2016 Custom Built Motorcycles Grand Prix

Description

Please carefully read the full description of this bike before bidding. This award winning custom cafe bike by Ardent Motorcycles is called the “Grand Prix.” The design is derived from the British racing and cafe bikes of the 1950's and 60's. This bike was selected for and exhibited at the Hand Built Motorcycle show in Austin, TX and the Mama Tried show in Milwaukee. It has been published in magazines in France and Japan (print copies of the magazines included with the bike) and it has won it's class at all of the competitive motorcycle shows at which it has been entered. The bike has a hand fabricated frame, controls, and swingarm. The fairings and tanks were hand formed from sheet aluminum. The Engine is a Sportster 1200 with a Power Commander to adjust fueling to the air filter and exhaust. It has been dyno tuned and makes 80 hp and 80 lbft of torque. Suspension, wheels and tires and brakes are all modern sport bike parts. A video of the bike starting, running and driving with audio of the exhaust note is available on YouTube. Just search for Grand Prix Ardent Motorcycles.The bike has been extensively tested, is in excellent running order with a new Shorai lithium ion battery and fresh brake fluid and oil. The bike makes a clunking noise when run over rough surfaces such as broken pavement or railroad tracks at low speeds. The noise disappears at higher speeds, even over very rough surfaces. The noise has been there since the first ride and I have searched extensively for the source with no luck in finding it. The steering bearings are correctly adjusted and the front end has been rebuilt with new bushings and seals. I have looked for any sign of clearance issues but the noise remains. I have experienced no problems of any kind in the performance or handling of the bike, but it would be wise to look for the source of the noise. Please contact me with any questions. The bike is available for inspection at any time up to the end of the auction. *Note that the bike's appearance varies slightly between the two sets of pictures. I changed the color of the seat and added a quieter muffler since the original pictures were taken on the street. The night pictures taken at the Mama Tried show illustrate the current state of the bike with the black diamond stitched seat, quieter exhaust, and no wraps on the grips. The YouTube video shows the current state of the bike.