Chris and Rhonda McCredie have never been more thrilled and inspired to be in business. Why? Because their latest enterprise, the world's largest motorcycle limousine, has just been unleashed on the streets of Perth. This giant machine, affectionately known as the Limo Trike, draws admiring gazes for more than its colossal size. The McCredies have created a work of elegance and engineering ingenuity, one which is longer than the average stretch limousine - and seats seven people!
Ten years ago, as a husband and wife team - Chris and Rhonda McCredie - began a relatively small commercial venture, offering rides on a two-seater Harley Davidson. That business grew to what it is today - Down Under Motorcycle Tours. But the road wasn't always smooth: there were no motorcycle tours operating in 1991 when the business began, so they developed the business without the benefits of entering an established industry.
For example, a bureaucratic nightmare unfolded when they attempted to register their first motorcycle as a tourist coach. The law required such vehicles to have a correctly functioning emergency exit, a preposterous notion if applied to an open-air vehicle. They lodged an appeal with the Minister for Transport, who smoothed the necessary changes to the law. Chris and Rhonda persevered through such setbacks, making their business more resilient - a vital factor in the achievement of long-term success. As the inventors of the game, they had to wrestle with the rules: "It was not a matter of trial and error, it was a case of trial and trials," says Chris.
With a stall finally set up at Hillarys Boat Harbour it was soon discovered that one motorcycle could not cater for everyone - many people require a tour that can be shared with family and friends. The business quickly responded to this demand, sub-contracting another bike and rider. Later, a trike was added to the fleet to further accommodate members of the general public unable to ride on a conventional motorcycle.
But what about a vehicle that could carry still more people in luxury - but still conform to the philosophy of the other bikes and trikes? Such was the genesis of the Limo Trike.
Designed by Chris in conjunction with neighbour Shannon Stawtz, the 6.5 metre long trike uses a Harley Davidson front end and traditional hot-rod style rear suspension. Both front and rear wheels are Dragway Billet, with the rears wearing 295/50 15 tyres and the front wheel a somewhat narrower 175/60 16. The custom-made suspension has Pedders dampers at the rear and a one-off front damper design.
Powering the monster is a rear-mounted Holden 3.8-litre V6, equipped with a new ECU chip and extractors. The engine is cooled by twin four-core custom radiators running thermo fans, while the trans is a faithful Turbo 700, topped with a B&M quickshifter.
The chassis was constructed from galvanised 75 x 50mm box sections, with the body an amazing fibreglass moulding. Sixteen flawless layers of pristine pearl paint coat adorn its curves, with all of the tinted glass hand-cut and shaped.
Inside the cabin you'll find all the luxuries normally associated with a limo: white Australian leather upholstery, a jarrah timber bar, closed-circuit and digital video disc television, air conditioning, crystal glasses, and a $12,000 surround sound system. Communications is via a dual driver/passenger intercom system.
Stainless steel was used to form the hinges, foot throttle and handle bars, while the same material is also used for all the nuts and bolts. Autometer provided the instruments.
Five years in the making, the amazing vehicle is a testament to hard work, skill and ingenuity. Amazingly, the 2-metre wide vehicle is fully ADR-compliant!
And if you'd like a limo trike in your garage, the company expects to manufacture others just like this one....
http://www.limotrike.com.au/
|