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This Massive Motorcycle is Absolutely Terrifying to Ride

When it comes to custom motorcycles, there’s a wide range of possibilities. Some people make minor modifications, while others build entirely new machines from scratch. One legendary custom bike, known as the RoaDog, was originally created by William “Wild Bill” Gelbke in the 1960s and has recently found a new home at Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum in North Carolina.

Wheels Through Time Museum, known for its collection of American vehicles and motorcycles, takes pride in restoring and preserving historic bikes. The RoaDog, weighing in at a whopping 3,200 pounds and measuring 17 feet long, has undergone some restoration work to bring it back to its former glory.

A Brief History of RoaDog

At first glance, the RoaDog appears to be nothing more than a massive sculpture. However, Gelbke, an engineer, built this colossal machine because he wanted a dependable long-distance cruiser that could reach speeds of 90 miles per hour without any problems.

In 1965, Gelbke started building the RoaDog using a 153 cubic inch, four-cylinder engine from a Chevy II and a PowerGlide transmission. The bike was also equipped with a modified Chevy truck differential and Corvette disc brakes. Instead of using traditional stands, Gelbke designed a system of four hydraulic rams to keep the RoaDog upright when parked.

Gelbke toured the United States on this unique creation, covering approximately 20,000 miles. After his death, the RoaDog mysteriously disappeared, but Buzz Walneck eventually located it at Gelbke’s mother’s house. It changed hands a few times before ending up at the National Motorcycle Museum in Sturgis, South Dakota, and later in Anamosa, Iowa.

The RoaDog’s Comeback in 2023

Unfortunately, the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa closed its doors permanently in September 2023, and as a result, the RoaDog was put up for auction along with the rest of the museum’s collection. The bike was eventually purchased and then sold to Sean from the YouTube channel “Bikes and Beards.” Sean, knowing the expertise of Matt Walksler at Wheels Through Time, decided to bring the RoaDog to the museum for restoration.

In a recent video, Wheels Through Time shows the process of getting the RoaDog running again and even takes it for a terrifying ride. The massive size and weight of the bike make it challenging to turn, especially to the left. However, despite its challenges, the RoaDog remains an awe-inspiring machine, leaving viewers to question whether they would be brave enough to take it for a ride themselves.

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Watch the Journey of This Honda CX500 Custom Build from a Box of Parts to a Finished Bike

Over time, words can change their meaning. For example, the word “scrambler” used to describe off-road bikes has now evolved into a term for street bikes with a certain style. But there are still bike enthusiasts who want to build true dual sport machines that can handle off-road exploring. And that’s exactly what Brick House Builds did with their 1982 Honda CX500 Custom.

In a timelapse video that’s about an hour long, you can witness the entire process of transforming a literal pile of parts into a fully built bike. BJ from BHB takes you on the journey from start to finish, including a test ride at the end.

The base bike is a 1982 Honda CX500, which BJ aims to turn into a Backcountry Discovery Route-capable scrambler, not just a street bike with scrambler style. This involves a fork swap and modifying Gold Wing wheels to fit the new fork. After a hub swap and spacer fabrication, everything comes together nicely.

While the engine undergoes a rebuild, BJ keeps it mostly stock but adds a fan from a ’90s Yamaha R1. This requires some bracket fabrication to ensure a proper fit. BJ also makes other modifications like a new headlight bracket, gauge bracket, electronics tray, seat pan, rear rack, and a mount for a Rotopax fuel can. He even crafts a tool tube to carry long wrenches and tire irons. And of course, a custom skid plate is patiently put together to protect the bike.

After test-fitting and sending parts out for powder-coating, the final assembly begins. The bike is now equipped with black fork lowers, tool tube, brackets, and skid plate, giving it a capable and elegant look. The exhaust, both in shape and sound, is also a highlight of this build.

Although we can’t fully experience the bike’s capabilities through a video, the test ride at the end showcases its strengths. What do you think of this impressive build?