Spotted this little T bucket roadster for sale powered by an 1100cc Sportster V-Twin. It looks pretty well done, though I’m not sure what type of racer he was trying to emulate since it has a wheelie bar like a drag racer, but it’s running dirt track tires. The wing could go either way. Maybe he wasn’t trying to emulate anything and was more interested in building something a little different, one of those projects that kinda grew and grew and just got away from him.
He doesn’t say what it weighs, though it’s a single seater and looks pretty light so the V-Twin should move it around just fine. No mention of a reverse gear, either. Interesting.
Link: Harley T-bucket on eBay
Related: Harley Davidson powered cars
JP says
I’ve seen “normal” drag racers run dirt track tires. Especially the DOT carcass tires. I bet with him it was size issues. Not many wrinkle walls in those sizes he has there.
gary says
Harley sells a reverse option for the big cruisers or either way, companies like baker offer them aftermarket, so it’s probably got something to that tune. looks like a hoot, but i agree with you about the wing etc.
GuitarSlinger says
I’m not sure what you’d do with this if you owned it but it sure looks like a hoot and a half to drive !
As to the tires I’m guessing he made due with the best he could find in the appropriate size . It kind of looks a bit like Wild Willy Borsch’s AA/FA back in the day .
Rom says
You’ve really got to be american to put a Harley engine in a performance vehicle… XD
Harold says
If that was a Buell engine, or an S&S 100 ci Sportster mill, (130 hp,) it would move fairly well…
Who needs reverse, it probably weighs less than a Ghoul Wing or an FLH dresser?
I see a rear sprocket (it has looong chain, or 2 chains and a jackshaft, but no differential; could get interesting if cornered fast. I hope that roll bar isn’t made of muffler moly…
B50 Jim says
I’ll bet it’s tons of fun to drive! Looks like an amalgam of several classes of dragsters — I’m not conversant with ’em so I can’t say what. It should scoot pretty well, though; I wonder if it’s for exhibition, “real” racing or just fun? Yeah, Rom, only an American would think of it; we didn’t invent the V-twin but we sure embraced it as our own, and this Sporty engine looks right at home in a T-bucket. Glad he didn’t turn it sideways, even if it needs a lo-o-o-o-ong chain to the rear axle. Wonder if it has a differential? Looking closely behind the engine, I think that’s an electric motor separate from the starter; could be an electric reverse drive.
By the way, that’s a nice-looking frame; very strong but light in weight. And the car is totally impractical but that’s the idea.
todd says
Those have got to be 13″ (or smaller?) wheels. I’m thinking it’s one of those Mini-T’s like:
http://www.eastcoastminiclassics.com/galleries/BucketTs/Largerf_with_Joanne_2.jpg
-todd
Bigshankhank says
I hope the front cowl is open in some way which allows air to get to directly the cylinders. Ya know, heat issues and all.
Otherwise, I think it looks pretty cool.
Paulinator says
At first glance I thought it was a riding mower. But after studying it closely I’ve come to the conclusion that it needs more ground clearance and a PTO.
c.k. says
Nope. You were right the first time. It’s a riding mower.
Although, It would be hilarious if Harley’s new business plan is to roll out fuel-efficient Eco-friendly 1100cc economy car a.k.a. BMW MINI 🙂
Oh wait… they might actually do it… oh sh*t…
Rob says
Something for the local Indian market perhaps? Go up against the Nano.
Rasmus says
It looks like half quad bike half lawnmower to me. No diff, small lawnmower-sized ball joints for front suspension, and rigid rear suspension. But probably a lot of fun to drive. I thing the wheelie bar will serve its purpose, if punished on new hot tarmac. 🙂 Cooling could be a problem though, with the gas tank and grill shielding off the wind..
Mean Monkey says
Oh wow! This looks like serious fun!
I can just see my ol’ woman jumping into it, too.
Last night (07/17/12), PBS aired its Frontline program that profiled the West Philly High School automotive shop class’ attempt to the 2010 Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. They used Harley V-twins as their gasoline engine in the hybrid cars they built. Very inspiring.
http://www.evxteam.org/