24 year old builder, Simone Conti, started this project with the popular Ducati Monster 900 but it has evolved into something much more.  What he ended up creating, dubbed the SCM 1.0, is a handmade carbon fiber and aluminum mixture of engineering awesomeness.

The aluminum skeletal frame has the same geometry as the original Ducati trellis frame and was cut by a CNC machine.  Although not visible in the photos, he frame does have the tubular reinforcements hidden on the inside. Conti assures skeptics that the frame is perfect and does not move.

Although there’s not much of it, the bodywork is made from a mixture of carbon fiber and aluminum.

The custom made 2 into 1 exhaust system snakes it’s way around the Ohlins shock and exits through a carbon fiber muffler.

For more info, check out Simone Conti’s Facebook page.

[source: bikeexif]

ABT Sportsline shows what carbon fiber was invented for with their Audi R8 GTS customization program.  Apart from the power upgrade, which we’ll get to in a moment, the ABT’s Audi R8 GTS comes with countless custom-built carbon fiber aerodynamics parts. These include the front, rear and side skirts, the rear wing, air scoops, bonnet, exterior mirrors, and windscreen frame cover. Most of these parts have been optimized for reduced weight.

The ABT Audi R8 GTS is powered by the standard 5.2 FSI V10 engine, but has underwent various modifications, and now develops 620 HP (456 kW). With 20 % more power than the factory version, the ABT Audi R8 GTS is able to get to a top speed of 199 mph (320 kmh) and needs only 3.6 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kmh). The extra horses gather under the hood of the ABT R8 GTS come from an updated ECU and a new sport exhaust system.

To complete the picture, the tuners from ABT have also taken care of the R8′s interior. The ABT Audi R8 GTS customization program includes a carbon sports steering wheel, red carbon fiber on the center console, shift gate, and door panels and a leather upholstery. You’ll also get illuminated door sills, and red safety belts.

Aston Martin and Factor Bikes have recently partnered together to create a two wheeled version of the amazing luxury sedan, the Aston Martin One-77.   The One-77 bicycle like the car, uses carbon as the material for the frame, fork and handlebars to keep the weight low. The bike is complete with Shimano Dura-Ace components and bespoke carbon fiber wheels. High intensity front LED and red rear LED’s keep cyclists prepared for dusk, while the hand-stitched leather handlebars and saddle provide the feel of the original sedan. The bicycle uses an advanced computer system that incorporates an array of sensors such as GPS, a rear wheel speed sensor and a crank position sensor, in addition to traditional measurements like speed, altitude, GPS location and heart rate.

The Aston Martin One-77 Bicycle comes in a limited production of only 77 models and is ideal for serious cyclists for whom performance is of utmost importance. The One-77 bike is reported to cost $39,000.

[Source: Factor Bikes]

Here’s a cool variation on the Triumph Rocket 3 by German tuner Palatina.  The triple exhaust neatly tucked under the carbon fiber tail section is what first caught our eye but there is much more to this bike than the exhaust.

Palatina also added custom rearsets, integrated turn signals, and lots of carbon fiber, some with a blue color mixed in to the process.  All of these modifications were designed to take the big cruiser and transform it into a big Speed Triple, a REALLY big Speed Triple.

Next week Audi will debut their prototype Wörthersee e-bike, which promises to be a highly advanced, versatile electric bike from the German automakers. The Audi e-bike will be unveiled at Wörthersee in Carinthia, Austria where trial biker Julien Dupont and downhill specialist Petra Bernhard will demonstrate their stunts and streetbike skills. “As a high-performance e-bike for sports and trick cycling, it features the Audi core competences of design, ultra, e-tron and connect,” stated Audi’s Head of Design Wolfgang Egger.

The Audi e-bike weighs 24 pounds and features a compact frame made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer with a low center of gravity to make it superbly agile. The same carbon fiber-reinforced polymer is also used for the 26″ wheels which feature an innovative “Audi ultra blade” design with broad flat spokes for an optimized transmission of pedal power. The 2.3 kW electric motor sends up to 184 lb-ft. of torque to the rear wheel and uses a lithium-ion battery that only needs 2.5 hours to fully charge. The battery can also be easily be swapped out with a charged one during long rides.

The cyclist can choose between five cycling modes that can be set using the touchscreen on the e-bike. In the “Pure” mode, the drive power is purely the product of the cyclist’s legs, while in “Pedelec” mode you are supported by the electric motor that then makes speeds of up to 50 mph possible and gives you a range of 31-44 miles. If you select “eGrip”, the Audi e-bike Wörthersee runs solely on the electric motor and can reach a top speed of 31 mph. The cyclist then controls forward momentum using a grip shift and can configure the power as desired using the computer.

An electronic control system also helps the rider perform wheelies and other tricks. Different modes can be set using a smartphone or directly on the e-bike – either “Power Wheelie” mode, with adjustable wheelie angle for less skilled bikers or “Balanced Wheelie” mode for sporting challenges. In “Balanced Wheelie” mode, the electronic control system maintains the rider’s balance, by compensating the biker’s movements forwards or backwards via the electric motor. You select “Training” mode if you want to keep your performance constant for training purposes. 

Source: Inhabitat

The Tokyo motorcycle Show is always a treasure trove of custom bikes. At the most recent show, one of the stars was this extraordinary electric motorcycle, called the zecOO. Designed by Kota Nezu of Znug Design, the zecOO takes a custom aesthetic and applies it to the usually staid world of electric bikes.

This is the zecOO prototype, shot last week at the ancient Chokoji Temple in Sanmu, a couple of hours east of Tokyo. AFG Moto’s Jason Fullington, who helped arrange this shoot, reports that the bike is now being torn down in preparation for small-scale production. He also says that it was “fun, fast and silent” to ride.

The zecOO has a range of between 88 and 136 km (55 to 85 miles), which is pretty good. Top speed is 120 kph (75 mph), which is comfortably more than the 100 kph limit on Japanese highways. Weight is a hefty 245kg, but on the plus side, the bike takes just four to six hours to charge.

Car manufacturer Mansory Design & Holding GmbH has been producing first grade luxury saloons and super-sports cars for over 20 years. Under the leadership of founder Kourosh Mansory, the company constantly sets standards in terms of engine performance, innovative vehicle design and exclusive interiors. Their satisfied worldwide customers pay testament to this success. Their latest creation will also capture the hearts of its future owners at supersonic speed.

The series version of the Lamborghini already makes opulent use of the ultralight and high-strength material carbon fiber. And MANSORY continues this use as the main element of its bodywork components. Every single element of the MANSORY aerodynamic design is manufactured to perfect finish quality in the prepreg-autoclave process and fitted snugly into place on the vehicle.

The eye-catcher of the Aventador’s newly designed front body is the striking apron with its optimized air inlets for improved ventilation of the front coolers. In combination with the new front lip and its proprietary daytime driving lights, MANSORY not only achieves an aggressive look, but also generates additional downthrust. The front wings, as well as the bonnet, are removed and replaced with proprietary versions. The sides grow by 40 millimeters in width on the front axle and an impressive 50 millimeters on the rear axle. Newly designed side sill sets are also fitted. These steady the airflow between the axles and, thanks to built-in channels, direct additional cool air to the drive unit and the rear brake system.

The diffuser integrated into the new rear apron stabilizes the rear at high speed and, in connection with the enlarged rear wing, produces contact pressure at the rear axle. The body package is completed by exchanging the roof and engine-compartment covers with carbon fiber elements.

But it is not only through attractive design that MANSORY’s customized Aventador impresses. Thanks to an optimized engine-management system and a high performance exhaust system, both engine power and acceleration are improved. Thanks to 744 HP at 8,300 rpm and 750 Nm at 6,000 rpm, the 12-cylinder accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in a breath-taking 2.8 seconds. The top speed of 355 km/h is also higher than the basic vehicle.

As a perfect wheel-tire combination, MANSORY fits striking, ultralight forged rims with carbon fiber inlays in the sizes 9.0 x 20 and 13.0 x 21 with tires in the sizes VA 255/30 ZR20 and HA 345/25 ZR21.

The extensive interior additions provide a perfect completion to the Lamborghini customization program. It goes without saying that only the most luxurious materials are used. The treated leather for the seats and dashboard is both particularly durable and unusually soft. The natural product, with its individual grain and perfectly crafted stitching, gives a feeling of extravagance to the newly designed airbag sports steering wheel. To emphasize the interior’s sporty character even further, MANSORY installs non-slip aluminum pedals and real carbon fiber components.

Captured on video by TVNZ’s SUNDAY programme, this incredible flight high above Pudding Hill in Canterbury, New Zealand is a major step towards commercial production of the world’s first practical Jetpack being developed by New Zealand’s Martin Aircraft Company. “This successful test brings the future another step closer,” said the Jetpack’s Inventor, Glenn Martin.

The record‐breaking flight is part of an intensive period of flight‐testing for the Jetpack as the Martin Aircraft Company works through the final development phase of the Jetpack’s technologies with the aim to have first deliveries of both the manned and unmanned (UAV) versions to key customers within the next 18 months.

Named one of Time Magazines’ top 50 inventions for 2010, the Martin Jetpack has the ability to fly for half an hour or more, climb more than 1000ft per minute and to cruise at 100 km/h. “In this test we limited the jetpack to 800 ft/min climb so the chase helicopters could keep up,” said Martin.

Another first during the high flight was the world first test of the Jetpack’s Ballistic Parachute safety system. While this test was a verification of the safety system using an off the shelf version; Martin Aircraft believes that with the purpose built Ballistic Parachute they are developing, unlike helicopters, the Jetpack’s avoidance curve can be removed entirely – meaning that with the Martin safety systems there is no height where a catastrophic failure needs to lead to significant injury.

For this high altitude flight the company tested the UAV unmanned version using a weighted dummy simulating a pilot’s weight to demonstrate the Jetpack’s ability to fly high.

“This test also validated our flight model, proved thrust to weight ratio and proved our ability to fly a Jetpack as an unmanned aerial vehicle, which will be key to some of the Jetpack’s future emergency/search & rescue and military applications,” said Martin.

The earliest Martin Jetpack customers are expected to be in the military and emergency response sectors around the world. Unmanned Jetpacks could be used for delivery, observation and extraction in areas and situations too dangerous for people and other aircraft to get to.

Martin Aircraft CEO, Richard Lauder said the Christchurch based company is now in an intensive testing period to refine technology in the areas of safety (the Ballistic Parachute), engine performance over extended and continuous hours of operation, and high speed flight stability.

He said all the technologies tested during the high flight performed well and technicians are already working on the next test to push new boundaries of the flight envelope.

Lauder says: “this latest successful high flight was a complex aviation event requiring approval from the Civil Aviation Authority, and took several months to coordinate.

From a company point of view, the high flight shows Martin Aircraft’s development over the past two years and its expertise in coordinating and running a sophisticated and complex aviation event of this nature.

“In the past two years we’ve gone from unveiling a world leading invention to a company on the verge of international commercialisation of both the manned and unmanned versions of the Jetpack.”

Since the public unveiling of the Jetpack at Oshkosh in the US (the world’s biggest aviation show), Martin Aircraft has received substantial interest from governments, military and emergency services around the world, along with many in the general aviation sector who are interested in being one of the first to own a jetpack.

Based on customer demand and international interest in the development of the Jetpack for a range of uses, the Martin Aircraft Company believes the Jetpack has the potential to become a significant international export earner for New Zealand.

FACTS: Martin Jetpack Prototype 11, registration number ZK‐JME

Flight on 21 May 2011 at Pudding Hill Canterbury New Zealand

About The Martin Jetpack

• The Martin Jetpack is a vertical take‐off and landing aircraft that can either be flown by a person or operated unmanned
• In the future when disasters strike the jetpack could be used to fly rescuers to areas where helicopters and planes can’t get to.
• The Jetpack has a number of advantages over helipcopters:
  • Most importantly it’s easy to fly. On average a Jetpack pilot will be trained and competent with only around twenty hours of classroom and flight training, costing just a few thousand dollars. Helicopter pilots, by comparison, take 50 hours of flight time and many more hours of classroom training, costing tens of thousands of dollars. That means, in a rescue service for example, rather than having a single dedicated pilot, every member of a team could be trained and competent in a Jetpack
  • It’s safe. With the Ballistic Parachute we believe, unlike helicopters, the Jetpack’s avoidance curve can be removed entirely – that is to say with the aircraft’s safety systems there is no height where a catastrophic failure needs to lead to pilot fatality
  • The operating costs are hugely lower. Compared to helicopters currently used for urban surveillance and search and rescue work, the Jetpack’s hourly operating cost will be around 90% lower
  • The Jetpacks small profile means it can access, and land in, places a helicopter could never reach
  • The Jetpack can be flown manned, or unmanned as a carrying platform

It’s one thing to create a convertible version of the gorgeous Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, it’s another thing to take off the roof and the windscreen, fitting two small wind deflectors in front of the driver and passenger compartments. Don’t forget to grab your carbon fiber helmet before you head out for a spin or else you’ll probably end up with a mouth full of bugs.

Lamborghini describes it as “an utterly indescribable experience of power and dynamics.” The J Roadster uses the same 700-horsepower, 6.5-liter V12 as its hardtop kin, and Lamborghini states that the open-air J will hit speeds as high as 186 miles per hour.

In an effort to save weight even further, the automaker has used a new carbon fiber fabric called “Carbonskin” that is apparently soft and supple enough to be used on the seats and interior trim. Regardless, we’re sure that once you’re actually driving this beast at speed, you won’t really care how good the fabric under your butt is.

How many more will be produced? None. It’s a one-off, one-run deal, and put away your pocketbooks – it’s already been sold for a cool $2.8 million. Check it out for yourself in the image gallery below.

The Subwing takes playing in the water to new heights! Invented by Simon Sivertsen, the Subwing is an underwater toy that looks like a fish’s fin and allows for outdoor enthusiasts the chance to “fly” or glide underwater as they’re dragged behind a boat (with 15 feet of lead rope).

When pressing the leading edge of the Subwing down, it’ll cause the rider to dive, while pulling it up allows for one to surface. Twisting it left and right changes one’s direction. The Subwing is split into two independently-swiveling parts that allow for spinning through the water. There are three versions available, including the Fiber Glass and epoxy version ($700) and the Carbon Matte and Carbon Glossy versions that are both made from a 6K Twill Carbon fiber ($850 and $895, respectively).

[source: Subwing]

The carbo axe, created from direct input from the military EOD community, this lightweight tool is made of a hardened titanium core with a carbide-tungsten edge, sandwiched between two layers of carbon fiber and fastened via titanium hardware. The handle is turned from a solid bar of carbon fiber. Super light and ultra fast… ready for your next zombie attack.

Italian helmet manufacturer AGV has revolutionized the design method behind helmets, taking it to a new level with the PistaGP.

World champion motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi played a pivotal role in the development behind the helmet. The process began with the Italian helmet makers using a laser to scan the MotoGP riders head, and moving away from the traditional process of starting with the outer shell and working inwards, AGV designed the helmet from the inside out.

As the helmet was perfectly tailored for Rossi’s head, he revealed: “I am very happy with the PistaGP, it feels like I am not wearing a helmet. Its aerodynamics have increased, with excellent ventilation and exaggerated visibility, like switching from the TV to the cinema.”

Technical highlights as released by AGV are:

• The residual impact force transmitted to the head is reduced by 36% compared to the limit established by ECE regulations.
• The HIC index is 48% below the limit established by ECE regulations.
• The basic visor movement area has been reduced by 71% compared to the GP-Tech helmet. This allows use of the space saved to increase the thickness of the absorption material, benefiting safety.
• The visor is Class 1 optical standard approved for excellent vision.
• The field of vision is 15° wider and the overall visor window area has increased by 9% compared to the previous helmet, without compromising its level of protection.
• The Z-Lift index has been reduced by 44% after wind tunnel tests.
• The air intakes have almost tripled in size, whereas the entire ventilation system of the PistaGP helmet removes heat and moisture very efficiently. The padding has a 3D concave structure, which is pre-shaped according to the morphological characteristics of the head, while the surfaces in direct contact with the head are free from stitching for guaranteed comfort.
• The fit of the PistaGP helmet, covered by three patents, provides an extraordinary high level of comfort and adaptability to different shapes, unknown up to now.

[source: Ducati, AGV]