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The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

MMR – Another Fantastic Build in Progress From Marcel van Hooijdonk

By Paul Crowe

Marcel’s MMR project in progress

If the name Marcel van Hooijdonk doesn’t ring a bell, think MadBoxer, the Subaru WRX powered creation we showed you a few years ago. Well, he’s at it again, this time it’s the MMR (Marcel’s Mad Rota), a single rotor powered, center steering scrambler style project that is simply off the charts. Although it’s usually better to show you a project when it’s complete, some are just too good not to let you in on the secret while the finish line is still a little ways off.

The single rotor peripheral ported EFI engine

Marcel has a way of turning ideas into real, functional motorcycles in a way that makes you stop and look at every detail. This project is powered by a single rotor rotary engine, which is half of a Mazda 13B, 654cc consisting of just the one rotor and the crankshaft which was essentially cut in half. What’s really interesting is Marcel fabricated the side plates of the rotor so they also become the chassis of the motorcycle.

Wood patterns first, then metal

He also designed and fabricated the center steering front swing arm and hub assembly.

Center steering front hub

The fabricated side plates become the chassis and look more than capable of handling the stress and are an ingenious way of lowering weight and making the build more compact.

Combined engine side plates and chassis

The project is coming together nicely. Marcel says it will be completed this year and will be fully road legal. He already has LVVTA (Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association) design approval for the build.

The MMR is engineering eye candy from any angle – and the poster Marcel has on the wall to the top left in this image is of another Kiwi build, it’s a Britten.

Marcel is a man of few words, he lets his work tell the story and he’s a great example of the wonderful projects and incredible skills found in New Zealand and I’m sure many of you will be looking forward to seeing this one on the road. I know I am. Great work Marcel!

Posted on February 22, 2021 Filed Under: Motorcycle Builders Tagged With: center steering hub, Marcel van Hooijdonk, New Zealand, rotary engine


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Comments

  1. Roel van der heide says

    February 22, 2021 at 9:57 am

    With Bumsteering ?

  2. Duffey Wolvin says

    February 22, 2021 at 10:28 am

    That’s amazing, hope he makes some videos of it running! (will always miss my RX-7)

  3. JP says

    February 22, 2021 at 10:36 am

    That is gonna be loud, unless a massive silencer is used.
    should spit flames, nicely too

    • Paul Crowe says

      February 22, 2021 at 10:44 am

      The third photo above shows a muffler tucked up under the seat. Whether it’s enough will be in the ear of the beholder.

  4. Peter Powers says

    February 22, 2021 at 11:02 am

    The next post should be audio only!

  5. Matt Guzzetta says

    February 22, 2021 at 1:44 pm

    I can see part of the steering set-up. It is close to the system we used on Don Vesco’s Bonneville streamliner and the system that Don built for the Vincent powered streamliner. If Marcel would like information on the way we eliminated bump steer he can contact me through this website.
    Great concept!

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