Will Thibeault, of Fusion Motorcycles created a Harley big twin powered custom with some unique features you miss at first glance. From certain angles, it has a profile similar to a Confederate Hellcat, probably due to the long curved tank, the seat location and the tiny headlights but it goes beyond that with an aluminum girder front end and a single sided swingarm.
One feature you miss until you look closely is the bolt together frame, no welds, just bolts. It reminds me of the Revolution RV100 which takes that concept a lot further, making it a primary design feature, here the frame does its job very unobtrusively until you notice the bolts and say, “hey, wait a minute.” Neat.
The engine is an 80 inch Harley Davidson with a five speed FXR transmission. Wheels are 17 inch Brembos on both ends and the rear tire is a very unchopper like 180, almost like this is built to ride. Rake is a moderate 32 degrees which goes along with the functional design. The foot controls mounted up front slip away from the sporty setup but other than that, I like this bike.
The design is not out there so far it becomes a showpiece, instead this looks like it was designed to be ridden. Hmm, … a sporty version of a big twin custom, we’re getting there, now if we can just keep this sort of thing coming.
Link: Fusion Motorcycles
Link: AMD Championship
Related: Revolution RV100
More photos below:
photo source: AMD World Championship
photo source: AMD World Championship
photo source: AMD World Championship
Sean says
Almost rather attractive. Needs a bit of work, but I can see where the design philosophy is going… Rideable bikes. Funny that.
chris says
that is one of the coolest, simplest, most attractive girder forks i have ever seen. and a bolt together frame. . .very utilitarian. an interesting direction a novice may be able to take if they’re welding skills aren’t yet up to snuff.
GenWaylaid says
A bolt-together frame has some interesting potential for kit bikes. With some careful design, one could make the Ikea of frame kits: a bunch of flat machined pieces and bolts that the purchaser assembles around their engine and suspension components using lots and lots of loctite.
dave says
Interesting.
Re-visit the Wraith… was completely bolted together. not a single weld on the bike, except the pipes.
The idea was to be able to simplify manufacturing, and the build-process. An eletronic torque-wrench was to be part of the build, which would have been done in a logical step-by-step series.
Too bad it’ll never happen.
Nice to see others coming up with interesting bikes.
dave
Hugo says
Just for info: the Yamaha FZ6 also has a bolted frame consisting of two die-casted halves:
http://sportrider.com/bikes/146_0402_yama03_z.jpg
Interesting bike altough I would prefer a less custom-like fueltank design; this one looks too roundish and smooth for a bike reduced to the max and is deserves something with more sculpting
kneeslider says
I didn’t know that about the Wraith, I’m learning more and more as the days go by, the Yamaha, too. OK guys, how many more bolt together frames are out there?
Brian says
Aw, where’s the love Dave? Why would you say the Wraith will never happen? Do you know something I don’t? There’s 11 dedicated people in B’ham who would disagree with you. Based on our current inventory, which turns over very quick, the first batch of production Wraiths will be out the door as soon as we can build them. We’re building #5 prototype now.
As far as the bolt-together frame, anyone who has the opportunity to visit the Barber Museum, please do, and you will find 1600 examples of motorcycle assembly methods that have been done for 100+ years. New ideas are few and far between, but materials and processes are constantly evolving.
dave says
Brian…
No, I meant the *process*…
I should have elaborated… Sorry.
BTW, what’s up with you, anyway mister?
dave
Sean says
One thing I love about this site… Motorcycle companies actually visit, and interact with the readers. Who are also riders. Who will probably respond more favourably to the company who appears to give a damn about their buyers. And the only thing I can see wrong with bolt together frames is that, if there’s too much vibration… Reminds me of the scene in some Herbie movie where they’re welding the frame of the car together as they race down a canyon.
chris says
if i remember right, a few sections of Harley’s V-Rod are bolted together. the “under-engine” frame tubes if memory serves. the Discovery channel had a sweet hour long documentary on the V-Rod factory. if you can find it, it’s worth watching.
Brian says
Sure, vibration is bad for bolts. The Wraith has almost no vibration though, because we’re using a 120″ Counter-balanced Twin Cam engine. The whole bike vibrates less than my Ducati. With proper bolts, Loc-tite, torque specs and controlled assembly methods, a bolt together frame is no problem. And besides, all motors are bolted together, so why can’t frames do the same?
The concept for the Wraith chassis is not simply a bolt-together frame. The Wraith chassis more closely resembles aircraft architecture rather than traditional motorcycle frames. It has a fore and aft aluminum bulkhead cradling the motor which are bolted in between aluminum sideplates, a monocoque composite backbone, and a belly fuel cell. The transmission has vertically stacked gear shafts and is unit construction with the motor. There is no cradle under the motor, the load passes through it. The end result is an extremely rigid, light weight sport chassis using an American Twin Cam Beta motor.
The benefit of our transmission design (not for sale yet) is that our output shaft is 4-1/2 inches closer to the motor than a stock Harley. Which allows us to bring the swing arm closer. The closer your rear swing arm pivot is to the central mass of the bike, the better it will handle.
And the Atlas torque wrench system is still an option for us, just not a priority now. Maybe after we get a dozen or so Wraiths on the road. Actually, through our new engine partner, we’re getting good input from GM’s small-batch assembly methods on the Corvette Z-06 and Cadillac V-Series engines.
Baby steps.
Sean says
The Wraith is an extremely well designed bike, and with a father as an air mechanic and a love of flying things I can see how you’ve taken the aircraft way of doing things and kept it firmly on two wheels. Remembering back on some stories my dad’s told me, such as the time one vertical twin or another vibrated the bolts loose on his handlebars, pitching him and my mother over the front wheel when he braked after an hour or so of cruising, I’m sure we’ve found some way or another of making sure that doesn’t happen.
Will @ Fusion Motorcycles says
My name is Will and I designed this bike. Fusion is my company. This is a functional prototype of “The Machine” and refinements will be done to clean up the bike.. Your comments are all helpful. The next bike will be coming out shortly.
In reference to the Wraith, my bike was designed 6 years ago, before the Wraith, but I have tons of respect for Confederates bikes as I used to work for them, and appreciate when people compare the two. Confederate is an extremely innovative company, and started so long before others.
Again, thanks for any and all comments. We take note. Perfection is never immediate and comes from doers and thinkers like yourselves. I’m a rider and functionality is most important to me.
Keep Posting!
Sean says
Will, you made one hell of a good looking bike. Now, make the footpegs a little sportier, and do something more artistic with the pipes, and you will have a rather attractive looking specimen. Well, I think so at least.
Sean
Will @ Fusion Motorcycles says
The next bike is going to have mid controls and probably a muzzy exhaust can. I need a little more handling for the roads I ride.. Thanks for the feed back.
Will
harold alger says
how do i get a conversion kit for my buell 1996 si lighting like the one on your home page?