Max Hazan is one of the lucky custom builders that can take his time with a project. It is a good thing too as he was over a year creating this custom bike from an old 1949 BSA 500, and the result is nothing short of spectacular! A lot of it was completely fabricated and even the 500cc engine is 15% newly crafted.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of this BSA is the sleek, full rear fender cover that conceals every moving part apart from the rear sprocket (which also functions as an axle that can slide out to drop the 19″ rear wheel). The huge aluminum rear fender took the builder five tries to perfect so it could work with the external sprocket and still include an integrated chain tensioner. The front suspension was carved from 2’” x 1” steel bars. The linkages, front hub, shocks, and headlight are all hand made, while for the oil tank, Max first tried brass and then aluminum before finally settling on Pyrex heat-resistant glass (the result is spectacular, as you can see in the pics below). The headlight bowl holds a pair of vintage 6 volt GE bulbs. It looks heavier than its mere 315 pounds.
Max (check out his other impressive build, The Musket) admits this BSA 500 sounds and rides “like a tractor” but is quite happy with its performance and power. Tractor or not, this 2-wheeler is without a doubt an outstanding mechanical art piece! [via]
