When you are a custom builder you see a lot of bikes that you like very much, but very few that really impress you. Exception, the first of 2009 that I really love is this truly amazing custom called Warbird born out of Ian Douglas combined passion for vintage aircraft & motorcycles. This board track style bike is already very cool by its lines & details, but the most amazing part is the one-off engine built by Ian himself using World War II radial aircraft cylinders (provided by Radial Engines Ltd in Guthrie, OK) and hand-
built crank cases. Ian made the casting patterns, the machining and the casting was provided by OBCO foundries in Richmond, British Columbia. And of course, the cradle for this one-off engine is tube bended by Ian. After 2 years of Labor, this 191 Cubic inch (Bore 5.125 in Stroke 4.625 in 3129 cc) cranked at first try with a sound (with open pipes) that Ian qualifies as a blend of a large radial engine and a Harley Davidson Big Twin. He promised to upload very soon on his website a sound clip and a video of him riding his Warbird Motorcycle..
Warbird. A Freaking Awesome Bike & Engine.
Published by February 2nd, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.23 Responses to “Warbird. A Freaking Awesome Bike & Engine.”
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Hi isnt that Mike corbins name for the bike he built years ago? did a fiberglass kit for HD? Mike
Mick. You are confused. This bike is awesome. Nothing to do with the Corbin’ s one of 15 years ago, except the name/theme. Would like to hear this engine running.
Over the top motor. Beautiful
Beautiful
191 ci 3129 cc, must have massive torque. Can’t wait to hear the motor run.
Damn straight! Awesome bike I’d say. It would look a lot better sitting next to the HD in my work shop.
I want one just like that, right now!
this is the shit: innovative, cool, modern and tough.
wow….
that motor is fuckin awesome, but the rest of the bike doesn’t seem to be on the same level. he obviously is very capable. just kinda surprised at that
The motor must be capable of shredding that skinny rear tire to pieces ! I’m personally happy to see something other than earth-mover rubber !
John
Mike Chadwick,
Good memory, you are correct.
http://www.harley-part.com/warbird.htm
I don’t think Corbin’s warbird used any engine parts from a WWII warbird. This one does.
very nice, well thought out machine. peace
Too bad the gas tank does not fit the theme of the bike…. The rest is really nice though, I’m curious how much that motor must have cost to build…!
You really got to see better pics of this bike, this is an incredible motorcycle, it was featured in Canada’a Motorcycle Mojo Magazine with a poster in the middle of the mag, that poster is in my shop as inspiration to the students I teach and to me!!
The Corbin Warbird was a body kit for both Sporty and FXR models. It wasn’t a complete bike, it was a bolt on kit to customize your stock H-D bike. We used several of them for our customer’s bikes.
Well, there are “Assemblers” and there are “Builders.”
Ian Douglas is a Builder.
RE:
“…wonder how much that motor must have cost to build…”
How about a life time of effort gathering knowledge, tools and building skills.
What % of today’s builders do ya figure are committed and capable of pulling of such a project.
A true 1%….. ya think????
-nicker-
A very nice machine, it’s good to see engineering and innovation like this this. A wide range of knowledge and skill applied here, and applied with good taste!
Bravo! …… Well done!
Over & Out,
Jeff
I saw this bike at the Gastown Show in Vancouver in 2008 where it won best engineering.
Ian isn’t just a builder – he is a true artist.
Awesome bike – nice job!
That engine is just pure sex………………
Best Engine innovation and work out of Canada.
Well done and deserving of an Engineered artist award.
This thing is amazing