It was almost four years ago when I first wrote about the beginnings of Chris Barber's Maserati V6 project. I hadn't heard much about it since, but Chris dropped me a note saying he, too, had taken a break, but he's back at it now and I'm really happy to hear it because this is a great build.
Chris first caught my attention over ten years ago when he built the AlfaBeast, a Harley Davidson frame with a 2500cc Alfa Romeo V6 slipped into it, well, shoehorned, persuaded or coaxed might be better terms, but, whatever he had to do, it worked and it had a pleasantly mechanical look about it that any gearhead would appreciate. Kickstart, too!
Then he moved on to one of my favorite engine projects of all time, the DesmoHog, a Harley Davidson V-Twin with Axtell cylinders and a pair of Ducati 900SS Desmodromic heads grafted on! Chris had one of those "I wonder if I could ..." moments and then answered his own question by doing it and I'm really glad. Very nicely engineered. It was enough to drive the Ducati purists crazy and it still makes me smile every time I look at it. Beautiful work!
Now he's building a completely new motorcycle powered by a Maserati V6. He wanted something more compact and rideable than the AlfaBeast and the Maserati engine doesn't have as many parts and accessories hanging out in inconvenient spots, it's a cleaner design to begin with and more adaptable to a motorcycle than the Alfa. Like the Alfa, it will be kickstart, too. Very cool.
His company site, Crossbreed Cycles, has lots of progress photos and CAD drawings and you should be sure to check them all out.
Glad to see Chris back in the saddle and we'll be keeping an eye on the progress as time goes on. I can appreciate the need for some time off, it may have been just what the doctor ordered to get the Maserati to the finish line. Nice to see you building again, Chris!
Link: Crossbreed Cycles
Bob says
Love it – looking forward to seeing it finished & running!
JonL says
Right – where does the fuel tank hang?
DWolvin says
I think that’s it over the rear wheel- in the solo cowling area.
Chris says
Yes, like DWolvin says, it’s the tank on the back.
Holds bang on 9 litres ( bit more than 2 US gallons) which I know will not get me far! I may build a long range tank to go in the conventional position, although I do like to see the carbs through the plexi-glass.
Drive the Wheels Off says
Would dual rear shocks free up space for additional gas volume under the seat?
It doesn’t look like there’s room for moving the rear shock to a spot similar to the Panigale.
p.s. Always like seeing the DesmoHD on these pages.
Chris says
Yes, that would have helped, also I could have run the pipes out the sides and left a bit of room for a gallon under the seat or shock.
I could squeeze another gallon in if I build a sump on to the existing rear tank.
I’m glad you like the Desmohog, I’m designing a 900cc Desmo single with a balance conrod like a giant supermono Ducati, it’ll be an upright bevel single with the balance rod out the front.
Chris says
Paul, thanks for the article and the kind words, good to see you back too.
Russell Sutton says
You really have something on your hands here Chris.
What does the transmission and clutch come from?
What sort of a job was it to mate it to the engine?
Really nice work. Love it.