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Positioned in New York Metropolis, The Suited Racer considers himself a ‘residing piece of conceptual artwork’. The multidisciplinary artist creates work, sculptures and shoots pictures based mostly on themes of social justice and political consciousness. By means of his social media channels, he’s additionally turned himself, or relatively his masked alter ego, into an Instagram star.
Disguising his face with a masks and tinted sun shades glasses, at all times wearing a well-tailored swimsuit and infrequently accompanied by a motorbike, The Suited Racer Instagram account is an announcement about social media and society’s obsession with bodily look. As he places it, “I would love the world to know that it actually doesn’t matter what we appear like. Race/ethnicity, fairly, ugly… we’re all simply human. Brothers and sisters.” and it’s an method that’s amassed him an Instagram following that’s nearing 250,000.
Together with a wardrobe stocked with high-end fits, The Suited Racer has a powerful bike assortment. Amongst them is the ‘Butler’, a one-of-a-kind 1980 BMW R100 cafe racer that commonly options in his Instagram posts. In the present day we’re chatting with The Suited Racer to be taught extra about this mysterious man and his enviable BMW cafe racer.
Who’s The Suited Racer?
My pretend identify is Lando Griffin, most individuals who know me, name me The Suited Racer. I’ve been driving since I used to be 5 years outdated. My first bike was a bit Honda 50cc.
Why did you create your BMW R100 Butler?
As an artist, I’m visually stimulated by mirrors. To some, they’re the epitome of self-importance however to me, they signify self-reflection and looking out inward. I needed a motorcycle that was visually in contrast to some other on the market however with sufficient familiarity that its existence felt pure.
How lengthy did the mission take to finish?
Covid threw a wrench on the construct time. It took 2.5 years.
The place did your donor bike come from?
The donor bike got here from Craigslist. It wasn’t operating. The man who owned it earlier than me mentioned it had gotten him by loads of financially powerful instances because it allowed him to maneuver round for work at little price. He was a Brazilian who had moved right here in search of a greater life and labored his ass off in landscaping. He mentioned he did discover a higher life. He owned the BMW for 20 years.
What was your design idea for the Butler?
I had simply come off an artwork present I did referred to as “All Americxn” that handled reflections, removing of self, and unconscious biases… so I needed the bike to fully mirror its surrounding. I sketched the bike in pencil to a T. I knew precisely what the top consequence can be and am very pleased with the way it turned out.
The vibe of the model of the bike was impressed by Jim Redman’s Isle of Man days. BMW by no means made a motorcycle with these traces, in order a giant fan of Motorrad, I needed this bike to exist, and now it does.
How did you determine which efficiency upgrades to go together with?
Many of the upgrades have been chosen for reliability and to convey the bike comparatively in keeping with the efficiency of different bikes which can be obtainable now. The electronics have been fully redone and changed with Motogadget accessories. The brakes and front-end conversion have been by Cognito Moto. The rear suspension is by Ohlins. They’re the standard acquainted efficiency manufacturers. I say comparatively as a result of the tires themselves aren’t actually geared toward efficiency.
What was probably the most difficult side of the construct?
Realizing when to cease!
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Together with the modifications Lando talked about above, this BMW R100 has undergone an in depth aesthetic overhaul. In line with his reflective theme the R100 Butler wears a customized aluminium gasoline tank, fairing and rear cowl which can be polished to a mirror end. In an effort to match the customized bodywork the body was modified to swimsuit. The method included the removing of the inventory subframe and set up of a bespoke different that’s hidden throughout the enclosed tail unit. With the usage of a Cognito Moto front-end conversion equipment, the R100 is now sporting a set of contemporary upside-down forks, Brembo stopping gear entrance and rear and basic spoked wheels.
As for the facility upgrades, The Suited Racer BMW R100 wears flat slide Mikuni carbs which inhale by foam filters. There’s additionally a customized, shortened exhaust system with reverse cone mufflers, which additionally ensures that if the bike isn’t seen it’ll undoubtedly be heard!
As a homage to the enduring Japanese comedian e book ‘Akira’, Lando has launched a restricted picture print of the Suited Racer and his bike named ‘Akira Kaneda’ (proven beneath) which might be bought by way of his web site.
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