KN Motor Becomes Heart of a Shiny Knucklehead Mashup

Visually Stunning

Hazan Motorworks and its head honcho, Max Hazan, have already established a reputation for building some of the most unique custom motorcycles on earth. These literal works of art are also quite functional, however, which is something not all bike builders can say. Hazan's latest creation is a serious visual stunner, however, as we found out in this recent BikeEXIF feature.

Photos: BikeEXIF

Unusual Combination

Obviously, putting a Knucklehead into what looks like an Italian sportbike sounds like a strange idea. But Hazan had a perfectly good explanation for the unusual move. "The idea came about after speaking to someone that loved Knucklehead and Vincent engines," Hazan told BikeEXIF. "And me suggesting that I just make a Knuckle that ran two front cylinder heads. I always had a sweet spot for the Harley-Davidson KRTT and XRTT race bikes, so I figured why not build one around a KN motor?" 

Photos: BikeEXIF

>>Join the conversation on Hazan Motorworks' Italian Knucklehead right here in HDForums.

Lots of Work

The 74 cubic-inch Knucklehead powerplant came straight from S&S, after which Hazan modified it to fit two front heads and two carbs to make his vision complete. This included a ton of work, as you might imagine, including cutting off and rebuilding the rear quarter on each head, as well as altering the angle of the intake runners. 

Photos: BikeEXIF

>>Join the conversation on Hazan Motorworks' Italian Knucklehead right here in HDForums.

Overcoming Obstacles

In addition to that, Hazan had to also shorten and reangle the rockers, modify the rocker knuckle, and make his own lifter blocks. After that, he was able to make the twin Keihin CR carbs fit with some custom-built flanges. Two Dell’Orto PHF36s helped solve an early problem with priming the motor, but now everything reportedly works perfectly. 

Photos: BikeEXIF

>>Join the conversation on Hazan Motorworks' Italian Knucklehead right here in HDForums.

Custom Setup

The impressive-looking but not terribly powerful engine (around 50 hp) was then fitted inside a completely custom Chromoly frame. Royal Enfield forks with Teflon bushings reside up front, with a short Fox pit bike shock and custom aluminum swingarm out back. 18” Morris mag wheels give the bike a nice rake and hold twin Wilwood brake calipers up front and one in the rear. 

Photos: BikeEXIF

>>Join the conversation on Hazan Motorworks' Italian Knucklehead right here in HDForums.

Sleek and Svelte

An old right-side shifted Indian transmission handles the shifts via a custom heel shifter mounted on the left side. Everything else is completely handmade as well, including that stunning aluminum bodywork that helps the bike weigh in at a svelte 375 pounds.  

Photos: BikeEXIF

>>Join the conversation on Hazan Motorworks' Italian Knucklehead right here in HDForums.

Ultimate Compliment

In the end, the KNTT is just another top-notch creation from the masterminds at Hazan. It's stunning to look at, undoubtedly fun to ride, and packed with some serious details that'll draw you in closer each time you look at it. And if that isn't the ultimate compliment for any custom builder, we don't know what is. 

Photos: BikeEXIF

>>Join the conversation on Hazan Motorworks' Italian Knucklehead right here in HDForums.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.