The Kneeslider

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1909 Torpedo V4 Replica by Pavel Malaník

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1909 Torpedo V4 replica by Pavel Malaník

Building replicas of antique motorcycles can be a challenge, but when the prototype was built as a one off promotional model and the whereabouts of the original, if it still exists, is unknown, it’s going to be infinitely more difficult. Pavel Malaník, who evidently has some experience building this sort of machinery, put together this absolutely wonderful 1909 Torpedo V4.

1909 Torpedo V4 replica by Pavel Malaník

Pavel created this bike from scratch. The finished bike is a beauty, especially the engine, which, though called a V4, is more like a partial radial. The 1600cc mill is actually two conjoined V-Twins from Trojan & Nagl, the company that built the original. The only thing the builder had to reference was a very low quality photo.

More photos and video below:

1909 Torpedo V4 parts

I’ve never heard of the Torpedo V4, nor seen any photos or drawings that look like it, but it’s something that has an awful lot of appeal to all of us who appreciate unusual engine designs. As you can see and hear in the video, it looks and sounds great, and this was from 1909! Very impressive build.

1909 Torpedo V4 engine partially assembled

1909 Torpedo V4 engine installed

A very big thanks to Doug, for the tip.

Link: Motocykl Torpedo V4

Comments

  3. Wonderful – it is fabulous projects like this that make this such a good site and worth coming back regularly.

    I would love to see and hear more about this great project.

  6. Absolutely beautiful!!! I wonder if he used CAD in the reconstruction, or was that “free-hand”?

    • While you’re on his sight, notice the partial shot of his milling machine. Looks like it is right out of 1940. In the back of my head there is a sneaky suspicion that he probably bought the thing second hand and rebuilt it himself. When he was like 18 or so, no less. Even so, this guy’s talent makes me suspect he’s right at home on a CNC machine as well. He’s thought process is probably something like, if you’re gonna build an old school ride, it needs to start with old school tools and setups to be true.

      • Motor for TORPEDO I made ​​on the old machine tools, because I have another.90% of the parts for the bike I made ​​at home in his workshop.Only the rims and fenders I have not produced.Motorcycle design was created by the only surviving photo.I created the drawing in 1:1 scale.According to the dimensions of this drawing I made ​​motorcycle parts.Without the use of CAD computer programs.Everything just handwork….Sorry my bad English Regards, Pavel Malaník

  9. Wow….. Just wow….
    Beautiful. Amazing build. I don’t see a CNC in the video anywhere. This guy is a true “Do’er”.
    Also second “Sick Cylinder’s” comment

  10. Four cylinders and it still had pedals! That’s fantastic. Imagine the slip on your leather belt drive when you unleashed that beast! And the terror of riding it at full speed on a bumpy road in 1909!

    • Aw, ain’t no thang. Just spend 30 or 40 years honing your skills and build any old thing you want. Envious? Who, me? Betcha!

  12. And I thought I was doing well to get my B50 into good shape! This is way beyond a project… it’s art, pure and simple. Love the sound — it’s what the motorcycle world was like 100 years ago.

    Wave: Don’t worry about slip on that leather belt — it’s plenty wide enough to handle the horsepower from that fabulous engine. You’d be surprised to see what kind of machinery was operated via leather belting ‘back in the day’ — my grandfather operated a large steam engine that ran an entire paper mill; the engine turned long shafts to which the machines were attached with leather belts. It was dangerous to be sure, but those belts handled lots of horsepower.

    • I helped a guy move an old (as in late 1800’s) lathe once. I was amazed at how current it looked. The only dead give-away to its vintage was the top-drive flat belt pulley assembly that was built into the head stock.

  14. The benefits of an under-slung exhaust weren’t needed 100 years ago due to the small size of headers anyway, but it is still interesting to see it in this design. Very tidy and handsome bike

  17. Now there is a man who knows his way around a metal-working shop. Brilliant and beautiful work. And what a joy to recreate that which has been lost. Very well done, Pavel! Thank you.

  18. This thing is amazing and I think the engine could be considered a “Tandem-V Four”. Congratulations, Pavel!

  20. I had a production lathe that dated back to WWII. It sported a 5 ft bed, but only an 18 inch wrack. It didn’t need any more since it was set up to cut tank track-pins all day. When I got it there was still a lot of brass and copper plumbing from the pneumatic bar feeder and automation controls. It looked more Jules Verne than Allied war production.

  21. I am so astonished that I can only repeat what was already said….Building a working motorcycle from a 100 year old pictiure?!!! Way, way beyond my skills and long term project dedication. WOW!!!

  23. Absolutely AWESOME, I’d love to have the time and patience to build something like this!