Alex Porter and Tyler Greenblatt dive into the world of motorcycles, celebrating Bring a Trailer's milestone of over 11,000 motorcycle auctions. They explore the artistry and engineering of bikes, especially the intricate designs of pre-war models and the evolution of Harley-Davidson engines. The discussion covers the challenges of modernizing classic designs, such as Harley's transition to liquid cooling with Porsche's help, and the balance between aesthetics and functionality. They also reflect on the cultural significance of motorcycles as both transportation and art, touching on exhaust design and the impact of the Model T on motorcycle popularity.
It's malaise time—or is it? This week, Alex, Cam, Tyler, and Beck choose their top five vehicles from the model year 1980 in an impromptu, nearly unprepped episode. Spoiler alert: you've heard Tyler talk about bikes, but it's a widely known "secret" around the halls of BaT that his taste in cars is...well, weird. The crew talk about their surprisingly fun research, skin-deep beauty, and the wide variety of cultural ways in which 1980 was a transitional period
They also narrowly avoid a prolonged version of the usual "what is a supercar" debate; slightly cheat with Euro cars; spend a surprising amount of time on the Dodge Ramcharger and Plymouth Trail Duster; stump Alex (again) but allow him out of perpetual loserhood; talk about the various trips one might take in a Vanagon; discovered all sorts of eagles glee; recount a worse "learning to drive stick" story than most of you have, thankfully; and take an unexpected but welcome diversion into the land (sea?) of Boston Whaler center consoles.
""...I don't want to call them mundane because I love them all, but like your CB750s...""
The Honda CB750 is a famous motorcycle that helped make motorcycles popular for everyday riders. It has four cylinders and is known for being strong and easy to ride.
The Honda CB750 is a landmark motorcycle introduced in 1969, often credited with popularizing the modern standard motorcycle with its inline-four engine and reliable performance.
""...I don't want to call them mundane because I love them all, but like your CB450s...""
The Honda CB450 is a motorcycle with a medium-sized engine that was popular in the past. It has two cylinders and was a good choice for riders wanting more power than smaller bikes.
The Honda CB450 is a mid-sized motorcycle produced in the 1960s and 1970s, known for its parallel-twin engine and being a step up from smaller displacement bikes.
""when you start to get into late 80s, fully ferried plastic sport bikes, you know, they're even shapely. I mean, they're shapely and beautiful. And we may even talk about one of them to that or a few or a few of them. But for the most part, they're really, I mean, you pull those fairings off and it's like the details are still there.""
Fairings are the plastic covers on motorcycles that make them look smooth and help block wind when you ride. They also help the bike go faster by cutting through the air better.
Fairings are the plastic or fiberglass shells placed on motorcycles to reduce air drag and protect the rider from wind and debris. They also contribute to the bike's aesthetics and can improve performance by streamlining airflow.
"I'm such an exhaust snob, right? Like where, where it's placed and how it's like, but that's not something you always have to... actually you just reminded me about exhaust. I have a personal favorite motorcycle exhaust system,"
The exhaust is the pipe on a car or motorcycle that lets out the gases after the engine burns fuel. It also makes the engine sound.
The exhaust system is the part of a vehicle that directs and manages the gases produced by the engine's combustion process, often affecting sound and performance.
"which is the CBS because you can see the six headers coming off the front, which is amazing. And I guess Benelli's look like that too, right? Yeah, real similar, but six header pipes coming off the front of your motorcycle motor."
Six header pipes are the tubes that carry smoke and gases away from each of the six engine cylinders on a motorcycle or car. They help the engine breathe better and sound cooler.
Six header pipes refer to the six separate exhaust pipes that come off the engine's cylinders, typically seen on inline six-cylinder engines or motorcycles with six cylinders. They are part of the exhaust system that directs exhaust gases away from the engine.
"like maybe 10 to 15, but by the Model T, I mean, cars and bikes were pretty much sure,"
The Model T was an old car made by Ford that lots of people could buy because it was cheap. It helped people stop using horses and start driving cars instead.
The Ford Model T was one of the first mass-produced cars, making automobiles affordable and accessible to many people. It played a key role in transitioning transportation from horses to motor vehicles in the early 20th century.
"like people are using these things, especially the Great Depression would have been in effect."
The Great Depression was a time when many people lost money and jobs, so cars had to be cheaper and easier to use so more people could afford them.
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn during the 1930s that affected many industries, including automotive. It influenced vehicle affordability and transportation needs.
"what can we do to kind of make them a bit more? Does the 30s Harley or 20s Harley sound the same? I mean, still the same, the twin, same angle and everything, right? Do they sound similar? Well, we're going to go on one of our Harley conversations again."
Harley-Davidson makes motorcycles that sound very different from others because of how their engines work. This special sound is part of what makes their bikes easy to recognize.
Harley-Davidson is a well-known American motorcycle manufacturer famous for its distinctive V-twin engines and unique exhaust sound. Their engine design and firing order create a signature sound that has become a trademark of the brand.
"Harley is they all have the same firing order. And it's a trademarked thing. And I can't remember the exact, what would you call it, fine order, but it's the timing where the rear cylinder hits really shortly after the front cylinder."
Firing order is the order in which the engine's cylinders make power. Harley motorcycles have a special order that makes their engines sound different from others.
Firing order refers to the sequence in which the cylinders in an engine ignite. It affects engine performance, smoothness, and sound. Harley-Davidson motorcycles have a unique firing order where the rear cylinder fires shortly after the front cylinder, contributing to their distinctive sound.
"That's what gives a distinct sound. And that goes back to the 20s? Yeah, they did it for power and just to get torque"
Torque is the force that helps a motorcycle or car start moving and pull heavy loads. Harley motorcycles are made to have good torque so they feel strong when you ride them.
Torque is a measure of rotational force produced by an engine. It is important for acceleration and pulling power. Harley-Davidson designed their firing order to optimize torque delivery, enhancing the motorcycle's performance.
"And now they're trying to figure out how to do that with liquid cooled engines now. And it's not easy. Nobody would ever build a 45 degree liquid."
A liquid cooled engine uses a special liquid to keep the engine from getting too hot, helping it run better and cleaner.
A liquid cooled engine uses a coolant fluid circulated through the engine to maintain optimal operating temperatures, improving performance and emissions control compared to air-cooled engines.
"They've gone overhead cam, right? And all that stuff. Yeah. Yeah. So actually, one of our colleagues just bought the new Sportster."
Overhead cam means the part that opens and closes the engine's valves is placed on top of the engine, helping it run smoother and faster.
An overhead cam (OHC) engine has the camshaft located above the cylinder head, which allows for more precise valve timing and higher engine efficiency compared to older pushrod designs.
"So actually, one of our colleagues just bought the new Sportster. Shout out to Chris Everett, who just picked up a new Sportster. And it's a liquid cool bike."
The Harley-Davidson Sportster is a popular motorcycle that looks classic but now uses a liquid cooling system to keep the engine from overheating.
The Harley-Davidson Sportster is a line of motorcycles known for their classic styling and versatility, recently updated with liquid cooled engines to meet modern performance and emissions standards.
"That was kind of the first, a modern one anyway, the V-Rod, of course, liquid cooled overhead cam."
The Harley-Davidson V-Rod is a motorcycle that uses a liquid cooling system and a modern engine design, different from older Harley bikes.
The Harley-Davidson V-Rod was a significant model featuring a liquid cooled overhead cam engine, marking a departure from Harley's traditional air-cooled pushrod engines and embracing modern technology.
"But the Pan America was the first version of the kind of current generation of Harley saying, all right, we're tired of running these engines too hot and not being able to pass emissions."
The Harley-Davidson Pan America is a newer motorcycle made for off-road and adventure riding, with a modern engine that uses liquid cooling.
The Harley-Davidson Pan America is an adventure-style motorcycle with liquid cooled overhead cam engine technology, representing Harley's move into modern, emission-compliant engine designs.
"Because they were the last two to go from air cooled to water cooled. Right."
A water-cooled engine uses water or special liquids to keep the engine from getting too hot by moving the heat away from the engine parts.
A water-cooled engine uses liquid coolant circulated through the engine block and cylinder heads to absorb and dissipate heat. This allows for better temperature control and often improved performance.
""They don't have to be sitting out in front of the motor. You can, they're the size of an oil cooler. And then when there's two of them, like half the size of an oil cooler.""
An oil cooler is like a small radiator that cools the engine oil so the engine doesn’t get too hot and keeps running smoothly.
An oil cooler is a component used to reduce the temperature of the engine oil, helping maintain optimal operating temperatures and prevent overheating.
""...but it's just enough so that they can run them just to within like emissions requirements. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And heat.""
Emissions requirements are rules that cars have to follow to not pollute the air too much. Cars need special parts to meet these rules.
Emissions requirements are regulations that limit the amount of pollutants a vehicle can emit, influencing engine design and additional components like radiators or coolers to meet these standards.
"So it'll be a 1929 Harley Davidson Model J. So now this is going back to 2021 and it's got a sidecar and just 29 and 30 Harleys are just so beautiful."
The Model J is an old motorcycle made by Harley-Davidson around 1929 and 1930. It's special because of how it looks and its age.
The Harley-Davidson Model J is a motorcycle produced in 1929 and 1930, notable for its classic design and historical significance in Harley-Davidson's lineup.
"..... Where to open the windows on a Tahoe versus a Bronco versus a Porsche versus... It's like all these di..."
The Ford Bronco is a tough and cool-looking car that can drive well on rough roads and trails. People like it because it looks a bit old-fashioned but has new features that make it fun and easy to use.
The Ford Bronco is a rugged SUV known for its off-road capabilities and retro-inspired design, recently revived to compete with vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler. It's often discussed for its versatility and modern tech combined with classic styling, making it a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
"So he also designed a lot of the early ferret in Ducati's as well. And this is a Ducati underneath kind of?"
Ducati is a company that makes fast and stylish motorcycles from Italy. They are well-known for racing and making bikes that look cool and go fast.
Ducati is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer known for its high-performance sport bikes and distinctive design. They have a rich history in motorcycle racing and are famous for their V-twin engines.
"D, Ducati, K would be Kawasaki, Yamaha Suzuki, whatever they were running underneath."
Yamaha is a Japanese company that makes motorcycles and other things. Their motorcycles can be good for beginners or for people who want fast bikes.
Yamaha is a Japanese manufacturer known for motorcycles, musical instruments, and other products. Their motorcycles range from beginner-friendly models to high-performance sport bikes.
"D, Ducati, K would be Kawasaki, Yamaha Suzuki, whatever they were running underneath."
Kawasaki is a company from Japan that makes many types of motorcycles, including fast racing bikes and comfortable bikes for everyday riding.
Kawasaki is a Japanese manufacturer of motorcycles, known for producing a wide range of bikes from sportbikes to cruisers. They are recognized for their performance and engineering.
"D, Ducati, K would be Kawasaki, Yamaha Suzuki, whatever they were running underneath."
Suzuki is a company from Japan that makes motorcycles and cars. Their motorcycles are known for being reliable and good for many types of riders.
Suzuki is a Japanese manufacturer of motorcycles, cars, and all-terrain vehicles. Their motorcycles are known for reliability and a broad range of models.
"...his one. It's going to be the Brodix 427 powered Vanquish. No. I don't even know what that means."
The Aston Martin Vanquish is a fancy and fast car that looks really nice and is made for comfortable long drives. Sometimes people change its engine to make it even more powerful.
The Aston Martin Vanquish is a luxury grand tourer known for its elegant design and powerful V12 engine, often celebrated for blending performance with British craftsmanship. The mention of a 'Brodix 427 powered Vanquish' suggests a custom or modified version with a high-performance engine swap.
""You see it's got the acetylene headlight. Yeah, man. So that was still in used by the 20s.""
An acetylene headlight is an old type of car light that uses gas to make light, instead of electricity. It was used on cars a long time ago before electric lights were common.
An acetylene headlight uses acetylene gas to produce light, commonly used on early automobiles before electric headlights became widespread. It was popular in the early 20th century due to its bright and steady light output.
"...d, has a weird configuration. I like those Honda S600s with the weird swing arm independent rear suspen..."
The Honda S600 is a small, old sports car that was made a long time ago. It has a special way of making the back wheels move that helps it drive smoothly and feel fun.
The Honda S600 is a classic small sports car from the 1960s, notable for its high-revving engine and unique independent rear suspension with swing arms. It's often admired for its engineering innovation and lightweight design during its era.
"We're talking about exhaust here. It's like Carrera GT a little bit, man. So sick."
The Porsche Carrera GT is a very fast and special sports car that sounds really cool when it drives. People talk about it because it makes a loud and exciting noise that car fans love.
The Porsche Carrera GT is a highly acclaimed supercar produced in the early 2000s, famous for its naturally aspirated V10 engine and raw driving experience. It's often referenced in discussions about exotic car exhaust sounds due to its distinctive and aggressive tone.
""That is a 1976 Ducati 900 SS. I've always loved 900 SS's. You're going to remember this one because it was very beautiful.""
The Ducati 900 SS is a type of motorcycle made in 1976. It's famous for looking cool and having a strong engine that helps it go fast.
The Ducati 900 SS is a classic Italian sport motorcycle known for its performance and design, particularly popular in the 1970s. The 1976 model is notable for its distinctive styling and powerful V-twin engine with a leaned forward cylinder configuration.
""I'm such a dustbin faring guy. And this is probably my favorite of all the dustbin farings. It's so simple and elegant.""
A dustbin fairing is a cover on the front of some motorcycles that looks like a big box. It helps the bike go faster by cutting through the air better.
A dustbin fairing is a type of aerodynamic motorcycle bodywork that fully encloses the front of the bike to reduce air resistance, popular in racing during the 1950s and 1960s. It is named for its resemblance to a dustbin or trash can and was used to increase top speed on straight sections of race tracks.
"So for my next one, just going back to Harley Davidson, WLA, this is the actual World War II military motorcycle. Yes. This is like an icon. Yes."
The Harley Davidson WLA is a type of motorcycle used by soldiers during World War II. It helped them move quickly and carry out missions.
The Harley Davidson WLA is a military motorcycle produced during World War II. It was widely used by the U.S. Army and became an iconic symbol of wartime motorcycling.
"Love that we list quite a few of them on BAT. Love that we sold all five last year."
BaT is a website where people buy and sell special cars. It's like an online auction for cool and rare vehicles.
BaT stands for 'Bring a Trailer,' an online auction platform specializing in classic, enthusiast, and collector cars. It is popular among car enthusiasts for buying and selling rare and interesting vehicles.
""I mean, 52, perfect year for Vincent. That's like the romantic year to have. And then, yeah, to get a black shadow is just, that's perfect.""
The Vincent Black Shadow is a special kind of motorcycle made in Britain a long time ago. The 1952 model is very popular and loved by many because it was very fast and looked cool.
The Vincent Black Shadow is a famous British motorcycle produced by Vincent Motorcycles, known for its high performance and iconic status in the 1950s. The 1952 model year is often considered the most desirable and collectible version.
"And then that's when they launched their own four cylinder, the Indian four."
The Indian Four is a motorcycle made by Indian that had four cylinders in its engine, making it run smoothly and strong.
The Indian Four was a motorcycle model launched by Indian featuring a four-cylinder engine, which was notable for its smoothness and power compared to typical motorcycles of the era.
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