There was one small problème: he didn’t have a bike to race. With just two months to go, he set to work.
?The inspiration for this one was the Sultans of Sprint,? Woodman tells us. ?But the only bike that I had in my hands was this little Honda SS50. A fun challenge!?

The little Honda is now capped at both ends with charming handcrafted pieces. Between them are a hand-made seat and the stock fuel tank.
Woodman has re-mounted the tank at a more pleasing angle though, and fettled the subframe to match the new tail unit. The swing-arm is a custom job?set up to take a larger 18-inch rear wheel with a drag tire.

Woodman needed a little go to match the show, so he’s installed a tuned 190cc, 4-valve Daytona pitbike engine. ?It was prepared by Stomp 777, the best guy in France for this kind of engine,? he says. A minimal cockpit with clip-ons and new controls finish things off. Lighting is limited to a small taillight, and a yellow headlight behind the fairing’s ‘smiley.’ Both run off a small, rechargeable battery.

?It’s a competition bike?not street legal,? he admits. ?But in France?as my Swiss friend says?it’s république bananière!?
?I’ve taken the risk several times, and it’s a really cool machine. So light: only 82kg for 27 horsepower. Corners can be tricky with the drag tire, but with attention it works.?

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