The Bike
by: Dain Gingerelli
September/October 2007 - Iron Works:
There’s never been an American-made V-Twin motorcycle quite like the Shelby. Beneath its standard-for-2007 red over snow paint scheme are quick-change carbon fiber and Superform Aluminum body panels that give the bike its unique profile. To minimize weight (550 pounds) and bulk (total height of 42 inches), the fuel is stored in the frame and the oil tank resides in the swingarm.
Suspension is handled by an inverted fork, and air governs the rear. The carbon fiber wheels---17x3.5” front and 18x10.5” rear---are wrapped with Metzler 120 (front) and 300 (rear) rubber. Wilwood 4-piston calipers clamp down on a pair of ceramic front brake discs, and the single rear disc also uses a Wilwood 4-pot.
The Shelby’s seat height is set at 23 inches, and ground clearance should be, according to Rucker Performance, about 3.5 inches. Remember, this bike is designed to be a Pro Stock racer, so a low profile is crucial to minimize drag.
Indeed, a faring conceals the handlebars and large-dial tachometer, and even the 3-inch open primary drive is shrouded by carbon fiber body panels. You’ll also find the 128-cubic-inch X-Wedge engine under there too. Standard models feature S&S Cycle’s closed-loop fuel injection, although supercharging is an option for the EPA-legal engine. The estimated 160 horsepower will gallop through a JIMS 6-speed gearbox, with final drive a tried and trusted chain.
The Shelby should hit the streets soon, but the goal is to make it to the starting line at the drag strip. “We want to get enough bikes homologated so we can get the body in the Pro Stock division,” said Bill Rucker. And that’s when the real excitement should begin for The Shelby.
