"This is the answer to an engineering question that no one has asked" Great line Jay! I love your videos and the fact that your from my home town! Thanks for the vids!
If this megola contraption had: strong electric motor that could run long periods, bigger battery and ability to start engine when moving on electric then it could be first hybrid motorcycle :)
In 1924 the racing version won the over-500cc German Motorcycle Championship - brilliant stuff! Known for their wonderful handling - and what a glorious sound!
Amazing. I made a 65cc motorised pedal bike, but at least it has a clutch, this machine is a health and safety nightmare, I would love to see a German in Munchen in the 20's Orbit....Don't think I've ever seen anyone Orbit a vehicle before...Maybe the guy who did the first Orbit invented the Donut...:-)
Totally unique and totally impractical but there wasn't much traffic on the roads back then so it worked in in the 1920's traffic which had horses and people.
Wow, what a half baked design. Megola: For those times you don't look both ways before turning! Megola: What's a left turn? Megola: Hopfully your brakes never give out.
had a mini bike like that when l was a kid, no brake,s clothes pins hammered into the burnt out clutch, and the throttle was wide open,, yeah ha lets ride,,
This is the most psychotic, insane piece of engineering craziness I've ever seen! It begs the question, of course, HOW did they come up with that? But first: WHY did they come up with that?? Damn Germans and their crazy ideas! Lol!
Excellent comment. By 1922 no new plane was still using spinning engines, but as you said the technology was repurposed to use on the ground: Spinning engines on bikes and cars .
An early radial engine for aircraft by Gnome rotated like this. The crankshaft was mounted to the firewall, the propeller was mounted to the engine housing, and the entire engine rotated with the propeller. The engine doubled as a flywheel. It did help lubrication, in most radials the bottom cylinders got too much oil so tended to burn oil & needed to be cleaned often, the top cylinders got too little oil so there was excessive wear. I presume the cylinders to either side were just right.
I could not stop laughing when jay described that. This has to be the most imbecilic thing I have ever seen. and watching the whole motor go around with the wheel. one of jay's best quotes ever " An answer to an engineering question that had never been asked" This could truly be called a clown bike.
will Jay Leno I guess I have to say again you've done it again there's the most bizarre motorcycle I have ever seen must be rare I've never seen one pretty nice
Jay misses a huge part of the history of automotive design: airplanes. Most automotive technology was borrowed from planes in the early days. In lots of airplanes of the era, the engine spun with the prop. This bike has a plane engine (scaled down, of course) turned sideways. This wasn't the answer to a question nobody asked, it was repurposing the technology that already existed.
It's defiantly a chopper, and like a chopper it was designed to be ergonomic. You have to remember that this was a time when few Germans owned cars, so there was a market for comfortable motorcycles.
It's a solution looking for a problem. Front wheel drive bikes have some very unpredictable characteristics, especially on loose surfaces. Also, it's about 2000 times easier to use electric hubs for these sorts of applications, in today's world. Time for bikes to be 2 wheel drive.
The rotary engine was used extensively in WW1 aircraft, so wasn't as radical as it seems now. Also, look at the seat and the handlebars, this was an early attempt at and easy rider, and in a lot of ways, it was successful.
They should have considered having some kind of mechanical or hydraulic mechanism for when you stop the front wheel temporarily comes off the ground…Lol
It's a privilege to be able to see one of these machines running, thanks Jay.
"This is the answer to an engineering question that nobody asked."
"This is the answer to an engineering question that no one has asked" Great line Jay! I love your videos and the fact that your from my home town! Thanks for the vids!
Except the engineering question was asked. In aircraft engines.
Parts department? Yes, I'm looking for a front wheel axle that is also the engine intake manifold...hello? Hello?
I love the sound of this bike! I think it will be on display at Virgil's museum in Solvang.
If this megola contraption had: strong electric motor that could run long periods, bigger battery and ability to start engine when moving on electric then it could be first hybrid motorcycle :)
That is by far the best sounding motorcycle I’ve ever heard
Just amazing to be able to hear this run.
Glad i was fortunate enough to help get this bike to run correctly for Pebble beach , thanks Virgil
Wow, that sound is to die for. Sounds absolutely fantastic. Unlike anything sold today.
Yes, the roar of a radial engine is great!
Best sounding motorcycle engine ever? :o
It sounds amazing !
It sounds fantastic, though I can't imagine ever wanting to try riding it.
OMG when the old guy chimed in with "no common sense" i laughed so hard
Chemdog
Awesome, I cannot imagine how hard will be to drive that bike. It's like driving a motorcycle without clutch lever, if you stop it just turns off.
In 1924 the racing version won the over-500cc German Motorcycle Championship - brilliant stuff!
Known for their wonderful handling - and what a glorious sound!
I love how oil is slowly dripping down on the front tire. Awesome bike
Speechless..this was so entertaining❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
totally impressed by the note on this old thing
The Solvang Museum this gentleman owns is a magnificent place.
Amazing. I made a 65cc motorised pedal bike, but at least it has a clutch, this machine is a health and safety nightmare, I would love to see a German in Munchen in the 20's Orbit....Don't think I've ever seen anyone Orbit a vehicle before...Maybe the guy who did the first Orbit invented the Donut...:-)
Totally unique and totally impractical but there wasn't much traffic on the roads back then so it worked in in the 1920's traffic which had horses and people.
Wow, what a half baked design.
Megola: For those times you don't look both ways before turning!
Megola: What's a left turn?
Megola: Hopfully your brakes never give out.
THANKSGIVING
? is your Megola running now
so odd you'd think it was french. thanks jay!
It is impossible to drive :D Still, I love it and would like to see Jay's one.
This guy doesn't even no the bike more $$$ than brains💪💪
had a mini bike like that when l was a kid, no brake,s clothes pins hammered into the burnt out clutch, and the throttle was wide open,, yeah ha lets ride,,
What's up Mustie 1 love your channel
This is the most psychotic, insane piece of engineering craziness I've ever seen! It begs the question, of course, HOW did they come up with that? But first: WHY did they come up with that?? Damn Germans and their crazy ideas! Lol!
Excellent comment. By 1922 no new plane was still using spinning engines, but as you said the technology was repurposed to use on the ground: Spinning engines on bikes and cars
.
Hey Jay! Do an episode about your Megola!
It sounds really good for a 20's bike.
it sounds like heaven to me
An early radial engine for aircraft by Gnome rotated like this. The crankshaft was mounted to the firewall, the propeller was mounted to the engine housing, and the entire engine rotated with the propeller. The engine doubled as a flywheel.
It did help lubrication, in most radials the bottom cylinders got too much oil so tended to burn oil & needed to be cleaned often, the top cylinders got too little oil so there was excessive wear. I presume the cylinders to either side were just right.
Fascinating.
5:40 Does this mean Mr. Leno will make a video covering his Megola?!
4:10 you have to whisper “komm mein Schatz, du schaffst das” to it for it to start properly
Mind blown!
loool i love how you have to go around in circles at a stop sign n red light!!! that would be funny to see
Back in 1922 there were no Red Lights or Stop Signs....
I could not stop laughing when jay described that. This has to be the most imbecilic
thing I have ever seen. and watching the whole motor go around with the wheel.
one of jay's best quotes ever " An answer to an engineering question that had never been asked" This could truly be called a clown bike.
And I thought that my '48 Chief required some skill to ride. I'td be OK to ride on an abandoned air base though!
Cool machine
the leaf spring rear suspension is nice.
Awesome.!!
The guys lough at 0:36 is amazing xD like a hamster..
T=up - very cool
Wow! Frame no. 001!
Amazing Technology!
"An answer to an engineering question that had never been asked".
Ze increased gyro-effect must make this sled a bear to lean into a curve...at speed.
Especially with a front tire dripping with spent oil!
Amélie Renoncule Try leaning an old harley into a turn... with the rear tire dripping with spent oil...
That is one sexy engine purr
Awesome!!
That thing sounds powerful
sounds awesome
Jay, please take yours apart, if you get a chance. I'd love to see how that engine works.
This sounds great for me, it is less likely to flip, and there is no transmission losses.
will Jay Leno I guess I have to say again you've done it again there's the most bizarre motorcycle I have ever seen must be rare I've never seen one pretty nice
Franklin Walker з
amazing !
Amazing.
All I can say is what the hell lol sounds great
Ive seen it in person!
WOW, that is Beautifully Overkill Stupid. Did not expect such a powerfull deep rumble from that engine, then again it is rotary.
That thing sounds great ~ like a wee airplane !?
Motorcycle for WW I Pilots
10/10 Jay
fascinating!
Die ersten Radialmotoren im Flugzeugbau waren die gleiche Konstruktion. Statt des Rades war ein Propeller montiert.
i wish hybrids had these engines on each wheel..... when you stop, engine stops lol
wow this is so crazy
Oh yes, you are right.
I am used to a rotary being a wankel, didn't know they were both called the same thing.
Amazing! J
It's a rotary engine - not a radial.
yes , , , but only when you start it like here's shown and then take it of it's center stand ;-)
So you need to push/bump start it after every time you come to a stop?
Jay misses a huge part of the history of automotive design: airplanes. Most automotive technology was borrowed from planes in the early days. In lots of airplanes of the era, the engine spun with the prop. This bike has a plane engine (scaled down, of course) turned sideways. This wasn't the answer to a question nobody asked, it was repurposing the technology that already existed.
Exactly, especially since this was conceived by former aircraft designers who had become unemployed due to the construction restrictions for aircraft.
Exactly, especially since this was conceived by former aircraft designers who had become unemployed due to the construction restrictions for aircraft.
cool stuff
Are the sparkplugs exposed? How will it work in rain?
Kind of hard to do wheelies. Now I'll go orbit my Harley.
Oh I get it, little kids put baseball cards on the rims because the engine use to be on the rims
looks like a chopper for some really nerdy guy :D
It's defiantly a chopper, and like a chopper it was designed to be ergonomic. You have to remember that this was a time when few Germans owned cars, so there was a market for comfortable motorcycles.
That sounds like it has a lot of power
Boo Hooo 13hp
I’m disappointed Jay’s not wearing a denim suit, 😔.
may have been already stated but looks more closely related to WWI fighter plane engine design
I'll be damned. An FWD motorcycle from the 20's!
cool!
It's a solution looking for a problem. Front wheel drive bikes have some very unpredictable characteristics, especially on loose surfaces. Also, it's about 2000 times easier to use electric hubs for these sorts of applications, in today's world. Time for bikes to be 2 wheel drive.
*****
Ubco 2x2. Google it. Small motorcycle company from here in New Zealand doing electric utility motorcycles for farmers, etc.
The rotary engine was used extensively in WW1 aircraft, so wasn't as radical as it seems now. Also, look at the seat and the handlebars, this was an early attempt at and easy rider, and in a lot of ways, it was successful.
Alex Paulsen
Alex Paulsen
Im surprised it didn't have a blip button...lol
will it drift?
It is not a radial engine Jay.
Its like a LeRhone rotary on a WW1 aircraft
A Mystery, Cloaked In A Paradox, Wrapped In An Enigma...
This shows what German engineers are capable of.
wow. what idiot/genius came up with this bike? hahah...
Well have u worked on yours Jay?????????????
Its time for me to orbit..
@AlexR2648 Yeah I was kidding, jay was kidding around in the vid so I just felt like saying something dumb. Thanks though
They should have considered having some kind of mechanical or hydraulic mechanism for when you stop the front wheel temporarily comes off the ground…Lol
Me and You are the only two people in the U.S. that have one, BROOOOMANCE ESTABLISHED!
can anyone imagine how huge the wheel would have to be for a v8? XD
Its not a Radial engine Jay... its a Rotary engine... Millet type Rotary
Wizard of OZ should be rewritten to include this machine
Sounds like a old Franklin .
Interesting.