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Welcome to Velo Vision magazine, covering specialised bikes, cycling as transport and human power. It's a quarterly dose of cycle inspiration.The current issue is Issue 16. The next issue is out early March 2005.
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From Windcheetahs to motorbikes: AVD diversifyAdvanced Vehicle Design, the UK manufacturer of Windcheetah recumbents and load-carrying quad bikes, tell Velo Vision that they are moving into motorcycle manufacture and doubling quad production space. AVD have two websites at present: windcheetah.co.uk covers the Windcheetah and www.a-v-d.com their load-carrying vehicle, the quad bike formerly known as the Pickup. It's now called the Taskmaster Chassis, Stablemate 180, Taxi or Van depending on which body is fitted.  Neither site, so far at least, show anything about AVD's latest project. It's not human-powered, it's only got two wheels... yes, they're going to build a motorbike. Bob Dixon, AVD's owner, argues that this development isn't as crazy as it sounds. The new machine is to be a high-tech replica of a 'classic' Manx TT bike, and according to Bob Dixon, is just the thing to capitalise on the interest he and many Windcheetah afficionados also have for motorbikes. I'm sure he'd never describe it as such, but the basis of its appeal sounds like it will be as a hedonist's high-tech toy, rather like the Windcheetah. AVD have apparently already bought a fair amount of tooling etc for the project, but say that there's a considerable crossover with existing operations - Windcheetah and Pickup production already required considerable machining capacity.  The AVD factory has also, according to Bob Dixon, doubled in size in recent months. This is not apparently to accommodate the motorcycle project, but to cope with demand for the four-wheelers. The case studies page on their site shows some of the uses customers have found for the vehicles. Posted on 23 January 2001 Your comments ...
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