V8 custom bike project

Many years ago I started gathering parts for a V8 custom bike.
Saved the 200hp Buick/ Rover all- aluminum V8 out of the V8VW- project for
this purpose, but a Swede beat me to it! Rolf Andersson did a perfect
job on his Sidewinder V8- bike and that challenge sort of fainted!!!

But now the V8 bike project is very much alive again, with the purchace of
another all- aluminum V8 engine. A smaller in size 3Litre Quattrovalvole 4- cam
V8, designed by Ferrari - a beautiful piece of engineering sounding fantastic
when it reach its 7000rpm redline.
Really look forward to build that one :o) 8.32

2021 Update: The periods of isolation during the Covid19 pandemic
have "forced" me to spend more time in the garage :o)
Many projects are finished and next in line is the V8 bike.
The many parts gathered through the years have been unboxed and readied.
Initial layout.

CNC´d wheel centers. 18inch 3-SPLIT WHEELS.

Machining the hubs.

Quattrovalvole History of this engine: It was pulled from a 1989 Lancia Thema 8.32.
Engine designation are F105L which tells us that this is a variant of the
Ferrari 308 quattrovalvole 3L V8. The L for Lancia meant it was altered in
characteristics, from sportscar to limousine engine, operating at a lower rpm.
This was done by exchanging the usual 180° flat- plane crankshaft with a 90°,
more normal for a V8, together with smaller valves in the cylinder- heads and
ofcourse, different camshaft timing. This resultet in a more docile torquey
engine emitting the usual burble expected from a 90° V8.
Being a 1989 version means it is from the second series, and thus issued with
emission- control. Also the last year for F105L engines being assembled by
Ferrari, where the 1990- 92 V8´s were assembled at Ducati´s plant.

Complete fork of a Honda Blackbird.

Manufacturing the fork yokes is quite a task!

Frontend assembled.

Thoughts around making of the frame: Initially I planned a double cradle tube
frame, but with the engine being this bulky, it had to be tight- fitting
nessecitating an assembly of two sections. One could also use the engine as
a carrying member. Here I must say I´m very inspired by the work of the
brilliant Allen Millyard: Millyard on Youtube
The way he managed to make a rideable motorcycle powered by a massive Viper V10 car engine....

Ferrari V8 in jig.

Engine configuration coming along. Wheels ready for measurements.

Had to modify the mandrel- tube bender. Going from 20x2mm to 30x3 DOM- tubes
meant that an increase in leverage was nessecary.
Hydraulic actuation is the way to go. Modified mandrelbender.

Clutch and swingarm shares the same axle in this setup. The engine acts as a load-bearing element. The design of the frame is unconditionally laid out with a view to optimal routing of the exhaust pipes. A supercharged engine needs a free- flowing exhaust.

Rear frame assembly.

Suspension elements fitted - turns out very balanced!

Many years ago I started gathering parts for a V8 custom bike. Saved the 200hp Buick/ Rover all- aluminum V8 out of the V8VW- project for this purpose, but a Swede beat me to it! Rolf Andersson did a perfect job on his Sidewinder V8- bike and that challenge sort of fainted!!! But now the V8 bike project is very much alive again, with the purchace of another all- aluminum V8 engine. A smaller in size 3Litre Quattrovalvole 4- cam V8, designed by Ferrari - a beautiful piece of engineering sounding fantastic when it reach its 7000rpm redline. Really look forward to build that one :o)
2021 Update: The periods of isolation during the Covid19 pandemic have "forced" me to spend more time in the garage :o) Many projects are finished and next in line is the V8 bike. The many parts gathered through the years have been unboxed and readied.



	History of this engine: It was pulled from a 1989 Lancia Thema 8.32. Engine designation are F105L which tells us that this is a variant of the Ferrari 308 quattrovalvole 3L V8. The L for Lancia meant it was altered in characteristics, from sportscar to limousine engine, operating at a lower rpm. This was done by exchanging the usual 180° flat- plane crankshaft with a 90°, more normal for a V8, together with smaller valves in the cylinder- heads and ofcourse, different camshaft timing. This resultet in a more docile torquey engine emitting the usual burble expected from a 90° V8. Being a 1989 version means it is from the second series, and thus issued with emission- control. Also the last year for F105L engines being assembled by Ferrari, where the 1990- 92 V8´s were assembled at Ducati´s plant.





Thoughts around making of the frame: Initially I planned a double cradle tube frame, but with the engine being this bulky, it had to be tight- fitting nessecitating an assembly of two sections. One could also use the engine as a carrying member. Here I must say I´m very inspired by the work of the brilliant Allen Millyard: Millyard on Youtube The way he managed to make a rideable motorcycle powered by a massive Viper V10 car engine....


Had to modify the mandrel- tube bender. Going from 20x2mm to 30x3 DOM- tubes meant that an increase in leverage was nessecary. Hydraulic actuation is the way to go.


	The engine acts as a load-bearing element. The design of the frame is unconditionally laid out with a view to optimal routing of the exhaust pipes. A supercharged engine needs a free- flowing exhaust.