Motoczysz, Inspired by the Britten V1000

[sAsLEX]

I wonder why they decided to go with a cast block instead of CNC milled?

Didn't see it but one would have to say $$$?

[jrandom]

It must have gutted the Motoczysz guys when MotoGP changed the engine displacement limit to 800cc for 2007. The C1 was originally meant to be a GP contender; now it's not really good for any big-time racing unless they make and sell enough street-legal versions to qualify for WSBK's homologation rules.

[jrandom]

Didn't see it but one would have to say $$$?

Hmm, doesn't seem like a good reason to me. They were only making a couple of engines, and they had zero time to iterate the design. Of course, the worst happened and the first blocks cast were terrible; they only barely salvaged them with some particularly-expensive ceramic filler treatment.

The doco indicated that they (fortunately) managed to get their casting contractor to cover the cost of getting the blocks up to standard, but given the seven-figure sums they were already spending and the very tight development timeframe, cast blocks seemed like an odd choice to me.

I would have thought that setting up casting would be an expensive process in and of itself, something that only becomes economical when producing in volume. I know that most low-number prototype runs of close-tolerance plastics for engineering projects are generally done with expensive CNC-milled parts rather than injection-molded parts, simply because setting up for molding and then having to change it later is still vastly more expensive than the already-pricey custom machining option.

Oh well, I guess they knew what they were doing, but it felt so familiar to see problems getting in the way of a project because of a bad casting coming back from a contractor. I've seen the same shit happening with injection-molding time and time again.

[sAsLEX]

I know that most low-number prototype runs of close-tolerance plastics for engineering projects are generally done with expensive CNC-milled parts rather than injection-molded parts, simply because setting up for molding and then having to change it later is still vastly more expensive than the already-pricey custom machining option.

Rapid Prototying would be the go for plastics, and they are just getting in to metals with it as well. Faster than CNC and no wasted material!


http://www.3dsystems.com/products/sl..._hiq/index.asp

[jrandom]

Rapid Prototying would be the go for plastics...

I'm talking about fully-functional parts for fully-functional first prototypes. Rapid prototyping materials are getting better, but they're still not that close to simulating actual PC/ABS (etc) behaviour.

I suspect that when 100% match between materials in prototyping and production is required, CNC milling will still be the only option for quite some time.

If you're ever in need of rapid prototyping back in NZ, give my mates at Objective Design a yell (I share an office building with them). The Objet technology is pretty darn impressive.

[Hamel]

I too saw the Doco on Discovery Channel. Given that I used to work for Britten and we experienced many of the same frustrations as MotoCzysz, I emailed Michael Czysz with some words of enouragement. One of the things I said to him was "John, if he was alive, would be very, very impressed."
He would have been! This MotoCzysz is a work of genius.

Here's Michael Czysz's reply:

"In John's spirit- F'ING AWESOME!

I am so honored and touched to receive your email. Of course your project was my inspiration, the real catalyst that said this can be done or al least it should be tried- again.

The support from New Zealand has been really amazing. I would love to bring the bike there someday with my family and ride at a few tracks and get to Christchurch.

I am very pleased to meet you Hamish, and already have a favor to ask you. Could I post your email on our blog? and do you have a picture I could post along with it? This means a lot and I will share your email with my team.

All my best to you in 08 as well Hamish.

Sincerely,

Michael Czysz"

I'm sure if you too wanted to add words of encouragement Michael would be really touched. If you want you could tack them on the end of my email which Michaels going to post on his website soon.

[Hitcher]

I think that engine is just brilliant! Two pistons that go up and down, while the other two go down and up. Marvellous!

[ital916]

The question is though, for 100 000 dollars would you go for this or the Desmosedici RR lol

[imdying]

The question is though, for 100 000 dollars would you go for this or the Desmosedici RR lol

Unless you own a 999R I don't think there's a choice?

I'd be going the Vyrus over either of them though.

[discotex]

I think that engine is just brilliant! Two pistons that go up and down, while the other two go down and up. Marvellous!

Oooh how facetious Mr Hitch.

I'd love to ride that bike. A IL4 mounted 90 degrees to normal with counter-rotating flywheels would make for a very flickable bike.

Add the funky lateral flex forks that mean the suspension can absorb bumps better when fully cranked over and I can see why they think they're onto something.

That and I think privateers are the true spirit of motorsport. Factory teams sort of turn it into a who's got the bigger cheque book game.