Audette wowed the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show earlier this year with this black Velos . Note the slightly different exhaust layout that tucks in the header pipe for additional lean-angle clearance .
been retained , and the prototype I rode used a Barnett clutch pack . Customer bikes can be fitted with a Rekluse centrifugal clutch as found on some modern MV Agusta models , which prevents stalling the engine and doesn ’ t require touching the clutch lever once underway .
The stock ECU and vehicle- control module remain , hidden behind the pair of aluminum flaps that serve as the fuel tank covers . The stock motor ’ s three- cam pushrod valve- gear format with hydraulic lifters remains unchanged , as do the diameters of the two overhead valves per cylinder .
Performance has been boosted with cylinder heads reworked by Baisley Hi- Performance . Kibblewhite forged stainless steel valves are operated via new camshafts and pushrods .
“ The brief we gave them was lift the performance and put the powerband right where we wanted it in the 3,000 to 3,500 rev range ,” Audette said .
Photo courtesy Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
Geometry Lessons The Thunderstroke motor was scanned in 3- D by a buddy working at Pratt & Whitney Aerospace so Audette could reverse engineer it into a CAD model to use when designing his chassis .
“ That way I knew exactly where the four mounting points were – and where the engine should fit in my frame design ,” Audette explained . He used finite- element analysis to ensure all the stress points were addressed so he could achieve the optimum stiffness- to- weight ratio in the design , resulting in a claimed wet weight of just 467 lb .
“ A main focus ,” Audette elaborated , “ was on reducing unsprung mass and centralizing the heavier components to the front and bottom of the motorcycle . The center of gravity with the rider on board is
AMERICANRIDER . COM | OCTOBER 2023 | 41