1907 Curtiss V-8 Motorcycle

[cobrafia]

Does anyone know if there was ever a model kit made of the 1907 Curtiss V-8 motorcycle that set the speed record at Ormond Beach in 1907?  Any scale, any material, plastic, resin, metal, etc. I haven't been able to find a thing. All help appreciated.  Thank you.

[peteski]

Never heard of it or seen a model.  I also don't recall hearing of even automobiles of that vintage having more than 4 cylinders.  I'm surprised that a motorcycle had a V8 engine.  Learn something new everyday.

[mr moto]

I hadn't heard of it either so I googled it. Looks like it would be a great subject for a kit but I've been in the hobby since the 50's and I've never seen or heard of such a kit. The problem, IMHO, is that kit subjects of that era just don't sell no matter how cool they are because no one alive and building models ever personally saw or experienced them.

Edited September 16, 2023 by mr moto

[NOBLNG]

Never heard of it either…interesting! Can you imagine doing 136 mph on this??

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/motorcycle-curtiss-v-8/nasm_A19520060000

https://newatlas.com/glen-curtiss-pioneer-aviator-land-speed-record-holder/46766/#gallery:5

Edited September 16, 2023 by NOBLNG

[peteski]

So a real motorcycle (or at least 1:1 replica) does exist?  Maybe some CAD model designer will make a 3D printed model.

I love the drive shaft and what looks like large exposed gear driving the rear wheel. And stiff (no springs) suspension! Yeah, that must have been some ride at over 100 MPH!

While not this specific bike, Aoshima produced a "Vintage Bike" series of 1:16 scale motorcycles like 1918 Harley-Davidson 18F, 1912 Henderson Model A, 1914 Militarie, and 1924 Ace.  Those are cool models. I have couple of those kits.

 

 

Edited September 16, 2023 by peteski

[GLMFAA1]

Maybe 4 Maisto 1/18th Harleys to make the engine, frame, wheels, handlebars, and then lots of evergreen or K&S tubing. Don't get you pants caught in that open gear, looks like a pad on the rear tire for a brake, no foot pegs that I can see. direct drive? glad he stuck with aviation and left the bikes to Harley and Davidson

 

greg

[Bainford]

Wow! That thing is insane. And the upright driving position is brutal. How unstable that must have been, not to mention trying to maintain control with those crazy handlebars. How much better it would have been if he laid on the tank and used shorter bars. 

Edited September 16, 2023 by Bainford

[peteski]

6 hours ago, Bainford said:

Wow! That thing is insane. And the upright driving position is brutal. How unstable that must have been, not to mention trying to maintain control with those crazy handlebars. How much better it would have been if he laid on the tank and used shorter bars. 

Hindsight is 20/20. Back then idea idea of streamlining has  not been thought of yet.  Just look at  any vehicle of that era.

Edited September 16, 2023 by peteski

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, peteski said:

Hindsight is 20/20. Back then idea idea of streamlining has  not been thought of yet.  Just look at  any vehicle of that era.

Back then, nothing went fast enough to need streamlining.

[peteski]

10 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

Back then, nothing went fast enough to need streamlining.

LOL, well except for this motorcycle. 

[Straightliner59]

I wonder if the idea of those bars was so that, at speed, the rider would lie down over the tank, and their arms would be, essentially, at their side, and not up/out in the airflow. I mean there is that photo of the guy on the bike at Bonneville, in a Speedo, with his legs and feet hanging straight out off the back of the bike--he looked like Superman, flying.