Rikuo V-twin
A Harley from the land of the Rising Sun
January/February 2007
By Margie Siegal
 |
The Rikuo’s 747cc side-valve V-twin is a dead ringer for the flathead engine Harley-Davidson launched in 1929, first as a 738cc and followed shortly by a 1,213cc version.
Neale Bayly
|
Years produced: 1953-1957
Total production: N/A
Claimed power: 22hp @ 4,250rpm
Top speed: 70mph
Engine type: 747cc side-valve, air-cooled V-twin
Weight: 230kg (506lb)
Price then: N/A
Price now: $12,000-$15,000
MPG: 35-40 (est.)
RELATED CONTENT
From Triumph cylinder kits to Arai’s latest helmet, these are six cool products every classic bike ...
Motorcycle shops used to be small, friendly, family-owned affairs. These days, a lot of motorcycle ...
Keeping any classic machine on the road is a combination of who you know and what you know, and thi...
Rockers and mods coexist, Texas style...
“Nothing tickles me more than annoying Harley riders who bought a new bike six months ago and don’t know how to change their own oil,” Troyce Walls says. But then, Troyce always has liked making waves.
You may remember Troyce from our May/June 2006 issue, where we highlighted his gorgeous 1973 Kawasaki Z1 — along with his habit of annoying British motorcycle enthusiasts by comparing the handling of his Z1 to that of a Norton Commando. Like we said, Troyce likes making waves.
Troyce’s favorite way to confuse the Bar and Shield crowd is his Rikuo. “The Rikuo is fun at shows,” says Troyce, grinning as he speaks. “People don’t realize that it’s ‘Made In Japan.’ They think it’s a Harley VL flathead until they see the nameplate.”
The Rikuo looks like a Harley because it is based on Harley’s design for a side-valve V-twin, because Harley-Davidson taught the Japanese how to set up the Rikuo motorcycle factory and because Harley-Davidson sold the parent company the blueprints for its side valve V-twin. Yes, believe it or not, this all really happened.
Back in the day …
The story of the Rikuo begins about four centuries ago. European traders had discovered Japan, which was split into fiefdoms engaged in a prolonged civil war. The victor, Tokugawa Ieyasu, clamped down on contact with the outside world. He believed that the Europeans were supporting one or another faction in attempts to gain control over the country.
Fast forward to 1853 when American warships, under the command of Admiral Perry, paid an unwelcome visit to Japan and forced the country to open its doors to outsiders. By 1867 it was clear to the Japanese government that it had a choice: Either become a colony like so many other non-European countries, or learn European technology as fast as possible. Japan chose to modernize, and put as much energy into learning Western ways as it previously had in keeping foreign influence out. By the early 1900s, Japan was beginning to industrialize, and was becoming a power in Far Eastern affairs. Transportation was key to Japanese development, but most Japanese roads were narrow, unpaved tracks.
The beginning of an industry
The Japanese were interested in motorcycles as inexpensive transportation. A few Japanese inventors were turning out prototype machines, but there was no real indigenous motorcycle industry and a limited choice of imports. It was at this point that Alfred Rich Child entered the scene.
Page: 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Next >>