[Automaton]

If you think retro is cool and would love to own an exclusive ride, this is it.

The Widowmak'r (that's how it is spelt) from the Steampunk Holmes series is in production and sales will commence this year. It is being hand built by Putsch Racing, (the restorers of vintage automobiles and the creators of the world's first turbine powered Bat mobile), and will be street and US legal in 2012 itself.

I have written to Noble Beast Motors to know more about the engine and specifications of the beast, will update this page as soon as I have the information.

The pics had me drooling, even though I would prefer a cafe racer over a chopper.










BACKGROUND
If anyone loved the movie Wild Wild West, or to a lesser extent, Jonah Hex, this is a bike right up their street.

Before we come to the bike, a little introduction into the 'why this design' and 'Steampunk' concept.

There is a whole genre out there which is dedicated to the steam era. We all know that the inventions that shook the world in the 18th and the 19th century were mostly based on steam.

The steampunk body of work (Books, Graphic Novels, design philosophies) takes on imaginative worlds created by HG Wells and Jules Verne, among others and incorporates a whole lot of science fiction, fantasy, horror, alternative history, and so on.

So we have books and television series that we may have seen: QED; 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea; The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen; even a reference in Back To The Future Part 3.

Steampunk is an alternative world, and was coined to define this style. Cyberpunk, clockpunk are other styles.


STEAMPUNK HOLMES by Richard Monson-Haefel
In 'Steampunk Holmes', a series of stories by Richard Monson-Haefel, Sherlock's ride, the Widowmak'r (Steampunk Holmes' Motorcycle) is created with the help of an old cantankerous genius of an inventor and scientist in a small workshop.

He is responsible for creating other steam machines and devices too, but we will stick to the motorbike. The bike, for its insane power was aptly named named Widowmak'r by the scientist.

Originally conceptualized by Mikky Solifague of Solifague Design, a Russian Design House, it was used as a reference in the Steampunk Holmes series. Obviously, it runs on steam power.

Now, Putsch Racing (the guys who made the first turbines powered Bat Car) have designed an actually running motorcycle with a petrol engine (thankfully) that will be on sale in 2012 itself. Custom Built on order of course.

Check more pictures here: Steampunk Holmes Bike | Putsch Racing

For those interested in owning a unique chopper, follow them on Twitter to know when it is launched this year: @noblebeastmotor

[Automaton]

So the details are as follows, as supplied by Noble Beast Motors on Twitter.

"The engine is a Moto Guzzi Griso engine. 1200cc aircooled twin, 6 spd transmission, 110 hp and 80 foot pounds of torque."

That is a lot of steam to take you anywhere comfortably.
Anyone thinking of a pre-order?

[Indraneel Bhat]

Makes more sense in a musuem or art gallery than the road.

[Automaton]

Indraneel,

Let's see at the end of the year when they actually put out a street version and a magazine manages to get hold of it.
Its road or museum-worthiness should be clearer then.

Obviously the Widowmak'r will not be a run of the mill production bike but will have its own fan following. A very niche audience indeed.