Boanerges

More Weird Bikes!

Here are a few more for the collection. A lot of BIG stuff this time.

 

The "Michigan Madman"

Here is a piece of motorcycle history from the early 1960's.  E.J. Potter, "The Michigan Madman", was a very unique guy that is stuck in the minds of many motorcycle and drag race fans around the world.  

E.J. Potter was from the “eyeball engineering” school of builders. You take metal, a welder, a selection of parts at hand and start building. If you have an engine first, you build something around it. His Chevy V8 motorcycles were a constantly evolving project. His first bike used an old Harley Davidson frame but he quickly progressed into custom frames built just for the purpose. The early versions of the bike were called the "WidowMaker".  There was an amazing amount of ingenuity involved in the building which was a constant, “find the problem, fix the problem” process. 

His homebuilt centrifugal clutch didn’t work so well which led to a direct drive system and his well known starting procedure where the engine was started while the motorcycle was on the rear stand and at the right tire speed, the stand was kicked out and off he went in a cloud of smoke.  

The engine ran no freeze plugs and therefor no coolent.  His comment was "it runs cool on alcohol and if it blows I don't get hot stuff all over me".  Eventual top numbers were, E.T. in the 8 sec. at 180+ m.p.h.  A very entertaining showman at any track.

He was also involved in jet powered cars and trike.  His book in in the second edition and is highly recommended reading from a true character that was not affraid to give anything a try.

   

No Captions Needed!

Some of these people have a little too much time on their hands.

I couldn't resist!  Too much of everything here!

African gas tanker truck!

 

Helmets ? Why?  The law?  See the Kid in the middle!

Greatest Motorcycle of All Time!

The Honda Super Cub in 50, 70,and 90c.c. have been made is massive numbers and is the best selling motorcycle of all time.  Since it's introduction in 1959 over 40 million have been sold and many are still running.  Many are still used in Asia and doing crazy work year after year.

You meet the nicest people on a Honda!

 Here are some examples of their use.

 (Click Here) YouTube

Check out this Video on The Greatest Motorcycle of all Time.

Just Weird!

A real corner carver or whittler!  Sooo streamlined. Those farm implement wheels and tires are cool too.

I said it before, I want to be this guy.  Pipes are good!

Comfort & safty are the first things that come to mind. Total control!!  Dry those pitts.

I think this was John Weikel's first motorized bike/bicycle!

Big Bikes!

Here are a couple of strange really BIG BIKES!  Look out boys at OCC.

Here is a little different approach to the idea of BIG.  It uses 2-cylinders of a radial airplane engine.

Finally the completed bike below.

Bike of The Future

Click on any pic to enlarge

Ben Gulak designed the Uno himself with the help of a simple 3D program
The green machine is so small and light it can be taken indoors and carried into lifts -- and is recharged by being plugged into the mains.
The wheels are completely independent, allowing the bike to turn on a sixpence and the technology takes the balance and guesswork out of riding a unicycle.
Its 18-year-old creator is now looking for investors to get the Uno into production and onto the streets.
Ben, from Ontario , Canada , said: 'I was inspired to make the bike after visiting China a few years ago and seeing all the smog.
'They all drive little bikes that are really polluting and I wanted to make something to combat that.
'I started with the concept because if something doesn't look cool people just won't be interested.

A young inventor has created a motorbike with a twist -- it uses two wheels but they are positioned right next to each other, giving it the illusion of being a powered unicycle. And even better, it might help save the planet.
Ben Gulak has spent several years building the electric Uno that uses gyroscopic technology -- like the infamous Segway commuter device -- to stay upright.
The bizarre-looking contraption has only one switch -- on or off -- and is controlled entirely by body movement. The rider leans forwards to accelerate to speeds of 25 mph and back to slow down. It has two wheels side-by-side and has been turning heads wherever it has been ridden.

Ben Gulak turns heads from onlookers as he rides past them.

 

After coming up with the concept I started to build it and now have the first prototype and the reaction has been amazing.

'It has two wheels side by side and that means it is easier to turn as they are completely independent and have their own suspension.

'The bike has a 'neutral point' and when you lean forward it accelerates to keep the neutral point in the right place.'It has a couple of gyros and is basically self-balancing -- it takes the guesswork out of riding a unicycle.

'The bike takes a bit of getting used to because you have to learn to trust it. But it doesn't take long.'It takes any weight and weighs 120 lbs and can fit into a lift so you can take it indoors to charge it up.

'Currently it has a top speed of 25 mph, but that will be increased greatly with bigger motors.'It has a range of about 2.5 hours and it is designed for the commute to work through busy towns. I believe this could be electrical alternative to the car.