Here is a little something for the chopper guys.

[jetmechmarty]

The rest of you might get a kick out of it too!

Never underestimate an old rat bike.

[crazy steve]

Reminds me of a quote from an engine builder.... "Horsepower sells motors, torque wins races..."

[jwhughes3]

That had me rolling....



John

[CaptonZap]

So now that some of you are stoked, here is a start on your very own "Rat" bike.
http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/3780955874.html

CZ

[XJkid]

More torque for the Yammi?

I have often thought about getting more torque out of my XJ, but all I've seen on the site concerned horsepower. Is it possible to "stroke" these motors?

[TADracer]

I love it...."Its got no brakes on front"...then as he puts his helmet on "safety first, you know".

[jimbyjimb]

Yeah. I think some members take 1100's to 1300-1400cc, but through pistons/sleeves and not stroking. I've never had an 11 apart but I imagine there isn't much room for longer stroke cranks in the case. From the posts I've read good kits are rarer all the time and in general 11 mods result in little power per dollar.

It all depends on application. Diesel tractors are diesels for a reason just as most road course vehicles use low displacement high-revving engines built for horsepower, not torque. Toss a pierce arrow 12-cylinder into an F1 car and see how that works out.

I don't find it surprising a larger displacement per cylinder twin bests a high-revving four in such a short race. Had they gone even 1/8 mile that race would look quite different. Not that I'm advocating the benefits of riding a motorcycle where my elbows would hit my knees in prison position. I'd likely take the chopper, sport bike riding positions are horrible. A Busa or a ZX14 I could do.

[donebysunday]

Hardly Ableson

The rest of you might get a kick out of it too!

Never underestimate an old rat bike.

Way back I was forced into taking my buds new soft tail for a ride. I hit the gas for the on ramp, just before entering the slab I looked to my left and I was pulling into the slow lane right in front of a black car, pulled in front of him and looked again. He was an unmarked squad, I was well ahead, let off looked at the speedo doing 85 in a 55, let off the throttle more to 65 and kept going to the next off, he kept going

[jwhughes3]

I don't find it surprising a larger displacement per cylinder twin bests a high-revving four in such a short race. Had they gone even 1/8 mile that race would look quite different.

I would put my old 78 against it - it pulled so strong off the line - but my 80? no way, does much better from a rolling start.


John

[jimbyjimb]

I'd like to pit my imaginary Pratt and Whitney R2800 powered motorcycle against anything on the planet. Hell' I'd pit that against a rocket.

Sound like fun?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVD7m9gqQ8M

[jwhughes3]

That particular engine was not very impressive. They should have skipped filming the first few minutes.

But the horsepower!

John

[jimbyjimb]

155 CI per cylinder. You should go to a flight museum and check them out if you haven't seen one apart before. Amazing engines, the most amazing piston engines ever built and all from the early 40's. I'm a bit obsessed.

At our local museum they have cut-up R2800's and one R4360. Looking at how those engine operate is incredible. Dual distributors, two plugs a hole, cam lobes on the crank shaft, valve timing, plug wire routing, valve sizes, dual blowers built into the case, etc...

The overwhelming majority of 'wear' items on those engines are built to service for the next 500 years. I have never fathomed anything with a piston so robust.

[jwhughes3]

I saw this one a while back and thought it would be a hoot to ride.



John

[jimbyjimb]

If you could build that into a standard with a decent size fuel tank, count me in!

Radials are awesome.