This is probably in the wrong forum but it's too general to be in the specific one (yet)
With the FZR400 pretty well sorted and a clear understanding of what has to happen to the Moto Guzzi next (basic stuff = no drama) my mind is wandering to 'other' things...
Roadracing is cool but I have neither the time, build, budget nor the interest to do much there... Moto Cross - I'm too old and banged up... Sprinting?? Well now, that 'could' be fun as long as you don't try and top 300kph which is when it get werry wexpensiph!
So - why not consider, how fast could something daft like a GN250 be made to go?
This train of thought leads to several questions.
1. Could i run a non street legal bike at the wairarapa sprints?
2. Could I run a purposed degined bike with a one off or modified frame?
3. Could anyone suggest a suitably laughable project starting point. It would need to be common, cheaply availiable, SIMPLE, have a relatively solid bottom end and chain drive and probably 250cc or 400cc would be the limit.
Multi's like the FZR could probably be made to go too fast too easily - I want a semi streamliner, Burt Munro kinda creation.....
So - if anyone has any ideas... Or a donor machine.... Post away....
Personally, I'd base it around a four stroke single of the 70s-80s era. Strong bottom ends that could handle maybe a Methanol breathing overbored engine that could be flowed and cammed to within a mm of its life.
If something goes "Bang", generally the cranks could take it, and there should be enough cheap parts around.
TT/XT/DR/XR etc. Fixing one cylinder is alot cheaper than a multi, plus a finely tuned single gains much respect IMHO.
Yeah well if you follow Burt's example you would start off with something like a GN and set an intial target of say let's make the real ton - which you should be able to achieve with a warmer engine and a better (read lowered) chassis. Then you can iron out the bugs and then start thinking of streamlining and set a target of say the old 150mph and sure I doubt you'd quite aim for the 200 club.
Whatever you are getting close to legend status already given what you did with the FZR.
Personally, I'd base it around a four stroke single of the 70s-80s era. Strong bottom ends that could handle maybe a Methanol breathing overbored engine that could be flowed and cammed to within a mm of its life.
If something goes "Bang", generally the cranks could take it, and there should be enough cheap parts around.
TT/XT/DR/XR etc. Fixing one cylinder is alot cheaper than a multi, plus a finely tuned single gains much respect IMHO.
Thats pretty much what i was thinking!
I'd hope to go with something with a degree of relative interchangability.. ie all those engines came in various sizes meaning you could (with a bit of machining) build short stroke, long stroke, big bore etc... Down side is trail bike stuff costs a fortune as it's always getting busted and there is a big demand.
The plan is to start basic and try and improve it every year. I reckon it would be a hoot...
I notice there are a few two stokes becoming availiable these days but they just don't have the appeal of the worls fastest GN250 or honda postie bike
I notice there are a few two stokes becoming availiable these days but they just don't have the appeal of the worlds fastest GN250 or honda postie bike
Totally feeling ya... people who think bike start and end with the latest and greatest are totally missing out on a lot.
One or two other considerations for me, would be,
Two valve heads. (standard valves can be binned, and theres more "meat" available to reshape to your requirements).
Heaps of work has already been done on such engines, and knowledge is readily available.
Single, or twin maybe, but if your changing carbs, ignition systems that can deliver the go that you desire, then less is best cost wise.(old smooth bore yz/IT carbs were a favourite as they adapted well to the extra flow rate of Methanol, Krober Igns were Ok, but I'm sure there are better ones now.
(Hell, I'm getting half a mongrel just thinking about such a project)
And I to my motorcycle parked like the soul of the junkyard. Restored, a bicycle fleshed with power, and tore off. Up Highway 106 continually drunk on the wind in my mouth. Wringing the handlebar for speed, wild to be wreckage forever.
MUZ Scorpion Sport 660cc
Asking price: $3700, Or Near Offer
Closes: Wed, 10 Oct
Award winning, liquid cooled, 5 valve Yamaha Xtz660 engine.
Economical commuter or sport single,
Paioli 41mm front forks, preload-adjustable rising rate rear shock, Grimeca dual opposed piston brakes with braided steel lines.
One owner, excellent condition, always garaged with service history,spares including stainless steel exhaust and bar end mirrors.
I reckon this is damn close to what you need to be building. Especially with the XT660 engine.
And I to my motorcycle parked like the soul of the junkyard. Restored, a bicycle fleshed with power, and tore off. Up Highway 106 continually drunk on the wind in my mouth. Wringing the handlebar for speed, wild to be wreckage forever.
MZ's are seriously cool but too expensive - too 'factory'.... As for the ducati? bwahahahaha.. oh gawd... no.... please..... I'm a moto guzzi guy - you trying to get me assasinated?
Nah - THIS tickles me fancy - a Honda Rebel 250...... Needs a longer chassis, add a fairing.....
I used to own an A100, that I was gonna try and get the ton out of. Figured an expansion chamber, and a real carburator would do the trick, given that an rg150 does it out of the box with reletive reliability.
The four stroke single is definately the way to go, not sure how many of you have been at Manfield the last two rounds, but there's a guy in post classics on what used to be an XR500, mixing it with the front three bikes, a methonol burning GS1000, a tickled GSXR1100, and methonol Z1R.
Theres power to be had, in employing more recent engine technologies.
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Originally Posted by tri boy
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