Boots Opticians has launched a new advertising campaign themed around seeing ‘little details’ that could easily be missed without clear eyesight, and how
Called the Sabre, the machine is based on a 2019 Interceptor 650 but puts out around 70bhp (up from 47bhp) and has been built to show the bike’s potential and as a test bed for parts and accessories to be offered to the public.
Created to conform to the ‘M-F 650’ class, an unfaired, production-based formula, the intention was to compete at 2020’s Speed Week at Lake Gairdner in South Australia, a salt lake similar to Bonneville in Utah, USA.
The pandemic scuppered those plans – until now, as rider Charlie Hallam posted a class record of 121.78mph first time out before gradually setting a new standard of 132.05mph. Not bad for an air-cooled, OHC parallel twin displacing just 648cc.
Engine modifications for the Interceptor 650 include tweaked cylinder heads, camshafts, and throttle bodies. Along with this, the bike runs forged pistons while the counterweight crankshaft has been removed. The gearbox is also modified for minimal friction.
As for underpinnings, the guys at Mid Life Cycles threw in Ohlins suspension, lighter alloy wheels, custom extended swingarm, and custom sprockets along with Pirelli Diablo slicks at both ends. The motorcycle even misses out on a front disc brake because weight reduction, bro!
Design-wise, the bike is pretty purpose-built. It misses out on lights altogether, gets a super-low handlebar, and a big cowl at the rear along with a huge mudguard at the front. It also gets a shiny maroon shade with black pinstripes on the tank and the rear cowl.