Wolf Creek Garage builds a blown, nitrous-boosted mini Batcycle!
The Batpod is a modern version of Batman’s Batcycle, which serves as an escape pod for the Batmobile and an auxiliary armed vehicle in its own right. You may remember it from The Dark Knight (2008), when the Batmobile self-destructs only for Batman to blast away on two wheels, pursuing the Joker and his minions.
As movie motorcycles go, the Batpod is one of the coolest in cinematic history…although it’s one tough machine to recreate, given the unique design and ultra-wide wheels and tires. Fortunately there are builders like Don Neely of the Pacific Northwest’s Wolf Creek Garage. Don is a heavy equipment mechanic with a special affinity for flat trackers and minibikes. He takes advantage of the PNW’s rainy season to do motorcycle modification, maintenance, custom exhausts, fabrication, engine builds, and full-blown custom builds.
Back in 2022, we featured Don’s supercharged 1969 Bonanza minibike, built to race at the The Wild One at Castle Rock and featured in The One Moto Show.
Now Don’s back with an even wilder blown minibike: the miniature Batpod you see here, inspired by the raw, beastly look of the original movie bike.
“I studied several photos and articles on the original Batpod. I wanted the end product to have a lot of raw mechanical appeal and good performance as far as acceleration and braking.”
Let’s start with the engine. It’s a brand-new Tillotson 212 Hemi — a high-performance pull-start engine often used in go-karts, minibikes, and outdoor power equipment such as tillers, cultivators, log splitters, and the like. The engine makes around 10 hp in stock trim, but Don’s outfitted this one with stiffer valve springs, billet con-rod, and an AMR300 supercharger geared for 12 psi boost at 6000rpm. If that weren’t enough, it’s also running a NOS system designed for a Honda Grom!
As for the chassis, Don built it from scratch, using a fuel-in-frame design for the cleanest look possible.
“The most challenging was the steering and single sided fork. It took a bit to get the front end sorted with the correct rake and leverage to work with the fat tires.”
There’s a dual piston caliper for the rear disc brake to slow down this mini Batcycle, and while Don has only been able to bench-test it so far, we’re excited to hear about the riding experience. This “Mini Batpod” was a standout from the recent One Moto Show, and we’re thrilled to showcase it here today.
Below is our full interview with Don and more photos of the build process. Credit for the show shots goes to our buddy Fouad “Moh” Mohiadeen (@astronaut_bear).
Mini Batpod: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’m a heavy equipment mechanic by trade, I enjoy mechanical work, welding and fabrication. I live in the Pacific Northwest so the rainy season gives me plenty of time to work on projects.
I started riding minibikes at age five, then onto motorcycles; they have been around my whole life, and I’m sixty four now. I own several late model and vintage motorcycles as well as several minibikes rescued from the scrap heap or off the internet.
Wolf Creek Garage is currently a side business where I spend most of my time when I’m not riding or racing. I do modifications, maintenance, custom exhaust, fabrication, engine builds. Vintage bikes are my favorite, especially flat trackers; custom builds that are out of the norm are also fun.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor engine?
New 212 Tillotson 212 Hemi.
• Why was this bike built?
I wanted to build something different and always liked the raw look of the bat pod.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I studied several photos and articles on the original Bat Pod. I wanted the end product to have a lot of raw mechanical appeal and good performance as far as acceleration and braking.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The engine has stiffer valve springs and billet rod. The supercharger is a AMR300 and geared for 12 psi boost at 6000rpm, it also has a NOS system designed for a Honda Grom. Fuel is in the frame to give it a cleaner look. It has a dual piston caliper for the rear disc brake.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Mini Bat Pod.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride?
I have only ran it on the bench so far. I am re-gearing the supercharger for more boost and upgrading the charging system for better output. Initial ride will be after an upcoming show.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
The most challenging was the steering and single sided fork. It took a bit to get the front end sorted with the correct rake and leverage to work with the fat tires.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
HNC Powder Coat, they do awesome work.
Pacific Machine, they can literally build any specialty part.
Follow the Builder / Photographer
Builder: Wolf Creek Garage
Photographer: Fouad Mohiadeen (@astronaut_bear | @bearnaut)
