TheAmerican rebellion in the form of a motorcycle is unfolding in Birmingham,Alabama. Confederate Motors set its sights on a 200-hp V-twin as the nextevolution of the collectible Fighter series; and it has just delivered. Madeexclusively from billet aluminum and featuring an advanced frame design thatintegrates both engine and transmission, the P51 Combat Fighter promisesunheard-of performance from any motorcycle in its class.
ConfederateMotors presented the original P120 Fighter in 2009, offering a limitedproduction of an all-aluminum streetfighter motorcycle with a unique monocoqueframe design and a huge V-twin that produced immense power. Six years later, theP51 Combat Fighter is the evolution of that model. It's the second generation, or G2,where a lot has changed except for the original concept.
The P51 isbuilt around a monocoque structure made entirely of 6061-T6 aerospace-gradebillet aluminum. This design binds the headstock, engine, fuel tank and transmission to a single unit that Confederate describes as "the stiffest,most fatigue-resistant and lightest chassis capable of housing the greatestamount of torque as a percentage of weight ever achieved in all of motordom." Big words; but with the T-Rex of an engine that sits in there, it should walkthe talk.
The 57-degreeV-twin has grown from 120 to 132 ci (1,966 to 2,163 cc) and the horsepowercatapulted from 160 to 200 hp (119 to 149 kW). The torque output has made ahuge leap forward as well, from 135 to 170 lb-ft (18.7 to 23.5 m kg). Amazing,unprecedented power from an air-cooled pushrodmotor, channeled towards the rear wheel through Confederate’s brand new CX4powertrain; a patented, drag racing-derived design.
This powerhike was achieved through new cylinder heads, designed with an innovative airinduction system. The strongest part of the frame, at the headstock area,incorporates an intake box that leads the air through a structural downdraftmanifold – an industry first, according to Confederate. At its highest point,the air filter element is housed in a canister-shaped box with transparentsides. The same see-through design is used for the fuel tank, which is locatedunder the seat and is embodied in the rear part of the central beam of theframe.
The frontsuspension is based on newly designed girder architecture with a fullyadjustable shock absorber. In the rear, the layout is different compared to theP120, as the single shock is no longer centrally located, having moved to theleft side of the brand-new swing arm.
Braking ishandled by French specialist Beringer, which supplied the 4D Aerotek kit coupledwith radial calipers.
Thankfullythe seat has also grown, from the Walkman-sized cushion of the P120 to a saddlewith a surface area approximately the size of an iPad mini. No doubt, animprovement.
Weight hasbeen kept relatively low, at 500 lb (226.7 kg), thanks to the extensive use oflight aluminum alloy in most parts, including the whole frame, engine cases andheads, girder fork and swingarm. Add a pair of super-light carbon wheels tocome up with what promises to be an off-the-hook streetfighter, even more so than its predecessor.
Confederate will build 61 P51 Combat Fighters; 31 in the color of raw machinedaluminum – dubbed "blonde" – and another 30 anodized in black. The price tag isset to US$113,900 for the blonde version and $119,500 for the black. If you reserve yours by September 7, Confederate offers a $10,000 discount.
Interested in joining the American rebellion as envisaged by ConfederateMotors? Then declare your intent at the company’s website by following the linkbelow.
Source: Confederate Motors
