Custom / Feet Forward / Low rider project: Hub Centre 750cc BMW - in W Yorkshire

For Sale: one mad motorbike long burn project originally designed to be a Royce Creasey / Malc Newell inspired Feet Forward bike. however it could also make a pretty wicked alternative low rider custom. See www. Bikeweb. com    for similar examples

The story: I started this c 24years ago. as a young engineer graduate. before I got smidsy-ed on my other bike. then left it for bit while I recovered. got married. had kids. did up a couple of houses. got divorced. remarried etc. I now realise if I do long haul biking again. it will be two-up with my missus- so I would not get to use this. But it is way too interesting to scrap: I?ˆ™m hoping it might whet someone?ˆ™s appetite who can get it going.

Base spec: Ex police R75/7 donor bike: bought as a runner. but cosmetically ratty enough ready for breaking. Hub centre front wheel is a spun alloy Astralite (and are often lighted by cutting windows to make spokes). with a hub made by Malc Newell (of Quasar / Phasar fame).

The concept is that by using hub centre steering to feed most of the steering forces straight into the lower frame. which is stiffened by the engine. the upper frame can be cut away. allowing the seat to be lowered massively (to c20in). whilst only increasing the wheelbase by a couple of inches (to 60?ˆ?).

Advantages as a ff. with some sort of fairing. were by simple design to counter most popular complaints about bikes. nbsp;i. e.

more comfortable for long journeys. arriving cleaner. warmer. drier and fresher.

safer in avoiding accidents : more ?ˆ?flickable?ˆ? from low c of g and stiffer chassis. naturally anti dive suspension and less weight transfer allowing harder braking.

Safer in an accident: rider more restrained in the bike by bucket seat. and crash pad on the tank etc.

Quicker / more economical. from smaller frontal area and better aerodynamics.

And with a BM. shaft drive (with choice of ratios). standard pannier cases. standard exhaust system. standard loom. good spares availability. big twin engine involvement etc. And it could be easily have 1000cc barrels fitted!

Includes: all useful parts from donor bike. inc all electrics. clocks. stainless silencers. Krauser cases (cosmetically ok but leaky). R65 Brembo callipers. Will need new downpipes and battery.

Items requiring engineering: (advice will be given freely).

Completion of front end: Upright fork. top wishbone. front shocks & mountings. steering linkages. handle bar clamps. PTFE seal arrangement for wheel bearings. Petrol Tank and mountings. A simple trapezoidal shape. simulated squarely in cardboard. was found to be comfortable with 4 galls. and 5 gall is version shown in one of the pics. Original filler and taps retained for use. Foot controls. headlight mounting. Seat. Volvo 340 backs were popular. Battery mounting (on frame in front of engine) Fairing etc. or at least heat shield over cylinders.

Docs: V5 present (pre-sorn). original frame and engine numbers. so hopefully ok to get accepted as modified single bike. R-reg = tax free in 3 ?? years!

Oh: and you need to be not too short (though I?ˆ™m only 5?ˆ™6). and fairly supple. to put your foot down you have to spread your legs to get your shin beyond the cylinder head. 15?ˆ? from the centre line.

I wouldn?ˆ™t expect anyone to commit to this project without contacting me or seeing it: please do. The bike is in Holmfirth. near Huddersfield. West Yorks.

Also published at eBay.com