Massive V8 Motorcycle w/ 4.4L Airplane Engine: Start-Up Procedure & Ride

At first glance, this spectacular JAP V8 motorcycle looks like a restored, 100-year-old original. However, it is a self-built project by Czech Pavel Malanik, which began in 2017 and is based on the Curtiss V8. In 1906, the American racing driver Glenn Curtiss surprised everyone with this first V8 motorcycle in the world with the aim of setting speed records. In 1907, almost 220 km/h were documented with the Curtiss V8.
At the beginning of the last century, J.A.P. was a major engine manufacturer and also had aircraft engines in its range, such as a V8 aircraft engine from the turn of the century, which Pavel liked. Since he could no longer find one for his project, he quickly began to rebuild it with the help of the two or three museum pieces that still existed.
The result was a JAP V8 that had never existed before. Nevertheless, at first glance it looks like an original from the 1900s or 1910s with an aircraft-derived V8 engine with a total displacement of 4.4 liters. Peak power of around 50 hp is reached at just 1,300 rpm. The V8 only needs to idle at 200 revolutions per minute. Before every journey, almost 100 points on the valve train of the V8 have to be lubricated using a hand pump. The engine is started externally with a small starter motor, and the fuel-air mixture has to be meticulously adjusted using several levers on the central carburetor. Fortunately, it is sufficient to start at least one cylinder to get the other seven running.
What a breathtaking motorcycle. It has already won its first prizes and more are likely to follow!
#v8 #custom #motorcycle

[@cedhome7945]

Beautiful sound .....it's the reason EV vehicles are soulless

[@onazram1]

It is a mechanical masterpiece! The exposed camshaft is mind blowing, the entire engine is skeletonized...

[@bthomasx]

Love that engine. I want it in my living room

[@jokervienna6433]

Was this really a good idea? Nope. Is it darn cool? Yep.

[@williambarry8015]

That thing gets the highest grade/score from me. It looks like a restored, boutique, factory built, Bugatti of motorcycles built in 1929. I can't imagine the hours in that thing.

[@satanssurfer5965]

Wow, an engineering masterpiece.

[@jimedward3011]

As a motorcycle enthusiasts no way I'd ride this bike however it's a beautiful machine.

[@thomabb]

Piece of art, definitely. Motorcycle, barely.

[@Tom-sr3db]

Fantastic work!! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@steven.h0629]

Dang that's terrifying 👍😎✊

[@gerard4444]

Thats a real labor off love….80K….Easy…👍👍👍👍

[@reneadoue7112]

Elle est magnifique

[@hu3raum]

Merci!

[@danstrayer111]

how long will the straight-cut steel gear pair in front last with no lubrication?

[@johnbravo7542]

Did you read the description?

[@arneminderman3770]

Wooow! ❤❤❤❤

[@Boreascorax]

Well gee whiz, I'd at least have to take it around the block... ot maybe a bit more... LOL!

[@christopherhampson265]

FUN FUN FUN 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@hu3raum]

Cool, glad you like it! 😊

[@arthurgay5746]

Holly crap check out the rear brakes on it lol.

[@timberwolfdtproductions3890]

Beautifully built, sounds great, but barely rideable.

[@davidalexander8266]

If that's a Curtis it was invented in 1907. Could be a later copy.

[@romandybala]

Sad it cant be ridden away from Honda starter.

[@tommitchell8425]

E.J. Potter did it first- AND RACED IT😊💀

[@rsmith3033]

hell to tha yea ! who ever built this “BIG DOG” had a need for speed, & i bet that sumbuck will pull your arms off 😎 ? what year was it built ?

[@fusestation2839]

Vanos origin

[@originalforgery]

Art.....

[@mikethespike7579]

Well, as a pastime I suppose it was cool building it. But placing a V8 with god knows how much power in what looks no stronger than a bicycle frame was not a good idea. I for one would refuse to risk my neck on it even for just a ride down the road. Cool engine sound...

[@hu3raum]

Hi Mike, many thanks for your feedback! It is said that this reproduction of the antique JAP V8 aero engine produces up to ca. 50 hp. The motorcycle itself was inspired by the 1906 Curtiss V8. That is why it looks the way it looks! Btw, I filmed this "J.A.P. V8" during the 7th Vintage Revival Montlhéry 2024 (France) a week ago, an event which celebrates pre-1940 cars and motorcycles. 😊

[@mikethespike7579]

@@hu3raum Oh, I didn't realise that the bike is a reproduction of a historic bike. My apologies. They used to build strange vehicles those days, strange from our point of view. I find the way you start the engine interesting. Maybe you could think up an electrical device using batteries instead, Might be simpler to use.

[@richhardchoppers7869]

The engine was totally hand made by Czech guy Pavel Malanik. He recreate it based on V8 JAP 4.4 liters. He also made the frame that looks like bicycle but actually it is a proper thick tubing. Pavel has made several engine

[@Keith-rk4td]

​@@richhardchoppers7869 Thank you Rich! You answered my question without me asking. Still a amazing build.

[@PaulG.x]

It has the same power as a modern 650cc single. In fact there are 650cc singles with 50% more power