V-Max Motor Powers Battlemax

V-MAX MOTOR POWERS BATTLEMAX

ROUNDUP

AV-MAX-POWERED sportbike has always been an intriguing concept. Now, it’s a reality, thanks to PDQ Motorcycle Developments, a English tuning shop that builds the ultratrick Battlemax.

“We’re going after the Bimota Tesi,” says Larry Webb, PDQ president, who adds that, at current exchange rates, the 440-pound Battlemax will cost $32,000. “It will be expensive, but we believe there is a worldwide market for 10 bikes per year.’’

To help get the V-Max engine battle-ready, PDQ fitted a

chain-drive conversion kit developed in-house. Beyond removing the engine’s black paint to make the powcrplant appear smaller, PDQ boosted displacement from l 198cc to 1260cc, raised compression from 10.5: l to 11.5: l, lightened and balanced the crankshaft, installed aftermarket connecting rods and pistons, ported the cylinder head, rejetted the carburetors and added a custom exhaust system. PDQ claims 155 horsepower for its motor.

Two aluminum alloy plates sandwiching the engine make up the Battlemax frame, and provide a mounting point for a Hossack steel-wishbone front end similar to that of John Britten's V-1000 racebike.

Rear, suspension is a conventional single-shock design.

Webb says he’s talking with several shock absorber manufacturers and will make a decision early this year about which units to fit on the production Battlemax. Track testing will commence this spring, he adds.

A wide variety of bodywork options will be available, depending on customer preference. “The motorcycle will essentially be custom-made for each buyer, so we can add a fairing, or just mount a windscreen, or leave it the way it is,” says Webb.

Robert Hough