A machine that elevates the form…
The
Haas Moto Museum & Sculpture Gallery — located in Dallas, Texas — houses an incredible collection of unique and one-of-a-kind motorcycles stretching from 1901 to the present day. The founder, curator, and benefactor of the museum is
Robert “Bobby” Haas, a celebrated photographer, investor, and Renaissance man whose work has filled a series of six photographic books and become some of the most widely-distributed work in the history of
National Geographic. After kick-starting his first motorcycle at the age of 64, Haas set out to assemble a collection like none other:
“Pound-for-pound, the most stunning exhibition of motorcycle artistry anywhere.”
Recently, the Haas Collection commissioned one of our good friends and heroes,
Bryan Fuller of
Fuller Moto, to create a piece of rolling art to display alongside two of his other bikes, the
ShoGun and the
Chief Ambassador, already in the Collection. This time, the museum commissioned a futuristic motorcycle concept inspired by the French 1929 Majestic.
The original Majestic, built by George Roy, was nothing short of visionary, featuring hub-centered steering, a pressed steel chassis, and sliding pillar suspension. Only examples 100 were reportedly built. Says Paul d’Orléans of the
Vintagent:
“The Majestic is the physical embodiment of the Art Deco aesthetic, a streamlined torpedo which suggests Speed and Modernity.”
The original 1929 Majestic
Ninety years later, the Fuller Moto team set forth to create the 2029 — a new motorcycle that would, once again, be revolutionary for its day, while echoing the character and aesthetic of the original Majestic. The result is like nothing we’ve ever seen, a truly staggering machine that heralds a whole new age in customs. The 2029 incorporates design and technology that looks directly into the future of motorcycling, including an electric drivetrain, fully enclosed aluminum body, hub-centric steering, clear polycarbonate wheels, and titanium parts created on a 3D printer. Says Fuller:
“There are few times in my career that we have built something so gratifying. The 2029 combines both my drive to innovate and my love of metal.”
Below, we delve into the details of the 2029, along with more killer photos from Steve West of
Silver Piston Photography.
Fuller Moto 2029: The Build
Builder Bryan Fuller of Fuller Moto.
In keeping with the cutting-edge character of the build, Fuller adapted the electric powertrain from a Zero Motorcycles FXS — the supermoto version of the company’s FX stealthfighter, boasting 27 horsepower, 78 ft-lbs of torque, and a range of around 90 miles. Fuller flipped the Zero’s chassis upside down in order to position the batteries lower in the 2029’s sculptured aluminum body and align the motor with the bike’s tall, 23-inch wheels.
The sculptured aluminum body was designed to echo the original 1929 Majestic. First, an outline was MIG-welded from 1/4” steel rod and bolted onto the aluminum chassis. Then chipboard patterns were made and shaped, and 3003 H14 .063 thickness was used for the panels. Says Fuller of the ridges along the fender areas:
“First a 4-inch wide piece of aluminum was broken in the center. Then a Pullmax die was cut on the MultiCam WaterJet to the shape desired and run through on high speed, providing a consistent streamlined side view profile to the top edge.”
For the chassis components, Fuller and Bryan Heidt, his lead metal fabricator, looked again into the future, venturing into the possibilities allowed by 3D metal printing. They took cues from parametric design and the human bones for the suspension and handlebar components, then brought their CAD models to futurist designer and movie concept artist Nick Pugh to bring the designs to life. 3D printer Oberlikon printed the parts from titanium — the strongest, lightest material used in 3D printing. Says Fuller:
“3D printing is a lot like TIG welding, only a really fine layer at a time.”
The team uses a blue-hued spray for certain interior parts of the body, in order to echo the blue color of the original Majestic. The “gills” serve as diffusers for air coming through the body panels, reducing drag and streamlining the aerodynamics of the machine.
One of the most visually-striking features of the 2029 is the hub-centric steering, as seen on the original 1929 Majestic. The donor hub is from a Bimota Tesi, which provided the right dimensions, bearings, and bushings.
The 2029 is not only the work of a master artist, but one of those rare machines that elevates the form, re-calibrating the boundaries of what’s possible and taking us into a whole new era of design. Congratulations to Bryan Fuller, Bobby Haas, and their respective teams — we’re simply staggered, and thrilled for the future of two-wheeled customization.
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, etc. It’s really fun when you start a project with just a frame. Nothing to deal with except to see where your mind takes you.” A few more days and a Triumph Bonneville engine shows up. At this point, Paul looks at the engine and frame sitting in his garage and realises how much work this is going to be. “I have to give a shout-out to Richard Pollock from Mule Motorcycles – I spent some hours on the phone with him asking questions and just listening to his Triumph knowledge.”
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