At first glance, this spectacular JAP V8 motorcycle looks like a restored, 100-year-old original. However, it is a self-built project by Czech Pavel Malanik, which began in 2017 and is based on the Curtiss V8. In 1906, the American racing driver Glenn Curtiss surprised everyone with this first V8 motorcycle in the world with the aim of setting speed records. In 1907, almost 220 km/h were documented with the Curtiss V8.
At the beginning of the last century, J.A.P. was a major engine manufacturer and also had aircraft engines in its range, such as a V8 aircraft engine from the turn of the century, which Pavel liked. Since he could no longer find one for his project, he quickly began to rebuild it with the help of the two or three museum pieces that still existed.
The result was a JAP V8 that had never existed before. Nevertheless, at first glance it looks like an original from the 1900s or 1910s with an aircraft-derived V8 engine with a total displacement of 4.4 liters. Peak power of around 50 hp is reached at just 1,300 rpm. The V8 only needs to idle at 200 revolutions per minute. Before every journey, almost 100 points on the valve train of the V8 have to be lubricated using a hand pump. The engine is started externally with a small starter motor, and the fuel-air mixture has to be meticulously adjusted using several levers on the central carburetor. Fortunately, it is sufficient to start at least one cylinder to get the other seven running.
What a breathtaking motorcycle. It has already won its first prizes and more are likely to follow!
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