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.
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:
akaaccount says
Speak of the Desmo
John says
I love that bike.
Doug says
That is classic…walks up, kicks it to life, and away he goes.
Duncan Moore says
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
B*A*M*F says
That is a great sounding bike.
cycledave says
Finally, a Harley that closes its own valves! The coolest hardtail I have ever seen!
steve says
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.
AlwaysOnTwo says
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.
AlwaysOnTwo says
Is there a friggin edit function to correct mistypes on this blog? Hummilliattinn.
coxster says
Dittos AOT!
Phoebe says
Really interesting sounding when it starts up.
Cowpieapex says
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.
FXRocket says
Totally SICK!!! Awesomeness ….is there such a word.
Mark L says
Good to see Cris is still doing his thing. Wish we had him in the USA/North Carolina still.
Nortley says
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.
B50 Jim says
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.
Xnavylfr(CHUCK) says
WHAT NEXT Chris? A Three wheeler front wheel drive using a Porshe TURBO transaxle??? Your work is amazing and you have the art and knowledge to do anything thats comes in your mind. I knew that when I first saw the ALFA-BEAST at Max’s in 05. Wish you were back across the pond here in the Colonies so some of that tech knowledge could be spread around!!!