This bike has the lie forward sort of riding position that the WidowMaker will have.

The WidowMaker will not have the very extreme forward, bum in the air positioning that race type bike's eg Ducati 996 have.

This bike below is a Confederate and its styling has a large influence upon the final look of the WidowMaker.

You may be wondering why there are pictures of other bikes here and no pictures of the WidowMaker. Well the first bike has not been built yet and any concept sketches etc will not be accurate to the finished article. As soon as there are some pictures to show they will be on this site.

Considering the size of the engine it could be thought that the bike would be very wide. This is not the case because the actual width of the engine is not much wider than a standard 4-cylinder engine. The bikes below is a drag racing bike and has a styling along the lines of that of the WidowMaker. The large rear tyre will be a feature of the WidowMaker.

The bike below is a very long one. It runs in top fuel drag racing and is very fast. It is wider than the WidowMaker will be but seems to handle ok down the 1/4 mile.

Below is the widest bike I have seen and it runs down the 1/4 mile very quickly.

The Engine.

MDC has undergone an extensive search for the perfect engine for the bike and has found it. MDC are using a V8 motor and have decided to buck the tradition of V8 motorcycles and have a engine that sits east west in the bike. This avoids the big problem V8 bikes have with large amounts of torque steer. It also allows the use of the standard gear box with the engine in this case a 4 speed fully computer controlled automatic box.

It is of course an American engine and NOT a FORD either. This is a motor from the General. And out of no less an automobile than the Cadillac.

The specs are as follows...

Northstar 4.6L V-8, 32-valve DOHC
ECT: 300 hp, 295 lbs-ft torque

Aluminum block and heads
Compression ratio: 10.3:1
Tuned-port fuel injection
Crank-triggered ignition
Fuel: Premium
Driveline

Front-wheel drive/transverse engine
Four-speed automatic transmission
Viscous converter clutch
Final drive ratio:
ECT: 3.71:1
Eldorado: 3.11:1

The specs are for the standard engine but here is the engine that will be used in the WidowMaker..

Note the addition of twin turbo's.

This we baby has an output of 600Hp.

This is the motor with the tappet covers on it.

The Northstar Engine
For the non-tech people who are reading this, it may be interesting to give some basic information on engine design. So what makes the Northstar engine so very special ? First of all it is of the Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) design. That means that camshafts are not located centrally, as in a classic engine. Instead the camshafts are mounted above the valves. This means that there is no longer need for pushrods or rocker arms, eliminating a lot of internal friction and power loss. "Hey", I hear you say. "You are constantly talking about camshafts (plural ), why's that ?". You are right, "normal" engines only have one camshaft, which is centrally located in the V-block. The Northstar (and some other American and European V8's) has multiple camshafts. Each cylinder head has two camshafts, mounted above the valves. The reason for having more than one camshaft per cylinder head, is the amount of valves that are involved in the Northstar. Again, "normal" engines only have two valves per cylinder (one intake and one exhaust). In order to allow better engine breathing and better cylinder filling, the Northstar has two intake valves and two exhaust valves per cylinder, totaling 32 valves. Having only one camshaft per head, would result in this camshaft operating on 16 valves. Not only would this require a special valve layout, but it would also result in an enormous loss due to unnecessary friction. With a DOHC design, one camshaft operates the intake valves, the other one the exhaust valves. So as a matter of fact, the Northstar has four camshafts, compared to one as in a classic V8 (like the Cadillac 4.9 liter). Another reason why the Northstar is so special, is that is made completely out of aluminum. This makes the engine considerably lighter than one in cast iron. The Northstar engine weighs about 230 kg, about the same as the 4.9, despite the additional valves, camshafts and related chain-drive components. When you make a car lighter, you have less dead mass to drag with you, and you get an overall more performant machine (the so-called horsepower to weight ratio). The Northstar engine has a host of other improvements over the 4.9, amongst them a special modulating intake manifold and a special kind of distributor. A normal engine uses a device which contains a rotor or cam to close contact points and create a spark. This always implies using moving parts, subject to wear. The Northstar Engine does not have any moving parts in its iginition system. Magnetic sensors are positioned at the crankshaft and camshafts. Those sensors are triggered by notches in the crankshaft and camshaft. These generate an ON-OFF pulse wave, similar to the open-closed position of classic breaker-points. This wave is interpreted by the ignition module, containing 4 ignition coils (1 coil per 2 opposed cylinders). As the wave signal enters the ignition module, a high energy voltage is generated in the appropriate coil, resulting in two simultaneous sparks in the opposing cylinders. Since one cylinder is at its exhaust stroke, this spark will have no effect. This system is called waste spark ignition

The 4T80-E Transmission
The 4T80-E tranmission is the latest generation of the GM's Turbo-Hydramatic (THM) family of automatic transmissions. These transmissions are world renowned for ruggedness and reliability. THM transmissions are being used in cars and trucks from different makes, including Rolls Royce and Ferrari. Starting in 1966, GM has to make a drastic change to some of its THM transmissions, as they introduced front wheel drive Oldsmobile Toronado. Cadillac got the new tranny in 1967 in the front wheel drive Eldorado. Drivetrain layout on front wheel drive cars is such that the driven wheels are located under the powerplant and not behind it. Hence, the transfer of power must make some twists and turns before it can reach the front wheels. GM solved this matter ingeniously by actually folding the transmission. The tranmission parts behind the convertor were put in the folded part under the engine. A special chain linked the upper part (actually the convertor) with the lower part and thus accomplished the "power transfer twist". Initially GM was laughed at by other engineers who claimed the chain would never last long, especially with the high torque engines the transmission would be mated with. As experience has shown, the chain is extremely durable and one of the most reliable parts of the transmission. The 4T80-E still uses this kind of chain to transfer power. However, it is completely governed by electronic components which guarantee unnoticeable shifts and high performance operation. The Northstar system takes care of the interaction between the engine and the transmission. For instance, just before an upshift takes place, the engine power output is reduced in order to avoid power transfer during the shifting phase. Furthermore, the transmission has a special adapt function. As transmissions are being used, their internal components (clutch plates, seals, springs) are subject to normal wear. As these components wear, the line pressure set at the factory is no longer valid for the optimum performance and comfort. That is why the 4T80-E constantly monitors its own shift harshness and slippage. Line pressure is adjusted accordingly.

The tyres-

It is only fitting that the fastest bike in the world should have the LARGEST (see coolest) rear tire possible. Now to put this into perspective the rear tires on a Top Fuel dragster are 18 inches across. Randy Parks below.

So after an extensive drinking session…. Oops I meant and extensive worldwide search for the widest road legal tire around I found it.

The sportsman tire shown above is available in a size of 21.5 inches across i.e. larger than the tire on the fire breathing Top Fuel dragster above. Big Too

Frame.
This is to be a Carbon Fibre Metal Alloy composite frame. This frame material has never to our knowledge been used in any motor vehicle to this date and will possibly revolutionise the way that composites are used within the industry. The technique bridges the gap between the use of a pure Carbon Fibre frame such as used by the Britten team and a normal alloy metal frame as currently used by most manufactures.

It has the advantages of the additional strength you get in using Carbon Fibre while maintaining the relative ease of construction and additional rigidity of the traditional metal alloy frame.

Wheels.

The rear of course needs to be wide to accommodate the wide tyre. The tyre is a Mickey Thompson and it makes sense that the wheel used should be mated to the tyre so at this stage it would be a Mickey Thompson rear wheel also. This is up for change at any stage however as there is some VERY good wheel manufactures here in Christchurch New Zealand.

The front wheel will need to be wide also. It will be a motorcycle type and a rim that is usually used on the rear of a bike. Weight is not as important as the speed rating and overall strength of this rim. It will be running a 200-width motorcycle tyre. This will allow it to easily cope with the greater than usual weight that will be on the front wheel.

Brakes.

MDC Motorcycles takes braking very seriously. Unlike some other large manufacturing companies whose bikes will easily sit on 160km/hr plus speeds we want to know with confidence that the brakes will be more than up to the job if needed.

The Nissan Six Pot Calliper as used on the Buell range is our choice if the best brake in the world and will be used on the front of the bike. The brake rotor used on the Buell is a massive 340mm floating stainless rotor. Now Buell only uses one of these on the front of their bike because it only needs one and still remains in my opinion the best brake on any modern motorcycle.

To ensure that the WidowMaker has MORE than enough breaking it will be using twin of the brakes from the Buell. This takes into account the addition weight the WidowMarker has over the Buell bikes.

Additional to the exceptional front brakes the WidowMaker has twin rear brakes. This allows for the maximum use of that very large rear tyre to drag down the speed of the bike when necessary. If anything the bike will end up being severely over braked and the brakes will need a gentle touch and gradual application. A pure pleasure on such a large fast bike.

Suspension.
This has not at this stage been nailed down to the specific suspension manufacturer that will be used. There needs to be a large amount of real life on the bike testing with different makes of suspension until the best performing for the specific bike is found. There are a few things set in stone at this stage however. Firstly large diameter inverted forks will be used at the front of the bike. These may be doubled up to cope with the additional weight over that of a normal bike. At the rear a single shock will be used. Although once again the rear shock also may need to be doubled up. This would work the same as a single shock set up but with two shocks set close together working upon the swing arm.

Body Work.
For the most part and certainly wherever possible this will be made from Carbon Fibre. The extensive use of this high tech and very strong material throughout the bike will enhance the look of the bike, and serve to reduce the weight whilst providing a very strong set of bodywork for the bike.
The paintwork will be by far the best that has ever been seen on a production motorcycle. It will be of the standard that is usually reserved for show winning custom motorcycles and each and ever bike produced will have the same artwork upon it. There will be an allowance for the personal wishes of the individual purchaser but the overall appearance of the bikes will be distinct and easily identifiable.


Additional Features.

Firstly the motor. Being capable of producing a whopping and in some circles what could be considered insane - 600 Hp. This may end up making a bike that is very difficult to handle eg it will begin to produce power about 5 minutes before it is started. And will finish about a day after it's turned off.

The solution to this is to be found in the unique Dial Your Own HorsePower system that is to be incorporated onto the bike. This is to give a continuously variable peak power output that can vary from 50 through to 600 Hp at the rear wheel. Now the figure that is displayed on the systems readout will be calibrated to be within 10% of the real output so that it is not just some meaningless number. This system also has a lock, so that when your best friend wants a ride on the bike you can lock it to a certain horsepower eg 76Hp. This will ensure that the bike and your friend will come back in one piece.

An additional bonus is that the engine wear will be greatly decreased due to the engine running at power levels much lower than that its capable of for most of the time.


A second feature that will set the bike apart from all others is the integrated sound system. This will comprise of 2 6X9-inch 200-watt speakers mounted in the faring. And one 10 inch 400 watt sub mounted into the tank. The sub will be ensuring that you can "Feel" the music. This is to be supplied with power from a 4X100 Watt amp. The sound source will consist of a 10-disc CD changer; a mini disc player and the most advanced and useful feature will be the addition of a MP3 player. The Mp3 player will be pre loaded with the music best suited to the bike. It will also have a variety of sounds of the bike available for play. This will save many times of starting the bike up just so people can listen to it. It will be a simple job of playing the MP3. There will be one of it idling, one doing a flat out pass down a drag strip and one of it revving up then idling.

The beauty of the MP3 system will be the owner's ability to add their own music to the mix without having to tie their CD's up in the changer.

The system will of course have a remote, as it will become the default music source wherever the bike goes. The bike will need and will have a battery that will be up to the job in terms of power storage and supply for this system.

Price.

The bike along with being the fastest in the world is also the most expensive as far as is known.

List price being NZ $209,995 for the WidowMaker.