December 26, 2007: World's Heaviest Motorcycle

Clodfobble · 12-26-2007, 04:50 PM

When you've got a genuine Russian tank engine lying around, how can you resist repurposing it? And really, tanks are so lumbering and oafish, and with the price of gas nowadays... something a little more sleek and maneuverable is obviously called for.

This giant motorcycle took the team of welders and mechanics at the Harzer Bike Schmiede in Zilly, Germany, almost a year to craft. It is 17'4" long, and 7'6" tall, and weighs four-and-a-half tons. 1.8 tons of that is the tank engine itself. The Guinness Book of World Records has just confirmed it is the heaviest motorcycle ever (though interestingly, there is no mention of the size dimensions breaking any records.) They are still hoping to obtain a special license to actually drive it on the road.

Creator Tilo Nieber has dubbed the machine "the Led Zeppelin." Apparently in Germany, Zep counts as "heavy metal" music.

Kerotan · 12-26-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

Creator Tilo Nieber has dubbed the machine "the Led Zeppelin." Apparently in Germany, Zep counts as "heavy metal" music.

the point being made here (by the owner) is that: Led Zeppelin don't suck.

I am here all week!

Diaphone Jim · 12-26-2007, 07:07 PM

It has a "springer" front suspension like a DKW or a Greeves: nice work!
9000 pounds: Lay it over at the store and all you need are about 15 or 20 willing standers-by to tip it back up.
Where's the fuel tank?

SPUCK · 12-26-2007, 09:12 PM

Maroon fuel tank right where you'd expect it.

Not exactly the SIZE you'd expect...

TheMercenary · 12-26-2007, 09:30 PM

Great!

Yea the fuel tank looks a bit small. My guess is that it hold just enough to start it. Minus the weight of the armor usually found on a tank the milage should be a bit better on that bike frame. How would you like to get that thing up to about 120 on a straight away? How far do you think it would take to stop that beast?

spudcon · 12-27-2007, 05:14 AM

Don't see a muffler. I asked the driver about it, and he said "Huh?"

Sheldonrs · 12-27-2007, 07:25 AM

All that space and it only seats one?

Hoof Hearted · 12-27-2007, 10:30 AM

I hope he doesn't try to catch it with his leg when it tips over. It'd smash him flat.

classicman · 12-27-2007, 11:14 AM

Parkin thats gotta suck too.

Gravdigr · 12-27-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoof Hearted

I hope he doesn't try to catch it with his leg when it tips over. It'd smash him flat.

It's a trike!! He cheated! He's something less than a man! Check out the guy with his hand raised. Since the handlebars are chain limited in travel, I guess this guy steers the rear like a fire truck? But don't laugh at any of them...They have a missile!

http://www.harzer-bike-schmiede.de

Also, can anyone translate the text?

gtown · 12-27-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

It is 17'4" long, and 7'6" tall, and weighs four-and-a-half tons. 1.8 tons of that is the tank engine itself. The Guinness Book of World Records has just confirmed it is the heaviest motorcycle ever (though interestingly, there is no mention of the size dimensions breaking any records.)

It loses on size to the tallest rideable motorcycle which is 11'3" tall and 20'4" long, but doesn't even hit 3 tons...what a lightweight...

slang · 12-27-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

Also, can anyone translate the text?

Roughly the bottom text in the border says " don't take the photos from this site because they all have copyright protection from German and international law. We'll prosecute you if you take them"

Fear the German crazy men. Don't steal the pics

The text directly under the photo has proper names in it and I can't figure it out.

"it was a big show with the bike schmiede and [the guys names] organized it" or something like that.

I'm American. Don't speak Deutsch any more.

Ibram · 12-28-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slang

I'm American. Don't speak Deutsch any more.

yeah but i'll bet you speak DOUCHE purdy well huh?!

TheMercenary · 12-28-2007, 11:15 AM

Damm cheater! A trike is not a bike. It is more akin to comparing a Chimp to a human, related but not the same.

slang · 01-07-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibram

yeah but i'll bet you speak DOUCHE purdy well huh?!

I speak fairly well out of my ass as well.

12-26-2007, 04:50 PM	#1
Clodfobble Overcredulous Awkward Squad Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 10,166	December 26, 2007: World's Heaviest Motorcycle When you've got a genuine Russian tank engine lying around, how can you resist repurposing it? And really, tanks are so lumbering and oafish, and with the price of gas nowadays... something a little more sleek and maneuverable is obviously called for. This giant motorcycle took the team of welders and mechanics at the Harzer Bike Schmiede in Zilly, Germany, almost a year to craft. It is 17'4" long, and 7'6" tall, and weighs four-and-a-half tons. 1.8 tons of that is the tank engine itself. The Guinness Book of World Records has just confirmed it is the heaviest motorcycle ever (though interestingly, there is no mention of the size dimensions breaking any records.) They are still hoping to obtain a special license to actually drive it on the road. Creator Tilo Nieber has dubbed the machine "the Led Zeppelin." Apparently in Germany, Zep counts as "heavy metal" music.

12-26-2007, 09:30 PM	#5
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 16,985	Great! Yea the fuel tank looks a bit small. My guess is that it hold just enough to start it. Minus the weight of the armor usually found on a tank the milage should be a bit better on that bike frame. How would you like to get that thing up to about 120 on a straight away? How far do you think it would take to stop that beast? __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knItRruwXEA

12-27-2007, 07:25 AM	#7
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,032	All that space and it only seats one? __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

12-27-2007, 10:30 AM	#8
Hoof Hearted ...you smell something? Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Monroe, GA Posts: 420	I hope he doesn't try to catch it with his leg when it tips over. It'd smash him flat. __________________ I have the ability of single-minded determination and focu...Hey, look! A horse!

12-27-2007, 11:14 AM	#9
classicman 50/50/90 Ruler Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 14,220	Parkin thats gotta suck too. __________________ Evidence that contradicts the ruling belief system is held to extraordinary standards, while evidence that entrenches it is uncritically accepted. -Carl Sagan Support America - Support Arizona

12-26-2007, 07:07 PM	#3
Diaphone Jim Coronation Incarnate Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 97	It has a "springer" front suspension like a DKW or a Greeves: nice work! 9000 pounds: Lay it over at the store and all you need are about 15 or 20 willing standers-by to tip it back up. Where's the fuel tank?

12-26-2007, 09:12 PM	#4
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,015	Maroon fuel tank right where you'd expect it. Not exactly the SIZE you'd expect...

12-27-2007, 05:14 AM	#6
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 1,854	Don't see a muffler. I asked the driver about it, and he said "Huh?"

12-28-2007, 11:15 AM	#14
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 16,985	Damm cheater! A trike is not a bike. It is more akin to comparing a Chimp to a human, related but not the same. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knItRruwXEA

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