CW Garage: Marv Swanson's Armature - First Look

What we have here is the world's first (as far as I know) articulating rear-steer motorcycle. I've been involved in bikes since I was 12 years of age. I attended welding school and then worked in the aerospace industry in the L.A. area. I've ridden streetbikes for as long as I can remember, and raced in WSMC and love to do trackdays at my home track, Thunderhill in Northern California.

The Swivelbike is not the first bike I've created. Over the years I've made some trick bikes and custom parts, and I also do all my own tuning. I'm an unknown in the motorcycle world, but at some point I decided I would go public with what I've discovered over the years as a frame builder and freelance designer. I'm known to my family and friends as a bit bike crazy, but an awesome fabricator and welder.

Okay, the Armature has these features: 1) Flex frame design; 2) Single-spar frame direct drive, like a go-cart; 3) All-aluminum frame, gas in lower frame; 4) Adjustable triple-tree (adjustable for rake); and 5) KTM 525 Single powerplant.

This is not a conventional motorcycle. It does things contrary to belief, like making a right turn with the wheel turned to the left; wow, what fun that is. It's very easy to turn with a balanced-center counterweight. It's unlike any bike I've ridden, and I've owned over 50 bikes.The Armature is an offspring of another prototype I built, the M-80 (which has a similar frame, but is powered by a smaller motor) but it has more features. Together they have the same effect: dual steering so that the wheels are offset or independent of each other; to the motorcycle world that's huge, you would think! If you want a thrill, or have the nerve to try something different, think of it as the difference between skiing and snowboarding.

For more info, email me: swivelbike@yahoo.com.