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Sports Quasar

---

Sources
Name:             Sports Quasar (The Slug)
Built:            1986
By:               Malcolm Newell
Numbers:          2

Specification
Chassis:          Steel tube
Front Suspension: Bob Tait centre hub
Rear Suspension:  Standard Swing arm
Drive train:      Kawasaki GPZ1100 EFI
                  Standard chain
Brakes:           AP Disks
Tyres:            4.50 * 18
Tank:             6 Gallons
Bodywork:         GRP

Dimensions
Wheelbase:        88"
Width:            28"
Length:           128"
Seat Height:      18"
Weight:           ~550 lbs

Claimed Performance
Cruising Speed:   150 mph
Top Speed:        Unknown
Fuel Consumption: ~25mpg

This machine is currently owned by Tudor Thomas. He writes:-

My description of buying the Slug is probably a bit esoteric so it may be worth describing this motorcycle in a little more detail.

A picture and specification can be found on Julians web pages under Malcolm Newell, Sports Quazar....aka SLUG.

This Foot Forward bike is probably the last concept explored by Malcolm and he made this one, and it seems was half way through another which was never finished.

In seeing the dismantled machine I was able to understand how its been laid out, some details not obvious from the web page picture, or Royces Creaseys listing of FFs.

The Slug is a rear engined, (GPZ1100), FF and is probably the lowest and longest of all his creations.

The seat height IS currently 8 inches, but this is only because the wheels are off and the frame is on the ground! I think the 8" published should have been 18".

The front end is a Monoshock suspended version of the Tait hub centre steered wheel. The bell crank looks to be off a standard bike, the rest is custom built. Behind this the frame first accomodates the pilot in a very flat laid back position, feet fully extended (much better than the Z13 position). Behind the backrest tubes is a large (7 gal??) petrol tank, with the engine situated behind this. The 4 into 1 exhaust goes up and over the engine and exits along the centre line of the rear bodywork, just above the top of the tyre level. It is supposed to sound nice!

The swing arm is a modified standard item, widened significantly for wider tyres, so the limitation would be the current rim size- but another wheel could be fitted. It currently has a low profile racing tyre on.

The single piece body work, currently white, fits down over the machine from above. The picture on Julians web site does not make it easy to understand how the hell you get in!!. I think this is because this picture was taken shortly after the body was made and it was plonked on top just for the photo. In fact there is now a significant cut out and you get in from above, rather like getting in a Formula 1 racing car- except you dont take the wheel or handlebars off..

Inside the body work is a skirt to protect the legs from road spray in the wet, and the machine is kept upright when stopped by putting your feet down. It looks ideal for full enclosure and drop down stabilisers really.

I havent actually seen the handlebars, but they should be a fairly standard layout as the fulchrum for their mounting is close to vertical.

I remember when I first heard about this machine I thought Malcolm had finally flipped, but seeing it in the flesh, and the fact that I now live far from any city congestion it makes more sense. Well a little bit anyway. It will be interesting to see if it is actually difficult to ride, or merely different like many FFs.

The bike was used by a guy in Ipswich in the UK, who actaully commuted to work on it. It was bought by Bernard when the first user moved house and had nowhere to keep it. Bernard stripped it down to refurbish it-- so its now in big lumps.

Then me......

Copyright © 1997 Tudor Thomas