Piper Moto Bristol bespoke scooters

motorcycle design and build

For sale: The COMPLETE PiperMoto J Series project!

“…whoever takes up the J Series mantle will continue his impressive work”

This is what Bike EXIF have to say about this opportunity…

To say that John Piper’s resume is impressive would be the understatement of the year. His long and illustrious engineering career includes stints at the Williams and Benetton Formula One teams, Prodrive and Jaguar.

He’s worked in all types of motor racing, including WSBK where his team designed and built the Foggy World Super Bike for Petronas. His cars have been on the podium at Le Mans and have set land speed records. And he’s responsible for blowing our servers up with one of the most popular machines we’ve ever featured.

When the PiperMoto J Series ‘super scooter’ exploded onto the scene in June of last year, it went on to top the charts in our annual Bike EXIF Top 10. Yes, you read that correctly—our most popular bike of 2023 was a scooter.

It’s not just any ol’ scoot though. The custom-framed, carbon composite-clad two-seater is powered by a four-stroke KTM 690 engine. Hosting a raft of internal, exhaust, and intake modifications, the LC4 engine propels the J Series to 60 mph in four seconds and can continue to a 120 mph top speed.

Since its debut, John has received hundreds of enquiries from all over the world—and rightly so, as the whole package is dripping in style and engineering finesse. Sadly, it’s time for John to progress to the next chapter in his PiperMoto story.

“I’m now at a crucial point in my custom build work and I want to fund my next bike build,” explains John. “Despite receiving hundreds of very flattering inquiries, I’ve not managed to take my project any further. As I do not have the resources to take it into production myself, I have decided to sell the whole project to anyone who would like to take it.”

Along with the original, running, and road-legal (in the UK) Prototype J Series, the sale will include the full rights to the design and all the design and engineering data—from the Solidworks CAD engineering files and hard copy drawing records to the detailed Bill of Materials. Along with the documentation, John will also include the prototype frame jig and the original prototype bodywork molds. What that means, is that whoever purchases the J Series will have the building blocks to do what John’s always wanted to do; put the J-Series into production.

It’s a shame to see John let go of such a unique piece of his motorcycle-building history, but we’re sure that whoever takes up the J Series mantle will continue his impressive work. If you’re interested, reach out to John directly. [Source: Bike EXIF]

About Piper Moto

John Piper founded PiperMoto in 2013 to design and build bikes.

His individual approach combines precision engineering with hand built artisan methods.

The inspiration for PiperMoto comes from an ambition to create extremely functional and desirable products. John’s background in motorsport gives him access to a network of top class manufacturers and materials.

Using modern design methods with a craftsman’s approach, he draws on his engineering integrity and attention to detail on every aspect of the machine.

j Series

The J SERIES is PiperMoto’s first project. John describes it as a Super Scooter; a hybrid of contemporary motorcycle engineering performance, with classic scooter looks and styling.

Built to order, each machine is finished to a personal detail specification, and carries the customers individual chassis number.

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J Series - technical specification

Engine: KTM LC4 Duke
Displacement: 690 cc
Power: 67.05 Hp (48.9 kW)
Performance: 0–60mph 4.0secs, top speed 120mph
Dry weight: 160 Kg
Weight distribution: 50-50
Max lean angle: 52°
Frame: Chrome molybdenum tubular steel space frame, TIG welded
Bodywork: Carbon/epoxy woven composite pressure cured

Ignition system: Contactless, fully electronic with digital ignition timing adjustment
Lubrication system: Semi-dry sump with 2 Eaton oil pumps
Cooling system: Liquid with twin high efficiency aluminium core radiators and electric thermostatically controlled cooling fan
Exhaust: Stainless steel with catalyser
Gearbox: 6 Speed electronically shifted by GCU software and handlebar finger paddle switch
Starter: Push button electric
Transmission type: O ring roller chain

Front tyre: 120/70 X 17″
Rear tyre: 160/60 x 17″
Battery: Gel type maintenance free 12V x 8.6Ah
Wiring loom: Mil spec ruggedized loom
Bore x Stroke: 102.0 x 84.5mm
Compression ratio: 11.8:1
Fuel tank: 14Ltrs with internal submerged electric fuel pump
Fuel system: Electronic Injection

Front brake: Brembo 4 piston radial caliper with 320mm dia disc
Rear brake: Brembo single piston floating caliper with 240mm dia disc
Front forks: KTM WP 43mm dia. upside down twin telescopic
Front geometry: Rake 25°- Trail 100mm
Front wheel travel: 150mm
Rear suspension: Concentric spring and ExeTC remote 2 way damper reservoir operated by push rod and rocker, with rising rate
Rear wheel travel: 120mm
Wheelbase: 1500mm

Gallery

The story of the J Series bike through its creation.

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Background Information

John Piper is an engineer and designer with a career in motor racing and vehicle design at the highest level.

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Contact Piper Moto

For any enquiries about the J Series please contact:

John Piper
Telephone: +44 (0) 7802 243 152
Email: john@pipermoto.com

or contact Piper Moto using the form below:

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    Acknowledgements

    Miles Dutton – Brand and product positioning

    Steve Everitt – Styling design

    Greg Taylor, GTME Ltd – suspension geometry and FEA analysis

    Peter Morgan, Overmarsh Engineering – Procurement and Bill of Materials structuring

    University West of England

    City of Bristol Skills Academy

    Lee Deverill – Branding design

    Alison Hill, IDPR ltd – PR consultant

    Ross Curzen-Butler – Digital media

    The Chemistry Set – Website