• Articles
  • Motorcycles for Sale
  • Motorcycle Parts
  • Motorcycle Manuals
  • Collectibles
  • Contact

The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Desmohog Finishes the DesmoHarley Engine Project

By Paul Crowe

Desmohog by Chris Barber powered by the DesmoHarley engine
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
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:

Posted on January 30, 2012 Filed Under: Engines, Motorcycle Builders

Parts and Service Manuals and more!

Be sure to check out the new motorcycle manuals and literature listings. I just put it together to make your eBay search easier and it's pretty sweet. It's fun just to browse though it. Check it out!

« LaHaDuc – a Laverda Harley Ducati Bitsa Bike
Storz Performance SP1200RR Cafe Racer Accessories »

Comments

  1. akaaccount says

    January 30, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    Speak of the Desmo

  2. John says

    January 30, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    I love that bike.

  3. Doug says

    January 31, 2012 at 12:17 am

    That is classic…walks up, kicks it to life, and away he goes.

  4. Duncan Moore says

    January 31, 2012 at 6:25 am

    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

  5. B*A*M*F says

    January 31, 2012 at 8:23 am

    That is a great sounding bike.

  6. cycledave says

    January 31, 2012 at 9:27 am

    Finally, a Harley that closes its own valves! The coolest hardtail I have ever seen!

  7. steve says

    January 31, 2012 at 9:44 am

    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.

  8. AlwaysOnTwo says

    January 31, 2012 at 10:35 am

    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

      January 31, 2012 at 10:44 am

      Is there a friggin edit function to correct mistypes on this blog? Hummilliattinn.

    • coxster says

      January 31, 2012 at 1:15 pm

      Dittos AOT!

  9. Phoebe says

    January 31, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Really interesting sounding when it starts up.

  10. Cowpieapex says

    January 31, 2012 at 11:40 pm

    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.

  11. FXRocket says

    February 1, 2012 at 12:54 am

    Totally SICK!!! Awesomeness ….is there such a word.

  12. Mark L says

    February 1, 2012 at 10:19 am

    Good to see Cris is still doing his thing. Wish we had him in the USA/North Carolina still.

  13. Nortley says

    February 1, 2012 at 10:39 am

    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.

  14. B50 Jim says

    February 1, 2012 at 10:50 am

    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.

  15. Xnavylfr(CHUCK) says

    September 28, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    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!!!

Search articles on The Kneeslider

Do You need motorcycle parts?

Everything from normal maintenance items to hard to find out of production parts, look here first.
Be very specific for best results! Use part numbers if you have them.
Be sure to check out our motorcycle manuals and literature listings, too!

From The Kneeslider Archives

Casey Stoner

Deliberate Practice on the Way to Being Great

Aluminum motorcycle helmet carved by 5 axis milling machine

5 Axis Milling Machine Demonstrates Capabilities

Harley Davidson V-Twin with water cooled heads

Harley Davidson Water Cooled Heads Patent – Updated

Motorcycle Engine Powered Cars

Copyright © 2021 · The Kneeslider · Website by Crowe Computer Services
US Army veteran owned and operated
This website proudly Made in the USA!
Made in the USA