BARBARIAN V8 MOTORCYCLES

                       BARBARIAN V8 MOTORCYCLES

Handcrafted in Australia, it is extremely sleek and streamlined motorcycle powered by a Chevy V8 engine delivering a power of well over 300 hp.

The company has succeeded in creating the most compact and stylish V8 motorcycle [n production by combining the latest modern technology with good old ozzie ingenuity. This bike has been designed to tour the continent of Australia or cruise the beach front in style. It delivers a unique riding experience in power and prestige.

This company has become the first and the only Australian motorcycle manufacturing company to achieve FULL VOLUME ADR CERTIFICATION (Australian Design Rules), which allows this bike to be road legal throughout Australia,

ENGINE
Type	Liquid cooled v8
Displacement	350c.i.(5700cc)
Block	4 bolt main
Cylinders	Vortec
Compression	09/01/01
Camshaft	Hydraulic roller
Ignition	Electronic
Fuel System	Holley 4 Barrel 600cfm carborator
Power	330h/p (246kw)@5000rpm
Torque	400ft.lbs (542nm)@3800rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type	Direct Power Drive
Gears	1 speed with neutral lockout
Clutch	Centreforce performance
Final Drive	Chain
CHASSIS & DIMENSIONS
Frame Type	Chrome molley, hidden suspension
Rake	32 degrees
Ground clearance	4.5 inches
Wheelbase	71 inches (1840mm)
Seat height	23 inches
Dry Weight	946lbs (430kgs)
SUSPENSION
Front	Billet Forks
Rear	Twin Fournales adjustable air shocks
BRAKES
Front	Dual four piston calipers
Rear	Single four piston calipers
TYRES & WHEELS
Front	Avon
	3.5 X 17
Rear	Avon 230/60-15
	6 X 15
FUEL
Tank	5-7 gallons(20-30 L)
Consumption	20mpg (8kms /litre)

Built by Warren Katz, a former south African had a simple idea behind the machine. He says, “I just wanted to build something that a Mad Max would ride.”

The basics are a twin-loop chrome-moly frame, made locally, with a cast-iron liquid-cooled Chevrolet 350 cube(5.7 litre) V8, running a 4-barrel Holley carb, electronic ignition and 9.1.1 compression. It revs to 6000rpm but claims 330horsepower at 5000 and 400ft/lb of torque at 3800rpm.

The Barbarian runs a simple transfer case off the back of the clutch bell housing. The reason behind this is that the transmission adds an unreasonable amount of length to the machine and really is not necessary as the Barbarian isn’t outrageously long-wheelbase being 127mm longer than a Goldwing.

The massive dry plate clutch is handled by a cable-operated lever, with a left heel-operated foot pedal to assist in getting full disengagement. There’s also a hand-operated clutch lockout, to give the bike a neutral setting.

Front suspension is a set of billet forks, while the rear runs a design reminiscent of a Softail Harley, with twin Fournales shocks doing the hard work.

Wheels and brakes are made locally by Dragway. Discs at both ends are full floaters, with four-piston callipers.

John's Customs on the Gold Coast does much of the cosmetic work, while Zap Electrical did the harness.

Final drive is by chain, and there's an option of a 20 or 30 litre fuel tank.

Taking all that into account, the machine is surprisingly easy to come to terms with. It was simple enough: engage the neutral lockout, hit the starter and give it a blip on the throttle, then feed out the clutch with up to 2000 revs. It would get away happily with even less than that.

After that you don’t have gears and have to look out for clutch if you want to slow down.

The sound of the bike is really pleasing, producing a pleasant burble at low speed, developing into a roar as you pick up the pace.

The best part is, even after weighing 430 kilos it knows how to lift its proverbial skirts and take off.

There is also a supercharged 500 hp version in the mind of Warren if 330 hp is just too low to satisfy your adrenaline requirements.

He also offers alloy heads for the engine, which shaves off 15 kilos from the weight, for $2000, or a fully alloy engine, which knocks off about 50 kilos, for additional $15,000. Both of which adds substantially to the horsepower.

To handle this power there are brakes that are really very effective which feels really good as our safety is not compromised with our adrenaline requirements.

One of its biggest lack is of cornering clearance, because it had been lowered by around 25mm.

Steering is generally good - it needs a firm signal from the handlebars to initiate a corner, but responds perfectly predictable.

The Barbarian is no sports bike, but is a hell of a lot of fun. Then again, so it should be as it's not cheap -- $60,000 plus GST. For that you definitely get the biggest toy on the block.