Blacktrack BT01 Carbon

The Blacktrack BT-01 Carbon is a limited-edition anniversary build from Blacktrack Motors, released to mark the workshop's third year and presenting the original BT-01 formula in a fully carbon fibre body, built on a meticulously rebuilt Honda CX500 V-twin with Ohlins suspension and Brembo GP racing brakes throughout.

The Concept

Blacktrack Motors built the BT-01 Carbon as a celebration for their fans and their own third anniversary. The decision to use carbon fibre was not cosmetic: it was a statement about the direction the workshop was taking, applying aerospace-grade materials to a platform that had already proven its character in the original BT-01. The donor is a hand-selected 1980s Honda CX500, chosen specifically for its unconventional longitudinal V-twin engine layout and its backbone frame, a structure that gives Blacktrack's fabricators a clean canvas while retaining the mechanical personality that makes the CX500 distinctive.

The Build

Before any bodywork was fitted, the CX500 engine and gearbox received a complete rebuild. New 39mm Mikuni carburettors replace the originals. The crankshaft, rods, and pistons were fully balanced. New valve guides and seats, a new timing chain and tensioner, and polished engine and rocker boxes were completed before final assembly. Every fastener on the engine and frame was replaced with a titanium item for both weight reduction and corrosion resistance. A brand-new custom 2-in-1 stainless steel exhaust system was fabricated in-house.

The bodywork is entirely carbon fibre: gas tank with a CNC alloy cap, tail unit, and solo seat unit. CNC custom aluminium yokes, a reinforced tubular steel subframe, and powder-coated frame and swingarm complete the structural work. The instrument cluster uses KOSO speedometer and tachometer units.

Suspension is full Ohlins specification: FGRT 43mm gold forks up front with custom-machined triple clamps, and an Ohlins TTX 36 monoshock at the rear. Braking uses Brembo GP Racing hardware with a PR19 master cylinder, 320mm front discs, and an Accossato rear caliper over a 220mm rear disc. Wire-spoked 17-inch tubeless rims carry Dunlop Sportmax Mutant tyres.

Performance

The rebuilt Honda CX500 V-twin produces 55 HP at 9,000 rpm and 50 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm from its 497cc displacement. Shaft final drive eliminates chain maintenance entirely, and the wet 5-speed multi-plate clutch provides smooth gear transitions. At 152 kg dry, the BT-01 Carbon is light enough to feel immediate and responsive, and the Ohlins suspension calibration is tuned to match the character of the engine rather than fight it.

Specifications

• Builder: Blacktrack Motors
• Donor: Honda CX500 (1980s)
• Engine: 497cc longitudinal OHV 80-degree V-twin, liquid-cooled, 4 valves per cylinder
• Bore and Stroke: 78 x 52 mm
• Power: 55 HP (41 kW) at 9,000 rpm
• Torque: 50 Nm at 7,000 rpm
• Carburettors: Twin Mikuni 39mm (new)
• Transmission: Wet multi-plate 5-speed, shaft final drive
• Exhaust: Custom 2-in-1 stainless steel, handmade
• Bodywork: Full carbon fibre (tank, tail unit, seat)
• Frame: Tubular steel with custom reinforced subframe, powder-coated
• Fasteners: Full titanium set (engine and frame)
• Wheelbase: 1,400 mm
• Overall Length: 2,000 mm
• Seat Height: 760 mm
• Dry Weight: 152 kg
• Fuel Capacity: 17 litres
• Suspension (Front): Ohlins FGRT 43mm gold forks, custom triple clamps
• Suspension (Rear): Ohlins TTX 36 monoshock
• Brakes (Front): Brembo GP Racing, PR19 master cylinder, 320mm discs
• Brakes (Rear): Accossato caliper, 220mm disc
• Rims: Wire-spoked tubeless, front 3.5x17, rear 4.25x17
• Tyres: Dunlop Sportmax Mutant (front 120/70ZR17, rear 150/60ZR17)

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