FIREFLY

Jan 06, 2016

日本のみなさん　この英文のあとに日本語があります

Meet The Firefly - the Residence of Impermanence's first and latest build by Deus Japan's Director of Motorcycle Operations, Matthew Roberts - a venerable 1961 Honda Super Cub that pushes the engineering and styling envelope like none before. . A modern interpretation of the raw functional beauty of small capacity GP and TT steeds of the 1950's and '60's Its long, low lines, run uninterrupted from headlight to tail but for the riders perch - a spartan tuck-roll offering in Oxblood red, stitched by local moto upholstery master Miauchi-san - and the original C105 speedometer, a nod to the machine's heritage Its execution so harmonious as to have historians running to the archives in search of reference to a long lost racing prototype. A modified frame and epoxy composite monocoque body of Roberts' own design and construction, afford the Firefly its striking silhouette while saving precious kilograms.

The inspiration drawn from the Cubs unique front suspension. The exceptionally slim top bridge and frame allowed the creation of a body. 105mm at its widest point, while entry in local pre 1964 race series provided the performance motivation As a neat twist, racing mandatories quick release to reveal the machine's road going necessities - headlight and discrete illumination elsewhere - meaning the Firefly can compete on the track at the foothills of Mount Fuji on a Sunday and hit the streets of Tokyo on a Monday.

Removing the body reveals fuel cell, battery, coil and electrics laid out with surgical precision along a slender modified back bone. Polished and trued original C105 hubs now sport made in Japan DID alloy rims, custom spokes and 2.75 x 17 rubber shoe-horned to fit inside the narrow forks and rear fender. Bespoke and hand-made accoutrements pepper the Firefly's form, such as alloy top bridge, stop light, rear set foot controls, fully adjustable alloy race shocks and externally mounted front fork rebound unit. "With Japan the birth place of the Super Cub, stepping up to customize one here means delivering a design that punches well above its weight in every aspect" admits Roberts, referring to his striking yet reverent re-imagining. "A concept that stops people in their tracks is one thing, but its the deep connection and respect to the original machine's DNA that gives the Firefly endearing timeless character."

The Honda Cub may be the best selling vehicle in internal combustion history, 60 million plus worldwide, but performance components are scarce for the first series overhead valve single. Every nut, bolt, bearing and bush, from engine components to front suspension internals, have been re engineered, redesigned or improved from decades old factory blue prints. "Mill and lathe have kissed enough of this lithe steed to leave a HRC factory team envious" smiles Roberts.

Half century old engines require as much art as science to coax reliable power increases, so friend and local engine guru Ted's Special, who's work graces Honda's own race collection hall, handled over-sizing and tuning the petite donk to race series regulation maximum 20% capacity increase. Open carb mouth gleefully gulped in cool mountain air for the run-in and secret shakedown session. Test pilot Yamamoto-san confirmed planted, confidence inspiring handling that holds a line unlike any Cub he's ever ridden and ergonomics that beg for speed and welcome cornering velocity . Gearing set and Jetting sorted, the Firefly Went on to Break cover and début at the Battle of Bottom Link RACE Series. We doubt Soichiro Honda's original team would have ever imagined their humble first series Super Cub transformed into a pole-position-ready racer over half a century later ... though we do know they would be proud. Special Thanks to: Engine blue-Printing and Fettling by Maejima-san Paint Application by Nakata-san Riders Perch pad by Miauchi-san Fearless test pilots Yamamoto-san and Seino-san Find the special art here created by Carby Tuckwell

The Firefly

の登場かつてないエンジニアリングとスタイリングを追求した1961年型ホンダスーパーカブをベースにDeus原宿のモーターサイクルオペレーションのディレクター、マシュー・ロバーツ(＊通称マット)が手掛けた最新作、Firefly。そのファーストサウンドはDeus原宿の別名、レジデンス・オブ・インパーマネンスから響き渡った。ヘッドライトからテール部分にかけて、細身でフラットなFireflyのフォルムは、1950年代から60年代に人気のあった小排気量のGPマシンやTTレーサーの持つ機能美をモデルに現代風に表現したものだ。 Fireflyの特徴の一つともいえるシートは、レザーシートの達人、宮内氏の匠の技が遺憾なく発揮されている。そしてまた、スーパーカブオリジナルのC105型スピードメーターも搭載。マット自身がデザイン、制作を手がけたエポキシ樹脂を用いたフレームは、軽量化と印象的なシルエットを最大限に表現している。マットによるとユニークなデザインへのインスピレーションは、スーパーカブ特有のボトムリンク式のフロントサスペンションがその源だという。細いトップブリッジを使用する事で、車体の最大幅が105mmに収められているが、1964年以前のレーシングマシン並に過酷なレースに対応可能なパフォーマンス性と強度を維持している。エポキシ性のボディーを取り外すと、燃調タンク、バッテリー、コイルなどの電装品が緻密にレイアウトされていることが一目で解る。遊び心に満たされたFirefly の大きな特徴は、B.O.B.L.(カブを主体としたレース)のレース基準を満たしたレーサーでありながら、ヘッドライトなど搭載する事で、公道での使用が可能ということだ。オリジナルな状態にレストアされたC105型の本体には、DID合金リムカスタムスポークが装着され、2.75 X 17インチのナロータイヤとフォークとの相性も抜群。ピッタリとフェンダー内に収められている。トップブリッジ、ストップライト、バックステップ、アジャスタブルなレーシングショック、外付けされたフォークリバウンドユニット等、ハンドメイドのパーツ類がFireflyのフォルムにアクセントを加えている。ロバーツはFireflyの制作を振り返りこう語っている「スーパーカブ誕生の国、日本を舞台に斬新なカスタマイズを行うことは、全ての面で既成概念を打ち破るデザインを提供する事だ」そしてこう続けた「人々に感動を与えるコンセプトも必要だが、僕はマシンのDNAへのリスペクとその繋がりが、Fireflyに時空を超えた愛らしいキャラクターを与えているんだ、と感じている」人間工学に基づきデザインされたFireflyは、更なるストレートスピードとコーナリング速度を得るために、ファイナル調整（スプロケットの調整）とメインジェットの交換が行われた。これらの試みが成功、Fireflyはその本領を発揮すべく、ヴェールを脱ぎBattle of Bottom Linkレースへの挑戦を始めたのだった。

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!