<\/a>You read that right, other than Obco’s contribution, the bike you see in these pages was mostly conceived and built in Ian’s garden shed. Not some bucks up shop with every high tech computerized tool available, but a guy with an idea, a lot of skill and tools that would have been at home in a fabrication shop of the \u201830s.<\/p>\nIan is rightly proud of his work totaling roughly 2000 hours, including time spent building the frame, gas and oil tanks as well as many other pieces and components, but he points out that the engine is the star of this show. New challenges were plentiful in designing the engine. Getting the four camshafts to mesh and work in order took all the skill and patience Ian could muster. Thinking 3 or 4 steps ahead for the placement of components was mandatory to avoid time and dollar wasting errors.<\/p>\n
The roll out for the Warbird was at the Gastown Motorcycle Show in Vancouver this past August where it won \u2018Best Engineering in Show\u2019. While Ian felt going in that his creation would mainly twig the interest of fellow Gearheads, he was pleasantly surprised that young, old, male and female were drawn to it with mouths agape and cameras snapping.<\/p>\n
While the Warbird was built strictly for Ian’s own amusement, interested parties informed him that they had a number of well-heeled customers (who in many cases own actual flying WWII warbirds) ready to part with the money to get a Warbird of their own.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that Ian owns a successful high tech clothing business in Vancouver called Specialties West, he is entertaining this potential business opportunity. Keeping many irons in the fire, he is also delving into technology from the past (torpedo technology in particular) and is planning to build an ultra efficient, compact power plant that is a compressed air\/fuel injected hybrid that utilizes exhaust heat recovery. Initial estimates show that this project is capable of 1000 horsepower from a displacement of just 2-litres when the efficiency part of the equation is less of a concern.<\/p>\n
Expect to hear more from Ian Douglas – just one question though, when do you sleep Ian? MMM<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Owner:<\/strong> Ian Douglas
\nMake:<\/strong> Special Construction
\nModel:<\/strong> Aero \/ Boardtrack
\nBuilder:<\/strong> Ian Douglas
\nTime to build:<\/strong> Two Years
\nName of bike:<\/strong> Warbird<\/p>\nEngine<\/strong><\/p>\nYear: 2008
\nBuilder: Douglas
\nDisplacement: 191 Cubic Inch (3130cc)
\nBore and Stroke: 5.125″ x 4.625″
\nCases: Douglas
\nHeads: Continental Radial
\nLower End: Highly modified S&S Stroker racing flywheels
\nPinion and Sprocket Shaft: Douglas
\nConnecting Rods: Douglas
\nPistons: Continental Aero
\nPushrods: Smith Brothers
\nCarburetor: Twin S&S \u2018E\u2019
\nAir Cleaner: 4-inch Velocity Stacks
\nIgnition: Twin Coil, Battery, Points
\nExhaust: Douglas \/ Stainless<\/p>\n
Transmission<\/strong><\/p>\nYear: 2007 Builder: Roadmax
\nType: 5-Speed Clutch: H-D
\nPrimary Drive: Douglas<\/p>\n
Frame<\/strong><\/p>\nYear: 2008 Builder: Douglas
\nType: Twin Downtube Hardtail
\nRake: 32 Degree<\/p>\n
Front End<\/strong><\/p>\nYear: 2007 Builder: DNA
\nType: Springer
\nPainter: George Kanavaros
\nChroming: Dependable Chrome
\nNose Art: Jennie Persak<\/p>\n
Wheels<\/strong><\/p>\nFront Size: 21 x 2.15, 80 Spoke
\nTire Make\/Size: Avon Venom x 80\/90
\nRear Size: 21 x 3.25, 80 Spoke
\nTire Make\/Size: Avon Venom x 120\/70<\/p>\n
Brakes<\/strong><\/p>\nCalipers: Differential Bore Brembo
\nMounting Hardware: Douglas
\nRotors: Blanks modified and drilled by Douglas<\/p>\n
Essentials<\/strong><\/p>\nGas Tank: Douglas\/Custom Chrome
\nOil Tank: Douglas
\nFenders: Douglas\/Cycle Jammer
\nSeat: Brooks
\nHandlebars: Douglas
\nHeadlight: Alloy Art
\nTaillight: Model \u2018A\u2019 Ford – Brass<\/p>\n
A very special thanks to:<\/strong><\/p>\nRadial Engines Limited from Guthrie, Oklahoma who prepared the cylinders and provided all the aero parts.<\/p>\n
OBCO Foundries in Richmond, BC went out of their way to cast Douglas\u2019 patterns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
More than 60-years-ago, the skies over European and Pacific battlefields thundered to the bellow of thousands of engines in bombers, fighters and transport aircraft. During the Second World War, the development of piston aero engines reached its zenith with air-cooled 18-cylinder radials, liquid-cooled V-12s, even X- and H-block configured 24-cylinder monsters. Various configurations include overhead […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5338,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[373,17],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Warbird Motorcycles Ian Douglas Custom Designs and Featured Bike<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n