DIY Motorcycle

Interesting concept, Universal frame, add your own components and adjust to fit your body.

Moto8ight - Build your own bike kit

I like the idea of starting with a fresh frame and build it out the way you want. Also could be a nice way to resurrect a salvaged bike with a good motor etc... Wish they had an idea on pricing. Reading through it looks like they are starting out only supporting air-cooled Suzuki 4-cyls. I would think that mounts for triples or parallel twins wouldn't require major engineering. Would really like to see v-twins, two-strokes or rotaries though!

Interesting concept but I am not sure there is a market. Factory Five is making replicas while this is only somewhat similar to old race bikes. It will be fun to see how it goes though.

Holy crap. I've got a garage full of GS1000s.... Alas, they appear to want GSX series.

In reply to stroker:

There's a fair chance the motor mounting points are close enough to make it work, Suzuki doesn't seem to like making huge changes to engine shape. The article also mentioned that the company wanted to make future models fit a variety of engines by changing only the mounts.

I'm trying real hard to think of a kit bike/replica idea that I would like enough to buy, rather then just build it myself, or find an original.

Here's what I keep coming up with, I want a VMAX engine in a much less chopper like package. Years ago there was a concept drawing of a VMAX Street Fighter, not long after that Yamaha released the MT01, not VMAX powered, but clearly inspired by the same idea. The MT01 was also never brought to North America. I want a VMAX powered hoolian bike.

In reply to HappyAndy:

I says pardon?

I ride with a guy who has an MT01.

Maybe never brought to the USA.

-edit-

Nope, checked the googles, it was available in North America.

In reply to Trans_Maro:

Were they sold in Canada? I've never seen one in the flesh.

How does one pronounce Moto8ight? Mow-tow-aight-aye-t? I don't get the name, it is too much like seeing a vanity plate that you just can't quite decipher.

I think that is hideously ugly....but what do I know. I have three scooters!

HappyAndy wrote: In reply to Trans_Maro: Were they sold in Canada? I've never seen one in the flesh.

Google says they were sold in North America and I know a guy on Vancouver Island with one.

I don't think they sold many of them, I think they were a bit ahead of their time releasing that bike.

Moto-8, 'ight?

minimac wrote: I think that is hideously ugly....but what do I know. I have three scooters!

According to the site there will be several body plastics options. Honesty doesn't seem like customers are locked into any of it. I agree the set used is not my style and the tail section is ugly IMO.

My own version would be pretty much completely naked. Just a headlight and tank. Maybe some attachment points for soft saddle bags.

Seems like you'd be better off (cheaper) getting a GS frame and putting a GSX motor in it. I know the GT 750 engine is too long for the GSX Frame and I'm assuming the four stroke GS engine is prolly too long as well.

Neat idea, hope it comes to market at a reasonable price point.

Looks like a modern take on the frames from the 60s-70s like Rickman, and other names I can't remember anymore.

Price is going to be important on whether or not these sell. I would love to get my hands on one of these and stealthily assemble it in my garage. Parents wouldn't be too happy though.

Isn't that what Rickman did? Rickman

Yup, not just Rickman, but Harris, Spondon, Bimota, Egli, and I am sure there were other chassis manufacturers in the days when light, stiff, good-handling frames weren't readily available in production.

Other than the goofy headlight, I like the looks of this bike. I like that it is simple, somewhat retro, and looks custom without looking too home-made. I agree that price will be a factor in the potential for success, and I am curious what benefits over a stock frame they are aiming for (beyond aesthetics.) I think it could be a great project for someone who dreams about building a custom bike and lacks the tools/skillset to start cutting up a stock frame, and then fabbing and adapting bodywork, suspension, exhaust, wiring, etc. Kinda like the motorcycle equivalent of a Factory Five Cobra or a Caterham/Westfield Seven kit.

Bodywork choices sounds really cool! Part of what I like about the one pictured is that it has a rear cowl and has that roadrace/sportbike look of a high tailsection. An old bobber (real bobber) can be cool, but the style trend that I generally find really ugly is the modern streetfighter/bobber mashup, especially with a stock perimeter extruded aluminum frame. It just looks wrong, as well as ugly, plus half-assed. Break out the eye bleach:

I will be interested to see how this shapes up, and think the GSF/Katana/early GSX family is a great choice for a donor.

Cool concept, I hope it takes off. I used an old GSXR750 oiler in a sand dune quad I built a couple years ago. The motors he suggests using are pretty common, and bullet proof mostly. Very simple with no water cooling to worry about.

Mine was a fairly high miler that I did nothing with other than adjusting the valves and putting in fresh oil and filter before taking it to the dunes and running several 11,500 rpm WOT passes up Choke Cherry hill at the St Anthony dunes. By several I mean 2 full days. Never missed a beat.

I'd love to build one of these bikes if they come to fruition!

I know this is very un-grm of me but..

Usually something like this seeks to improve on the performance of the donor vehicle (see factory five).

Pulling the great engine out of a really stiff GSXR frame and putting it in a tube frame (with what appears to be minimal / no gusseting) seems like a step backwards.

They're very cool looking but the donor bikes they suggest are pretty hard to beat for performance as it is.