We've launched an exciting new project of our own! Introducing the Kickstarter app for iPhone!

Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on May 3, 2012.

The Widowmakr

Update #7 · Apr 27, 2012 · comment

This is the Motorcycle that Sherlock Holmes rides in the Steampunk Holmes book series.  It was originally designed by Mikky Solifague of Solifague Design in Russia.  We licensed the likeness of this bike for use in Steampunk Holmes but also as The Big Ticket Item in our interactive steampunk catalog.

You will be able order this bike custom made and street legal through the Steampunk Holmes web site and eBooks!  Each order will be hand built by Putsch Racing of Dublin, Ohio.

If the name, Putsch Racing, sounds familiar it might be because - in addition to restoring and building custom motorcycles and cars - Putsch Racing built the World's only jet engine powered bat car last year, a feat of engineering covered by just about every major news outlet.

We are super excited to include the Widowmakr (originally named the Black Widow) in our merchandise catalog and we can't wait to see these bikes hit the road!  In the Steampunk Holmes stories the Widowmakr runs on steam power, but in real life they will sport a wickedly powerful petrol-fueled combustion engine.

Here an excerpt from the book, Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus, which explains how the Widowmakr got its name. This bike is not for the faint of heart.

Holmes' enormous motorized bicycle, the Widowmak’r, was his pet hobby, and so enamored was he with its power and terrific capability for speed, he could not keep his enjoyment of the vehicle to himself. The Widowmak’r got its name from the engineer Holmes employed to help him build it. The engineer, a cankerous old man but a genius with H202 steam engines, told Holmes that no good could come of such a machine. He called it a “Widowmak’r” because it would surly kill Holmes and leave his wife a widow. Holmes had laughed at that, and said he had no intention of ever marrying, but he immediately fancied the name Widowmak’r – or Widow as he called it for short –  and has used it ever since.

Doctor Watson 1885 

Supporting this kickstarter project will help make this bike a reality - without Steampunk Holmes there is no Widowmakr and that would be a crying shame.

1,290
Backers
$42,877
pledged of $29,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding period
Apr 19, 2012 - May 3, 2012 (14 days)

  • Pledge $1 or more

    74 backers

    Pledge any amount and you will get a link to download the text-only eBook edition of Steampunk Holmes today! All pledges qualify - even $1.00 gets you a free download of the text-only eBook which you can read on your Kindle, Sony Reader, Nook OR directly on your laptop as a PDF!

    Estimated delivery: May 2012
  • Pledge $8 or more

    92 backers

    You get access to the first book in the series, 'Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus' as promised at the $1 and up level, as well as an advanced copy of each of the next six books in the series as they become available.

    Estimated delivery: May 2012
  • Pledge $9 or more

    428 backers

    At the $9.00 level you get a lifetime subscription to the Steampunk Holmes Web site on which you can enjoy reading and interacting with the first book, Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus and all subsequent books in the series as they become available. That's a $200.00 value for a $9.00 contribution!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $19 or more

    83 backers

    A copy of the print edition of 'Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus' for those of us who like to curl up with a book.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $29 or more

    92 backers

    All three electronic editions of 'Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus', including the fully enhanced, illustrated, and animated iPad book app, the text-only eBook (ePUB), and the audiobook (MP3). PLUS your name immortalized on the Contributors List published in the iPad book and the web site.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $36 or more

    259 backers

    This is a special level that combines Levels 8, 9, and 19 and is included by popular demand. **** You get access to the first book in the series, 'Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus' as promised at the $1 and up level, as well as an advanced copy of each of the next six books in the series (eBooks) as they become available. *** You also get a lifetime subscription to the Steampunk Holmes Web site on which you can enjoy reading and interacting with the first book, Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus and all subsequent books in the series as they become available. *** And finally, you get a copy of the print edition of 'Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus' for those of us who like to curl up with a book.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2014
  • Pledge $39 or more

    136 backers

    At the $39.00 level you get everything at the $9.00 level, plus Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus for the iPad, audiobook, and eReaders (i.e. Kindle, iBooks, Sony and most other eReaders).

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $59 or more

    22 backers

    Everything you get at the $29 level plus Abney Park's latest music CD signed by lead singer, Captain Robert. PLUS your name immortalized on the Silver Contributors List published in the iPad book and the web site.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $69 or more

    16 backers

    At the $69.00 level you get everything at the $39.00 level, plus Abney Park's latest CD signed by lead singer, Captain Robert. In addition, your name is immortalized in the Silver Level Sponsor List permanently published on our web site. In 20 years you can look back and say, "I helped to launch Steampunk Holmes" and have proof.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $99 or more

    50 backers

    At the $99 level you get everything at the the $69.00 level, plus the print edition of Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus and your choice of three mini-posters from the book signed by the artist Daniel Cortes. You'll also get a personal Thank You letter from the author, P.C. Martin!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $249 or more

    21 backers

    At the $249 level you get everything you get at the $99.00 level plus, access to all subsequent books in audio, iPad, eBook, and print editions as they become available. In addition, your name will be immortalized in the Gold Level Sponsors List permanently included in the acknowledgments section of all editions of the book.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $499 or more

    8 backers Limited (2 of 10 left)

    At the $499 level you get everything you get at the $249.00 level plus, all printed editions of each sequel lovingly signed by the soon-to-be-famious author, P.C. Martin. In addition, your name will be immortalized in the Diamond Level Sponsors List included in the acknowledgments of all editions of the book.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $899 or more

    0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)

    Two contributors at the $899 level will get everything at the $499.00 level, plus we'll use their names for two characters in the story! Imagine Sherlock Holmes addressing a character with your name!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $1,399 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    At the $1,399 level, your likeness will be used for a character portrait which will be included in the book, made into a print signed by the artist for you exclusively. One of a kind original art by Daniel Cortes!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012