How I made a motorcycle from an old Black and White photo - PART 2 // Paul Brodie's Shop

[@christianmaravelias231]

Paul! Fantastic illustration of the amount of creativity, stamina and skill required to reversely engineer an entire motorcycle - based on an 100 year old photo!!! Incredible!

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Christian. We appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@kevinmcmanis7335]

You are a genius Paul Brodie! You are also an incredible craftsman! Keep up the beautiful work.

[@paulbrodie]

Kevin, very nice compliments.. Thank you very much!

[@fepatton]

My goodness - designing and building a head empirically is one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen!

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Fred!

[@godfellas483]

This video made me think of LSR record holder Burt Munro and his determination to build a better Indian. He converted a side valve engine to an OHV configuration and created his own cylinders and heads modifying the cases and cams as he needed. Nothing but mad respect for your abilities Mr. Brodie. Keep up the good work! 🙂

[@paulbrodie]

I have that DVD! Another great story :)

[@godfellas483]

@@paulbrodie There are some great documentaries on You-Tube about him as well. 🙂

[@joehovanec1985]

You have done something very special. The talent, knowledge, determination, etc. that it takes to replicate an engine and a complete antique motorcycle is beyond any words I have. I watch all your videos. I try to learn whatever I can. Thank you for your videos.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Joe!

[@domenicomonteleone3055]

@@paulbrodie I have alot of respect for you Paul brodie 💯 🙏 💪 😤

[@darkoflight4938]

Indeed! This is a masterpiece!!!!!

[@paulbrodie]

@@darkoflight4938 Thank you!

[@randombuilds8336]

This is a step beyond what Allen Millyard does, and I thoroughly enjoy watching both of you. Allen makes it look sp effortless to hacksaw 2 engines apart and make a custom engine. You do a great job explaining how you do different things, and making a vintage engine from scratch is awesome.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you. Your comment is much appreciated!

[@domenicomonteleone3055]

@@paulbrodie I have alot of respect for you 💯 and Allen Millyard 💯 you both build Master Pices in Motorcycle

[@paulbrodie]

@@domenicomonteleone3055 Thank you.

[@domenicomonteleone3055]

@@paulbrodie you are very welcome 🙏

[@dirtbikekid]

I would pay good money to be a fly on the wall while Paul and Allen had a chat. Although, I’m pretty sure that much intelligence in one room has been banned nowadays.

[@KatsudonArt]

I wish I could visit you and learn from you. I have zero skills with metal works like welding, and I just have basic knowledge with engines. I learn a lot from watching your videos.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you very much!

[@kristinkittel2962]

I'm impressed... Just saying, that's some fine work!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Kristin!

[@jeffkeen6943]

A couple of weeks ago I called Paul a mad scientist...I think this video just proves my point!!! Amazing!!!

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Jeff.

[@lunkydog]

Hats off. Major respect to you sir.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you very much.

[@lunkydog]

@@paulbrodie I shared it to my Facebook news feed too, so maybe you'll gain some subscribers too. One friend was already in the midst of watching it from before.

[@paulbrodie]

@@lunkydog Appreciated :)

[@hemidart7]

Risers feed the casting... I worked at Highland Foundry in Portkells Surrey for 13 years as a moulder core maker our pattern shop was a company called Dependable

[@hemidart7]

Just wanna let you know the foundry you are using is not doing a good job theres should not be so much parting line flash from a brand new pattern Check out Highland Foundry They are the best foundry around second to none! Also the time it physically take to make under 100 of that size casting should be 2-3 day plus what ever business bull-$hit involved Hope this type of info helps

[@paulbrodie]

Yes, risers. That sounds right.

[@Carnold_YT]

I'm honestly amazed by the amount of work you've put into this project, can't wait for the next episode. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills sir!

[@paulbrodie]

Arnold, thank you very much!

[@chuckp8705]

It's impressive not knowing how to design a cylinder head, but then using creativity to start piecing one together. It's makes sense how it was done, but it's a good lesson to see and learn. Something to keep in mind on my future projects. There are good reasons to study and learn from others, but sometimes just diving in unencumbered by how it "should" be done or what rules and guidelines are out there allows a freedom to try new ideas. I admire people that can take the last approach and make it work. This effort really remind me of John Britten, and people like that.

[@paulbrodie]

Chuck, thanks for your comments. John Britten is one of my heroes :)

[@peterlastrucci324]

I am in awe of your achievements as an individual Paul.. This work on the Excelsior engine, albeit a number of years ago, takes it to another level!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Peter.

[@rexschimmer7394]

Paul, the only word I can think of for this project is "staggering"! The amount of design work, and the way that you make your "drawings" in steel, then to get that concept turned into an aluminum casting and then make all of the tooling to be able to machine a part that has almost no parallel surfaces is a tribute to your creativity and tenacity! So impressive and a great lesson. Can't wait for the next vid.

[@paulbrodie]

Rex, thanks for watching and commenting.

[@1984xlx]

🤯What you have accomplished has blown my mind. How you did all this from a photo is phenomenal!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Michael!

[@larrysperling8801]

i have been a gear head,and amateur machinist for over 50 yrs. i have been involved in lots of engine builds and one off fab work. but i can say for sure this has been one of the best fab project i have ever seen. congrats.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Larry. Good comments!

[@MrLarry-gr8]

Brody you are one of a kind. Not many can do what you do as well as you do. Im newly subscribed and i found your chanel by chance. Seems to me you have a huge library of builds and i cant wait to watch them all. Thank you for sharing.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you very much. Thanks for subscribing too 😉

[@aishayana4298]

Paul, I’ve been a machinist my whole life and I’m absolutely amazed . I’m speechless ! WOW Thank you so much for sharing your project.

[@jobkneppers]

Wow! Wow! Wow! Spectacular process! Wonderful build! It doesn't get any better than this! Thank you Paul, thank you Mitch. All the best, Job

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Job :)

[@JR-bj3uf]

Wow! Just Wow. Now i know why, out of three machines made, none are left. You had some modern insight but back then they were shooting in the dark. This was an era of iron pistons and voodoo metallurgy. I am sure the first builders were pushing the edge of the envelope in a serious way.

[@paulbrodie]

Yes, good comments. Thanks for watching!

[@cpdevon]

In my (limited but not so limited) experience with custom motorcycles, I can say that very few things impress me. You sir, have raised the bar. And it runs. You literally fab'd a motor out of "shapes" and it runs. Nobody I know aside from high end engine builders go to that level and it's usually built on known good values or parameters. You think out of the box. Hell, I bet you don't have a box!

[@paulbrodie]

We will do some episodes on Ruby Racer, my Excelsior race bike. Thanks for watching!

[@missyboomal]

What you've done here is beyond impressive. It shows what can be accomplished in a life by just continually learning new skills as needed, and applying those skills for ever bigger projects. Making a living along the way. Experimenting, problem solving, continually taking chances, in pursuit of practical knowledge. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope that everyone, but especially younger generations, will watch all these videos you have compiled, and see what is possible for one person, using their heads and their hands to accomplish their dreams. Thank you for sharing yours

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Vic. Very nice comments. Much appreciated!

[@tetrakite]

The rebirth of a motor … fantastic. Thanks Mr Brodie.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Thierry.

[@jonviol]

Just excellent upload . Nothing beats traditional engineering for concentration , creativity and inner learning . Makes one appreciate the astonishing amount of work required even in a 'simple' powerplant . Thanks for uploading .

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Jon.

[@-MacCat-]

I am always impressed by how and what you achieve Paul. But sometimes, as is the case with this project, I am simply more impressed. Thank you for sharing it with us. ..... and a big thanks to the support crew, aka Mitch 😉

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@brianuntereiner6613]

This was absolutely fascinating. I remember when you first posted photos and videos of your completed Excelsior motorcycles. I was blown away then, and I am in awe now. Thank you for generously sharing your journey with us. I am proud to say I purchased one of your mountain bikes in the early nineties. You are a master, Paul.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Brian!

[@josephcarlat9414]

I love the detail that you went into. Thank you it allows me day dream about my future projects in more detail! 😀

[@paulbrodie]

Joseph, thank for watching.

[@Stubones999]

that's quite amazing, building an engine from scrap metal and bondo!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Stuart. It wasn't really scrap metal, I paid full price at the metal store..

[@reanimate_xyz]

Just discovered your channel. What excellent work!

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks for stopping by 🙂

[@TheOldaz1]

Truly a huge undertaking, the development work is second to none and logical in the extreme. Thank you.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks for watching.

[@jamesmehigan2407]

Mechanical FORENSIC GENIUS!

[@paulbrodie]

James, if that's a compliment, thank you.

[@jamesmehigan2407]

@@paulbrodie I meant it as a SUPREME compliment, sir!

[@paulbrodie]

@@jamesmehigan2407 I thank you 🙂

[@fairthorpefanatik1700]

Paul certainly you are a practical engineer! It is really impressive what you have accomplished building a complete motor from only a photograph. I am the Atomota Man because I am restoring a 1958 Fairthorpe Atomota that used a 2 cylinder 650cc BSA A10 Goldstar engine mated to a Standard car 4 speed gearbox. I also own a 1959 Berkeley car that used a 492cc 3 cylinder 2 stroke British Excelsior motor.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you. And keep up your very interesting projects too.

[@leighharron]

I’m going to work but as soon as I get home I’m watching this!!!!

[@leighharron]

Made it home and you didn’t disappoint, Paul. Thanks for sharing this process, it’s a masterpiece. And you look like a regular guy but there’s pure genius in you

[@giovanni4070]

Watching this boggles my mind. The old timers who built these bikes a century ago had to be amazingly brilliant. No CNC, no Autocad, just primitive, by modern standards, machine tools. What giants !!

[@paulbrodie]

I agree 😉

[@MrDerbee]

I am amazed at the engineering detective work involved in re-designing the cylinder head. A sort of re-enactment at the scene!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you MrDerbee.

[@renegade2556]

I Very much appreciate you sharing your Excelsior engine and your construction methods! Your common sense approach is more like an artist making a sculpture ,and the adjustable cam is a Gem! Very Inspiring!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you!

[@renegade2556]

@@paulbrodie You're Welcome! After seeing your videos I can finally stop complaining to myself about the tools and parts I don't have, and start using the tools and parts I do have to get the results I'd like to get.

[@paulbrodie]

@@renegade2556 Good comment!

[@blackscotydog]

The engine is absolutely beautiful what a labor of love thanks for bringing us all along

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks for hanging out in my shop.

[@davidhayward5207]

Another phenomenal amount of work, carried out with great skill, patience and determination... bravo !

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you David.

[@tmackinator]

You present this work without any ego or conceit of the massive effort required to do this. The methodical step by step approach is the stuff of genius. Incredibly impressive .

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks tmackinator. I appreciate your comments.

[@dewaynenall344]

UNBELIEVABLE, just UNBELIEVABLE !

[@juanmedina7977]

My brother that is a dream bike, you are a genius, that is the type of moto a like, how ever its just a dream, im not a money guy like others, God bless you, SFC Medina US Army Retired, from Puerto Rico

[@paulbrodie]

Juan, thanks for your comments. I appreciate them.

[@MegaTubescreamer]

Paul, in my broadest and most reverent Yorkshire accent "Tha takes some beating lad" and thanks mitch for the quality slides ,pure genius both of you !

[@paulbrodie]

William, we both thank you.

[@jluvs2ride]

This is pure genius. What an incredible undertaking!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Much.

[@aishayana4298]

You are a genius. You must have the patience of a saint. You do extremely nice work. WOW ! 😊

[@garymo12]

Nice Paul I love to see people defying all the obstacles they have in front of them achieving their dreams

[@pbysome]

I am truly astonished at the complexity of these, I cast a fair bit of motorcycle parts but they are largely copies or simple, i can't comprehend doing this from scratch...it's fascinating.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you.

[@davidf.8497]

Wish we could hear it breathe! Great outstanding job!

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks David. We will fir up an Excelsior soon.

[@tonyalto1014]

What an undertaking! Excellent. Thanks for sharing! Enjoy the coffee!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you.

[@01Bluemeanie]

Absolutely amazing machine and fixturing work. Great job Paul

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you!

[@simonscott1121]

I love the balanced fixtures you made. Top tier.

[@paulbrodie]

Top tier. I like that, thanks.

[@diceman2004]

This is epic . BUT , i was shocked when i saw split lines thru tho middle of the combustion camber . I hope you have that sorted out now .

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks. The split lines all get sanded out, so on the finished product you don't see them.

[@davidmays3333]

You blow me away at how smart you are. Again what a beautiful bike you have created. I’m shocked there’s not much info on the Excelsior

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks 👍

[@Manandmachine772]

Mr. Brodie your talent and knowledge is undeniable your are a master craftsman. Please continue with this series on the excelsior motorcycle you made. This is so enjoyable and fascinating. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Carl. Very nice comments! We will do more Excelsior.

[@Manandmachine772]

@@paulbrodie wooohooo!!!

[@bcrx7]

Wow, this is next level compared to Part 1! Well done and thank you for sharing!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Omid.

[@markbrown-us4xe]

And to think we complain when we have to set the points twice. What a achievement. I'm sure that poor Trails bike was happy to skip a few Sundays. This is beyond talent. Thanks.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Mark.

[@baxterscientific]

Damn that is a great achievement. I am vw/Porsche mechanic restorer and bikes and motorcycles are a different language.. Great job.. Great channel.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Neil.

[@dukecraig2402]

Believe it or not Porsche is who has been doing Harley's engineering work designing engine's for them since the mid 70's, some things like the finalizing of the ports and combustion chambers have been done by Jerry Branch at Branch Flowmetrics but Porsche has been the principal designer. In the mid 70's when AMF owned them Harley contracted Porsche to design a radical new engine for them called the Nova, when a new CEO took over AMF he canceled the project which was a real shame because a 120 HP production motorcycle in the late 70's would have set the world on fire and everyone else would have been playing catch up, but it was from the ashes of that canceled project that the Evo engine came from that was introduced in 1984 and basically saved the company, after that both the Twin Cam and the V-Rod were both Porsche contracted projects with once again the ports and combustion chambers finalized by Jerry Branch. That's one of Harley's best kept secrets with them covering it up by saying things like "When OUR engineers sat down to...", yea, their contracted engineers in Stuttgart.

[@sidneysnottley6414]

One word ... More !!! Fascinating stuff

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Sidney.

[@kevinhoffman8214]

wonderful job

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Kevin.

[@leebatt7964]

Paul, your mind works in a very unusual and fascinating way. I have been around and watched a lot of trained engineers and fabricators and never seen anyone work and build like you have. Amazing! A modern day Michael Angelo! Much love to you Paul.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Lee. Yes, I have my own way of solving problems; I have no formal engineering background. Self taught.

[@graemebelle7427]

Paul, you're simply a genius. Your engineering skills are top shelf, as is the end product. Your videos are a delight to watch......and hello from down under.

[@paulbrodie]

Hello Graeme from Down Under. Thanks for watching!

[@scudonepercenter]

This is AWESOME Paul. Thank you SO, SO much for sharing this!

[@paulbrodie]

My pleasure!

[@Timoteo53575]

Fascinating anecdotes to go along with the walk-around, just like part #1. I know of no-one who could visualize and plan ahead for these components, short of specialty engineers. Awesome.

[@thebones]

This level of engineering not only requires a great level of skill and technical knowledge but the eye of an artist, a search to achieve the unachievable perfection. Probably sounds like I'm waffling to some people but I'm not, there is true artistry in your work Paul and the result of all your work is something beautiful and probably as near to the real thing as it is possible to get. What a great achievement and thanks to Mitch for filming such a great series. Be hard to top this Paul.............you may have peeked! 🙂

[@paulbrodie]

Have I peeked, or have I peaked? So hard to tell. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@TheElderlyBiker]

Paul, you are an inspiration!

[@paulbrodie]

Matt, you are very kind, thank you.

[@kulturamoto3302]

If I have the money, I would order one whole bike from you :D

[@patrickbrown7491]

Fascinating to see the heads created from the inside out, a lot of work to bring it together. Great to see the skill of the pattern maker to develop the casting!

[@jimsworthow531]

Thank you for sharing the step by step detail you put into your videos.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Jim.

[@truethought369]

Yes very Interesting, thanks once again. Have a productive day.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Chris.

[@mith5168]

Just....wow! What a piece of ingenuity.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks!

[@sarkisbenliyan1180]

Bondo® the material of the future! Great story Mr. Brodie! Again: I tip my hat! Chapeau!

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Sarkis. Bondo really is a great material with a Lot of uses!

[@stephenpletschke5171]

It is so awesome to see an engine built from scratch - my late dad used to build live steam locomotives and would often build them from scratch using pictures as no blueprints or plans exist anymore. Excellent work Paul!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Stephen!

[@PatFarrellKTM]

What a neat, challenging fabrication effort.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Pat :)

[@marcuscicero9587]

thanks for posting this Mr. Brodie, what a treat

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Marcus.

[@mcjok88]

My Lord, thoroughly fascinating! Bravo, for such a valuable contribution to history and the desire to create. Thank you Paul Broadie.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you.

[@richardbutterfoss2353]

My grandfather had an Indian motor cycle or bike shop in Trenton,NJ. Very similar to your design. He had a 4 cylinder bike at the end. I have a single cylinder bike pic he had. Really enjoyed your build. RWB

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks for watching.

[@slimdog72]

I did enjoy that, thanks Paul and Mitch.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Slimdog72.

[@gordonhenagar6652]

I have thought about making an antique style motorcycle but what you are describing to the minutia in these videos is the biggest stumbling block. you did an amazing job and a load of problem solving.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Gordon. Yes, there were a few problems to solve!

[@thomasmclehaney6089]

Very very impressive, I’m not a machinist but I have used all the shop tools for simple things. You have completed a wonderful project and something to be proud of.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Thomas!

[@alecgolas8396]

This seems like one of those projects that starts out with asking "How hard could it be?" And then tens of thousands of dollars later, the answer is "pretty flipping hard."

[@paulbrodie]

The three questions that I know: (1) How much will it cost? (2) How long will it take? (3) What can possibly go wrong? Thanks for watching 😉

[@renoreno2701]

Fascinating, crazy and smart.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Reno Reno.

[@nielsverhaar6005]

I've loved watching and learning this process. Well done. Fantastic achievement

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you very much :)

[@ingemargustafsson8378]

Can only find one word, amasing. 👍😁

[@metalbob3335]

Brilliant work and problem solving on your project.

[@thomassinclair4675]

That was incredibly interesting!!! Thank you for that!!!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Thomas..

[@franccoch4676]

Speechless !👏

[@bakeredwards]

I want to hear it running, impressive work👍

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks David. We will do a startup sometime soon.

[@johnnym1320]

Amazing work Paul! I would have loved to be there when you fired the first one up, what an accomplishment!

[@paulbrodie]

That you John. That was a good day! That's when we found out the oil pump was spinning backwards.

[@johnnym1320]

@@paulbrodie bummer, at least you got it figured out. How long did it take from when you began and got the first one running

[@paulbrodie]

@@johnnym1320 A little more than two years.

[@erronius1]

Wicked work

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you...

[@chrisgerber6281]

Wow. I like these videos. Beautiful reverse engineering text book. Would love to hear the engine started and running. More so would love to see the bike running and test ridden. Keep then coming.

[@paulbrodie]

We will do a startup fairly soon. No test ride: no brakes, no clutch, and no transmission.

[@leeneville5094]

Thanks Paul for documenting your process and putting this slide show together. Wow!

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Lee!

[@davidbaker8854]

Completely blown away by the amount of work / design you have achieved here and the way you explain it, I feel I can understand how it came about, could never do it but you make it seem achievable to the lay man. Simply fantastic..

[@paulbrodie]

David, thanks for watching and commenting.

[@feeldiben]

This is....Insanely Awesome

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you.

[@Arthagnou]

Super Ballzy, you should put some valve covers on the head. 2 reasons 1) you could actually sell these for other hotrodders to put on their one custom bike (total loss oiling, really doesnt sell well thee days) 2) Make money!!! then do (or sponsor) more cool things. I always wanted to modernize a Duesenberg engine( a DOHC, 4500rpm limit with 7:1cr leaves alot of room to improve)....you have actually come the closest to that dream. Bravo!!!!

[@paulbrodie]

1) these engines have a recirculating oil system. Where did you get the idea they are total loss? 2) There is so much work that goes into these motors there is no way to make $ selling them. But thanks for watching and commenting.

[@johndeere1951a]

What an effort! What an accomplishment! You traveled the same path as Hammondsport, New York Glenn Curtiss. A bicycle engineer to a motorcycle engine builder. If you haven't already you should visit his excellent museum in Hammondsport. They let visitors into their shop where they remake aero engine parts from his original drawings. You would be inspired and learn much by a visit. A great hotel right across the street. Sorry I'm just discovering you at this time well after your project. Again, amazing accomplishment. God bless you, stay well, dont give up . C. Demarest in Hillsboro NH.

[@ccbproductsmulti-bendaustr3200]

Outstanding workmanship Paul , you ability to work thru stage by stage , you have taken it to the next level developing this bike from a photo’s Cheers Chris

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Chris!

[@christianmccollum1028]

Now this is what tickles my fancy! Great couple of videos, Paul & Mitch.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Christian.

[@dennisyoung4631]

The pink thing is a core box. You put your *core mix* inside it - I’ve used a 100+ mesh sand with a sodium silicate binder - hit it with CO2 - and take the core box apart and remove the core, then put it into the sand mold into the core prints.

[@paulbrodie]

Yes, that sounds right!

[@roberthoffmann6603]

It is always fine to see the things you make to fix motor on lathe and mill and to build a frame. Fasceniting. Greetings from Vienna. Sorry for my bad englisch.

[@paulbrodie]

Hello Vienna! Robert, thanks for watching.

[@oficinacassiano8553]

sensational. I'm from Brazil and I'm delighted with your videos. I really wanted to get to this level of building parts. The big question is that to do this it takes time, and the time I stop