Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/141014
N ~ :::;; ~ w Z W ...J ' U >- U ~, ~~~'Ch~oo~~~1J ~I~m~~~ 1~1J~~~W~[~ When this year began, I published a couple of columns exhorting, challenging Americans to produce another great motorcycle, in addition to the sole surviving All-American, Harley -Davidson twins. I even offered "to co-ordinate communications between readers interested in promotion of a new all-American motorcycle factory ." The need for this project grows more apparent day by day. Rising import costs, followed by sinking dollars, the new 20% rise of shipping costs and the rampant transport strikes combine to whip the project into being, whether I co-ordinate communications or not. There are at least three private projects aimed at producing an all-American motorcycle that are being very secretive. One company in Dallas, Texas is said to be developing a new big-engined automatic designed to go after the police business. Myoid friend J. Raymond Wilkinson (founder of J&R Silencer Co. and far-out inventor) is said to have something cooling in Boise, Idaho. Possibly it involves his intriguing little "wiggle-waggle" engine. The American Mustang 350cc will probably be back in production this year. And I have been SWorn into confidence on another private project that the inventors fear will be pirated if word gets out. . But funnelled through my offices are some two dozen very likely prospects for a new All-American many share the dream, but can it come true..•. and when? Motorcycle Project. Russ Shreve of Michigan , inventor of the DiffBrake and a master at developing turn-key manufacturing operations, has offered to help devise the product development plan. Russ says you have to start with the end price , projected volume, and work back through product design . Russ argues that the successful Great American Motorcycle will have to produce at least ten million dollars a year revenue, and be built close to Detroit. The Motor City, Russ explains, is the only place in America with enough sub-contractors to produce the parts economically in volume. He stresses that volume production is the only way to go. "Anyone can make a one-off," says Shreve, " if cost is no object. But no way you can beat the costs making just fifty machines a week ." From Cleveland, Robert Russell of Norton Foundries Co., is interested. Machinery Designer Norman C. Schmidt of Albany, Ga . volunteers and recommends rightly that the best design would result from an engineering team. Terry Davis of Youngstown, Ohio writes, "Fo r about five years I have been build ing my personal dre am of an i n novative co mp any. princi pally concerned with producing the world 's best mot o cross ma ch in e . Though still small and with limited resourc es , n e v ert h eless I am engaged in the cul mination of that dream . . . .I have become an engineer, machinist, welder, pattern-maker, designer. draftsman and mechanic. I have virtually all th e equipme n t and skills. . . to produce prototypes and tool up fo r efficient produ ction. . . I will succ eed event ually." Engineer Ron Moor has helped develop one all-American midi -cycle (the Holder 125 , see pic.] and would like to aim for bigger things. His office' is in Kent, Ohio. The prize SO far , for the man who comes the closest to having a GAM all ready to go, is Frank Wheeler of Lancaster, CAlif . A graduate engineer. Frank is perhaps better known as "Wheelie" Wheeler , the man who rode to AlilSka and back, and then down South America on a 90cc. Frank designed and built the engine-gearbox shown here for less than $200,000 developmgnt cost. So far, it is all-American, although original/'pla~ were to have it manufactured in Taiwan. ~ow; Frank is not sure that is the best way to go. He would rather manufacture it here , but is not yet convinced that the ' quality, etc. of domestic manufacture would offset the obvious costs. By the time you are reading this, I should be ride-testing one of the prototypes. So watch for another Cila2,t'f in the rap idly unfolding development of the Tlfreat American Dream Motorcycle Comes True. \ lane Campbell's vision of the G.A.M. features dip-brazed alloy frame, engine similar to Bultaco but with crankcase induction, possibly rear-exit exhaust port utilizing top rear frame tube as stinger. Backbone tube would carry lube oil. Frank ''Wh eelis"' Wheeler's US designed and built eng ine was scaled down from 500ce to this 250cc version . "Engineer 'em big and build 'em smart! " claims Wheeler. The forged. one -piece crankshaft can be removed with one tool (an Allen wrenchJ. It has five speeds, straight-cut gears and -. 7 -plate clutch. Th is 250cc unit w.ighs only 55 Ibs. has 7 ports. and produces max horsepower at 7,800 revs. Whether the Wheeler engine will be built here or in Taiwan depends a lot on tu rther developments in the Great-American Motorcycle project. Want to participate in the development of the Great A me rican Motorcycle? If you have engineering talent, manufacturing skills. pet design projects or manufactu ring capacity in the U.S., yo u are invited to get in touch by w riting to Great American Motorcy cle Project . c/o Cycle News. Box 498. Lo ng Bea ch , Calif. 90801 . DON'T S END MON EY. • Prospect ive inves tors will be notifi ed in due cou rse when and if th e project matur es. New HoId.r 125 Mid i·Cycl. is all-Am.rican except hu bs and brakes. Tecumseh 133cc 2-stroke engine powers it through automatic clutch. Built to match the import prices, the 115 lb. scoot.r sells for $395, through OCF . 2020 Lak.sid. A••.• Clev.land. O. 44114. (2 16 )6 96-6 070.