For today’s Artsy-fartsy image I decided to go with a steampunk interpretation of Akira. At first I wanted to do the whole image with background and such, but due to time-related limitations I ended up just focusing on Kaneda’s Bike.
I studied the bike for a while before attempting a steampunk version of it, and it’s rather unfortunate that there isn’t really much information about it available. Most of the knowledge is based on what little can be found in the books and the movie, and how it is interpreted by the fans. This strikes me as a bit odd, since Kaneda’s bike is probably one of the most popular elements from Akira and you’d think that a something like extra material would be a good idea. But as it is, I can’t even find what the bike is called – and believe me, I have looked for that bike’s name ever since I first watched the movie back in the 90s, and each and every time I read through the books again.
In any case, looking for references, I focused primarily on this site, which seems to have the clearest (if not the best as well) images and info on the bike, all with the purpose of building a real one (check it out, it’s really awesome).
For my Steampunk version I made a lot of changes to the bike, but keep in mind that I know absolutely nothing about mechanics, bikes, steam or anything of the sort. I made it a lot less aerodynamic, and decided that it would be built out of metal and wood. Having finished it and given it an extra look, I realize that Kaneda has no way of putting his leg out of the bike in order to keep it up whenever he stops. But then again, Steampunk designs have never been famous for their practicality, so I guess we can let it slide. This time.
I considered adding a lot of decoration, too. Stuff like patterns or some nouveau-styled markings on the side panels. But then I figured that even in a Steampunk world, Kaneda is still just a 15-year-old boy trying to look tough in front of his gang, so he probably wouldn’t want those sort of things. Also, I avoided gears like the plague. Ever since I saw that YouTube video “Just glue some gears on it and call it Steampunk” I can’t look at gears the same way (I kind of agree with the song say, too).
Anyway, this is my Steampunk version of Kaneda’s bike. I hope you like it. maybe I’ll do more Steampunk interpretations of stuff in the future, who knows?
Good hunting;
O
NOTE: If you know the bike’s name, please post it in the comments. I’d feel really stupid if everybody knows it or if it’s someplace really obvious, like right there on the website I linked to. But as it is, I place more value on learning what it’s called then keeping my geek cred.
….Saint’s Row 2/3 reference?
@Lucretiel: I wouldn’t know, all I’ve ever seen from those games is some dude dressed like some sort of giant cat and a dildo bat.
But still, if you’d care to elaborate or provide a link, I’d love to see what reference you mean. Who knows? Maybe it’ll even peak my interest and I’ll end up buying the game.
AMAZING.
@O “buy”, suuuuuree…
that is SO cool!
…
still gonna get myself a mecha though! HAHA
There is nothing wrong with gears. Even the video doesen’t say not to use gears. It just says that there must be some thought and reason for them. That just tsticking the gears on something is not steampunk.
Watch Asylum version of Sherlock Holmes -I bought my DVD for about 2 bucks, it’s cheap, it’s silly, true enough, but it’s still great in its silly way (not haha silly, but lol this plot poin is stupid). It’s got Sherlock holmes in steampowered-gyro-hotair-baloon with macine guns fighting a Steampunk IronMan in a flying, fire-breathing mechanical dragon!
FRIKKIN AMAZING! O! You are a MASTER!
Well duh, obiviously there is steam-powered additional legs in the bottom of the bike, and those will appear when you press a button in the console so Kaneda doesn’t need to put his legs out when he stops.
What do you mean “when he stops”? We’re speaking of a steampunk motorbike here, there’s no stopping…
Looks amazing! The only problem I have is the exhaust pipe on the front wheel. How does the wheel spin? =D
Great stuff again, O!
@ Jalopeura – it’s probably a turbine hub-motor, which means the wheel’s rim doesn’t spin on the outside. think of it as a Sleeper-spinner hubcap and combination wheelskirt and you get the idea
Only problem i can see is that the wind shield is too high. Currently he can’t see the road!
Sorry O but I don’t see this bike as Kanedas steampunk version.
. Look at those miniatures here http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/3/12/22859_md-Bike,%20Imperial%20Guard,%20Rough%20Riders,%20Squats.JPG
It reseble more of a Warhammer 40k bike, just add bolters to it, and the guy on it looks like Squat (WH40k dwarf), mabey if YOu paint cloth on his face with blue or red it wouln’t look like a berd
Vwery similar to the one You drew., just add wooden windshield to them.
In My opinion steampunk Kanedas bike should be made out of metal rather than wood and should be more aerodynamic, more oval. Add some rivets and pipes that don’t interfere with aerodynamics but are incorporated in to the bikes structure. You know what i mean
Well that’s just My opinion
http://www.burningart.com/meico/moto/akira/
On this page, a guy has gathered everything that is to know about these Bikes, and even he has no name for them. I would simple go with “Aikira Powerbike”