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Tinker, the Downloadable Open-Source No-Weld Motorcycle

Just when we were thinking again that the motorcycling world is passing once more through a period when innovations seem scarce, here comes Jack Lennie and his Tinker machine. The idea of a motorcycle kit that can be assembled in your backyard is not new, but Lennie's take on it is all 21st-century thinking.
Tinker the downloadable bike 6 photos
Photo: Jack Lennie
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Tinker's creator is a major in Product Design at Edinburg Napier University, and he needed 32 weeks to come up with the complete project. Tinker relies on a quick-build frame that will accommodate a variety of motorcycle engines, and that eliminates both welding and shipping, thus significantly reducing the carbon footprint.

Lennie's design can be downloaded online and customers can take the files to the nearest workshop that uses CAD/CAM computer software. The CNC/waterjet company can then cut the stock material and deliver the parts for local assembly, according to the instructions.

How about building a bike in around one hour?

The video after the jump was sped up, but it shows the creator of Tinker assembling a bike in around one hour and six minutes. The Kawasaki engine was already prepared and in good working condition, so it only needed to be mounted in the frame.

Lennie's bike is indeed a striking step outside the beaten path. It doesn't require specialist tools and allows a high degree of customization, providing creative minds with the perfect opportunity to exercise in a completely new environment.

The seat, tank, bars and many other elements can be, of course, variated to infinity. Fenders could also be added if you plan to use a Tinker for commuting even on rainy days, and even a working rear brake system could be implemented depending on your wheel choice.

Building bikes with salvaged parts sounds interesting

Another great feature of the Tinker is that it can be built using parts salvaged from crashed bikes. A damaged frame is almost always the reason why a bike gets scrapped, but this doesn't mean that one can't use what's left in good condition to build a new machine.

Engines, rear wheels, even forks, tanks and so on can be salvaged and put to good use in a Tinker bike, further reducing the costs of owning a motorcycle. If Lennie finds a way to have the Tinker concept homologated for street use without any special demands from local authorities, this DIY project might become one of the most glorious things in this decade. Find out more on Tinker following Jack Lennie's online activity.

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