Here’s A V8 Cruiser Motorcycle Which Makes Harley-Davidsons Seem Meh

Summary

• Features an eight-cylinder engine sourced from Ford, but with notable updates.
• Has a hand-made custom chassis, telescopic forks, and 16-inch spoke wheels with dual front disc brakes.
• The design is muscular and retro, with retro touches like round lights and a distinct split-fuel tank.

Cruiser motorcycles have a lengthy history and are deeply embedded in American culture. These motorcycles feature a low seat height and laid-back riding stance. Often, bikemakers also throw in ape hangers, making cruisers extremely comfortable to do exactly what’s intended: cruise on the freeway.

If there is something as iconic as cruisers themselves, it is perhaps the V8 engine made popular by none other than Ford. And as poles apart as the motorcycles and V8 engines seem, yes, V8 motorcycles exist. Albeit in small numbers, in the form of highly limited production models. Out of them, only a few of these numbered V8 bikes are cruisers. Today, we’re talking about one such extraordinary offering that blends two iconic entities of the American automotive culture together. It’s made entirely in America by an American and features an eight-cylinder engine sourced from Ford. Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles fans, prepare to be jealous!

UPDATE: 2024/04/18 13:58 EST BY UTKARSH SOOD

It’s not every day you see a mammoth V8 engine mounted on two wheels. So in order to keep our readers updated, we have refreshed this article with new information including the closest competitors.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from the manufacturer’s website and other authoritative sources.

The Olson V8 Flathead Motorcycle Has A 2,228cc, Eight Cylinder Powerhouse

An Engine Built By Ford Between 1937-1940

From an inline-four and inline-triple to V4 and V-twin, we’ve seen bikemakers plonk all kinds of engines into cruisers. Heck, Honda even produced the six-cylinder Valkyrie in the early 2000s. But the cruiser in context here charts an entirely different path. It employs a liquid-cooled, eight-cylinder (V8) engine that displaces 2,228 cubic centimeters (136ci).

As mentioned above, the engine comes straight from Ford. Then, it went under a proper rebuild to meet motorcycle dimensions and fitments, among other changes. For instance, you can spot four cylinders on each side, which converge into two custom four-into-one side-mounted exhausts. Olson also throws in an electric fuel pump, plus a Holley 94 carburetor for feeding the fuel. The output lies at a humble 60 horsepower, along with a torque figure of over 100 pound-feet.

Interestingly, there’s no one-down-five-up transmission, as it has a single-speed chain system. So just let the clutch out, and you’ll instantly have all the power at your helm. The top speed is said to be over 100 miles per hour. Yes, we know the output is a lot lower than your usual assortment of H-D offerings, but hey, this isn’t a ‘usual’ product.

Aside from the exclusivity, the flathead V8 is one of the most important engines in the history of American automobiles. It was the first mass-produced mill of its kind and powered the first ‘affordable’ V8 car in America: the 1932 Ford. Such engines still enjoy a cult following nowadays (even the 2024 Ford Mustang has a five-liter V8 engine, for your reference).

There Are Plenty Of Custom Parts On The Olsen V8 Flathead

Making It A One-Off Two-Wheeler

Like the engine, the cruiser has plenty of standout tidbits elsewhere. It’s built around a hand-made, fully custom hardtail chassis, carved from tubular steel. This is topped by telescopic forks up top, along with a set of 16-inch spoke wheels. The latter comes shod with chunky tires and wears dual disc brakes up top.

To enjoy these, you sit aboard a single saddle. It’s suspended on dual springs, with no space for a third between you and your cruiser. Once aboard, your feet go on front-set floorboards, while the hands rest on an uber-wide tubular handlebar. A four-pod instrument cluster – with readouts such as oil pressure, speed, tachometer, and odometer – is the centerpiece of the cockpit. The gauges are all sourced from AutoMeter, whereas the switchgear all comes straight from Harley-Davidson cruisers.

The Olson Flathead V8 Motorcycle Has A Simple Yet Charming Design

Refinished In Red With Black Stripes And Gold Accents

In typical American cruiser fashion, the Flathead appears muscular, long, low, and old-school. The latter is thanks to plenty of retro touches, such as the round lights (tail lamp, headlight, turn signals), spoke wheels, chrome springs, and chrome cylinder heads. A close look reveals a distinct split-fuel tank (probably a first for an American cruiser). The reason for the setup is to make space for the intake manifold, carburetor, and air cleaner. It might seem weird when you’re riding, but we think it gives the motorcycle extra character when standing. Oh, and Olson can also help you personalize the bike. The brass finish on the headlight and radiator shown here are both non-standard inclusions.

The Origin Of The Olson’s V8 Flathead Motorcycle Company

Headed By A Flathead Cruiser Expert

Next, allow us to give you a lowdown about the company. It’s spearheaded by Dave Olson, a resident of Maple Park, Illinois. He’s a customization expert who’s built all kinds of motorcycles since the 1960s and Ford-powered flathead cruisers for over 20 years. Sadly, there’s no news about whether the company is still operating. However, we do know there are only a handful of these worldwide. Whoever has one, keeps it as a prized possession – a reason you’ll rarely find one with a ‘for sale’ tag. And if you do, prepare to shell out at least $15,000 for a clean used example. That’s how much the 2014 model you see here sold for just days ago.

The Olson Flathead V8 Isn’t The Only V8 Cruiser

It Competes With An Eight-Cylinder American-Made Cruiser

Lastly, we look at other, similar motorcycles powered by a V8 engine. Kicking things off is the first V8 bike ever built by Glenn Curtiss, who brought the Curtiss V8 to life at the start of the 20th century. It had a V8 engine that he designed himself, although it resembled a bicycle frame more than a motorbike. There have been a few notable names since, such as the Norton Nemesis, Aurora Hellfire OZ26, and Larazeth LM 847, but none of them are based on a cruiser platform… except one.

The Boss Hoss Classic Cruiser is one such V8 motorcycle that is still up for grabs even today. And guess what, it comes from an American company! It has a Chevy eight-cylinder engine and there are three variants available: the GM LS 3, the 383 Stroker, and the 454 Small Block, which come with three distinct engine capacities (6,200cc, 6,300cc, and 7,439cc). Every trim generates staggering power from 445 horsepower and 445 pounds-feet of torque in the smallest engine to 563 horsepower and 545 pounds-feet of torque in the biggest.

This output is freakishly more than what the Olson Flathead V8 is capable of. But it is unfair to compare the two engines, considering the Ford V8 in Olson was only produced from 1937 to 1940. Nevertheless, it just goes to show if you are looking for a V8 cruiser in 2024, you won’t be disappointed. As for the appearance, the Boss Hoss features a traditional long-flowing cruiser look with plenty of chrome touches throughout. Oh, and there’s mention of a top speed of 221 MPH on paper!

Comparing Olson Flathead V8 With Boss Hoss Classic Cruiser

Source – Bring A Trailer, Silodrome, Boss Hoss