Desmohog by Chris Barber powered by the DesmoHarley engine
The very impressive DesmoHarley engine built by Chris Barber we covered years ago has a home in a complete bike. I never followed up on that project and a comment in the previous post reminded me that it's about time I did. Several years ago the build was already under way and here is the complete bike, the Desmohog.
Desmohog by Chris Barber powered by the DesmoHarley engine
Putting Ducati 900ss desmo heads on a pair of Axtell cylinders, Carillo Rods with flat top Keith Black pistons attached to a stock stroke crankshaft is such a great idea, you have to love it. I especially like what Chris says about it:
The Desmohog was not designed to make the Harley engine something it will never be, I did it because I could.
That pretty well sums it up.
Chris also built the Alfabeast with an Alfa Romeo V6 which we first wrote up before knowing who the builder was and the Hill Climb Special. I like the way he thinks.
Link: Crossbreed Cycles
Photo credits: Duncan Moore
Video below:
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Speak of the Desmo
I love that bike.
That is classic…walks up, kicks it to life, and away he goes.
Just a quick note. The pictures above were taken by me for a feature in the UK custom magazine BSH. The words fromt eh feature can be found on my website – http://www.duncanmoore.myzen.co.uk.
Thanks
Duncan Moore
That is a great sounding bike.
Finally, a Harley that closes its own valves! The coolest hardtail I have ever seen!
How’s the power? That’s what I want to know. Is it worth the OHC setup? I have always wondered why Harley didn’t use the traditional bottom end with a new age head design. I was hoping Buell was going to do that with the 1125. An xb9 lower with bigger bores liquid cooled cylinders and dual overhead cams. Would have been awesome to see regardless of how it preformed.
Now that’s a machine I can appreciate backed up by an attitude I understand. Hidden under the “because I can” is the unstated “because no one else did”. Not cheap, not conventional, and not the fastest or the best looking. But damn unique in concept and execution to the fine details.
There are some that lesser and more sell known builders that would say it’s not a simple solution to the complex question. Some might point out that the rider’s ankle is at extreme risk to injury on the pipes on a hot start with that fott-lever thingy. I say it is an answer deserving of admiration in the creation of the response.
One last thought…DAMN!
Now all us lesser beings should bow down and offer praise to the Gawd of Skill.
Is there a friggin edit function to correct mistypes on this blog? Hummilliattinn.
Dittos AOT!
Really interesting sounding when it starts up.
I’m dying to know the answer to the obvious question, How does it run?
Having put 50,000 miles on a Duc. 750 in the 80s I learned to love the power delivery of the Italian twin. In the 90s when I acquired my Buell I considered it a sub-conscience compliment when I stabbed at the brake pedal looking for an upshift. When a rod bearing failed at 30,000 miles I took the opportunity to move closer to my memories. The crank was balanced to 10,000 rpm by slugging exclusively. and I changed the drive sprocket from 29 tooth to 27. It’s yet a little more like my old Duc.
If only those big valves had door slammers.
Totally SICK!!! Awesomeness ….is there such a word.
Good to see Cris is still doing his thing. Wish we had him in the USA/North Carolina still.
Once upon a time someone in Britain grafted a pair of Matchless top ends to a 45. I am happy to see that the seed has grown.
Great sounding bike! I love that he did it “because he could”. Who among us can say the same? I’ve always been impressed with the desmo valvetrain — even though it was originally a response to inadequate valve actuation with the springs of the time, and today’s valve springs and cam profiles have rendered desmo actuation moot, it’s still an elegant way to work the valves. Not just any kid with a set of feeler gauges can properly adjust them, and they require frequent attention to maintain peak efficiency, but having a desmo engine says you’re truly dedicated.