Spotlight: The Javelina Motorcycle

Recently I rolled my bike into a favorite local hangout and noticed a crowd gathered around a trike, it was immediately apparent that this was no ordinary conversion. The concept of the design of this one was like nothing I had ever seen. As I joined the crowd of onlookers and got an opportunity to see it closer I was even more impressed. This was a thing of beauty, a work of art. Later I found out that the designer was a sculptor and had brought his sculpting artistic ability to play in creating this beauty.

The Javelina trike is the result of the fertile mind of D. Wallace Dean, who has been building custom motorcycles and hot rods, as well as more static forms of art, for discriminating customers since 1972.

A true multi-media artist, his works are in collections around the world. The merging of his passions has produced a three-wheeled motorcycle unlike any before it.

The first model is called the Javelina, and it is a unique combination of true motorcycle with modern automotive engine and transmission components. The foundation of all Alloy trikes is a Computer Aided Design frame based on a transverse-mounted mid engine design.

Most three-wheelers are created from two-wheel motorcycle conversions, or are assembled from such dated technology as the carbureted Chevrolet V-8’s, designed in the 1950’s, or Volkswagen Beetle motors, designed in the 1940’s. The Javelina makes use of modern automotive drive train technology that is compact and efficient, which results in an astounding power to weight ratio. The final product is extraordinary in both design and performance. There are no shortcuts taken or compromises made so you get a trike that performs the way a trike should: smooth and stable, with an abundance of power. The running components of the Javelina are just as creative and brilliantly designed as the exterior.

Where trikes with front mounted car motors radiate heat into the drivers face, the Javelina rider feels only the wind from the open-road. Where two wheeled motorcycles to three wheeled trike conversions can perform sluggishly without major engine modifications, as suggested by the manufactures, the Javelina has power to spare for any situation. The drive train is absolutely dependable, and maintenance can be performed by any qualified local auto mechanic.

The Javelina trike is a true hot rod with the dependability of the most sedate family car,

The Roadster is a full-body rendition that is curvaceous and sexy and harkens back to the classic hot rod era.

The Chopper is stripped down and raw.

Specifications:

Wheelbase: 92”

Width: 61” (outside to outside of rear tires)

Dry Weight: 900 lbs.

Seat Height: 21”

Fuel Capacity: 5 gallons

Baseline Engine: GM V-6

Optional Engines:

231 cubic inch (3.8 litre) Supercharged GM

244 cubic inch (4.6 litre) Auroa, aluminum, dual overhead cam V-8’s

Other drive train options will become available as current production demands are met.

Basic models include these standout features:

Custom raked and stretched frame with powder-coat grey finish

Extended, oversize front forks

Race-proven 4-link rear suspension with polished components

Performance tuned exhaust featuring ceramic coated headers

Disc brakes at all corners

Fully automatic, or foot shifted, clutchless transmission

Reverse gear

Chromed foot...

We hope that you enjoyed reading this excerpt from "The Javelina Motorcycle". If you would like to read the entire article and more, you can order a back issue of Mar / Apr 2005 where this article was originally published.

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