The Japanese Beetle

madeouttaglass · 05-04-2013, 06:12 PM

Last fall in a lapse of judgement I bought this contraption: (No, not the Ural)
I'm surprised Dorkpunch didn't beat me to this purchase.

It started life as a GL1500. Someone built a frame in front of it and added a front axle out of a VW Beetle. Then this fiberglass body was built for it. It had been sitting for years and didn't run. I've spent some time working on things and getting things a bit more sorted out than they were.
I currently have the body off. I got it running a few hours ago and scared the shit out of myself when I took it down the road. This thing accelerated faster than the Goldwing I just sold. More pictures to come. I'll try to get a video of it going down the road in the next few days.

Engine shot:

Manuel Garcia O'Kely · 05-04-2013, 07:59 PM

Damn, that thing rode the Knight Bus and never got rid of the Long Faces.....

madeouttaglass · 05-05-2013, 08:52 AM

Beauty may only be skin deep, but ugly goes to the bone.

a1fa · 05-05-2013, 09:03 AM

beauty is in the eye of beholder...

that frame is beautiful.. here is a chance to improve upon it..

madeouttaglass · 05-05-2013, 10:00 AM

I have enough time into it to get it running. I have a few more things to do on it then it will head for it's next home. I want some garage space back.

Jimmy the Heater · 05-05-2013, 06:47 PM

All I can see of the engine is wiring, tubing and some cylinder heads....Yikes!

Looks like a blast to drive tho!

DakarNick · 05-05-2013, 07:25 PM

Any more pics with the body on?

bk brkr baker · 05-05-2013, 07:32 PM

Classic !
I understand entirely why you brought that home.Choice was taken out of the equation.A case of absolute, Had Too.

I also understand about being over progect-ed.

madeouttaglass · 05-06-2013, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy the Heater

All I can see of the engine is wiring, tubing and some cylinder heads....Yikes!

Looks like a blast to drive tho!

I've worked on many of the Goldwings I've owned. That is pretty much what they all look like underneath the plastic. This one has a little extra wiring added to reach the lights on the bodywork and to extend the wiring to the dash. There are also the hoses for the factory air suspension and compressor. It is scary to look at.
As for driving it, it it shockingly fast. It feels better without the body which makes it an echo chamber.
I love the sound without the factory mufflers. The flat six sounds more Ferrarri-ish than anything else.

madeouttaglass · 05-06-2013, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DakarNick

Any more pics with the body on?

I'm hoping to get some help with a video in the next couple of days.

DakarNick · 05-06-2013, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madeouttaglass

It feels better without the body which makes it an echo chamber.

Looks better, too, IMHO. Put some panels on to cover some of the stuff and it could be more like a convertible than a 3-wheel Beetle.

DakarNick · 05-06-2013, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madeouttaglass

I'm hoping to get some help with a video in the next couple of days.

Sweet!

BigIron · 05-06-2013, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madeouttaglass

I
I love the sound without the factory mufflers. The flat six sounds more Ferrarri-ish than anything else.

A few years ago, I got strafed by a Valk with 6 into 6 open pipes. Freaking cool. It was like being passed by an F-15.

madeouttaglass · 05-07-2013, 04:18 PM

Oh, the shame:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myuzy...ature=youtu.be

madeouttaglass · 05-07-2013, 05:06 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhu3_...ature=youtu.be

05-04-2013, 06:12 PM	#1
madeouttaglass ^OP The AntiHarley Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol Hills in the Fingerlakes region of NY Oddometer: 2,266	The Japanese Beetle Last fall in a lapse of judgement I bought this contraption: (No, not the Ural) I'm surprised Dorkpunch didn't beat me to this purchase. It started life as a GL1500. Someone built a frame in front of it and added a front axle out of a VW Beetle. Then this fiberglass body was built for it. It had been sitting for years and didn't run. I've spent some time working on things and getting things a bit more sorted out than they were. I currently have the body off. I got it running a few hours ago and scared the shit out of myself when I took it down the road. This thing accelerated faster than the Goldwing I just sold. More pictures to come. I'll try to get a video of it going down the road in the next few days. Engine shot: __________________ Our ride across the USA on a Ural Gear Up- http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781149

05-04-2013, 07:59 PM	#2
Manuel Garcia O'Kely Back at last Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Central Colorado Rockies Oddometer: 9,993	Damn, that thing rode the Knight Bus and never got rid of the Long Faces..... __________________ "More than any time in history, mankind now faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness, the other to total extinction. Let us pray that we have the wisdom to choose correctly." Woody Allen "enhance not enjoy, gramps mcbuzzkill" - Lemon G.

05-05-2013, 08:52 AM	#3
madeouttaglass ^OP The AntiHarley Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol Hills in the Fingerlakes region of NY Oddometer: 2,266	Beauty may only be skin deep, but ugly goes to the bone. __________________ Our ride across the USA on a Ural Gear Up- http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781149

05-05-2013, 09:03 AM	#4
a1fa Riding Nomad™ Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Arkansas Oddometer: 12,785	beauty is in the eye of beholder... that frame is beautiful.. here is a chance to improve upon it.. __________________ Learn to ride. Ride to learn.

05-05-2013, 10:00 AM	#5
madeouttaglass ^OP The AntiHarley Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol Hills in the Fingerlakes region of NY Oddometer: 2,266	I have enough time into it to get it running. I have a few more things to do on it then it will head for it's next home. I want some garage space back. __________________ Our ride across the USA on a Ural Gear Up- http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781149

05-05-2013, 06:47 PM	#6
Jimmy the Heater Tilting the Horizon Joined: Sep 2004 Location: WA Palouse area Oddometer: 1,513	All I can see of the engine is wiring, tubing and some cylinder heads....Yikes! Looks like a blast to drive tho!

05-05-2013, 07:25 PM	#7
DakarNick Swabee Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Parker, Colorado Oddometer: 5,614	Any more pics with the body on? __________________ 06 KTM 950 Adventure S 08 Dodge 2500, QC Shortbed, Cummins 6-speed auto, Big Horn

05-05-2013, 07:32 PM	#8
bk brkr baker Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2006 Location: The Bluegrass Oddometer: 4,210	Classic ! I understand entirely why you brought that home.Choice was taken out of the equation.A case of absolute, Had Too. I also understand about being over progect-ed. __________________ RR's Catnip Hill to Peoria ___Loopin' Seattle to WestFest It started with some beers __1500 miles to the Dentist Skeedaddle to Seattle______ A 30 year old on a Three Flags Run

05-07-2013, 04:18 PM	#14
madeouttaglass ^OP The AntiHarley Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol Hills in the Fingerlakes region of NY Oddometer: 2,266	First unedited video: Oh, the shame: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myuzy...ature=youtu.be __________________ Our ride across the USA on a Ural Gear Up- http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781149

05-07-2013, 05:06 PM	#15
madeouttaglass ^OP The AntiHarley Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol Hills in the Fingerlakes region of NY Oddometer: 2,266	The other video from today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhu3_...ature=youtu.be __________________ Our ride across the USA on a Ural Gear Up- http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781149

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