Questions are welcomed ....
and if they are common questions, I shall add them to this FAQ page.

I use this section to better update the REPORT booklets
so as to better detail areas where questions have arisen
and if I find that even more or better detailing is needed.

Involvement | The Bike | Website | To Erik | Bike Design

Involvement

Investors | Partners | Dealers | Buyers

INVESTORS

Q: When are investors invited in ?

A: The INVEST button is now "sort of" active.
The Business Paperwork etc is being updated.
I am taking a new approach.
First I wish to reflect a change in my management team.
More importantly, I have decided to change my marketing approach.

At first my old team felt that we should try to offer as wide a price-point as possible
so that as many people as possible could enjoy a ShapeShifting bike.
Because I have gathered the very best people in the Custom Bike Industry
I feel it would be unfair to ask anything but the very best from them.
As a result, I have decided that the bikes will be built at the very highest
quality levels ONLY, and the new price-point will reflect that fact.

If you look at the REPORT booklets you will see this change in quality.

This is my thinking ....
When people think Japan, they think hi-tech, but fairly disposable bikes.
When people think Europe, they think high quality.
When people think North America, they think nostalgic rolling art.

Introducing a ShapeShifting Motorcycle is a once ever opportunity.
I want that opportunity to really count.
I want to offer, not only the very best in cutting edge technology,
but also the very highest quality bike in the entire market.

That means ceramic brakes, ceramic clutch, stainless steel frame,
ceramic coated cylinders, ballistic grade bodywork, nitrogen treated parts,
etc etc.
so the bike is the undisputed longest lasting best engineered bike ever.
If you think I'm kidding, take a look at the new REPORT booklets.

If you are interested in getting involved,
I am still looking for a few extra investors.
Let me know about yourself in the "CONTACT" form in the INVEST index.

Q: How can I participate in this project ?

A: You may offer funds, talent or equipment toward this project.
Just go to CONTACT and give me the details.

PARTNERS

Q: How can I become a partner ?

A: Depends on your industry and the alliance you have in mind.
Go to CONTACT and talk to me it is about the details.
I am about team building.

DEALERS

Q: How can I become a dealer ?

A: Go to the DEALER button and fill out the form.
The R-Bike is designed with Harley tooling in mind.

BUYERS

Q: When and where will the first bikes be sold ?

A: Production begins in early 2009 after the drivetrain is tested.
Those first bikes are for the Military, the Shows and Hollywood
Public production will begin later in 2009.

Q: How may I buy a bike ?

A: For now, bikes are only available through this WebSite.
You may place a deposit to save your "place-in-line".

Q: Will "Models" be marketed ?

A: Every bike is a very individual statement fit to each owner.
As you begin to build your bike,
I suggest you start by going to the REPORT booklets
and reading all the many details posted there.
Then you go to the Build-a-Bike section

The form will be active within a couple of months.
Before then, you can still email me with a request to purchase.

I also have "Special Models" (Police, Military etc)
You will need to email me about those.
They are NOT available to the public.

Q: How much will the bikes cost ?

A: The bike uses the very best materials and technology.
This puts the bike out of reach for most people.
This is a bike for a very few.
The price and availability refects that.

The number of bikes available will be very limited
and will sell in the $60-$80,000 range.
Remarkably, that is the AVERAGE price of any custom bike,
yet the quality and ability will be way above the average.

Because of this, there will be a waiting lists.
I expect to begin Civilian Production in the Spring of 2009.
Investors and those with pre-orders will be serviced first.
Soon after that, I expect the waiting list to quickly climb.
to average of about 6-months after you order.

Q: How can I reserve a bike ?

A:
Investors get the first bikes.
Those who place pre-orders are next.

The Bike

Q: What are the power specs ? A: I haven't published the SPECS booklet yet
because many final figures have not been nailed down,
but these are the power expectations ....

hemi
1000cc (100 hp .... 100 lb-ft)
750cc (75 hp .... 75 lb-ft)

diesel
1000cc (50 hp .... 75 lb-ft)
750cc (35 hp .... 50 lb-ft)

Diesel will not be available until 2010.

Q: How does the shapeshifting relate to different styles ?

A: Go to the Gallery
There you will find videos showing the R-Bike.

The R-Bike adapts to varying demands,
for example in the woods ....

1. The full scrunch (white) is a barely reasonable trials setting
made for those times when you are going super slow,
with feet down, squeezing thru a really tight spot.

2. The second one (brown) is more trials riding in tight trails
in the mountains or very hilly country.

3. The third (light blue) is Enduro for horse-trails / gravel roads.
(the feet are at the center of mass).

Because there are so many settings,
there is always one that would compete with and exceed
the abilities of any existing Enduro.

4. The next (grey and dark blue)
are two good settings for around town traffic.

5. The (dark blue and red) are best for long distance touring.

That takes care of about half the shapeshifting range.
The last half is all about cruising
and how you want your legs stretched at that moment.

6. The (red and black) are relaxed cruiser settings
for the relaxing suburban rides.

7. The (green and yellow) are chopper settings.
Yellow has a rake of 44 degrees .... maximum stable stretch.

Q: What about single cylinder vibration ?

A: Comfort is assured because the engine and drive is isolated.
It starts with all the engine vibration dampening technology.
The rider is then also very isolated from vibration
by mounting him on the Short-Spar,
while mounting engine and drive system on the Long-Spar

.... For more details see the ENGINE booklet in the REPORT .

Q: Is the bike noisy ?

A: The sound is n muted and mellow.
It sounds a lot like a muted cross between
a farm tractor and an American Muscle Car
with a lot of classic British Thumper tossed in.
Soon you will be able to adjust the tone and volume yourself.

Q: What guarantee and post-sale service will the bikes have ?

A: It is made to the very highest standards
so I gladly offer a quality and workmanship warranty.
The bike is constructed with Harley tooling in mind
so anyone who can work on a Harley can work on this bike.

Q: Does the bike meet Government safety standards ?

A: The bike exceeds all government standards and expectations
by introducing the birth of the ACTIVE safety of shapeshifting.

The R-Bike comes completely certified in North America, Europe and Australia.

Website

Q: Some of the images and videos don't look the same.
Are final versions coming ?

A: Final versions ?, never !
In order to offer a good look at the R-Bike,
I put up some images and videos not completely up-to-date,
but close enough to show off the design itself.

To Erik

Q: Is there any real bike that especially inspired you ?

A: The project started fresh as if I never saw a motorcycle
and concentrates on the relationship triangle.

1. between the riders eyes and the road,
2. the road and the bike
3. the rider and the bike.

They are all very different and yet must work together.
From that, function develops
and as function flows more perfectly, form emerges
and the design starts to speak for itself.

The child matures and starts dictating its own needs.
I stop imposing on it and it begins imposing on me.
At some point it is time to lift the brush, to put down the chisel.
With this bike, that moment has come.

Q: Are motorcycles your favorite design object ?

A: It is not about the object,
it is about the creation, the gestation and the birth itself.
It doesn't matter what it is.
It is making relationships between people and their creations,
whether machines or architectual structures.
Sculpting the environment, introducing the mood.

Q: Would you like to keep working on two wheeled vehicles ?

A: If and when I see a need not filled.
You have something in mind ?

Bike Design

The Look | Frame | Engine | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension

The Look

Q: Why does it look that way ?

A: If any part is mounted even a half inch off,
it would not work as well .... It is a puppet.

Even the curves on the body parts are specific in their function.
The first focus is off-road function, because that is the most difficult.
Then second focus on road needs .... then finally the look.
The body shapes are well thought out.

This bike is strictly about the ride; the agility and control
that shapeshifting brings to the ride.
It creates a far more connected rider-bike relationship.

Frame

Q: Does the Short Spar interfere with engine cooling ?

A: The short spar has many functions ....

1. Protecting the leg from engine heat.
2. Funneling air across the engine for cooling.
3. Hiding the engine heat signature (military).
4. Side protection for the engine in a fall.
5. Easy sliding surface in a fall (to help prevent cart-wheeling).
6. To create the saddle-to-stirrup look.
7. Isolating the seat and pegs from the long-spar.
so engine and drivetrain vibrations are isolated from the rider.

I suggest you look at the REPORT booklets for its wealth of detail.

Q: The engine looks like it is just hanging there ?

A: At the top there the cylinder head and cylinder are clamped together.
The engine “hangs” from this clamp
and is attached to the rails of the lead-screw assembly
that controls the ShapeShifting of the frame.

At the bottom the cylinder and the crankcase are clamped together.
That clamp is attached to 2 rods that terminate at the frame.

So, the engine hangs from the upper clamp
and is held in position by the lower clamp.

The rods that connect the clamps to the frame also carry oil
so oil is fed directly to the valvetrain
as well as directly to the engine oil pump and lower end.

Again, look at the REPORT booklets for its wealth of detail.

Rear Suspension

Q: The swingarms look like I-Beams.
Does that cause torsional weakness ?

A: The swingarms start as cast aluminum I-Beams
enclosed on the inside/back-side creating a boxed I-Beam.
(The rear brake-line runs inside the upper swingarm).