MAC MOTORCYCLES - AGAIN

[SRXer]

Remember I poasted about Mac motorcycles?

They just became a little bit more interesting...

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/09/08/mac-motorcycles-after-buell-fits-yamaha-power/

[Steve Lake]

that szr lump completely bu55ers up the whole retro concept....better put an srx6 lump in....or better still A goldie rep like the ABASF engine......that'd be ral cool

[stevexbr]

Remember I poasted about Mac motorcycles?

They just became a little bit more interesting...

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/09/08/mac-motorcycles-after-buell-fits-yamaha-power/

They had a stand at the Ace Cafe Harley day 2 weeks ago - they really didn't do themselves any favours by having a picture of a bike for you to look at , as opposed to having an actual motorcycle. Do any of these actually exist?

Steve

[andy230]

Do any of these actually exist?

Steve,

I reckon you've hit the nail on the head there...  While we would all definately wish them the best of luck (even with the technically better but supremely ugly, liquid cooled Yam motor), I am a little sceptical about these going into production.

Not sure if the market is there either...

However, it would be great to see them succeed.  But I agree, a road test would be good for press, even with on obselete motor.  Or even one with no internals for folk to gawp at...

However, that said, I am hoping that these gentlemen  -->

http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/

get into production.  Hoping, but there have been so many false starts over the last 15 years...

Still 173 mph can't be bad (if thats your thing!!)

a

[Steffan]

I know I ride enfields and 2T MZs but I would like to see something more original rather than the endless rehash of supposed retro chic. I'll admit that the CCM cafe racer is to my taste in a big way but it would be nice to see a manufacturer come up with something new.

Steffan

[Andy M]

I think there is innovation, but the market reacts badly to it. New Tenere or ER-6 anyone? You buy because they work not because they remind you of Jimeny Cricket from certain angles.

The market that seems to react well is re-heated classics. Look at how many Bonnevilles you can sell, even that thing with the mini front wheel that comes with a chest wig, medallion and bottle of Brut extra strength.

Can we define what we want or are we still looking for that 200 mpg, 200 mph, 200,000 mile service interval bike?

Andy

[bullet350]

"Can we define what we want or are we still looking for that 200 mpg, 200 mph, 200,000 mile service interval bike?"

where? i'll have one, so long as its under £1000 new with free fuel and servicing.

bullet350

[Steffan]

I know I can define what I would want but can someone make one?

Steffan

[Andy M]

We can make pretty much anything given time and effort.

The trouble is, the 200 mpg/200mph/200,000 mile/£999/free fuel bike would require a production run that'd be bigger than the planets population to make economic sense. The maker would become the effective owner of the worlds transport networks and would treat the guys making bits as economic slaves, something we might all have issues with. About the third guy who got one would of course decide he didn't like the colour!

Sticking an old motor in a new frame and adding bits from a catalogue keeps the project at a managable level, but is less efficient so costs more.

What you need to do if you want your dream bike is find the right number of blokes who want the same and will pay what you will. There aren't enough people who want a Ural style outfit, made by Honda workers in Hinckley, with 100 mph performance to get the price down to what I'll pay 

Andy

 

[SRXer]

that szr lump completely bu55ers up the whole retro concept....better put an srx6 lump in....or better still A goldie rep like the ABASF engine......that'd be ral cool

you mean the XT660 - and Isnt that developed from the SRX6? please correct me if wrong.

[Steve Lake]

erm.....thats a bit of a stretch....but the bottom end IS much the same (see andy230's racer)....i'm referring to the air cooled v liquid cooled engine.....i know i'm a bit of a luddite in this respect, but a bike is a bike when its aircooled and started with a kick starter (i'm only just able to accept the automatic valve lifter!). I just think if you're going to knock up a cafe racer, then air cooling and kick starting are basic requirements.

[guest27]

erm.....thats a bit of a stretch....but the bottom end IS much the same (see andy230's racer)....i'm referring to the air cooled v liquid cooled engine.....i know i'm a bit of a luddite in this respect, but a bike is a bike when its aircooled and started with a kick starter (i'm only just able to accept the automatic valve lifter!). I just think if you're going to knock up a cafe racer, then air cooling and kick starting are basic requirements.

Kick starters are for softies - real cafe racer's pull back against compression, take three steps and jump on the saddle.... wobble fall over the wrong side land with bike on top of them.  Repeat five time, throw it in the shed and go to the pub.

R

Oh if you hate your job I understand there is now a self help group,





it meets every day in the pub.