Here’s another custom build that has been flying under the radar, Raven MotoCycles and yes, this one is on eBay, or rather, the opportunity to own the first production model from the company. The specific bike you see here is the very first prototype of a brand new special, powered, in this case, by a Moto Guzzi 750cc engine from a 1971 Ambassador. The wheels, swingarm, brakes, forks and steering stem are from a ‘68 Honda 350. The transmission is a Norton 4 speed. The frame, tank and exhaust are hand built.
Jeff Gundlach is the man behind Raven MotoCycles and his intention is to hand build each unit on demand with an option of 3 engine sizes, 750, 850 or 1000cc, breathing through either Delorto or new Mikuni carbs.
The price is $25,000 for a brand new custom motorcycle with very vintage looks. Along with the Honda components, the owner should not have any trouble coming up with whatever parts he might need in the future.
I think it’s a pretty neat application for an older Moto Guzzi engine and it carries off the vintage look very well. Nice job, Jeff!
Link: Raven MotoCycles – no longer there
Sanders says
Would make a nice Christmas present. Nice work, something different.
peabody says
Wow! They took the only redeeming feature of a Goose (the shaft drive) and threw it away….and took a 40 year step backwards with the brakes!
What are these guys thinking?
todd says
Pretty cool looking. Though, it does look like the forks lost their springs. Maybe a girder fork would have been more style appropriate.
Is the frame really built with square section tube?
-todd
Thoughtless says
Look at the welding of pipe/gas tank….THAT will tell you why they chose to use square tubing for the frame! Looks like the work of a freshman high-schooler with a 110 hobby shop buzz box on his first pass. And a wise choice to “Dress up” the fuel system with $0.09 per foot clear plastic line (which is not heat or gas resistant a-la kid with a go-kart customs from rural Kentucky. The list, if you look closely, goes on, and on to prove this is an interesting exercise but truly not worth anything near $25K. Pass.
Thure says
Cannot think of a single reason why this would be better or prettier, or in any way justified. Unless these were the parts they just had laying around and really needed a motorcycle.
jason says
25000 reasons not to buy it!!!!!
Dr Robert Harms says
I always applaud creativity and hard work but sometimes, as in this case, have to ask why ? — the “hard the stuff lying around” comment seems spot on . Moreover, the attempt to monitize the work @ 25K is way way out of line. Look at the linked pictures– the el cheapo plastic electrical connections, the sloppy hose clamps, the ridiculous stock exhaust pipes are in no way in the 25 K range.
kim says
@ Dr Robert Harms: And when that comes from you…
Swagger says
wait…..really?
[img]http://thekneeslider.com/images/2009/04/indiankawasaki.jpg[/img]
jason says
to add substance to my previous glib statement I don’t begrudge anyone trying to make a go of things and I appreciate hard work but this looks like a first attempt and I think there is a fair bit of arrogance to expect 25k for this I hope he takes the criticism on the chin and works towards a better more finished and cohesive product (and values his time a little more realistically)
I guess he will get a fair valuation on ebay!
BoxerFanatic says
I don’t get it.
Are there not enough transverse-crank-shaft engines to choose from, from H-D, clones, to english JAP engines, to vincent engines… that are designed for that arrangement…
Why would you transversely mount a flying-V longitudinal engine? I can’t imagine that it will survive long with cooling fins that are completely wrong for the airflow.
Other than that, it isn’t bad looking as a whole… but I just don’t get the choice of components.
Klaus says
At the first look – WOW! Cool bike! What is it?
Then I recognized the Moto Guzzi engine, installed the wrong way.
Some say there is no wrong, there’s just different, but wouldn’t the rear cylinder overheat? Isn’t that one of the Harley’s flaws, less compression/heat in the rear cylinder because it’s not as cool as the front one?
I give an “A” for originality, who would ever put a Guzzi engine into a CB350 frame? Also the styling is very impressive.
But I have to give an “F” for the decision of taking a “smart” engine and placing it “wrong”.
Here’s my suggestion: build the bike with a HD engine, stick the cylinders into the wind and you’ve improved it!
Cowpieapex says
That was the very first thing that occured to me, shaft drive SportsterGuzzi.
This bike is no more right or wrong than most custom / show bikes. We are now over two decades past formal recognition of motorcycles as sculpture. The relative levels of functionality are the fodder of modern bike comparisons let alone special constructions. I’m sure this bike would go down the street in a passably normal fashion but long before you have explored engine performance issues related to uneven heating you will discover why even Enfields have disc brakes.
And 1000 cc? I think sleaving this engine down to 500cc would adress heating issues and not challenge its authentically retro chassis as severely .
And finally when can we expect an erzatz Henderson-Indian Four using any or all UJM fours. Heating issues were an authentic part of the ownership experiance of those elegant beasts and oh what a great opportunity to fabricate beautiful manifolds.
Klaus says
BoxerFanatic: great minds think alike – at the same time!
Thom says
I would rather have a stock Guzzi. I appreciate the effort, but the bike just doesn’t appeal to me.
lostinoz says
Ok… maybe I’m weird (OK, yeah I AM weird) but I LIKE it!
Its a tad unrefined, but an interesting retro cafe with a twist! Yeah the welds aren’t perfect and clean, yeah its possibly the strangest application of a guzzi engine I’ve ever seen.
The “doers” have done again, the nay-sayers sit back in the house and drink a beer and point out the problems.
On most of the builds I’ve done I’ve heard people point out the bad points, and the next one I do, I work doubly hard to fix those, constantly improving. My first build was disgusting and crude, and over the years, I’ve improved because of it. The economy being what it is, I’ve taken a break, work taking most of my time, but I still have two machines in the works, and now that the weather has taken a turn, I have a few hours a week to devote to them.
Bill says
It’s not the worst thing ever made. From a distance it looks actually quite balanced style-wise. But it is very crudely made – I had to laugh at the switch mounted on the clutch lever mirror mount.
All this would be fine if it were not presented in such a pretentious, over-blown manner. Motorcycles should be a ‘blast’ first and ‘art’ second. I’m sure this is the former but the latter it ain’t !
Bill
Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" says
What better way to find out what something is worth, to someone other than yourself, than to put it out there and find out? Jeff had an idea for a bike, something unique, and unlike many others who have had their own ideas, he actually built it. Risky, brave; after all, you know there will be a chorus of critics willing to set you straight, but not a bad way to attract some attention, either.
This build has its shortcomings and may not bring on the open market what Jeff had hoped, then again, someone may look at it and order one up right away. He’s a man with a dream and is a lot closer to attaining it than many who have never tried, not in the world of tools and metal anyway, though lots of folks have elaborate and beautiful dreams in the world of wishes.
I was curious how this was going to be received when I posted it, and it’s pretty much what I anticipated, but I like what Jeff did. Jeff already has a rider that shows the world that he can do more than dream, he can build and make his thoughts real. Will it become a business or limited production special? Maybe, maybe not. But he has something to work from, a starting point from which he can improve or adapt if it doesn’t take off and a production model is what he really wants. How many dreamers have that?
B50 Jim says
What the heck — the Guzzi V-twin began life as a tractor engine; might as well put it in a bike that looks like it was built on the farm from stuff lying around. Hey, at lest they painted it. It really does need a girder fork — this one looks like it has about 3/4″ travel. All things considered, I like it. The retro vibe is about right except for the forks. It’s not worth 25 Large and probably won’t bring half that, but give ’em credit for chutzpah and building something different within the boundaries of the motorcycle layout. Turning the engine “sideways” took some nerve; they could have used any number of V-twins that would have been far easier to use.
Decline says
I like it. There is something rather appealing to it in that something seems wrong sort of way. The price doesn’t matter much to me since it is well out of my current price range anyway. But it does reinforce my opinion that moto guzzi turned the V the sexiest direction possible.
Timmer says
I like the stance and look of the bike a lot. It’s a shame that the welds are so ugly, but nothing that a weekend grinding them down wouldn’t fix.
Thoughtless says
And the weekend after that you could customize it with a set of disks brakes. The weekend after that, you could replace the fugley headlight and add a tach. The weekend after that and you could replace the baggy-pants fenders. And the weekend after that, you could really customize it by turning the engine sideways and adding a shaft drive. About $10K later you wind up with a half decent Moto-Guzzi with a square tube frame.
Except for the all the work and money you could save by just buying a Guzzi and slapping on a bum stop seat.
Swagger says
Can we possibly get some kind of post showing all the amazing, perfectly exicuted, show quality GP machinery that everyone here builds so we can set a standard for all these guys who’s work gets posted?
I see a lot of the same old bitchy whiny people who do nothing more than run down stuff they don’t like. Well, step up all you perfectionists…let’s see whatcha got? I’ll play……..
What do you think Paul, can we see what’s really setting the bar here because we must have some effing phenomenal builders here, we have niche bikes that serve no purpose being touted as art and the pinnacle of motorcycle custom building. We also have Cap’t Crayon who builds monstrosities and then can step up and criticize others work?
Please…..I’ll show my work if you’ll show yours.
Seems logical that to be a critic one should be able to do a better job, no?
All this being said, I dig it because it’s unique, because he actually DID somehting and did it with disparate componentry that actually equates to what appears to be a functional motorcycle with all the salient features we expect from one.
Is it my favorite bike, no. Is it my taste, not really. Is it worth $25,000? Depends. What’s your time worth? I get $120 an hour and if I treated my bike gig as a full time, I could easily see prices going that high for a hand built bike. Perhaps your time is worth less…
I’m oddly motivated to continue:
>The cylinder fins are somehow wrong now because the engine is turned 90* in the frame?
Take a look at any other aircooled V-twin and the cooling fins. What do you see?
>350 brakes somehow inadequate?
Keep in mind this is a 750cc 2v V-twin goose lump. It’s not a powerhouse. It’s slow revving, gutless and heavy. It’s turning a clunky dated 4spd Norton transmission. For a bike that draws heavily from older designs and that likely performs much like those ‘period’ rigs, used for what it’s intended….I have little doubt those brakes are fine. Lots of guys actually go out and race….at speed…..using those brakes albeit with some work that Mr.Gundlach may well have done. What a jerk huh?
>Less than Nasa quality welds.
Have you actually looked at any vintage production bikes? Perhaps you should.
>Square tube frame
Yup, that’s a disaster….who thought that was a good idea?
Oh wait, there have been loads of bikes built around that particular profile of tubing. VFR500 stands out.
I’m not affiliated with Raven or Mr.Gundlach in any way.
I applaud him for building something cool.
Shame on the rest of you.
(seems appropriate somehow that my ‘CAPTCHA’ code is ‘varmints erudite’ )
Cowpieapex says
Indeed, a T-Ball trophy to anyone who creates a new vision, (even Polaris who’s Vision is to me much less appealing than the Raven).
But as one who’s most notable modification to motorcycles in my possession is high odometer numbers I will gravitate to machines that are unique and functional. My life is on the line every time I ride, so these intricacies are actually vitally considered. I have owned and ridden death trap machines but only with a full understanding that these had to be handled like the pit vipers they were. Real kudos to those who develop unique beautiful and usable machines. That alone is a great accomplishment, the rest of you guys keep rocking. I will always love looking at your imagination made real, but I’ve already got a list of bikes as long as my arm I haven’t worn out yet.
Thoughtless says
Whoa, you gotta a few things twisted there, fella.
First of all, not every (or any) biker needs to by an accomplished and/or admired builder to voice a valid opinion on what seems righteous and what’s hideous. Whether your taste is to cruisers or dirt devils, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the builder is damned to judgement whether it’s a major OEM or a one man show.
To your other points;
The cylinder fins comments are questionable, but then again looking at the “front” of the motor blocking a lot of air to the rear head area just might be a concern. I wouldn’t be willing to part with even half the asking price to find out.
Those brakes do perform duty on weekend racers “at speed”….on bikes weighing less than that Guzzi engine alone. They are a bad choice, as that hulking, low po motor will still torque it’s way to speeds that will make bringing the mass of the beast to a reasonable halt a scary proposition, and multiple applications at even low speed will render them not much more effective than the soles of a pair of knock off Keds. Not cool in modern day traffic.
And if it’s in keeping with a theme of yesterday, then please explain the combo of those barely adequate brakes combines with gas shocks at the rear. Hmmm?
Perhaps you can find an example of less than production line quality welds on some older machines, but those welds on the tank are just atrocious. So you are suggesting that the welds are intentionally laid down by a constipated iron bird and them layered in a two part epoxy paint scheme? I don’t think so. The shame doesn’t belong to the observer, but the craftsman.
And the frame of the VFR may be of square tubing, but it was made a continuous loop design, not a bunch of sections bolted together at every major junction and change of direction. That’s just poor design and a trade off for the rest of the assembly. Yes, other bikes have bolts in the frame, but just count ’em! It’s put together like a lego machine.
Perhaps you have ridden just one too many road vipers, and are just a tad too quick to be honest because you’re confused about being critical when it’s easier to make excuses and beg the question of everyone else…”why can’t we all just get along”?
For the same reason every body doesn’t ride a moped.
spectator says
@swagger
One of the basic logical fallacies is called “tu quoque” which is where the person argues that the speaker does / or does not behave according to what he is arguing to be true. This is part of the larger group of “ad hominem” falacies, which seek to discredit the character of the speaker rather than focusing on the argument at hand. “The pot calling the kettle black” and “those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” are common examples of this argumentative strategy.
In your first post, you argue that because people who say “man those are ugly welds” can’t make pretty welds, their observation that the welds are ugly is wrong. You ask “isn’t it logical that people who criticize should be able to do better?” No, that’s not logical, that’s illogical. All you need is to know what nice welds look like to criticize other welds; you don’t need to be able to make them yourself. At best, if you can make pretty welds you definitely know what they look like; that doesn’t exclude those who can’t make pretty welds from knowing what they look like.
Why should the builder be spared any criticism at all? The free market entails a free exchange of information related to the goods offered for sale. Furthermore, as a group we are representative of the niche who might be interested in this as a product for sale. As long as people focus on the bike and don’t add extraneous info like “the builder is a democrat, and I’ll never buy from those a**holes” [see the ad-hominem fallacy above] there’s no reason he shouldn’t be pilloried or praised commensurate to his technical achievement.
If most people here think this bike is poorly built, unattractive, and not worth the asking price I’m only willing to conclude that the “market” is less likely to give the seller his asking price.
Bob says
Why did he turn the engine sideways? Because he could?
Why didn’t he turn it upside down too?
I guess that would have required REAL work.
Jason says
Its great that some are so behind these guys and so quick to jump on the backs of those who dare to critisize but because someone makes an effort are we all supposed to applaud like dummies
I think most around here appreciate creativity and accomplishment but for me they have put themselves in this position because of the ridiculous asking price if they were more realistic then I for one would more forgiving re-the fit and finish they are after all expecting people to buy these!!!
and do you need to have built a motorcycle in order to have an opinion on others work?
I am a classically trained cabinet maker and fully expect my work to be scrutinzed and it don’t expect it to appeal to everyone (I expect criticism it makes me better at my job) and not many of my clients can build furniture but I still value their input
but I think there is another issue here there are many guys out there working evenings and weekends trying to produce creative and technical masterpieces who will perhaps with more modesty present their efforts to the world on sites like this, if you present something part finished on a web site asking for 25k people are going to laugh you out of the room and rightly so
I hope those with their strong support for this are bidding on the bike (but I don’t think they will be!)
sometimes the most valuable feedback you receive is not positive
Klaus says
“sometimes the most valuable feedback you receive is not positive”
You absolutely nailed it there!
kim says
The engine layout and to some extent its looks brings to mind the ill-fated Super Vee, car engine based alternative to a Harley. While the Moto Guzzi engine undoubtedly is a much better engine, its 90 degree angle doesn’t lend itself well to this sideways configuration, in part because of cooling issues and in part because of its looks. Look around on other motorcycles with such an engine mounted lenghtwise, one-off specials or factory ones, and name one that looks good (barring Ducati-esque layouts, where the engine is tilted forwards). I doubt you can find one…
Maybe – just maybe – it would have worked if the engine sat lower, possibly in the fashion of a cruiser, but this bike looks too much like it was slapped together with random parts that eventually don’t complement each other very well.
@ Swagger; Expressing a negative opinion about a bike shouldn’t be limited to people who build custom bikes themselves (like I do – search for ‘Nimbus’).
Carolynne says
I had to do some searching to find your bike, but I found it, very nice work Kim. Did you ship it all the way to Japan for your trip? That must have been one interesting tour
kim says
It was flown out, which cost 30% more than when it was shipped home by sea. It was an interesting tour indeed – look for details on http://www.nimbustripinjapan.blogspot.com.
Dr Robert Harms says
The BIG (aka inexcusable) problem was monitizing the bike at the pretentious 25K figure and then soliciting more commissions bolstered by outragous puffery on the Ebay ad (now pulled) .
For all anyone knows (?) the builder could be 17 years old and this could be his or her first attempt .Under that condition and without the 25K , the results would be laudatory and the comments likely more constructive or instructive but 25K indicates the builder has that level of self image.
FYI –1) I’ve read thru all the posts and you can grind welds to look better but they likely are still unsafe 2) the reason the Norton transmission is used is the ability to use a commercial #40 chain—that ain’t gonna work 3) the stock Guzzi pipes are a death trap to your legs 4) the welded up handlebars would scare me to death.
Tim19457 says
Robert,
The Raven is relisted on Ebay under custom built motorcycles. When I listed it the other day I screwed up and listed under Moto Guzzi, not thinking about violating trademarks and such. Ebay kicked it off and offered a good explanation why – no problems, Ebay is a great tool and has been very good to work with.
So anyway it is back on Ebay, and we are trying to make the point that this is a start up enterprise…. we try to explain the bike is real world and rideable and not a concept or sketched rendition. Also it will be delivered in a refined manner if a rider or collector is interested in purchasing the first one. Of course it is obviously not for everybody!
Lastly, we appreciate your frank comments.
Best, Tim
Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" says
Link is working again.
Dave Pearce says
I agree with Dr Harms.
Being a Doer is great, but BAD welds are potentially lethal in a situation
like this.This doer is offering this to the public. SCAREY
Tim19457 says
I have no comment on Robert’s machines, that is a whole other discussion…..but I would like to see some of the welds on your creations Dave as a point of comparison, always open to learning and improving the process and open to advice from another bike builder which I presume you are. What welding process do you prefer, settings, type of rod, materials, etc? All information is appreciated. Please have Paul post some pics! Thanks, Tim
Klaus says
@ Swagger: “Seems logical that to be a critic one should be able to do a better job, no?”
Do you love TV dinners? Did you like “Alien 3”? Was “Doubya” the perfect president?
No, no and no?
Well, according to your logic you couldn’t express your criticism as long as you are not an accomplished chef, movie director or politician.
Dutch says
So now we can burn the rear cylinder up on a Guzzi
Tim19457 says
Thanks to all for the comments and opinions, it is appreciated. Special thanks to Paul and Swagger, you guys get what the Raven is about.
jason says
Tim
I think a lot more people get what the bike is about than you give credit for! and are not judging through spite jealousy or malice, but there is an issue in the way you have presented the bike.
The NEW american motorcycle manufacturer, Italian engine, Japanese running gear
Chinese metal?
my first job was an apprenticeship working on early british bikes and I have to say there was great innovation and skill involved in the manufacture of those bikes they were built by hand and I have to say the comparison you draw to early manufacture is way off the mark
some of those early innovations are still in production today in various forms,
rightly so contributors have mentioned issues that may actually be dangerous to a rider or worse fatal, these things you should address without embarrasment its in your interest, there is no place for ego when you have those risks, and draw on the substantial depth of knowledge and advice offered on this site.
there is no shame on trying out something new and credit to you for trying
and for the comments offered by swagger the reason some of us do not endeavor to build our own bikes is the fear that it would be no better/safer than the bike discussed here
Best of luck to you Tim I hope this works out for you like others have said the styling has a certain something but the execution needs more time and I guess more investment oh and you need a pipe bender
Tim19457 says
Thanks for the comments Jason, you make some good points. It is great to get all this feedback, in our opinion it is all good. My brother and I have been riding and racing bikes for many years. The test mule Raven has proven itself as a useful tool so far. It was produced so that a better refined machine can be built come production time. I love looking at some of the pictures of the factory test mules, and I know there was some pretty ragged “piles” running around old blighty back in the day when these things were being invented..the pictures I have seen tell a great story of pre-production!
Have not had any issue with rear cylinder heat as many have mentioned, also the brakes work surprisingly well….and man after road racing Guzzis and riding them on the street for 30+ years, the light weight feels great! IT is fun to ride, kind of Norton Commando feeling, but even smoother which we did not expect. We hope to find someone who would appreciate helping us out by buying one in exchange for a high quality first run production bike, which will have the rough spots removed and cleaned up welds, wiring, paint, etc. Although it has materialized here in the USA, it really is a “global” bike. Thanks again for the support. Tim
PS, would love to see some of the bikes others on this blog are building for a comparison, I think that would be very helpful. You can’t wear your heart on your sleeve in this business – takes thick skin!
tim says
How much fuel does that tank hold?
Tim19457 says
The test tanks on the prototype hold just under 2 gallon. The production bike will hold around 3.5 – 4. They will take a shape similar to a Brough.
Thanks
jeannot says
bonjour.
je me dis!!ils sont passés de l’autre côté du mur!!!une liberté de construction sans retenue, comme à chaque fois la passion a gagné,une moto qui ne peut laisser indifférent un passionné de mécanique.
bien sur avec toutes ces questions comme ou est passé le renversement de couple tant apprécié des passionnés de V moto guzzi.
moi j’applaudis des deux mains et me régale à découvrir toutes ces réalisations moto.Merci
amicalement.
jeannot:site guzzitoc
Klaus says
I can’t really picture someone sitting on this bike – either it’s a small person who has no problem with his knee in front of the header but he’d have a hard time to reach the handlebars; he’d be lying on the bike. A tall person could reach the bars but would not be able to keep his right knee in.
Could you post a photo of yourself sitting on or riding the bike?
Tim19457 says
I am 5’7, my brother 5’8, both in the 160-175 lb range. We are not real big guys. It is a good fit for our stature, a larger person may have to be adjusted for, peg height, bars, etc.
There seems to be a lot of concern for the rear cylinder and head pipe. I have ridden the bike a number of miles with no issue on either. The rear header pipe may be an issue for lanky people, there are a couple of different exhaust configurations being kicked around, probably a collector in front of the front cylinder i.e 2 into 1. Thanks for the comments, we will get a picture out to Paul to post, not sure how to on this site. Tim
Klaus says
I’m concerned because I changed the stock exhaust to a 2-in-1 on my 1400 Intruder; the rear header went backwards and came out on the right side (stock on the left) behind the rear cylinder, leaving quite some distance to the leg. But riding in shorts was impossible and on longer rides I burned my shin several times. The heat blows back; any body part closer than a foot to the header will get toasted on longer rides.
Tim19457 says
Riding in shorts? You are kidding right? I am not that up on Suzuki cruisers but i know the1400cc oil cooled motor makes big heat. The Raven has never burned me but I also ride with pants and boots.
Better get out the torches and start modifying that thing…and put some pants on.
Klaus says
That was when I lived in Hawaii, every other rider wears shorts and flip flops there. Sounds crazy but I survived seven years without an incident, riding in and out of Waikiki every day. Now I live in Phuket, Thailand, there are lots of crazy tourists who ride rented crotch rockets like that, even without a T-shirt! I’ve been riding 125cc Hondas, CBR150R, VTR250 here for more than ten years for a total of at least 100,000km in shorts, flip flops, no helmet – never went down. Don’t recommend it but it’s possible.
The Intruder was my only cruiser, been there, done that, don’t feel like doing it again. Engine heat is not a problem but the header was even though there was some space between it and my leg. Long pants solved the problem, but if I sit on your bike my right knee would be about touching the header. I’m 5’10″which is about average.
One more reason to use a Harley engine, turn it, improve air flow/cooling, make the bike shorter and still have a very original, good sounding and clever bike!
bkowal says
Somebody tell this guy that angle grinders are on sale at Harbour Freight
Steve says
Tim,
Good on you for building something. I like it. Suum cuique
Tim19457 says
Thank you Steve, actually my brother Jeff built the bike, I am just helping him with gathering input from other builders and potential interested buyers. Ebay has been a good way to get exposure, lots of interest coming from Europe and the UK. People seem to like the idea of a 30’s look and feel without having to pay $250,000 for a Brough. Thanks again. Tim
akaaccount says
This is like “One Piece at a Time” if Johnny Cash had worked at a Motorcycle salvage yard instead of a Cadillac plant.
To be fair, I’ve built worse
Tim19457 says
Do you have a website or a place where we can reference your work? Interested in both the worse and better variations. Trying to do as much fact finding as we can. Thanks, Tim
whosename says
http://www.theonion.com/articles/laidoff-ford-employee-decides-to-start-own-car-com,2086/
frederick says
two thumbs up for the attempt. i like everything except the motor…it just seems too high in the chassis and wrong looking on the left side with the empty component mounts. a more period look could be achieved with an early sportster motor like I did here: http://legacymotorsport.com/ (search “modern day board track racer – the psyclone” or just “psyclone”) the sportster silhouette is easily disguised by cutting down the cam chest, it’s a compact unit and parts are cheap.
$25k is a stretch, but maybe with the components sorted out and if a brough look alike
is desired, more closely emulated? anyway…my .02 and worth exactly that.
'37 Indian says
This bike makes as much sense as a Porsche 911 I saw once in a shop that had removed the Porsche engine and adapted a small-block Chevy in the rear instead. Interesting to look at, maybe, but crap to drive. Maybe they did it because they had the parts just lying around….
Mean Monkey says
Hey Paul,
Please keep posting these wonderful prototypes and one-off builds despite any naysayers. I really enjoy seeing the creativity.
To Tim19457,
Because I tend to go a little faster than I should, the only thing I’d kvetch about on this build is the lack of a front disc brake, though I understand why that wasn’t what you wanted in the look of the finished product. Otherwise, I think this bike is yet another inspiration to start building my own fantasy scoot.
Paulinator says
Tim19457,
I love the 1930’s British look that was channelled by this effort. Your brother was very resourceful in pulling it off. On the other hand, the construction detail – in particular the frame design and fabrication – makes me flintch. The goal is to add enough joints to facilitate manufacture and assembly – but not one more. Whether that joint is bolted, welded, pinned, pressed, rivetted, etc., it increases weight, cost and fabrication time, but far worse – it also constitutes a potential load-path separation that would invarribly lead to catestrophic failure (that’s bad).
Welding is pretty easy to do, but its a little harder to do well. Good welds are a direct result of weld-site preperation in the form of grinding/beveling, cleaning, stabilizing (clamping and tacking), gravity and ergonomics. Contaminants like paint and grinding dust cause voids and porosity so wear-out your wire brush. Molten metal runs down-hill so work level and the puddle will stay (and cool) where you wanted it to. Work in the sweet-spot so that you are comfortable and steady. Get a full-face helmet with a lite-ish tint and keep it clean. Always remember that the weld solidifies THEN contracts. It is amazing to see how much a weld can pull. You have to anticipate it. Getting a finished square part usually means clamping it crocked.
An alternative to the segmented arc that you created is a formed arc.Tube bending is really quite easy. It may sound counter-intuitive, but thick-walled pipe or tubing bends much nicer than its thin-walled counterpart. Its far less likely to buckle or kink. Don’t bother packing sand…that’s useless. Try to keep just one bend per tube length, if possible. Avoid putting bends on more than one plane because that complicates everything. A plywood buck can be used for a large-radius bend . Cut it about 20% under-sized because the metal will hold some memory. Leave the tubing long and trim it to size after it is bent since the extra length plays in your favor as a built-in snipe. Cable winches or “come-alongs” and rose-bud torches are very nice to have for this operation. The achievable bend quality can be surprisingly sexy.
Good luck guys.
Nik says
Don’t know about other places but here in OZ, because it’s a custom built frame, you would need engineer’s certification as one of the major steps to obtain road registration…….me thinks.
Nick says
It’s a interesting idea but, what’s the point? If you want a longitudinal v-twin engine buy a Ducati, or an H-D. Moto Guzzi is all about felling the torque and heat from those cylinders just ahead of your knees. Interesting none the less, but pointless. It is almost disrespectful towards Moto Guzzi. But it’s anyone’s guess…. 🙂