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Held on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula since 1962, the Baja 1000 is a desert race like no different. As legendary as it’s grueling, ending it requires ability, willpower, and a little bit luck; ending on the rostrum, much more so.
You’re trying on the motorbike that took second place in final 12 months’s operating of the Baja 1000. Constructed and fielded by a crew from Deus ex Machina’s American operation, it’s a well-prepped Husqvarna FE 450 with a livery that’s all enjoyable—and a parts-spec that’s all enterprise. Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Paloma,’ the bike not solely boasts a second-place end within the Professional Moto Limitless class of the Baja 1000, however it additionally bagged second general within the 2023 World Desert Championship.
The person accountable for the construct was Ciaran Naran, who shared race duties with Forrest Minchinton, Nick Lapaglia, and Derek Asserbauer. A earlier Baja 1000 winner, Ciaran’s been racing grime bikes since he was eight years previous—and he’s found out methods to make them sooner alongside the best way. Understanding of Deus’ Venice Seaside workshop, Ciaran put numerous late nights into turning the 2023-model Husqvarna FE 450 Heritage Version into this wily, silver medal-winning desert sled.
Even in inventory type, the Husqvarna FE 450 is a beast. Due to its chromoly body and carbon fiber subframe, it weighs a paltry 108.3 kilos [238.8 lbs] dry—which isn’t any match for its punchy four-stroke motor. Add a smorgasbord of high-end components, and you’ve got the beginnings of a race-winning machine.
Deus’ Husky is galaxies away from its inventory trim although, with a construct sheet that will make any aspiring desert racer jealous. The mods should not as a lot about making the bike go sooner, as they’re about making it go quick for longer. Ciaran and his teammates piloted the Husky to a ending time of 26 hours and 50 minutes—that’s a whole lot of punishment for each man and machine.
The engine advantages from a 44 mm Keihin throttle physique and a Vortex ignition, plus hours of dyno testing. There’s additionally a Husqvarna manufacturing unit carbon fiber air filter consumption boot, and a transmission prepped by the gearbox specialists at Xtrac. Different add-ons embody Grime Methods sprockets, a DID chain, and an FMF exhaust muffler.
The cockpit options Renthal Twinwall handlebars with a Movement Professional throttle tube, ODI grips, and KTM hand guards. The brake and clutch perches are Brembo components, upgraded with CNC-machined levers. Elsewhere, Ciaran put in a Rekluse clutch cowl and hydraulic actuator.
The inventory Husqvarna headlight nacelle sits in entrance of the bars, fitted with a MotoMinded headlight housing, and a Baja Designs XL80 headlight. When the solar goes down, that setup will get swapped for a custom-built twin-light association.
AHM Manufacturing facility Providers overhauled and upgraded the Husky’s WP Suspension forks and shock, and Ciaran added an Öhlins steering damper to the combination. The yokes are WP manufacturing unit 24 mm offset items, and the swingarm comes from a KTM 450 SX-F.
Transferring to the wheels, Deus constructed a brand new set with DID DirtStar rims (though it’s pictured with an alternate set of Excel wheels in a few of these pictures). Customized-made wheel spacers and a modified Honda rear axle allow speedy wheel adjustments. The tires are Dunlop AT81s, with Nitromouse foam interior tubes inside.
Brembo brake calipers grip Grime Methods brake discs, with a Hunt Racing Merchandise ‘shark fin’ to maintain rocks away from the rear brake. Different protecting components embody Acerbis body guards and an Akrapovič skid plate. In between all of the bolt-ons, you’ll discover a handful of intelligent {custom} 3D-printed components.
A bigger-than-stock IMS gas tank maximizes the FE 450’s vary, whereas a modified Machine Works dry break filler permits sooner pit stops. The seat makes use of a manufacturing unit carbon-reinforced seat pan, Guts Racing foam, and a white suede cowl from Thrill Seekers. Extremely-sharp foot pegs from IMS preserve the riders’ toes the place they should be.
The Husqvarna FE 450 Heritage Version comes with a fetching white body, and a white, yellow, and blue livery that ideas its hat to Husqvarna’s classic colours. It’s a beautiful design, however Deus is Deus, and the Baja 1000 is the Baja 1000—so one thing particular was so as.
Deus tapped the legendary Nicolai Sclater, higher often known as Decorative Conifer, to create a one-of-a-kind livery for his or her desert racer. As traditional, he knocked it approach out of the park.
Now that the Husky has carried out its job—and carried out it effectively—Deus is letting it go to the very best bidder. Ciaran has refreshed it with a brand new chain, tires, grips, and hand guards, and put it up for public sale on Iconic Motorbikes. You’d higher be fast although—the public sale’s nearly over.
We’d bid, however we’re fairly positive we wouldn’t be capable of unleash its full potential.
Deus ex Machina | Fb | Instagram | Pictures by Jack Fraser
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