Warbird 191

This isn’t one of those little Rotec radials used by Jesse James or JRL Cycles, these pieces are from a full size aero engine. The 2 cylinders, with a bore of 5.125″ and stroke of 4.625″ yield 191 cubic inches (3130cc) and mate to a crankcase designed by Ian himself. He designed the patterns, a local foundry made the casting.

Everything was built by Ian in his garden shed. He designed and built the boardtrack style hardtail frame with sufficient size to hold the engine while keeping it proportioned so someone can actually ride it. I like the aero touches like the nose art, applied by local artist, Jennie Persak and if you look closely, you’ll even see a pitot tube for the airspeed indicator. How cool is that?

The bike looks pretty neat but it’s the engine that catches your eye, I think the heads, especially, look great. Is the bike practical? Not really, though it certainly looks rideable, it’s just one of those projects that starts when a builder comes up with an idea and sees it through. Anything with an engine that looks that good gets a thumbs up from me.

Read More......

Hyde Harrier Jubilee From Norman Hyde

Norman Hyde has been offering all sorts of Triumph spares and accessories since 1976. In 1987, he built the first Harris framed Hyde Harrier that could be powered by a either Triumph triple or a Bonneville twin. It was very well received and he still offers the kit. To celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Hyde Harrier and the 50th anniversary of the Triumph Bonneville, he once again teamed up with Harris Performance to produce the Hyde Harrier Jubilee.

Power is now provided by a modern Hinckley built 865cc twin but it is still wrapped in a Harris frame. It comes as a base kit that you need to finish yourself and Hyde can also supply an array of high end options to make your Harrier one very sweet machine. These include a handmade Harris stainless steel race exhaust, Ohlins suspension front and rear, forged Dymag wheels, Acumen instrumentation, AP Lockheed radial brakes and Keihin smooth bore carburetors.

Read More......

Harley Davidson XR1200

MILWAUKEE (Dec. 1, 2008) – Inspired by the XR-750, the most dominating American dirt track racing motorcycle of all-time, the Harley-Davidson XR1200 is now poised to boost adrenalin levels on streets, roads and highways around the world.

The XR1200 is a powerful new Harley-Davidson hot rod motorcycle that was initially designed and launched only in European markets in April 2008. With the high degree of interest and passionate reception surrounding the bike’s European release, as well as demand from Harley riders and competitive brand owners alike, the XR1200 is now being launched in all markets.

Drawing significant styling influences from the successful Harley-Davidson XR-750 motorcycles that set new standards for dirt track racing success over the last 30 years, the XR1200 features technical innovation to provide potent street performance and handling. In fact, Harley-Davidson dirt track racing legends Scott Parker and Rich King participated in the XR1200 development.

Read More......

Norton Kawasaki 2 Stroke

one of our regulars, sent along this photo of a featherbed framed Kawasaki triple. The featherbed frame has seen a lot of engine transplants, singles, twins of all types and Triumph triples, among others, but I can’t recall ever seeing a Kawasaki 2 stroke triple. The Kawasaki triples were not known for their handling, well, actually they were, it just wasn’t the kind of notoriety they were hoping for, putting one of these into a featherbed frame makes for an interesting mix.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen a Japanese/British transplant, there was this Yamaton, a Yamaha engine in a Norton frame, at Mid Ohio this past summer.

Read More......

BMW LoRider Custom

When the BMW LoRider was first revealed, everyone seemed to like it a lot. BMW says they want to hear from you and they have an online survey I didn’t notice before where you can tell them what you’re thinking. You get to choose your favorite configuration from a whole series and give them your input on things like price, horsepower and various other custom options. Head on over and give ‘em a piece of your mind.

It’s also going to be making its North American debut at the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show this weekend. So if you’re in sunny California, check it out.

Read More......

SYMBA Honda Cub Replica

According to Steve from TheScooterScoop, SanYang Motors of Taiwan or SYM, is going to bring the SYMBA, a Honda Cub replica to the USA. SYM used to be part of Honda of Taiwan before it split, another part of that split became Kwang Yang Motor Co or KYMCO. The SYM scooter looks like an exact Honda Cub clone. No specs or price are available yet but if you’re familiar with the Cub, you’ll agree, this looks like the same machine.

This isn’t some company that just decided to replicate the Honda Cub, SYM made the Cub for Honda for 40 years so they probably have it figured out. I don’t know what arrangement they must have with Honda but I would think this is being done with Honda’s knowledge and permission.

I wasn’t familiar with SYM until I read Steve’s post, evidently it’s big overseas and they’ve been battling with KYMCO for the Asian scooter market and it also has some connections with Hyundai Korea for the manufacturing of cars in Taiwan. SYM is also connected with Bombardier Recreational Products and the Kinetic Motor Company in India. Its USA presence is small right now but growing.

For all of the many Honda Cub fans who miss this little machine from years gone by, you may get a chance to own one again, or for the first time, in the near future. I’ll be curious to see what kind of reception this receives over here.

Thanks to Steve from TheScooterScoop who left a couple of comments over here about this yesterday.

Read More......