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

The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Ian Drysdale Wants to Know if You’ve Seen This V8 Motorcycle Because it’s Still Missing

By Paul Crowe

Drysdale 1000 V8 by Ian Drysdale of Australia
Have You Seen the Drysdale 1000 V8? If so, we need to know.

Five years ago, the Drysdale V8 motorcycle shown in the photo above, was stolen from its owner in Melbourne, Australia. It was chained to another motorcycle, but the chain was cut and only the Drysdale was taken, the other bike was left behind. This wasn’t random, it appears to be a classic “stolen to order” operation.

We wrote about the bike here and it wasn’t long afterwards, it disappeared.

The motorcycle probably left Australia quickly and found its way into an underground collection on another continent. Over these 5 years, the owner may have wanted to show it off to a few friends and associates or, betting no one would recognize it, he may even have taken it on the road somewhere.

Ian, along with the current rightful owner, would really like to find it and they’re hoping a sort of “all points bulletin” might help and that involves you. If you or someone you know might have an idea of its current whereabouts, you can contact me and I’ll forward the info to Ian. All replies are strictly confidential.

It’s truly unfortunate that things like this happen, but maybe, with your help, we can set things right.

Posted on September 8, 2020 Filed Under: Motorcycle Builders Tagged With: Ian Drysdale, Stolen Motorcycles

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!

« Kawasaki Offering Factory Reproduction Cylinder Heads for Your 1970s Era Z1

Comments

  1. Bob says

    September 8, 2020 at 7:12 pm

    If I had to guess, it is parked between the stolen Crighten Racing rotary powered racer (Prototype?) featured here a few years back – and the 1914 Cyclone board track racer stolen in California around 2012. All 3 thefts sound like they were done professionally for crooks that know the bikes will end up in a private collection in another country and never be seen by the public again.

    Sooner or later, someone will take pictures and share them…

  2. Ken Spencer says

    September 8, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    Paul,

    Any idea how many of these there? I will let you know if I happen to see one of these in my travels around, or in my part of the world here in Oregon.

    Such a cool bike, Should be able to hear that V-8 engine from a ways away.

    Kudos to Ian Drysdale for designing / building these machines, totally awesome. Hope they find it, and punish the thieving bastards.

    All the best,

    Ken

    • Ian Drysdale says

      September 8, 2020 at 7:46 pm

      Thanks Ken – I built 3 of the “Sports” V8’s ( 1 x 750cc & 2 x 1000cc ) and one of the 1000cc “Naked” bike.

      The 750-V8 is sitting the my foyer of my factory ( with a kick-ar$e alarm system ) and I know the whereabouts of the other 2 bikes. So if you see a yellow Drysdale V8 in a location that doesn’t quite “gel” – pls let me know.

      Cheers IAN

      • Robert says

        September 20, 2020 at 5:46 pm

        I would look at Russia .

  3. Drive the Wheels Off says

    September 18, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    Posted to social media to spread like a virus

  4. Mike Cox. says

    September 22, 2020 at 2:49 am

    I am in South Africa. We run a Historic Motorcycel Group and ride on all the local tracks. Unlikely it would come this way, everybody knows each other. But you ever know.

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

Remember when we talked about practicing the hard stuff until you get good?

Welding Can Be Common and Welding Can Be Art

Harley Davidson V-Twin with water cooled heads

Harley Davidson Water Cooled Heads Patent – Updated

McDeeb Six Days Royal Enfield Special

McDeeb Royal Enfield Specials – Six Days – Thruxton – Clubman – Brand New Classics from Italy

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