Motorcycle headcase #2: guy stuffs Ferrari engines into two custom bikes
Here's yet another case of infusing a two-wheeler with a passenger-car mill; in this case, the donor happens to be a Ferrari, and there's actually two project bikes. "Dino", pictured above, is powered by a V12 of undisclosed origin, while "Andreas" is motivated by a V8 swiped from a 308. They've been built by someone only identified as "George", who supposedly is a retired GP racer and Isle of Man TT survivor. There is also reason to believe that he has secured sponsorship from his local vendor of 4043 welding rod. We're not sure quite what to think, other than that we'd definitely be keeping the left pantlegs of our Aerostitch suits away from the open cam drive.
Related: Motorcycle headcase #1: HMS builds a bike powered by BMW V12
[Source: Motorbike via Luxist; thanks to reader Noah for the tip!]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg "2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sexi picture 12:58PM (4/29/2006)
Excelent!
http://centrum.czweb.org
Reply
JIm 1:39PM (4/29/2006)
Hey, I know the location of an Enzo engine.
Reply
gbh 5:18PM (4/29/2006)
I guess if you really want a unique ride, you've definately got it.
Like lotsa things, it'll never be as fast as it looks.
But hey, when anybody can go build a 250MPH+ 'Busa, what price exclusivity?
Reply
Road Tester 10:53AM (4/30/2006)
It might be very fast, but they should work on the looks a bit. It does look very homemade.
Reply
Brett 8:30PM (9/24/2008)
I knew George in the 1980's when I was rebuilding a police issue KZ1000 to resemble a 4 cylinder giant of a Norton...he gave me tips like, "if you can't find it at the motorbike parts store then try it from the airplane parts store" and occasionally loaned me tools. Somewhere I have a pic of this bike in front of my house with my girlfriend and another chick all wild eyed from the ride behind George...when he first finished it and before he had the starter custom made we had to tow it behind my truck to get it to turn over; the compression was so tight. One of the bikes was a Dino engine while the other was a supercharged Dino. Fastest damned things I've ever ridden beside, smoked anything on the road. George was a hell of a nice guy who would spend part of the year in California and part of the year riding a BMW in Europe, across Africa, New Zealand, etc. He was also a certified Ferrari Mechanic and yes, Isle of Man veteran. George was shortened from his last name, a Greek name that I forget now, but he was from South Africa originally I believe. Took race honors in S.A., Britain, Canada etc. Very cool guy and a very cool bike, clearly thinking outside of the box. He built that bike right around 1989. Cheers!
Reply
brett 7:43PM (9/24/2008)
One more thing, when we first met George was riding a bike he'd built with a big V8 engine in it, the main giveaway was the distributor and wires sticking out of the side. He eventually put Yamaha stickers on it because the cops in town were as simple as milk and would pull him over and then puzzle over what it was...he tried to explain it but it was so far outside of their ability to grasp that the Yamaha stickers became necessary. After he put the stickers on they quit pulling him over...once the Ferrari bikes were built the "Yamaha" V8 was garaged and as far as I know never ridden again.
Reply
eric bryant 12:10AM (5/01/2006)
awesome looking machine, no need for a woman to shave her legs after a ride on that thing.
Reply
Jochen Peiper 12:05AM (6/08/2006)
Saw the V8 powered machine in West Vancouver BC yhe other day.Says Honda and Andreas on gas tank,california plate.Serious engineering shoehorn job or what,its a 90 degree engine,couldn't tell what type of transmission it was hooked up to,but there isn't any extra room on this beast.2small oil radiators in front,2water radiators along side,behind pilot with shrouds to duct airflow.Sorry,didn't have camera on me.Lots of polished aluminium,impractical,but must sound awesome.
Reply
kaiaz 3:24AM (6/30/2006)
The Most Trusted Name in Leather and Helmets. Motorcycle Apparel, Helmets, Off-Road Apparel, Leather and Accessories at Unbelievable prices. Direct Importers of Quality Stuff.
Reply