The Franz Flyer is the best sounding thing you’ll hear today

Peter Tanshanomi
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The sound of a V8 on the boil can be intoxicating. Here’s one that is probably the least powerful you’ll see, but it’s still amazing. The video quality is not the best, but the exhaust note makes up for it.

Denny Franz is a master machinist who loves multi-cylinder bikes. After building a 700 cc V8 bike out of a BMW R65 and two Honda CB350F engines, he set his sights on a slimmer, trimmer, more carefully engineered, and more authentically vintage-styled machine. The result is the 400cc Franz Flyer, and it’s a truly glorious way to go not very fast.

About

Peter Tanshanomi

Peter Tanshanomi

Tanshanomi is Japanese [単車のみ] for “motorcycle(s) only.” Though primarily tasked with creating two-wheel oriented content for Hooniverse, Pete is a lover of all sorts of motorized vehicles.

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9 responses to “The Franz Flyer is the best sounding thing you’ll hear today”

  1. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    That engine is indeed fantastic, but isn’t it a bit much for that frame? Are the brakes up to it? Is there enough tire under it?

    Reply
    1. Tanshanomi Avatar
      Tanshanomi

      Glenn Curtiss has no idea what you’re talking about.

      https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXxUDzMO0SE/UK7OBTFkXhI/AAAAAAAAAS8/K3uLgI2DNig/s1600/Curtiss+V8+motor+cycle.jpg

      Reply
  2. Slow Joe Crow Avatar
    Slow Joe Crow

    Impressive work but not quite at the level of the Englishman who built a replica Moto Guzzi V8 in his shed.

    Reply
  3. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    With pistons that small I’m impressed with how distinctively V-8 sounding it is. Usually these scaled down motors all sound like weed whackers no matter how many cylinders they are. This sucker’s got some throat to it.
    I think it’s using a Ford firing order. There’s a Ford style V-8 decal on the side, and it sounds enough like my Windsor to make that plausible.

    But is it 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 or is it 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8?

    Reply
    1. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      And I’m completely wrong.
      Another video of the engine shows the cylinders numbered in the GM / Mopar / AMC fashion.

      Also Mr. Franz has built another V-8 based on Honda’s CB-350 Four engines.

      Reply
      1. Tanshanomi Avatar
        Tanshanomi

        Yes, there’s a link to it in the story.

        Reply
    2. sln24 Avatar
      sln24

      thats because most miniengines run on nitro rc fuel

      Reply
  4. Airhead1 Avatar
    Airhead1

    I see what he did here. He put together 8 engines from 50cc scooters and made a V8 out of them. This is brilliant. Most impressive is Imho that he must have known about that sound before making this bike.

    Reply
  5. Jürgen Kuhnle Avatar
    Jürgen Kuhnle

    Hi Franz,
    you created a motorbike with the nicest sound I have ever heared on a motorbike. And laso a beautiful classic design.
    I love the V8. I convert MGB´s to V8 power with the Rover V8 engine as my prefession.
    Kind regards
    Jürgen

    Reply