Legacy Ovation Two-wheel Drive Bike

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Legacy Ovation Two-wheel Drive Bike:
$350.00

This is a very special - and very rare - bike. It is a pre-production prototype of the Legacy Ovation two-wheel drive mountain bike that was used for final testing. The company never actually got the bike into production and - as far as I can tell - there are, literally, just a few left in the world.
The group responsible for the Ovation was out of the SF Bay and LA areas. The Cro-moly frames were designed in the US and made in Taiwan, and all the components used at the time were considered to be very decent. I acquired the bike from one of the company founders sometime around 1989. I helped to give response.
This example is in very good, original condition. There are a few scratches and dings and a few things that will need to be adjusted for it to be ridden, but nothing significant. All of the 2WD components are there, except the flexible drive cable that resides inside the sheath that connects the front and back wheels. So, all of the brackets and gears can be assembled, but there is no direct wheel-to-wheel connection. I understand it could be relatively easily fabricated (Some believe it was using a speedometer cable), but I have also put out some requests to find Legacy\'s founders and see if they have access to a part like this. Some specifications:
Frame Cro-MolyFork Cro-Moly, 135mm spacingRims Kin Lin alloyHubs SovosCrank Suntour SC ProRear cogs 7-speed cassetteF. Derailleur Shimano Deore XTR. derailleur Suntour XC ProShifters Suntour XpressBrakes Suntour XC
There is some information on the Internet, but a couple entries are not correct. In particular, during a demo, an early prototype snapped a cable because it was binding during a tight turn. But that issue was fixed directly after with a clutch-type front gear that allowed for differences in wheel speed between the front and back. While it certainly isn\'t a perfect execution of 2WD, it is very interesting and actually works in the loose, slower stuff, like bigger rocks and sand. It is totally acceptable on the street, though you can feel the extra parts moving. The drive system can - as it is now - be disconnected and it will feel and act like a regular hardtail mountain bike. Right now it has hybrid tires on it, but I also still have the original gummy knobbies (which with the 2WD system makes the Ovation pretty unstoppable in the rough stuff). Everything else is stock and original, and I have all the accessories (rear rack, reflectors, stand, etc.).
With some TLC and a tune-up, it can be ridden daily, but it is very rare and should be considered an historic piece. You really need to try it, though, off road. Really fun.
Please contact me with any questions and for more information.