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Big Toe - the world's largest motorcycle

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OneBlueSky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-10-04 01:35 AM
Original message
Big Toe - the world's largest motorcycle
http://www.uq.net.au/~zzlhiess/Big%20Toe.htm

Big toe weighs as much as four Goldwings and is powered by a 5.3 litre V12 engine that kicks out 220kW. Named after Bigfoot, the American monster pick-up truck, Bigtoe is almost five metres long. It's Firestone tyres, which mount on custom made steel wheels, were intended for a tractor and, at 1.7 metres high, are almost as tall as Tom Wilberg, the bikes owner and builder. The tyres were reshaped. Drive to both wheels is hydraulic via two oil pumps. the steering is also hydraulic, as is the system that operates the pair of rear-mounted support wheels, burrowed from a light aircraft, which can be raised and lowered at the press of a button. Almost every component has been specially made or adapted. Even so, Bigtoe tips the scale at 1645kg. Tom says the most difficult part of the whole project was shaping the fibreglass bodywork, which incorporates fuel tank, sidepanel, mudguards and a seat big enough for several passengers. The bodywork also holds a 500W CD system with four large speakers. No other bike in the world prepares you for a ride aboard Bigtoe. Wilberg, from Ulricehamn in central Sweden, spent SKR 600,000 (well over A$100,000), six years and more than 3000 hours designing and building his dream.

Big toe weighs as much as four Goldwings and is powered by a 5.3 litre V12 engine that kicks out 220kW. Named after Bigfoot, the American monster pick-up truck, Bigtoe is almost five metres long. It's Firestone tyres, which mount on custom made steel wheels, were intended for a tractor and, at 1.7 metres high, are almost as tall as Tom Wilberg, the bikes owner and builder. The tyres were reshaped. Drive to both wheels is hydraulic via two oil pumps. the steering is also hydraulic, as is the system that operates the pair of rear-mounted support wheels, burrowed from a light aircraft, which can be raised and lowered at the press of a button. Almost every component has been specially made or adapted. Even so, Bigtoe tips the scale at 1645kg. Tom says the most difficult part of the whole project was shaping the fibreglass bodywork, which incorporates fuel tank, sidepanel, mudguards and a seat big enough for several passengers. The bodywork also holds a 500W CD system with four large speakers. No other bike in the world prepares you for a ride aboard Bigtoe. Wilberg, from Ulricehamn in central Sweden, spent SKR 600,000 (well over A$100,000), six years and more than 3000 hours designing and building his dream.


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CanuckAmok Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-10-04 01:37 AM
Response to Original message
1. Something about the training wheels...
...diminishes the achievement, somehow.

But that is way cool. I like clever gearheads!
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WannaJumpMyScooter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-10-04 01:51 AM
Response to Original message
2. Boy, that is some really lousy photoshopping....
Give me a break.
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