Le Projet FZ1000R: Thunderace-Powered Yamaha FZ750

Coming to Worship Moto Show: Manu Piddiu’s “FZ1000R” Track Special…  

Introduced in 1985, the Yamaha FZ750 was the company’s first machine to feature the liquid-cooled 20-valve “Genesis” inline four engine — a revolutionary design at the time, which became a mainstay of the brand’s race replicas for years to come. Eddie Lawson won the Daytona 200 on an FZ750 in 1986, and the bike took first place at the Castrol Six Hour two years running. It was the sport bike in the 750 class.

“Yamaha dropped a fox into the henhouse by unveiling the five-valve FZ750. Pitted against the other brands’ tariff-beating 700cc entries, the FZ was clearly the class of the field. It ran rings around the competition and set high standards in both chassis and running-gear design.” –Sport Rider

Enter our new friend Emmanuel “Manu” Piddiu (@project_fz1000R_21), who got his passion for mechanics and motorcycles from his old man, known as “Doc” after Dr. Emmett Brown from Back to the Future. Manu caught the track bug when he was 21.

“I went to a trackday with his father, and it clicked. I still remember saying, ‘Next year it’s me who is on the track.’ I had been able to feel the adrenaline from the edge of the track. It’s from there that everything came about.”

Manu spent five years riding and racing on the track — a time filled with great memories. In 2017, however, everything changed. 

“In 2017, I had an accident on the road, and there was a lot of complications. But even at that moment, I knew I had to and I would ride a motorcycle again. I was able to walk again in 2020, but I was banned from riding a motorcycle for another 3-4 years, while my leg still consolidated.”

In 2020, after the birth of his first son, Manu bought an ’86 FZ750, the machine you see here. Though he wasn’t allowed to ride it yet, he had a dream of building a track-only restomod he could hand down to this children. However, the challenges with his leg weren’t over.

“In 2023, after new complications, I made the decision to have my leg amputated, because I wanted to end my problems. I wanted to be able to run and carry my son as all fathers should do. I didn’t want to stay on the bench. And that was one of my best decisions. Today I’m living again.”

Manu thanks his wife for being there at his side through all of the pain and hardship, and his sons for giving him the motivation to get back on his feet and complete the magnificent machine you see here, “Le Projet FZ1000R.” 

Let’s start with the engine. Manu swapped out the old ’86 750 mill for a much larger, newer Genesis inline-four from a 2002 YZF1000R Thunderace…but it’s far from stock. Manu had a dream of putting “almost a racing engine” in the bike.

This 20-valve Thunderace motor now boasts 1040cc Wiseco pistons, Carrillo connecting rods, lightened and balanced crank, YZF750 cams, Abuso Racing oversize valves / reinforced valve springs / titanium spring cups, YZF750 6-speed gearbox (the Thunderace had a 5-speed transmission), reinforced clutch, Keihin FCR 39 carbs, Moriwaki-style exhaust, and more. The engine makes a stout 132 horsepower at the rear wheel, though it’s running a little rich… Manu has dreams of 150 rwhp. 

Of course, the chassis was upgraded in tune with the engine. The conventional forks were swapped for a 2003 Yamaha R1 inverted front end with Andreani cartridges. The swingarm comes courtesy of an 2009 R1, matched with a 2005 R1 WP rear shock from Yamaha guru and former TT racer Pete Beale. The bike rolls on 2005 R1 wheels, with R1 axial brakes and 320mm Brembo Supersport discs.

Importantly, the left foot rest was homemade to hold Manu’s boot and prosthesis, and he installed a Translogic Powershift push-button gearshifter. 

Manu designed the graphics himself, which Ludo from By LL Cover executed to perfection, and the tank is the most special piece of all:

“The tank is signed by all the people who have been present since my accident or the people who contributed to its construction. It’s very important for me.”

Truly, it almost brings tears to our eyes to hear Manu tell of his first impressions of riding “Le Projet FZ1000R.”

“It’s incredible, after eight years without riding a motorcycle, to be able to feel the tires crushing, the front wheel stopping the motorcycle, the power of the engine. All is quite raw and firm for the pilot. The sound of the air box and the Keihin carb is incredible. We get a really deep growl.”

Manu says this analog, carb-fed superbike gives a much different experience than today’s machines.

“It’s more precise than many fuel-injected motorcycles. When you turn the throttle wide open (or rather when you manage to do so), it’s accompanied by a very frank push, a borderline violent thrust… It really gives the sensations of a raw motorcycle, with a lot of sound, smell, vibration. EXCELLENT!!”

We’re so proud of Manu for coming back from tragedy in such a special way. Many riders would have sworn off motorcycles for good or fallen into self-pity. Manu, on the other hand, never fails to mention his own good fortune, especially the family and friends who supported him along the way. We’re proud of you, Manu, and honored to share this bike and story on BikeBound — this is what motorcycles are all about. 

You can see Le Projet FZ1000R this Sunday, September 28, at the second annual Worship Motorcycle Show in Leeds, UK. Put together by the legendary Gary Inman of Sideburn and Dirt Quake fame, Worship is fast becoming one of our favorite events.

“These are motorcycles built to perform, not simply turn heads or be part of a scene. No stone is left unturned. We have nothing against the shed-built, created-on-a-budget cafe racers, but Worship is not a show for those bikes. We have loved these muscle bikes for years and want to see the best of them congregated in one place.“

We can’t think of a more perfect event to display Le Projet FZ1000R. If you’re in the UK, make sure to check out the show and congratulate Manu himself on this stunning track weapon, which he plans to hand down to his sons one day. 

Below is our full interview with Manu about the bike, along with many more details, photos, and specifications. Enjoy!

Le Projet FZ1000R: Builder Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

I am 33 years old today, and I am a mechanic. In my family, on Sundays we only talked about soccer. I have always hated that. My passion for mechanics and object-making came from my father, “my mentor.” Everyone calls him “Doc,” referring to Dr. Emmett Brown from Back to the Future, because he always had a solution for every mechanical problem. Even when I was younger I always loved mechanical sports, auto and motorcycle. I had more access to cars. But coming from a modest family it was impossible to practice.

I started with motorcycles late, at the age of 21, after meeting my incredible wife (you will understand why she is so incredible). I went to a trackday with his father, and it clicked. I still remember saying, “Next year it’s me who is on the track.” I had been able to feel the adrenaline from the edge of the track. It’s from there that everything came about.

I rode on the track and even competed in two amateur races for five years. It was magnificent, intense, and filled with memories.

In 2017, I had an accident on the road, and there was a lot of complications. But even at that moment, I knew I had to and I would ride a motorcycle again. I was able to walk again in 2020, but I was banned from riding a motorcycle for another 3-4 years, while my leg still consolidated.

My reaction was to take advantage of this time to please myself and enjoy life. In September 2020 my first son was born (Andrea), and that’s when I bought the FZ. The idea was just to restore an older motorcycle for the track, because I couldn’t ride it yet.

In 2023, after new complications, I made the decision to have my leg amputated, because I wanted to end my problems. I wanted to be able to run and carry my son as all fathers should do. I didn’t want to stay on the bench. And that was one of my best decisions. Today I’m living again.

In all these ways, I was able to maintain strength and keep my head up thanks to my wife. She stayed night and day at my bedside to help me with everything I needed. And my first son, too, gave me a real reason to keep fighting. I could never have thanked him enough… Today I have a second, and it motivates me to rebuild another motorcycle.

My workshop is really the typical place of someone passionate; it is truly in my image, filled with memories or anecdotes of all kinds. You can see it on my social media. You can feel the essence, the wood and the oil there is pleasant, and my friends love the atmosphere. I am thinking about setting up a bar there to spend evenings with them now.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

It’s an FZ750 ’86 with an ’02 Thunderace 1000 engine.

• Why was this bike built?

I did it for myself. I always dreamed of doing a real preparation for myself, and to give to my children one day.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

It was inspired by the Japanese racers that I see running in the Taste of Tsukuba. I drew the design myself. I wanted something flash but serious, and race-inspired. I admired a lot the creations of Sticky’s Speed Shop and Haxch Moto.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Engine:

• Abuso Racing oversize valves
• Abuso Racing reinforced valve spring 
• Abuso Racing titanium spring cup
• 750 YZF camshaft 
• Cylinder ball hone
• Wiseco 1040cc pistons
• Carrillo conrods
• Crankshaft lightened and balanced
• Reinforced F.C.C clutch
• YZF750 6-speed gearbox
• Ignitech ignition
• EMS Motorsport Exhaust with dual Arrow Exhaust (Moriwaki-style exhaust)
• Keihin FCR 39 carb
• YEC Replica air box
• YEC Replica crankshaft tip
• Alternator suppression
• And shifter and Powershift Translogic

 

Chassis:

• Yamaha R1 (2005) wheels with 320mm Brembo SSP discs
• Custom yoke for upside-down 2003 R1 forks with Andreani cartridges
• Custom support for R1 axial brakes.
• Custom support for Harris YZF750 footrests (ex-Fast Orange YZF750 TT bikes)
• Yamaha R1 (2009) swingarm with 2005 R1 WP shock from Pete Beale (frame was modified to attach it)
• Brembo CNC to rear caliper with Agras support for down mount.
• Custom fork swingarm for kickstand.
• Stack tachometer and info gauge on carbon plate.
• Full custom harness for track-only use.
• Left foot rest is homemade to hold the boot with my prosthesis.
• Graphics designed by myself and made By LL Cover. The tank is signed by all the people who have been present since my accident or the people who contributed to its construction. It’s very important for me.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Le Projet FZ1000R.

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

For moment 132 hp/11,000 rpm and 94Nm at 9100 rpm at the rear wheel with rich carb setup (11 AFR average). But I want a little more… I dream of getting up to 150 hp. The bike weighs about 199 kg all included.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

It’s incredible, after 8 years without riding a motorcycle, to be able to feel the tires crushing, the front wheel stopping the motorcycle, the power of the engine. All is quite raw and firm for the pilot. The sound of the air box and the Keihin carb is incredible. We get a really deep growl.

The engine is very fast at low speed; it’s surprising for me who has always ridden a 600cc. Each degree of the throttle is felt on this motorcycle. It’s more precise than many fuel-injected motorcycles. When you turn the throttle wide open (or rather when you manage to do so), it’s accompanied by a very frank push, a borderline violent thrust.

The chassis is neutral for the moment. The wheelbase is slightly longer than today’s 1000cc bikes. I haven’t been able to really push on the track yet because my physique doesn’t allow me.

It really gives the sensations of a raw motorcycle, with a lot of sound, smell, vibration. EXCELLENT!!

I think I will be able to go “quickly” with it…but I will have to thank and tweak it before that. That’s exactly what I wanted to find by building this motorcycle. And I am happy to have succeeded in it.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

The assembly of the engine with all its parts, including the dream of putting almost a racing engine in the bike.  I am also proud to be able to present it at Worship Moto Show this week.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

My beautiful wife and my two lovely little big boys, my family, and my best friends.

• Franck Fracchiolla, a jerk (between us it’s a great mark of affection) and one of my best friends who pushed me to share the bike on social media.
• Ludo from By LL Cover (Lorraine, France) for the graphics / wrap of the motorcycle he did for me — it was exactly what I imagined.
• Franck from Concept Bike (Alsace, France) for his help and experience in competition.
• Graham from Motorcycle Photography Racing.
• Louis & Mario from EMS Motorsport for the exhaust, their support, and their kindness.
• All the people who signed the tank.
• And also all those who support me on the networks! For me, sharing this kind of project is important for passion. 

More Photos

Process and Parts

Follow the Builder

Instagram: @project_fz1000R_21
Facebook: Le Projet FZ1000R