Kickboxer packs a punch
Powered by a turbocharged Subaru WRX boxer engine, this bizarre bike uses a Datsun 280Z rear axleDodge Tomahawk watch out - as 2009 wound down a concept bike to rival the V10-engined Tomahawk broke cover, with amateur designer Ian McElroy’s Kickboxer utilising a Subaru WRX intercooled turbo engine squeezed into a custom chassis.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing getting his dream to fruition.
When McElroy decided to design his concept bike he faced a couple of major hurdles. Firstly, he had no CAD (Computer Aided Design) experience, and secondly, he had no knowledge of the Solidworks software he would ultimately use to build his concept model.
"I decided I had to model the whole bike in CAD, as a lot of the parts had to be machined," said McElroy.
"It took a lot of research," added McElroy. "The hard part was finding a workable transmission, but I saw that Jesse James bike with the radial engine, and realised I could just do what he did."
The Kickboxer uses a Mitsubishi AWD gearbox mated to a Baker Torquebox, belt drive, front and rear hubs from a 1970s’ GM car, with the rear axle from a Datsun 280Z.
"After the chassis was completed and the bugs worked out, I decided to take the next big step and complete the design," explained McElroy.
"I have to give credit to Matt on Customfighters.com. Without his help the model wouldn’t look quite so good, and probably wouldn't function very well either."
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