Jason Wonder was just at the AMD World Championship in Sturgis with his Revolution-2 V-Rod custom. We showed you his Rev-1 in May but he said he was already working on Rev-2 and here it is.
He didn’t send any details about the bike but you can see it’s a lot more compact than his first build and more in line with what some of you may have had in mind for a naked bike using the Revolution V-Twin. The V-Rod engine certainly doesn’t lack power so a bike like this should be quite a performer. Nice.
Lots of folks keep saying someone should take the V-Rod engine and do something with it, but Jason isn’t talking, he’s actually building bikes. Nice work, Jason!
Link: Wonder Customs
Related: Revolution-1 V-Rod Custom
Scotduke says
Th engine does look a little far back in the frame so I wonder what the weight distribution is like? I know Suzuki’s early v-twin 1000 had a rearward weight distribution and coupled with its strange rotary damper, the early model had a reputation for handling problems until the design was sorted. Otherwise though it looks good and it does beg the question why Buell hasn’t done something like this with the V-Rod motor.
JustPete says
Just look it up Scotduke. Erik Buell has stated numerous time why he hasn’t used the V-rod engine. So the question should ask why H-D hasn’t used the Revo motor for another platform. I’ve seen a lot of guys building Baggers out of them that look pretty damn good. Albeit baggers being the current fad or the “In style” item of the week, I would bet H-D will come out with one sooner or later. So why not put the motor in a Softail frame or a Dyna frame, not something where the rider looks like a loaded sling shot, while trying to reach the pegs and bars. It’s been about 9 years already for the V-Rod. Its about time to do something else with it H-D.
JR says
Very nice!
It is so choice.
The Ogre says
Well, it’s pretty. And I imagine it’ll turn impressive quarter-mile times. But yeah, the engine does look overly shoehorned. And the rear shocks look a bit too spindly to adequately suspend the thing.
And the VRod motor is *heavy*. I can’t imagine this thing handling terribly well.
Personally, I’d love to see what Wonder & crew would do with the new Buell 1150 motor.
nobody says
The VRod motor weighs less than the latest Sportster engines or ANY Big Twin engine assemblies.
It is also SHORTER than a Ducati 1098 engine.
Sorry if the FACTS interfere with the reputations of all the keyboard experts…….
JR says
I agree with nobody. Although the VRod motor looks beefy, it is not a 90 deg engine like the ducati engine is, which saves space. Also, I think it is great when a bike looks like it is an engine with just enough mechanical bits strapped on so you can have a good time with it.
That’s what a motorcycle should be: and engine, your ass, and a way to control it.
Scotduke says
JustPete – I heard Erik Buell said the V Rod motor was too long – but nobody says it’s shorter than a 1098 motor. And the fact that this bike has been built shows the V Rod motor can slot into a different kind of frame/bike.
Mind you, I expect HD has other things to worry it right now than new models.
Troy Cardenas says
Why doesnt H-D build something like this? Maybe not so radical in riding position, but close. Something along the lines of a Cafe’ style using the VRod motor. I’m certain it would sell if it could perform with the Japanese in price and performance. Maybe it would keep some of the dollars here instead of them going overseas.
Paulinator says
Light / heavy, short / long, skinny / fat, that German-designed industrial air kompressor doesn’t have the visual charm of the air-cooled lineage from HD. (Ya, I “borrowed” that). It’s not ugly… I dunno…Real nice bike, though.
nobody says
If you want to know something about the Buell/VR1000/Vrod connection/disconnection, pick up a copy of the Sept 09 Roadracing World magazine – pages 80-83 to be exact – more/better pics & info than in the Buell book about the same subject.
The Ogre says
Re: “nobody” & JR – not trying to start a fight – but, while the Vrod motor “weighs less than the latest Sportster engines or ANY Big Twin engine assemblies” it’s still pretty darn heavy for a modern VTwin. And it may be shorter than a 1089 motor, the available power:weight is nowhere near what you can get from the Duc. And I’d still bet it’s got the same farm-tractor handling that most other Harley’s have.
todd says
is that a 21″ front wheel and a 16″ rear? Why on earth would anyone do that? I’m also a bit worried about where and how the top of the rear shocks mount to the frame. That has to provide quite a bit of interesting flex. Wait, what about the major kink in the down tubes right up near the neck? I wonder how far back the front wheel moves every time you hit the front brakes.
Still, it’s nice to see the shift in direction to more sporty customs.
-todd
JustPete says
Scotduke – I wondered as well, why hasn’t Buell used this motor. He just doesnt want to I guess and seeing how he went to Rotax and had the 1125R motor built. Maybe it just doesnt sit right for a sporty bike?
“Mind you, I expect HD has other things to worry it right now than new models.”
Well sure they do. Just like every other manufacturer. But they still build bikes and they aren’t going to stop anytime soon.(Although I could say most of the folks on this site would love to see them fail just so they could gloat and say I told you so.) So they will always look for something new to do and if they people build it, eventually it will be offered from the factory. ie… trikes (yes I know they outsource to Lehman. I live nearby and see the trailers out there everytime I go by)…. most of the new touring models have the narrow front wheels like all the customizers have been doing lately and the chopped down windshields.
Jason says
Todd, 21 up front, 18 out back. Upper rear shock mounts are through 1/2″ plate right under a fully boxed 1/4″ inch rear backbone support. Front neck issues? Those goose neck style bends are 1 1/8″ solid stock. So much for that bending. This bike is solid and rideable. No issues! I would be glad to infom you more if you would like.
Thanks,
Jason
nobody says
Ogre,
Agreed – but:
It is a cruiser engine, not a race engine. Compared to any of its metric V twin cruiser competition, that engine is miniscule and has far more potential. Check out the weight & size of a Yamaha (or is it “Star”?) Warrior etc.. engine – the Vrod engine weighs at least 100 lbs less. Etc…
Sorry for that last rude line……..
steve says
a nice approach to do something different. Fuel tank capacity appears to limited but on the right track to a cool ride. One reason that HD hasn’t jumped on the V rod platform for other models is that the current crankcase limits engine size as far as making much torque from the design. It is hard for the HD community to get used to going down the road at 4500 rpm.
David says
Nice work Jason, one of the nicest things I noticed right off was How you made the radiator look like it actually belongs on the bike. Excellent detail and artistic expression.
Scotduke says
JustPete – I think HD will be around a long time after you and I have departed this mortal coil! The company is having its difficulties just now dealing with all those finance packges but its long term future is strong. I expect now is a good time to look around for a good secondhand HD in the US right now and I bet there are some very attractive offers for anyone with the cash to spare.
This bike’s a big step in the right direction with regard to the V-rod motor as far as I’m concerned.
dave432 says
The belt drive on such a tough looking design has got to go, but then again if it breaks the rider could always take off his pantyhose and use it to get to the next farrtbucks coffee shop :)))
Paulinator says
I know what bothers me about the VRod engine now. Its the rocker boxes. The rocker boxes look like they belong on a Briggs and Stratton OHV engine. They need some fins and some brand recognition.
Jimmy says
Good lord Jason, 1/2″ plate,1/4″ back-bone, 1 1/8″ solid stock, sound’s like you got your fabricating and enginering schooling in the heavy trailer fab buisiness. The frame in my Kenworth is only 1/4″ thick, you custom boy’s think that the only way to make something strong is make it thicker and heavyer.
Sean says
Love it! The use of the V-Rod motor in customs is in the early stages and Jason is doing a great job with it. Eric Buell has done wonders with his bikes and they were a little rough on the edges in the early stages also. Keep em coming! Love to see one lower with a softtail swingarm.
John says
Paulinator,the VRod engine is a decedant of the HD designed and built VR1000 race motor and was “tweaked” to meet EPA and other street motor requirements by Porsche rather than completely designed by them.I agree though that the fins should continue down the side of the heads al the way, it would look better to me. And where do you guys get your engine wieght statistics?