This project came about for a few reasons, I needed a rolling advert for my work, and because I came across a cheap written off MT-01 motorcycle, just about the only thing to survive was the engine, however even this was damaged the clutch cover and alternator cover where badly marked presumably as it slid down the road.
This bike is how I think a bike should look for me at this point in time, although that will and has changed as time has passed, we all get older and some get wiser, I understand its not to everyone's taste, the good thing is I'm not making it for everyone, I'm making it for me to ride. ;)
The bike as it looks in most of the pictures is quite raked out, this is partly due to its position on the table exaggerating the actual rake but what is not shown on any picture, and will not be shown, is that the rake is adjustable by upto 10 degrees this is currently set at max and will remain so until I ride it, it can be adjusted in 10 minutes.
How I work is this, I make a complete 3D model of the finished bike to scale in the computer, I then use these 3D models in my software to manufacture all the components in my home workshop, Wheels, Yokes, Handle Bars, brakes Foot Pegs, frame, Swinging Arm, Tank etc etc etc, I even make a lot of the bolts myself (sad ehh), I do not use fibre glass or Carbon fibre anywhere, because its crap, no matter how you look at it, its bits of cloth suspended in glue, besides if it was any good, for bikes Ducati would make Rossi a frame out of it.
Yes I have CNC equipment, I developed some of it myself right down to the circuit boards and software, (Told you I'm a sad bastard) I also have manual machinery.
Anyone that thinks CNC machining is the easy option is kidding themselves, CNC takes far more skill, in part because you have to be good with manual machinery before you can even contemplate CNC, then there's the little matter of the drawing and programming of the parts, having Cad software does not make you a designer, no more than having a pencil makes you good at drawing, before any drawing can begin, you must have the whole bike, right down to the last nut, bolt & washer, in your minds eye, otherwise you just end up with a load of bits that don't gel together, why the rant? well its been said on some forums, "ohh anybody could do that all he does is press a button and a bike comes out!!! " yeah right ;) those that think this is true are all invited to come and show me this magic button, and when you can press it the bike that magically appears is yours to keep................
Obviously the frame is not machined, its fabricated, I do this myself also, bending the tubes filing welding etc etc, and yes it takes ages, but its therapeutic, :)
The exhaust is made from stainless tube, I use a method called lobster backing, where by the tube is sliced into segments then welded together this takes time but I like the effect as opposed to smoothed out welds.
The next major components to manufacture is the rear Air Suspension, which I'm currently developing, after that the tank etc all hand made from aluminium with hammers, shot bag etc as tools, and then paint & powder coat.
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First off thanks for all the compliments I've been getting via various sites and emails, it humbles me, these maybe a little premature its not finished yet!! I was hoping to get it finished, before all the attention started but it was probably inevitable seeing as the build is online.
I will try to answer some of the comments below, and some questions I get asked by others, I like both compliments and criticism it all helps the project move forwards and evolve.
I suppose the question I get asked the most is why?, Well I used to work overseas most of the time but then I had to stop to look after my wife who was terminally Ill, that’s when this project started, in fact she suggested it, believe me you need something to take the mind elsewhere in these situations.
Second is why so raked out? Well a few reasons, I like the look “on this bike”!! however the rake is adjustable by 10deg, as it is now its at its most radical, in addition it must be kept in mind this bikes function is two fold, both as a rolling advert for what I do, and for me to ride! I could easily have built a chopper and gone real radical, but then the street fighter boys avoid me, and or vice versa, same goes for classics, I like all bikes, my preference is simple, two wheels and loads of power I tried to make this bike fit all and none, I also wanted to use both steel and aluminium, hence the hybrid frame and swinging arm, all component parts are fully FEA Analysed to ensure they are up to the job, the rear engine plates are fixed at five points not three, hidden at the bottom inside is a steel structure that ties the engine plates frame and rear shock. (incidentally I have made another front end, billet girders, which I might fit on occasion for a change).
The rear tyre is a 240 " yikes", ah ha! but I have another left hand rear slimmer rim, hence the offset wheel centre, so I can if I decide fit a 190 tyre, but I doubt I will.
How much will it weigh? about 235KG, this is a lot, but its quite a bit less than a standard MT-01.
Engine mod's are High comp pistons re profiled cams some head work and stage II ECU with PC III.
by the way everyone that has seen the bike are amazed how small it looks in the flesh, and that the pictures don’t do it justice, I just try to make every part as good as I can, from the best materials available, and hope it all gels in the end.
I have other bikes i.e MV F4, Triumph Trident, + another projects on the drawing board one of which includes my own engine!! and another that has active geometry i.e, alter the rake ride height etc on the fly, but not on the move , transformer like (scary)
How much time have you spent on it??? I have absolutely no idea but loads ( I would guess getting on for between 1500 and 2000 Hrs) although it always takes second priority to proper work, I do try to work on it every day, but get pissed of now and again and leave it for weeks until I get re inspired.
How much did all that equipment cost, lol, well this is a long story but not much in money, but loads in time, you see my CNC miller I got given because it was wrecked when it had an accident with a fork truck, I replaced all the electronics with my own designs inc PCB's and used PC based software to control it, both lathes are collage surplus, bought at auction, I repaired them, the other miller I bought from a friend, the spark eroder I made, the Tig set I bought new!! the other stuff is a life times worth of collecting tools, I wrote a lot of the software I use myself, I have no formal training in CNC I taught myself, for the Tins I use only hand tools, hammers, files, shot bag, I don’t use a buck I do it by eye.
I did think about some fancy graphics, I used to do air brush art, years ago but in the end its about the whole bike not just the paint.
Will I build another?? It depends!!, all the CNC code is done and the jigs are made so I could do one in a year, if someone was seriously interested, keep in mind your buying a year of my time! but you get a bike thrown in at then end .
The initial intention was / is, to work with the client to do the bike more or a less as it is overall, but with some subtle changes to the detail work, that way they can have input other than simply picking the paint scheme, I can do this only because I make all the components myself, and therefore can make changes quite rapidly. at what cost!!! "I don’t know" I would have to think about it, nevertheless it will not be cheap, but then again good stuff never is.
Contact me on this or to simply make a comment / ask a question, I'm always open to suggestions and ideas.
long winded or what!! but now you know, from the horses mouth.
Shaun
