How Does This Massive Motorcycle Run With No Transmission?
Take a good long look at this smoking motorcycle. I’m sure you have seen your fair share of cool motorcycles, but every now and then you look at one that leaves you with your mouth hanging open. That is exactly what happened to me the first time I saw this. This other-worldly bike looks like a beast on the road, complete with plumes of smoke being shot out behind. Take a look for yourself and check it out. That’s one amazing bike, right?
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Now, I’m sure when you saw this, a couple of things stood out. Things like, oh I don’t know, the size of the bike. It’s sheer size is impressive. This is not your grandfather’s Harley for sure. It is much longer, and has more beef. It is a road beast with large tailpipes to prove it. It is the type of motorcycle that beats any crotch rocket comparison hands down. Sure, they may be faster, but this thing outclasses them in every other way, including aesthetics. This hydrostatic bike is pure eye candy, even though it lacks the chrome out kits found on other models.
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Second, beyond it’s size and visual appeal, I bet you noticed the absence of one very key piece of equipment… a transmission. What, you didn’t notice that? Look at it again and pay close attention. See what I mean. There is not a transmission to speak of on this bike, which begs the question, how do the wheels turn?
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The short answer is that this bike is an all-wheel-drive hydrostatic turbo diesel. That means it is fast, powered with diesel, and driven by a hydrostatic engine. Alright so, â
The Secret To Making The Motorcycle Move
The short answer is that this bike is an all-wheel-drive hydrostatic turbo diesel. That means it is fast, powered with diesel, and driven by a hydrostatic engine. Alright so, “driven by a hydrostatic engine” is a bit vague. To be specific, I should say that each wheel is independently driven by a hydrostatic engine. In other words, this bike operates solely on oil pressure. There are two small hydraulic pumps for each tire, to give them both independent rotation. They are governed by one main hydraulic pump that creates the pressure for the other two. The result is a fast ride, and a lot of thick black smoke. The owner of the bike says it is like starting off in 5th gear when it initially begins to move. I am sure there are a few inline mods you could make to compensate for this, like a faster turbo, or electric start motors to help overcome the initial start fog, but they are completely unnecessary. This thing is legendary in its own right!
As cool as that is, though, you might be wondering whether or not this bike (or beast I should say) is street legal? Something kicking out all of that black smoke might get you in a bit of trouble with the DMV right? The way the EPA regulates today, they practically charge you to breathe! Well, the owner of the diesel motorcycle lives in Georgia and states that it is perfectly legal to drive that bike on Georgia roadways. In rural areas emissions testing is not mandatory in certain counties. Neither is testing for safety, and I guess awesomeness as well. So, if you happen to live in places like Georgia, Tennessee, or even northern locales like Pennsylvania or Oregon, you might be able to get away with riding this diesel monster on the highway. If you live in a state like California, I’m sure emissions will shut you down cold. Overall though, this is a great example of what can be done if you put your mind and mechanical skill to good use. This bike looks like the Batmobile version of a motorcycle, or something straight out of Mad Max. Only, while those two things are purely fictitious, this puppy is real! I can only imagine the fun this guy and his team had building out the bike. This is the result of time well spent in a man cave garage for sure. Be sure to see the end as the driver dismounts the bike. You can see the hydraulic pump in action as he sets it down squarely on the ground, no kickstand required. That’s about as cool as it gets right there. Kudos to the owner. This bike is the stuff of “Back to the Future” Dreams.
