lane”, while at full acceleration it ensures that the experience is almost surreal.
To accommodate such mechanics it was necessary to completely rethink the architecture of the motorcycle. The engine Ferrari It acts as a structural element within a handcrafted chrome-molybdenum multi-tubular chassis, while the transmission and rear suspension system are directly integrated into the assembly.
Despite the enormous size of the V8 of transalpine origin, Hazan It achieved a surprisingly balanced weight distribution, something essential in such an extreme motorcycle. In fact, one of the great surprises of the project is that, according to its creator, the HF355 It is more manageable than anyone would imagine at low speed.
Most of the pieces were designed and manufactured by hand by the preparer himself, including a multitude of hand-machined components. The most striking thing is that much of the work was done using traditional manual machinery, moving away from the usual CNC processes in this type of creations.
The body, obviously red, as is obvious, is made up of 16 unique pieces of hand-molded carbon fiber. The process used to manufacture them was similar to that used in the aerospace industry, using resin infusion techniques to achieve high rigidity and a practically perfect finish. In the cycle section there is no lack of very high level components either. The HF355 equip tires Marchesinibrakes Brembo GP4X and suspensions Öhlins racing, including a fork FGR front and a shock absorber TTX in the rear
Curiously, where it does renounce much of modern technology is in electronics. Hazan eliminated practically all the original systems of Ferrari and opted for specific electronic management through a ECU AMP EFI. There is no traction control, driving modes, cornering aids or electronic assistants. Everything is reduced to a pure, analog and probably terrifying driving experience.
The HF355 It was not conceived as a production motorcycle or as a simple display of engineering. It is a unique piece destined directly for the world of the most exclusive collecting. And its final price confirms the extent to which these types of creations have become authentic works of art on 2 wheels. Yes, this motorcycle just sold for more than $500,000, a figure that in exchange far exceeds 460,000 euros.
