They say that when people get old, they start to have all sorts of funny ideas. Well, seeing Captain Kirk aboard the Rivet seems to confirm that there is much truth in that saying.
Shatner, 83, is rumored to intend to travel across the USA aboard this contraption, thus ticking another box on the list. He was approached by an American Wrench staff during an autograph signing and he was told that the Chicago-based manufacturers could build just the right vehicle for the job.
As the Captain was obviously interested in the whole business, he and American Wrench got together and started working on the base concept. Right from the start it was clear that Shatner was not looking forward to riding yet another trike that would most likely get lost in the crowd.
Captain Kirk wanted a trike that would be unique and turn heads, so a V8 engine stepped into the game, coupled with a peculiar architecture. Inside the company, the Rivet is referred to as the "land jet" and "Wrencher" Kevin Sirotek says that the whole thing is more similar to a Corvette than a bike.
The V8 sits in the long hood in front, and is mated to a high-performance transmission that drives the rear wheels. They have independent suspension and huge brake discs and introduce the safety and balance one gets from a car.
Making things even more outrageous, American Wrench opted for a swingarm-type front steering system instead of traditional forks. The solution provides more extreme looks and adds to the uniqueness of the bike. "These are a hybrid, a mix of a Corvette, a Harley and a hot rod," Sirotek adds.
Obviously, the first rivet goes to William Shatner, as he plans to ride it from Chicago to LA for the official launch. A less expensive version is also envisaged, and this sort of hints us that the base model will not exactly be available for what you'd pay on a Polaris Slingshot, which, by the way, became legal in Connecticut.
As the Captain was obviously interested in the whole business, he and American Wrench got together and started working on the base concept. Right from the start it was clear that Shatner was not looking forward to riding yet another trike that would most likely get lost in the crowd.
Hiring a sculptor to create a motorcycle
The creative process was not exactly easy, as you can learn in one of the videos after the jump, as multiple modifications were made. Funny thing, American Wrench first tried to employ the services of a sculptor, but things didn't work out, leaving the task to the workshop and Shatner themselves.Captain Kirk wanted a trike that would be unique and turn heads, so a V8 engine stepped into the game, coupled with a peculiar architecture. Inside the company, the Rivet is referred to as the "land jet" and "Wrencher" Kevin Sirotek says that the whole thing is more similar to a Corvette than a bike.
The V8 sits in the long hood in front, and is mated to a high-performance transmission that drives the rear wheels. They have independent suspension and huge brake discs and introduce the safety and balance one gets from a car.
Making things even more outrageous, American Wrench opted for a swingarm-type front steering system instead of traditional forks. The solution provides more extreme looks and adds to the uniqueness of the bike. "These are a hybrid, a mix of a Corvette, a Harley and a hot rod," Sirotek adds.
B-17 bomber rivet looks
The Rivet replicates the looks of the feared B-17 bomber, with hand-formed sheet aluminium body panels kept in place with a handful of rivets. There's no mention on the final price of the machine, but America Wrench plans to sell these metal monsters.Obviously, the first rivet goes to William Shatner, as he plans to ride it from Chicago to LA for the official launch. A less expensive version is also envisaged, and this sort of hints us that the base model will not exactly be available for what you'd pay on a Polaris Slingshot, which, by the way, became legal in Connecticut.