The Fastest Man on Earth: 1907 Curtiss V8 Motorcycle | Jay Lenos Garage

Jay Leno explores one of the most significant pieces of motorcycle royalty: a hand-built, exact recreation of Glenn Curtiss’ 1907 V8 land speed record bike.

Built by master machinist Dale Stoner, this motorcycle is a mechanical masterpiece that honors the legendary aviator and engine builder Glenn Curtiss. While the original bike now hangs in the Smithsonian, Dale has reverse-engineered every detail—from the 4.4-liter engine to the hand-cut double gears—to bring this 136-mph beast back to life.

In this episode, Jay and Dale discuss:

The Powerplant: A 268 cubic inch (4.4L) V8 engine originally designed as a testbed for aircraft use.

The Record: How Glenn Curtiss became the "Fastest Man on Earth" at Ormond Beach in 1907, allegedly reaching 136 mph.

Primitive Tech: The unique ignition system using dry cell batteries (often mistaken for dynamite) and a "scrub brake" that presses directly against the rear tire.

Machinist Skills: Dale’s incredible process of using CNC technology and 3D-printed sand molds to recreate lost technology like the Durabar cylinders and custom gear sets.

Aviation Connection: The history of this engine's use in the "Junebug," the aircraft responsible for the first public flight in America.

Watch as Jay and Dale fire up this V8 monster and experience the raw power of early 20th-century engineering!

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A new video every Monday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.

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