This motorcycle does look a lot different from the custom motorbikes built by motorcycle builders in the world. Yes, the unique-shaped custom motorcycle is called 'The Killer,' which was built by an Australian expatriate who lives in the US named Craig Rodsmith of Rodsmith Motorcycle. The difference can be significantly seen ranging from the motorcycle shaped to its engine.
Rodsmith Motorcycle 'The Killer' by Craig Rodsmith for Haas Moto Museum and Sculpture Gallery at The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show 2019. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/31OnxIQ)
The making of this unique motorcycle began when Booby Haas of the Dallas-based Haas Moto Museum surfed the internet and found some grainy photos of an art deco-style motorcycle made by a group of German engineers in Munich back in the 1930s.
Then he was inspired to make it, and immediately thought of Craig Rodsmith and contacted him right away. Soon they met to talk about the possibility of making the motorcycle.
The Killer features the integrated amber headlight, bars, and the thin seat are all similarly crafted from aluminum. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30M21mW)
As mentioned above, The Killer shape heavily inspired by the 1935 Killinger und Freund Motorrad. You might still remember the figure of the German art-deco styled motorcycle found by US soldiers during the 2nd World War. If forget or not know yet, you can see it in here.
Front view of Rodsmith Motorcycle 'The Killer.' (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30M21mW)
Just like the inspiration source, The Killer was also driven by its front wheel. So it uses 3 identical units of 60cc 2-stroke engines which are arranged in radial configuration and then installed on its 19-inches front wheel. Those engines were built by Rodsmith, himself.
The Killer completed without a central motor, chain, or driveshaft keeps it minimalist and utterly stunning to behold. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30M21mW)
Also, the chassis is handbuilt without the modern benefits of 3D design or CNC machines. And could be said it was 'super insane' level of craftsmanship to make it closely similar to the source of its inspiration. The bike features an integrated amber headlight on the handlebars, and the thin seat also crafted from aluminum materials.
To ensure the front-wheel-drive works, he used a centrifugal clutch that fitted to a sprocket, which in turn connected an axle to which the wheel was bolted. The result is a beautiful fluidity that’s unmatched by another bike ever.
Rodsmith Motorcycle 'The Killer' was heavily inspired by this German's art-deco styled front-wheeled drive motorcycle called 'Friedenstaube' (Peace Dove) or Killinger und Freund Motorrad. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30OLYow)
This bike has been fitted with an electric starter, but there are technically three engines which have to be cranked all at once. Hence, Craig built a Bendix drive so the starter would disengage once the engine was running.
The Killer has three 60 cc 2-stroke identical engines, in a radial configuration, on its 19-inch front wheel. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30M21mW)
According to its creators, it is a very easy-to-drive motorcycle, though with very different sensations than conventional rear-wheel-drive bikes. Craig Rodsmith said, "It’s a weird sensation of being pulled by an engine rather than pushed."
The Killer is a fully functional bike but the project was commissioned mostly as an artwork to be shown off at the museum. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MdGjmr)
Bobby Haas is happy. "I know from personal experience that success is all the sweeter when you accept a challenge to do something you think you’re destined to fail at. My role is to enable genius artisans to create a masterpiece that might otherwise escape reality, and just drift away as a pipe dream."
Indeed, We've been heard the Killer motorcycle is a fully functional bike but the project was commissioned mostly as an artwork to be shown off at the museum. See it for yourself on display in the Haas Moto Museum. But imagine, once upon a time when you look at The Killer speeding on the streets - won't that be a sight!
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RODSMITH MOTORCYCLE | HAAS MOTO MUSEUM | BIKEEXIF | ULTIMATE MOTORCYCLING | ENRG.IO]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Now we are know that the Vespa Kongo is a designation for a Vespa special models which assembled in Germany and was a state award for the Indonesian soldiers who have been served in Congo as the UN's Peacekeeping Forces in between 1960 to 1963. So clearly this Kongo type of scooter only exist in Indonesia.
Vespa Kongo has become a part of the history of the Indonesia's participation for world peace. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2pFy4YR)
Distinctive marks of the Vespa Kongo
One of the features that makes the Vespa Kongo so unique, due to these scooter models were not assembled at the Vespa factory in Pontadera, Italy as other Vespa models in general that time, but at the Vespa GmbH Augsburg, one of the Vespa factories in Augsburg, Germany which was established in 1958 and there were 2 scooter models, ie. Vespa 150 cc scooters (Vespa Ausburg T150/4 (type 332, 4-speed) VGLB, and Vespa 125 cc scooters (Vespa Ausburg T150/4 (type 332, 3-speed)VGLA.
Vespa Ausburg VGLA/B aka Vespa Kongo has a round front fender without joints and uses 10-inches sized rim on both its wheels. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2oGthFZ)
Vespa Kongo is manufactured by using higher quality steel plate materials and has more complete equipment compared to other Vespa scooter models that were commonly circulating in Indonesia at that time such as the VBB1T or VBB2T models.
The Vespa Kongo scooter models physically have a special characteristic on the body which is not found in other Vespa models, namely:
It has a Garuda emblem made of brass plates on the left front body (but unfortunately, the logo is rarely found in the remaining Vespa Kongo now).
On the left handlebar (the clutch/gears section) precisely, there is an oval shaped bulge.
It has a round front fender without joints.
It uses 10-inches sized rim on both wheels.
It has a handlebar with a rather large box-shaped VDO speedometer that is different from the Vespa Type VNA/VNB.
At the top of the speedometer there is a small indicator lamp.
It has a machine number that starts with the codes of VGLA1M or VGLB1M.
And finally in the Indonesian Vehicle Ownership Book (Bukti Pemilik Kendaraan Bermotor/BPKB) there's an 'Ex-Brigade III information' about name and rank of the soldiers who got this scooter.
In addition to the characteristics mentioned above to complete the owner identity such as, the soldier identity numbers who got the Vespa scooter is also embedded in the handlebar (oval handlebar) made of brass and an accompanying awards. Here we provide some pictures that might give a little picture of the characteristics of the Vespa Kongo scooter as mentioned above:
Vespa Kongo distinctive marks as mentioned above, as follow it has an oval shaped bulge, a box-shaped VDO speedometer, at top of speedometer there's small indicator lamp, etc. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2n8KK9N). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2o0ZOGR)
At present, the existence of thsee Vespa Kongo scooters are difficult to find in the original conditions. Even if there were, they would be very few in number and be in the hands of people who care to maintain their existence.
The valid authentication marks of Vespa Kongo can be seen in the Indonesian Vehicle Ownership Book (Bukti Pemilik Kendaraan Bermotor/BPKB) there's an 'Ex-Brigade III information' about name and rank of the soldiers who got this scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2n8KK9N)
In addition, at the first place it's also affected by the very limited number of scooters in accordance with the number of soldiers who got it, plus at present the condition of some of its spare parts which have been damaged and cannot be repaired, meanwhile its replacement parts are no longer on the market.
Another Vespa Kongo distinctive marks as mentioned above, as follow it has a box-shaped VDO speedometer, at top of speedometer there's small indicator lamp, etc. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2n8KK9N)
Until now, we don't know yet how much price of the Vespa Kongo scooter in original condition. We're though that were not cheap certainly, or an exorbitant prices it could be. (Some said the price over Rp.50 million or around US $3,5k). Are you have these special-kind-of scooters? If yes. We can only say 'Congratulation, You are very lucky person due to have one of the most sought after scooters in the world.'
Today, the Vespa Kongo like a myth among the Indonesian scooter fans even the world. If you have it. Keep the Vespa Kongo scooter as one of the Indonesian priceless treasures..!!
Kept
spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive
with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does
the cops...... (Back to Part-1).
(This article was deliberately created in order to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the Indonesian National Army (Tentara National Indonesia/TNI) on October 5, 2019.) Remain as the Guardian of Our beloved Indonesian homeland with all the heart.*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KOMPAS | OTOFREAK | MOTOPLUS | OTOMANIA | VESPA]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Did you ever heard about the Vespa Kongo classic scooters? For those of you the scooter fans from abroad may be feel strange due to have never been heard or known the existence of this classic Vespa scooter type before. But for the Indonesian scooter fans, of course, most of them are already knew and familiar to those Vespa Kongo (or 'Congo' for English spelling) scooters name.
Vespa Ausburg VGLA/B aka Vespa Kongo is a state award scooter to several groups of the Indonesian Peacekeeping Forces who served in Congo, Central Africa back in the end 1950s to early 1960s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2o5cywb)
Besides having a distinctive shape, it turns out that the antique scooter holds a priceless historical value for Indonesian, and also said has its own prides for those who are lucky able to own it. This Vespa scooter model emerged and gained popularity back in the early of 1960s.
Several member of the Indonesian Peacekeeping Forces proudly posed with their Vespa Kongo in the 1960s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2oED8wa)
History of the Vespa Kongo name
Actually there are some nicknames that are circulating in Indonesian society about this Vespa scooter model besides the 'Kongo,' including the 'Vespa Telur' (mean 'an egg' in English) because it has oval-shaped side fender like an egg, then there's also called it as 'Vespa Ndog Kentus' which means the same as an egg.
Several member of the Indonesian Peacekeeping Forces proudly posed with the Vespa Kongo in the 1960s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2oGthFZ)
The designation of the Vespa Kongo itself comes from the name of the country where several groups of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia/TNI) known as the Indonesian Garuda Contingent (Kontingen Garuda/KONGA) were assigned in the late 1950s and early 1960s. At that time they got the task as the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces from Indonesia in Congo, Central Africa under the mission of the UNOC (United Nation Operations for Congo).
Vespa Kongo was assembled at the Vespa GmbH Augsburgone of the Vespa factories in Augsburg, Germany. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2nSPf8T)
Front view of the legendary Vespa Kongo of the 1960s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2o0ZOGR)
Well, this Vespa scooter models were then given to the members of the Peacekeeping Forces as a form of appreciation from the Indonesian government for their services in Congo. Another sources said that besides these Vespa scooters there're also other forms of appreciation like the money and also sewing machines.
It was also reported that the Vespa Kongo scooters were distributed based on the military rank, namely for those who had higher rank to get the green colored Vespa 150 cc scooters (Vespa Ausburg T150/4 (type 332, 4-speed) VGLB, while the soldier with lower rank got the Vespa 125 cc (Vespa Ausburg T150/4(type 332, 3-speed) VGLA in yellow or blue colored.
The Vespa Kongo starting known in the Indonesian scooter market back in the 1963, as a Vespa scooter model belonging to ex-Kontingen Garuda-2 (1960-1961) and Garuda-3 (1962-1963) members, but there is no certain source yet whom said whether the members of the Kontingen Garuda-1 also received the same scooter prizes (due to they assigned to Egypt back in the 1956).
Vespa Ausburg T150/4 (type 332, 3-speed) VGLA aka Vespa Kongo only exist in Indonesia for the scooter models in between 1960 to 1963. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2o0ZOGR)
Let's move to the next discussion about the Vespa Kongo destinctive marks. (Continued to Part-2).
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops......
(This
article was deliberately created in order to commemorate the 74th
anniversary of the Indonesian National Army (Tentara National
Indonesia/TNI) on October 5, 2019.) Remain as the Guardian of Our beloved Indonesian homeland with all the heart. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KOMPAS | OTOFREAK | MOTOPLUS | OTOMANIA | VESPA]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
One of the British electric motorcycle manufacturers named ARC Vehicle officially scheduled to immediately produce and launch its new product of its new facility in South Wales next year and it named the ARC Vector. The company said the the electric motorcycle already able to be ordered at a price of £90,000 (around $117,000 or Rp.1.6 billion).
The ARC Vector electric-powered sports motorcycle has managed to debut at the 2018 EICMA Milan event. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2mPDsre)
As reported by Carscoops, on its first production batch will made as much 399 units of motorcycle. It to be built to order in the first 18 months and give its prospective buyers more and more reasons to be excited about what the company calls the "most advanced electric motorcycle in the world."
As the most sophisticated electric motor in the world, this motorbike adopts Human Interface technology, carbon monocoque, hub-center steering, wheel inspired by characteristics and more.
The ARC Vector is said the future electric big motorbike embodiment. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2mPDsre)
On the other hand the presence of an electric motorbike also aims to bring a motor that is nimble and has a lot of power, but also also user-friendly and fun to drive both in the city and on the open road. This is where the hub-center steering system enters.
“The system that we have developed provides low speed control on the bicycle. There are a number of manufacturers who have implemented hub-center steering in the past, but they do it with an anti-dive system," said the ARC founder and CEO Mark Truman.
Hub-center steering system necessitates a front swingarm. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2mPDsre)
"For Vector, we have created a system that has all the benefits of HCS but feels like a series of prongs. The advantage is that rigidity allows for steep rake angles and chassis which allows rapid change of direction with stability at high speeds. What we have designed is the best of both worlds without negative things," he said further.
As for the drivetrain sector, the ARC Vector EV relies on a 399-volt electric motor which is claimed to be able to burst power up to 133 horse power and 109 lb-ft (148 Nm) of torque. And to be noted, this bike weighs 485 lbs (220 kg) which makes it a little heavier than most conventional sports motorcycles, though not much.
In addition, even though the weight is quite heavy, the fantastic priced electric motor can also accelerate from 0 up to 60 mph (96 kph) in 3 seconds and able to be ride to top speed of 125 mph (201 kph).
And when it rode in urban areas, the ARC Vector offers a range of 387 miles (623 km), while on the highway it can travel 230 miles (370 km). The average mileage is in the range of 270 miles (435 km). Yes, all of them were pretty impressive numbers aren't...
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ARC VEHICLE | NEW ATLAS | CARSCOOPS | AUTO.NDTV]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Sometimes you come across a vehicle, whether on the road or online, that blows your mind. Over the past century, you can see the creativity of scooter designers increasing as new models are produced, each more wonderful than the one. But, it feels incomplete when we talk about motorized vehicles (in this case a scooter) if we don't include Japan in them.
1968 Fuji Rabbit S-301, a vintage Japanese scooter with 125cc displacement. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2nKnJKf)
Yes, Japan is one of the countries in East Asia which since the beginning of the 20th century has also been known as one of the world's giant automotive industry countries. And apparently, Japan has also produced many classic scooters that can be said to be cool in their hey days.
After in a number of articles we have discussed the row of classic scooters produced by countries in Europe and America, then on this occasion will be discussed about the cool classic scooters that have been produced by Japan.
1. Fuji Rabbit S-1 Series
By looking at the world's automotive history, before Piaggio and Innocenti produced their first scooter there were already several similar scooter products made by other companies. One of them is the Fuji Rabbit S-1 Series.
1946 Fuji Rabbit Superflow S-1 series uses a 135cc engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ncfBld)
Initially, the scooter-making company was a fighter-making company during the 2nd World War named Nakajima Aircraft Co. which produced various types of military aircrafts. And since 1945, the company was dissolved and reformed as Fuji Sangyo Co., which only concentrated on producing all the needs of civil transportation.
And in 1946 was born the company's first scooter given the name of Fuji Rabbit S-1 Series. Yes, six months before the Italian companies Piaggio and Innocenti began their first 'Vespa' and Lambretta scooter productions, the Japanese company had produced their scooters.
Fuji Rabbit S-1 Series scooter was inspired by this US-made scooter named 1938 Powell Streamliner. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ncfBld)
The Fuji Rabbit scooter design was inspired by the Powell scooter model made by the Southern California-based automotive company named Powell Manufacturing Company (PMC).
1960 Fuji Rabbit Superflow S601 sold only in North America market. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ncfBld)
Fuji Rabiit S-1 Series uses a 135cc engine. Uniquely, this scooter was not sold in the Asian automotive market at the time, but was more famous in the North America countries. The Fuji Rabbit began to enter the American market in 1957 with the Fuji Rabbit Superflow S601 series that carrying the 200 cc engine and around 74,694 units sold at the time.
Unfortunately, this Japanese scooter trip did not last long. After running 22 years, the Japanese company ceased the scooter production in 1968. Then, under the named of Fuji Heavy Industries after reformed in 1953 and the company succeeded to create its first car product named Subaru 1500 a year later and continued in penetrating the world's automotive market and successfully survived to date.
2. Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C-10
After the 2nd World War ended, it could be said the scooters usually are used to help reconstruct the country which have been devastated by the war. Yes, long before it was known as the world's famous car manufacturer, Mitsubishi also made the scooters.
1946 Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C-10 powered by a 112cc 4-stroke side-valve air-cooled single-cylinder engine developing 1.5 PS. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2n63p5C)
In fact, the scooter once had a chance to reap success for more than 10 years. In fact, this scooter is one of the 240 original Japanese vehicles released by The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan. Even one of the Silver Pigeon scooters has been dedicated to the Emperor of Japan in 1948.
The first version of the Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C-10 scooter imported directly from the United States by an engineer at General Motors named Kojiro Maruyama. He had bought a scooter back with him from America. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was so impressed, then invited him to join and start work on a Japanese-made scooter version. The Mitsubishi scooter production start from 1946 and was finally ceased in 1963.
For 17 years, there are at least 17 scooter models offered. However, that does not mean the company release a facelift version of the scooter once a year. Hence, in 1960, there were 5 new variants released, namely C-111, C-200, C-300, C76, and C110. Still in the same year, again the company was presented a new variant of the C-300.
Thus, the type of engines were offered also varies, ranging from 112cc, 125cc, 143cc, 175cc 2-stroke, 175cc 4-stroke, 192cc 2-stroke, 192cc 4-stroke, up to 200cc. In fact, the biggest engine ever made reaches 210cc with 2-stroke and 4-stroke configurations.
Of the various models circulating over 17 years, there were 463 thousand units of Mitsubishi's scooters have been sold. And as the best-selling variant is the 1960 Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C-200 scooter with the sales figures reaching 38,000 units.
3. Honda Juno K
Honda debuted its first scooter named Honda Juno K in January 1954. At that time, in Japan's domestic scooter market was dominated by 2 other famous scooter products, namely Fuji Rabbit and Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon. Although coming up as a challenger, Honda did not want half measures in developing its first scooter.
1954 Honda Juno K has been provided with some pretty good details, name it the self-starter, height windscreen and the turn signal positioned near the windscreen. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2n4OCZ4)
By design, the Honda Juno K is often referred to as a "future" scooter figure. Why? Because the Honda's scooter has been provided with some pretty good details, name it the self-starter, height windscreen that able to protect the rider from the wind exposure and its turn signal positioned near the windscreen. And when examined, Juno actually looks like a Tourer-Scooter.
1954 Honda Juno K is the second vehicle in the world to apply the Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) bodykit after the 1953 Chevy Corvette applied it a year earlier. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2m1F1SI)
Besides that, the Honda Juno K was the first scooter to apply the Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) bodykit, the newest vehicle body material at that time. And the Honda Juno K is the second vehicles in the world to use this unique body material, having been applied for the first time in the 1953 Chevy Corvette or a year earlier.
1954 Honda Juno K used a single cylinder 4-stroke OHV engine with a capacity of 189 cc, and coupled with the 3-speed transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2nblz5S)
In the engine sector, the Honda Juno K is also no less classy than other Japanese scooters. In fact, the scooter has the most qualified power among the scooters at the time. This Honda's first scooter used a single cylinder 4-stroke OHV engine with a capacity of 189 cc, and coupled with the 3-speed transmission system. The power amount reaching of 9.0 horse power at 5,500 rpm and capable of running up to the top speed of 70 kph.
Well . . One thing to note. Although the Honda Juno K carries various advantages that even exceed its time. The scooter actually failed to gain success in the Japanese scooter market. Yes, the Honda's first scooter was considered too expensive, the engine often overheat quickly and the weight is relatively hefty compared to the scooters in general at that time. (Wanna see the French-made classic scooters.)
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CATAWIKI]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Then he was inspired to make it, and immediately thought of Craig Rodsmith and contacted him right away. Soon they met to talk about the possibility of making the motorcycle. 
