Monday, May 29, 2017

Final racer project

My first 2WS bike proved to me that the concept worked at low speed, but high speed behavior on the track was unknown. My first 2WS racer proved to me that the concept worked at high speed on the track, but not at a competitive level. A competitive racer will demand more time and money than all the previous bikes combined, but each bike has been preparation for the next one; not making the next one makes all the previous bikes almost a waste of time and money. I really want to see how fast we can go. Parts are accumulating to make this happen:
  • 17 x 3.5" wheels with split hub center steering at both ends. If I can steer the rear wheel, I can drive the front wheel. An overrunning clutch to the front wheel will eliminate the need for a differential. Initially, entirely machined wheels were planned, but previous generation R1 front wheels are ideal - they are very light for a production wheel, and the hub area is big enough to bore out and install a smaller universal joint in the center with a lighter machined hub. A cheap damaged wheel verified that it will work. Two new wheels are now on hand. 
  • 500 single 2-stroke power, with a combination counterbalancer/intake valve (My design), and a 6 speed transmission with a dry clutch. A KX500 engine (On hand) will provide most of the mechanical parts, a Ducati 999 engine (On hand) will provide most of the transmission and clutch parts, and some foundry work will provide the cases necessary to put it all together. That will take a lot of work, but it should make a lot of power for a very small engine, with much less maintenance, tuning work, exhaust fabrication, and cost than a multi-cylinder engine. 
  • Very narrow and light tubular steel chassis and suspension. Exotic materials and construction techniques were studied with a lot of enthusiasm, but none of them had any practical appeal. The ergonomics of the first racer were excellent, as viewed from the side, but the hands, knees, and feet need to move a LOT closer together to improve safety and aerodynamics.
No effort is being taken to build anything remotely national or international racing class friendly. Why design and build a bike to fit rules that would only make it more expensive and/or slower? I want to go as fast as possible for the least amount of money; rulebooks are generally written to produce the opposite result for the business corporations the rulemakers are working with/against. Club racing organisations are far more accommodating to the active racing enthusiast anyway.

When? Not soon enough.

I better use that engine before they get any more ideas...