May 2007
NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF CHOPPER BUILD
Chopper Build
Bikes in Bloom
If you're at least 40 years of age, you surely know the name Carroll Shelby and his impact on the culture of American high performance automobiles. In his latest enterprise, the legendary man is teaming up with Rucker Performance to develop a limited production Shelby motorcycle, a prototype of which was unveiled at the recent V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati. The bike is supposed to rival the power-to-weight ratio of the famed Shelby Cobra 427 and was developed in partnership between the two companies. Rucker Performance will build the customs under license by Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc.
"It's no secret that stuffing a powerful American motor into a lightweight chassis has been my formula for success," Shelby says. "Working with Bill Rucker and his team, we've taken this same approach on the new Shelby motorcycle. It will offer the same thrill as driving my Cobra.
"We're going to build the ultimate American high-performance braking system with ceramic brake rotors, Pingel 1-6 electric shifting system and air ride suspension. An S&S X-Wedge 128 engine with closed loop VFI fuel injection churns out 150 hp. Each bike can be custom painted according to the owner's personal tastes and will include a special edition logo.
Production of the Shelby will include up to 25 motorcycles that will be available for purchase by the third quarter of this year, with a second round of production scheduled for the fall. Additional information is available at www.ruckerperformance.com
Viper is another V-twin manufacturer that has recently ramped up production at its Big Lake, Minnesota, plant. One of three new models, the Diablo uses a rubber-mounted 127 cubic inch (2080 cc) billet engine for Patrick Racing mated to a 6-speed Baker transmission with the final drive belt on the right. Viper claims the Diablo and its two sister models are capable of top speeds of 150 mph. At an estimated price range of $30,000 to $35,000, both speed and price are in the upper ranges-perfect for those who want a new kind of thrill, albeit aboard a production bike. More info is available at www.vipermotorcycles.com.
Saxon unveiled a prototype of the newest addition to its line called the Mad Jack at this year's V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati. The company describes the bike as an aggressive V-twin street fighter designed by master builder, Gard Hollinger, of L.A. County Choprods. It features numerous "old-school modernistic" styling elements including a proprietary frame, gas tank, fenders, machined aluminum strut system, LACC beehive side-mounted oil filter, Moon Eyes barrel-type oil tank and LACC hydraulic seat shock-dampening system. In addition, each Mad Jack will be numbered and signed. Learn more at www.saxonmotorcycles.com.
June 27, 2007 11:40 AM | send page | Press Releases