Bucket options?

**Skunk** · 4th January 2009, 21:11

Originally Posted by Ixion

Can you use an engine larger than the rules allow , and sleeve it down to legal capacity? Or use a twin with one cylinder blanked off (or, a four with two blanked off, probably better from a balance POV). Can you have more than one engine in the bike (eg 2 70cc engines?).Annoyingly I have about 4 250 cc engines lying around, but nothing smaller.

Yes, you can. Use your imagination - that's what this class is all about.

**wbks** · 4th January 2009, 21:13

wouldn't that be a bit heavy when you can pic up something from a wreckers for a couple hundred? I don't think they are too strict on the engines. It only talks about rebored engines in my '07 mnz manual about f4/f5 engines. They would probably let you off with a 250 IL4 with only 2 cylenders running, it wouldn't be an advantage. And two 70cc's would be a bitch to get working right. Just make sure the engine isn't considered competition based and if you are trying to go into f5 there can only be one carb up to a 20mm. woops someone beat me to it

**speedpro** · 4th January 2009, 21:28

Originally Posted by Ixion

Annoyingly I have about 4 250 cc engines lying around, but nothing smaller.

Look here - http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=11908

**TZ350** · 4th January 2009, 21:33

That is very cool speedpro.

**speedpro** · 4th January 2009, 21:35

Get two end cylinders, spend ages blanking off the sides and making drives for a cam belt. cast cases for a V-twin to mount the cylinders on, put it all together, mate it up to a scooter CVT transmission. Probably easiest to start it with the likes of a model aeroplane engine starter.

Just an idea. If you are making a custom crank ,make it short stroke so the engine is only 100cc and supercharge it.

Buckets, the only real limit is your imagination. The engine in the above link was made in my garage by me with a cheap lathe and a few power tools.

**Ixion** · 4th January 2009, 21:42

Originally Posted by speedpro

Look here - http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=11908

Hm. Interesting. So, you can use a crippled IL4 250 running on two cylinders. And you can supercharge it? So could you (legally) use two cylinders of the 250 to supercharge to other two? Dunno how one would sort the cams out, but I imagine something could be done. Somehow. I'm big on 'somehow' . Or use a 400 cc twin, sleeve one cylinder down for the actual "power" cylinder (200 cc down to 125, should have decent valve sizes); and use the other cylinder as a supercharger. Like the old Puch two strokes. 200 cc charging 125 is a decent boost.

**Ixion** · 4th January 2009, 21:45

Originally Posted by wbks

wouldn't that be a bit heavy when you can pic up something from a wreckers for a couple hundred? I..

Possibly. But the advantage is that you get a frame that should have brakes and suspension beefy enough without having to do transplants. And , say, an RZ250 chassis isn't that heavy.

**speedpro** · 4th January 2009, 21:45

Originally Posted by wbks

wouldn't that be a bit heavy . . . . They would probably let you off with a 250 IL4 with only 2 cylenders running, it wouldn't be an advantage. And two 70cc's would be a bitch to get working right.

I had a look at this. all the 250/4s are 4V heads and high performance with nice gearboxes. The Yams at least have very light crankcases and is the reason I didn't bother removing the unused bit on my engine. Plus it'll be a good place to mount a turbo and the oil will drain directly back into the case. I'd guess the 1/2 a FZR250 weighs less than a CB125T, and it has plain bearings on the crank, is water cooled, 4V straight intake heads, modern rods/pistons(OK 20 yrs old now) and just lovely bits of kit and a 17-18,000rpm redline.

**speedpro** · 4th January 2009, 21:51

Originally Posted by Ixion

Possibly. But the advantage is that you get a frame that should have brakes and suspension beefy enough without having to do transplants. And , say, an RZ250 chassis isn't that heavy.

The FZR250 chassis is a honey as well. It's noticeable to someone who has been to a few meetings up and down the country that the Wellington guys like their ZXR/FZR style alloy beam frames and they go very very well on them. There is lighter frames but I doubt if many have better brakes or handling. My own FZR is very impressive to ride handling wise. The RS125 brakes are pretty good as well. They generally come with good size wheels which helps.

**speedpro** · 4th January 2009, 21:54

Originally Posted by Ixion

an RZ250 chassis isn't that heavy.

Not after a day with a 9" cutoff disc and angle grinder

**Skunk Control** · 4th January 2009, 22:03

Buckets is all about having fun, weather it's in the racing side of it or the building side. For me I'm still enjoying the fossicking side, trying to find bits to build my own bucket (and very cheaply).

**Skunk** · 4th January 2009, 22:06

Originally Posted by Ixion

Possibly. But the advantage is that you get a frame that should have brakes and suspension beefy enough without having to do transplants. And , say, an RZ250 chassis isn't that heavy.

There was an RZ350/MT100 bucket down here for a while. Had a big crash and the frame didn't survive. I have the swingarm and wheels from it but the engine is still with it's original owner. As for alloy beam frames ZXR (two) and TZR (two) frames are getting common here too.
And '89 RG250's... by the start of the season there will be three.

**koba** · 4th January 2009, 22:10

I started on a totally fucked 110cc loncin pitbike with non functioning rear suspension.
I got it for $200.
Bucket racing is what you make it, any bike is better than none just get a bike and do it!