It was just over 9 years ago that we unveiled the Nembo 32 here on The Kneeslider. The inverted three cylinder engine sparked a lively conversation in the comments with both cheers and jeers in abundance. Daniele Sabatini, continued development of his engine and built a complete motorcycle around it which was track tested and performed quite well. Production and sale of the early prototypes hasn’t proceeded as had been hoped, but Daniele is still working on refining the design and sent me a note this morning along with numerous images of the new Type 3 Provocator. Though similar in appearance to the earlier Type 1 and 2, beyond the engine and swing arm, everything else is new.
One interesting point about this engine, well, beyond the fact that it’s upside down, is the designation 32, denoting 3 cylinders and 2 liters. This is a 2000cc sport bike! We’re approaching Triumph Rocket 3 territory here in a much smaller, lighter (352 pounds!) and more nimble package, no small design feat. It’s visually appealing and you would never guess what a monster motor that is lurking under the minimal carbon fiber bodywork.
The design of the Type 3 is complete, but whether a business case can be created to produce them in any numbers remains to be seen. I would love to see this motorcycle succeed, a design like this deserves to be on the road and I applaud the creativity and persistence of Daniele Sabatini who continues to move the project forward. This one is worth keeping an eye on.
Press Release from NemboMotociclette
La Nembo 32 Tipo 3 – Provocator
After the nembo 32 Tipo 1 and the Nembo 32 Tipo 2 “iperleggera”, here is the Type 3 “provocator”.
At first glance the Type 3 may look very similar to the first Nembo 32 (Type 1) and it has some details in common with Iperleggera (Type 2), but only the engine and the swingarm are the same, the rest is new and parametrically designed. So it’s not just 3D digital vapour, but a ready to be built bike in its entirety. The Type 3, despite its large 2000cc Nembo engine, maintains neat, “greyhound-like shapes. It is a strongly desired result, because I am always convinced that the “voids” determine the quality of the design and that the and of the shapes surrounding them, completing the charm that, in my opinion, must have a beautiful motorcycle, IMHO. So, even if it doesn’t seem, except the engine and the swingarm, it’s all new!
Each component delivers a double or triple function. For example, as in the previous models, the new carbon body shell is also a conveyor of the air flow which enters from the “mouth” feeding the airbox air intake (where the two LED headlights are also housed and cooled) and also cools the two large oil or water radiators (if water cooling is done), hidden underneath. The air flow also cools down the oil and the fuel tank, as well as the electronic components and the rider’s legs (perhaps the freshest legs of all the current motorcycle world, because the cylinders are at the bottom).
The fuel tank (14 Lt) and the oil tank (5 Lt) are integrated in the metal body of the seat element and support one of the three attachment points of the new plates which hold the footrests and the new exhaust system at three mouths. One of the interesting things is to have created the space to put the battery where I want and then use it as a “weight” to adjust the position of the center of gravity to the millimeter. Despite the very long swingarm, the wheelbase has decreased by 40mm, reaching now 1460mm. All these interventions bring down the overall weight, making the bike even more interesting to ride. The airbox air intake is visible through a transparent polycarbonate element that integrates, following its shape, to the bodywork. The virtual dashboard is projected on it. In the air intake are housed the two main LED headlights, which project the light beam over the handlebar. In that position they are also effectively cooled. There is no “classic” headlight to prevent the airflow from reaching radiators and airboxes through the “mouth”. Instead of the classic headlight, there is in fact an old style “number plate”, drilled for the passage of air and to house the three led position lights: three, how many the cylinders are.
The front number plate is drilled like the facial masks of the gladiators of the “provocator” specialty, that is, those that caused the opponent to start the fight. And indeed, even the Type 3 is a true provocation … Since it works well, the concept of a structural inverted engine which works as a platform to bolt the front and rear end, is the same as in previous models. It is a scheme that allows an extreme and centralization of the sprung masses, impossible by the traditional schemes, to improve the dynamics of the bike. Moreover it allows to have a swingarm (in carbon) of 680/700 mm without increasing the wheel base over 1450 mm (isn’t it a record?). The result, of this latest refinement work, is a light (160 Kg dry) and nimble bike, designed for pure fun even with a little throttle opening, thanks to the great torque and power “given” by the generous 2000cc three-cylinder engine. There is currently no equally lightweight 1800/2000 cc motorcycle.
DWolvin says
I’m not an engineer so I feel my qualms don’t matter. Mad props for making it work, and hopefully I’ll see one sometime!
Paul Crowe says
I always enjoy seeing a builder do something way outside the box and when that same person has the determination to keep at it over the years, I like it even more.
Drive The Wheels Off says
That was a quick 9 years 🤨😳
I have always liked this project for the same reasons Paul mentions. This project not only has the element of out of the box thinking but it has compelling mass centralized results (that present other challenging trade offs like oil scavenging).
I wonder what Erik Buell thinks of this effort? He’s been down this road for the same reasons but approached it differently.
Paul Crowe says
“a quick 9 years.”
I had to look at the date of the earlier post a second time myself, Wow! Maybe that explains the gray hair. 🙂
Kai Ju says
They might be breaking new ground for motorcycle engines, but it is proven technology from way back when.
Here is a list of inverted aircraft piston engines, some of which were true powerhouses for fighter aircraft in WWII.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Inverted_aircraft_piston_engines
There is quite a body of work as to why inverted engines were used, which makes for some interesting reading. https://tinyurl.com/r7dl3tz
I’d be quite interested in riding this bike, just to see how different it really feels from the norm.
Paul Crowe says
Yep, we discussed those at some length on The Kneeslider before. Inverted engines just stretch your brain a bit once you’ve been accustomed to looking at them right side up over the years.