Boss Hoss...drivetrain specs, info, etc.

[HoleshotHolset]

Anyone have any information about the Boss Hoss drivetrain?



I'd like to know how they get the power to the ground... ...



TIA,



Matt

 

[Straight6Jeff]

power really doesn't get to the ground, it kind of smolders the rubber and asphault.

 

[Shovelhead]

http://www.bosshosscycle.com/

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Okay..... they have a bike called the 'Stud' with a 502hp, 502cid crate motor in it..... it only weighs 1300#!!!



Still no specifics on how they get the power to the ground... . all they say is 2-speed auto with reverse - modified 'Glide?!



Matt

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

From their website - "The Boss Hoss has a specially designed two speed automatic shifted manually from a standard motorcycle style shifter". They have belt final drive. They used to have a single speed and a clutch as I knew a guy that owned one. No clue on what they're using for a transmission now.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I found a few more tidbits...



I think the "2nd gen" Boss Hoss' used a 2-speed GM Powerglide..... I have no idea what the originals had... but it's weird.



The "3rd gen" Hoss' (trikes) can be had with a TH-350 or something with overdrive (200-R4/4L60/4L60E??)... . was also mentioned on one website.



I have found a few aftermarket torque convertors for them... . the like to use a low stall speed.....



Now to figure out how they get the GM auto transmission turned around into a belt drive... ... it's gotta be something simple.



On edit: manually shifted = full manual valve body, which is cool.



Matt

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Owner opinions....

... . anyone know anybody out there that owns one?



Seems like a sweet ride... .



Matt

 

[bigkid59]

I have two nephews in Memphis, about 3 miles North of here, who have them. Both of theirs are the earlier direct drive types with only a clutch and no transmission.



They both like theirs a lot and one of them has been considering buying a new one with the transmission. The factory is located just North of Memphis about 50 or 60 miles.



My older nephew and a friend went to the factory several years ago and test rode the bikes. They made home movies of their rides and went back and bought them later. The younger nephew bought his used just a year or so ago.



Like I mentioned, they both enjoy their machines and ride quite a bit.



I have not ridden one yet, but I might just do so soon. My last motorcycle was a Honda V65 Magna that I sold a couple of years ago. I was the buyer of the only 1969 BSA Rocket 3 delivered in Memphis and at the same time owned a Vincent. A couple of BMW's followed the BSA and Vincent. As you can see, I have had a pretty diverse group of rides, so I guess the next one should be different also.



Get one and have fun!

 

[moparguy]

OK, throw the customary rocks, but I'm working in Hot Springs, AR and a guy was in town with a Boss Hog that he had re-badged a Boss Viper. Said he had a Viper when he ordered the BIKE and had Viper badges made up. I had a digital camera on my shoulder for the gas project I'm consulting on and didn't take any pictures. My bad.



It was one awesome motor scooter. The owner was in his mid 50's and hailed from Tennessee. Claimed 600 HP? Don't know about that but it sure sounded healthy. Said he grew up on Harley's, now they seemed like kiddie bikes.

 

[TxDieselKid]

I would think if you could fit a 502 Chevy, then you could fit a 4bt.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Drew knows how I think....

I was thinking of a 4BT, Detroit 3-53/4-53, or a VW TDI... . any of these engines would be more than enough for a bike. The TDI is a good choice as it can put out 200hp/300+ft. -lbs. with normal bolt-ons..... plus it's lighter than the rest.



502cid motorcycle - that's just a bit north of INSANE.



Thanks for all the info and actual owner testimonials.....



Matt

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I've ridden my friends (which he's sold now btw) and personally I hated it. I would call it a novelty bike (which in my friends case wore off after a couple years) but not very practical. It's more of a car on two wheels - if that's what you want then you'd enjoy it - but it's not what I consider a motorcycle. My Nighthawk 700s was nearly as fast as it (which isn't a real fast bike - my ZRX1100 would smoke it). Stopping it was horendous - it does weigh 1300 lbs or so. I won't even go into the handling but suffice it to say I've ridden loooong choppers that handled better. Worst thing for me was the ergonomics - you're straddling a V8 and the gas tank is nearly as wide. I had to stretch my legs just about as far as they would go to sit on the thing. My friend wouldn't ride his for more than an hour or so because of it. It does get a TON of looks and everyone comes up and asks you about it if that's what your into. JMHO and keep in mind this is from a guy that used to road race and enjoys every second on my ZRX1100.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Matt, you think a 502 in a bike is insane, (me to but... . ) last year I saw a Boss Hoss (the small one though ) for sale locally, it had a NOS tank on the rear fender, and "500HP" written on the fuel tank! :--) The bike was in super shape, except for the rear tire, which was blistered, and only 279 total miles on the bike!



At Sturgis 2000, I saw many of these bikes, they are very cool, with no effort to smoke the tire, and sound very wild, but dang are they big!



Rob

 

[HoleshotHolset]

More comments - nice!



I'd never buy one with a V8 with the intention of keeping the gasser in there.



I have wanted to build a chopper or a trike for a long time. I just wanted some specs on the Boss Hoss' drivetrain - it sure would make life easy knowing how in the world they get the output shaft of an automotive auto transmission into a belt drive setup that is opposing it by 90°... .



A trike would be easier to build - everything hooks up normally to the automotive rear differential..... transmission, driveshaft, etc.



Rob: I found a Hoss with an all-aluminum big block in it... . supposedly it has 1100+hp... . I'll see if I can find the link.



Matt

 

[HoleshotHolset]

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The pic says it all..... :-laf



Matt

 

[HoleshotHolset]

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Finally! I figured out how they did it!! Now to see if I can get me one of these bad boys... .



On edit: Found a place and a price. Place is here. Price is $5995 - just for the transmission, convertor, electric controls and fasteners.



Matt

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I was just about to post that link for you Matt. Just found it myself . Another manufacturer of V8 bikes out there is Kannon that I found.

 

[Champane Flight]

Bad trikes

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These are out of NM. The owner of the shop that makes these has one with a 454 and duallys! Rode one last year, no one should be able to have this much FUN! Going to build one in a couple of years, got an old 352 Hemi in mind for power..... Oo.

 

[98rammer]

one of my dad's best friends has a boss hoss with a 502. dad's been doing a lot of welding to it. stock? why?



anyways, bill (the owner) has now put on a new edelbrock carb with nitrous. there are also these egg shape things with one pointy end. the nitrous flows through them and cools down the intake air before the nos is injected into the carb. i had never heard of them until he showed me.



this thing is sick- if you need attention, then you'll definately get it.



btw, the first year of production sucked. there weren't many chrome parts, and the transmission sucked. they used a crappy converter that took a lot of rpm to get moving. now the newer ones comes with a much better converter (even though bill is getting an aftermarket one too). they run a converter like an automatic, but you have to manually shift them. they have 2 gears, and you don't need the second one unless you're doing 70mph or so. they also have a reverse gear.



bill, who like hp like the rest of us, is actually scared to floor it. i guess the thing jumps in its kickstand while you start it. however, for being a heavy/big bike, they are well balanced.



Tom

 

[Bigsaint]

ZX-12R... there really is no substitute



I saw a few of those Boss Hoss pigs at a bike show last year, kinda cool how they retrofit the motor to the bike but definately a novelty item at best. I also had a friend that owned one, said the rideabilty on the street was horrible. I like pretty much anything with two wheels and a motor, but I'd rather have this ...



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Scott W.