In this era of high tech, when every motorcycle spec sheet seems to contain a dizzying array of acronyms, it?s reassuring to see that old school skills are alive and well.
This extraordinary drag racer looks like it belongs on the pages of a 1930s Boy?s Own Annual. But it was completed just a few days ago by VTR Customs of Switzerland, and will race in the Sultans of Sprint series in Europe.

VTR?s latest build is based on an R1200 R supplied by BMW. It?s also a collaboration with the Dutch watchmaker TW Steel, which has just released a rather beautiful new collection of automatic watches called ACE Spitfire.

Anyone with even a cursory interest in aviation matters will know the Supermarine Spitfire. The famous fighter first took to the skies in 1936, and retired from RAF duties in 1954?by which time the Merlin engine had been superseded by a 2,050 hp supercharged Griffon.
VTR?s production methods are decidedly old school. So old school, in fact, that they?d be familiar to the builders of the Spitfire itself. No computers are involved: it?s simply sketching and then metalworking, using hammers, sand sacks and an English wheel.
VTR boss Daniel Weidmann worked as a technician on vintage aircraft in his early career, so he?s comfortable with these methods. But even so, his skills?and those of head tech Cello Brauchli?were stretched to the limit.

?This is the most challenging and complex bike we have ever made,? Dani admits. ?We had to make the tail end three times t...