Suppose you could build an entire motorcycle frame with parts cut on a CNC machine and then bolted together. That's the concept behind the RV100 from Revolution Motorcycles of Doylestown, PA. Martin O'Toole, a mechanical engineer by training with extensive experience in 3 dimensional machine design, CNC programming, and electrical controls, decided to give it a try and this is what he's come up with, a bike designed around standard Harley Davidson parts and using the HD frame geometry, but totally different in construction and appearance.
All of the structural components of the RV 100 are produced on a numerically controlled machine, such as a 3-axis CNC mill, a laser-cutting machine, and a waterjet. The only welded assembly on the motorcycle is the gas tank, which is fabricated from a laser-cut kit.
The bike in the photos here is a proof of concept mockup, final decisions about what materials to use for all of the pieces are still to be made. It is certainly an interesting design and one of those motorcycle you'll either like a lot or not at all but I give Martin high marks for ingenuity and original thinking. The best part is that yet another U.S. based builder is looking to get into the motorcycle business. That's cool all by itself.
Link: Revolution Motorcycles
Another photo below:
{ 16 comments }
not sure if i like it or not. but its cool to see someone trying something new.
I like it.
Thin down the lines a bit, add a functional front end with lights and such, flow the lines of that front end into the tank, make the seat area more functional and you could end up with an alternative cafe look.
Offer it as a kit at a good price and I’ll be in line for one.
Hmmm, can we say “Magic Motorcycles”?
Trey
i wonder how much weight it lost in the process. . . i’m guessing quite a bit. swap out the standard HD engine for an S&S and you could have a serious brawler. expensive sure. but THAT would get me excited!
I like it alot, they should sell it as a kit with a cafe style seat/fender assembly. I wonder if it is a monoshock design, or are they using something out from under a softtail?
Although I don’t care for the look, it is refreshing to see a new idea in the industry. This idea is so simple it makes you wonder why it took till almost 2007 for it to appear.
Gary,
Some of the specs Martin sent were as follows:
Front Suspension: 37mm Air assisted forks, 152mm wheel travel
Rear Suspension: Dual shocks, 93mm wheel travel
Wheelbase: 59 in
Fork Rake: 25 degree
Overall length: 85.5 in
Dry-Weight : 450 lbs
Fuel Capacity : 5 gal
HUH?!
haha. how much weight is lost. thats a good one
Has anyone contacted them for a price quote? Innovative ideas are a dime a dozen. Cost effective ideas are rarer than chicken lips.
Thanks kneeslider for the info, Humanoid, they are not giving a price quotes as yet, but check out their website.
I’m back! Recently moved home from China back to Scotland and it good to have reliable interent access again.
I really like this. Time to join the queue for a kit…
I seem to have provided the Kneeslider with some incorrect information. The weight of the bike is 405 lbs, not 450 lbs. Since this bike is a prototype, we feel that this weight numbers is still going to go down. The finite element analysis (FEA) we are performing indicates that some of the major frame components are still oversized. Sorry for the confusion, and keep checking the website as this project advances.
Think on this folks, this is a working prototype, as it is, it looks like he is using all steel parts, with no surface reducing. He could greatly reduce the weight by swapping both sides to a thicker aluminum, then routing out excess metal where the material was not under stress. But, that would increase cost.
It looks like he has a working prototype. If he did that for each prototype, he may not have any prototype.
My first thought was “coudl it be uglier?” but I have to say it’s a wonderful concept, and the beauty in this bike is in the minimalist function. Looking forward to to seeing a more finished concept and pricing.
It’s interesting..the same idea of a machined frame like on my bikes. I wonder if it is functional? I like the idea, and with a few mods to the looks, I think it could be a real nice bike.