While Nagel boasts over 30 years of experience building drag bikes, race cars, and show vehicles, he had never tried his hand at a concept motorcycle before.  A bulletin board ad at Paul Yang’s alma mater, The Art Center College of Design, soon attracted the designer to Larry’s project. Paul cautioned that he had never designed a motorcycle before, but Larry just smiled and said, “Don’t worry. You just design the most outrageous bike you can imagine, and I’ll figure out how to build it.” And with that cool assurance, the duo embarked on a mission to redefine the motorcycle genre…and succeeded.

The most stunning attribute of Saga is that its extra-terrestrial appearance hasn’t been achieved by bolting exotic-shaped tins and cosmetic doohickys onto an otherwise stock bike and giving it a fancy paint job. Every component of the chopper has been designed with both form and function in mind. Saga’s frame and forks create a swooping dual-S shape that runs the length of the machine. The wafer-thin split seat, cushioned by 3 nitrogen shocks, follows the sensuous s-curve of the frame.

The subframe’s five-ribbed design borrows its look from the cooling fins of the Harley-Davidson engine. Housing the engine, gas tank and drivetrain, the sub is suspended from the frame by four sturdy axles. The Twin-Cam 88 is crowned by the copper details and red accents of the gas tank above it, and embellished by a Tommy gun style exhaust system that surrounds it with a flowing, organic form suggesting some sort of cyborg seed pod. 

SPECIFICATIONS
Make:	Dreamcraft Studios concept
Model:	DCS-001 Saga
Builder:	Larry Nagel
Designer:	Paul Yang
Build time:	7 months
Engine:	Harley-Davidson Twin-Cam 88
Frame:	Dreamcraft Prototype 4130 Chrome-moly upper frame with Aircraft-grade T-6 aluminum lower frame
Rake & Trail:	58 degrees, 6 inches
Front Wheel:	18×3.5 in. radial spoke
Rear Wheel:	18×8.5 in. radial spoke
Front Tire:	130/70vB18 Avon
Rear Tire:	250/40r18 Avon
Wheel base:	98.5 in.
Length:	124 in.
Width:	32.3 in.
Height:	40.2 in.
Seat Height:	24 in.
Dry Weight:	695 lbs.
Price:	If you have to ask, you can’t afford it!

Utilizing two cantilever style links, the front wheel is suspended by two adjustable air shock absorbers that mount parallel to the fork legs. Rather than hide the copper brake lines, they are instead displayed prominently above the forks, creating a suspension bridge sort of visual effect. The triad of headlights that help give the bike its alien look are frenched into the tips of the frame, as are the rear LED brake lamps that appear like afterburners from the faux pipes that form the frame’s posterior.

The handlebar assembly parallels the curve of the frame, merging into the twin LED turn signal lamps that connect it to the steering head. There are no foot controls, as all of the inputs are managed by hand. Saga has linked front and rear brakes and shifting is electronically actuated via two small buttons on the right handlebar.

We in the custom biz are sometimes guilty of casually tossing around words like “radical” and “extreme” to describe a 280 series rear tire or a 50 degree rake.  When something truly radical or extreme like Saga comes along, the English language really can’t do it justice anymore. So I’ll just leave you with the words of Supreme Commander Grbwldrbkaaaaaakakaka, who upon seeing his sweet new ride for the first time is alleged to have proclaimed, “Hkegag jooboowaaaaaah,” which I understand can be loosely translated as, “Nice work earthlings!  Now take me to the one you call Michelle Smith.”