Author Topic: Race Bike - Old Thread revival. (Read 33037 times)

72westie · **on:** December 19, 2008, 06:21:44 pm

For the last 5 years now, I have been racing a 2001 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 in the Ahrma Roadracing series. We first ran in their Sportsman 500 class against Triumph's, BSA's and some Jap bikes. 3 years ago we moved into the Classic 60's class and have been racing against Manx Nortons, BSA Goldstars, the occasional Harley and Vellocette. This year we ended up winning the #1 plate for Classic 60's. Now this winter, we are trying to shed some more weight from the bike and making it look a little nicer overall. I will post up some pictures and random updates to this as we get more progress done to the bike. If you have any questions or anything, I will be happy to answer as best as I can.

We just installed a older Fury top triple tree yesterday. Also, if you haven't checked your steering neck bearing like we hadn't, they may be pretty dry after 5 or 6 years. The cardboard and duct tape picture is my mold for a new tail section that I will make with fiberglass.

Adam

Cabo Cruz · **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2008, 06:34:01 pm

Adam, the #1 plate... way to go...

CONGRADULATIONS!!!

geichal · **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2008, 09:19:57 pm

Great!! I love seeing RE's do well! What kind of performance mods did you do to make your bike perform so well? (in addition to a great driver!)
geichal

72westie · **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2008, 10:07:11 pm

It may be easier to name what we haven't done then to list what we have done.

Piston
Alloy Cylinder - big improvement
Belt Drive Clutch - Huge improvement
Cams
Ported head and big valves
Rod and alpha bearing
custom exhaust
Oil pumps

We have hit 41-42 HP range, but its currently 38-39. During the start of one race this year, I pulled a frickin wheelie. Never thought an Enfield would do that!

chumma7 · **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2008, 11:09:28 pm

That's awesome Adam.
I've got a couple specific questions about your bike's setup.
What kind of piston are you running? Compression/ bore (assuming 84mm for 500 class)
Carb/intake setup?
What sort of rpms is the bike seeing with the cams producing 40ish hp?
How often are you finding yourself doing rebuilds?
Has the alpha bearing/rod ever failed you? (I assume you're running a steel conrod)
And lastly... about how much does the bike weigh?

I would love to see more pictures and maybe a video of a race. Looking forward to hearing how your winter projects come along. Keep us updated!
-chumma

c1skout · **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2008, 11:28:59 pm

  Great job Adam. I'm glad for you. I wish I could make it out to watch more of those races but there aren't any close enough to me. They used to race at beaverun raceway near Pittsburgh (PA) and I made that one once. I've been to mid-ohio twice but that one is about 5 hours from home.
   There was a young guy racing on a bullet at beaverun when I was there and doing very well... I believe he was closing on the leading goldstar when his gas cap dislocated itself from the bike and the track workers sent him off. It looked like the bullet wasn't the fastest in that class but the guy riding it was doing a really good job. I believe he'd have won it if not for the gas cap incident. That same rider was also running a KTM in another class and mabye even something else...I don't remember for sure but he was definately a good rider.
  MAN I LOVE hearing those big singles at full song! On the ride home from that race at beaverun my wife asked me "how much do the new Enfields cost?". Three days later I struck a deal with an ex-dealer for a "new" 5 year old bike figuring on going classic racing. Turns out I couldn't afford all the associated costs of going racing, but I did finally get to buy my Enfield, only 17 years after deciding that I wanted one.
   Hey Adam, is your front tire mounted backwards?

72westie · **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2008, 02:22:31 am

Well, motor questions first. Its a 20 thousands oversized piston. We ran the stock bore for the longest time and just threw the new piston in this summer. No clue on the compression ratio. Carb is a Amal 1036 with a intake extension. RPMs are around 7kish on dyno, who knows on the track (no tach). Carrello rod. Cams were e-bay specials. Rebuild it once a year, maybe, oil pump drives suck though. I have split a alpha bearing in two, due to shifting from 4th to first as the trans screwed up. The bike didn't like those kind of rpms. No clue on the weight.

C1skout,

Thanks for the kind words. That was me at Beaverrun. I still have that damn tank. The gas cap neck sheared off the tank on me. It was weird looking down into a tankful of gas. A quick thanks to Classic Motorworks, as I have destroyed a few tanks and they have always been helpful in getting me new ones.

You are right, there is nothing like a single at full song. I love it when I am neck and neck with a Manx and they are both on the pipes. I am glad that you got an Enfield. We are always at Mid-ohio. Come and find us next time if you come there. That may have been the last time they ran at Beaverrun.

The front tire is on right, it just looks backwards. I have several race compound tires that have great tread in the middle, but smoked on the edges if anyone wants some!

sewerman · **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2008, 01:41:25 pm

Adam,

Congratulations! Are you the fellow from BG cycles in Bowling Green? If so I meet you and your Dad on a visit to your area and saw you run at Mid-Ohio. Nice people with a dog that greets you in the shop. Hope you get down my way someday to run at Daytona. Keep up the good work!

72westie · **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2008, 04:12:06 pm

Yes, that's me from BG Motorcycle. Maybe one of these years I can make it down to Daytona. Right now, the closest I have been is Roebling Road. Here are a couple of pictures of the split crank pin.

c1skout · **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2008, 01:15:13 am

Hey Adam, I found 2 pictures of your racebike from when I saw you at beaverrun. I tried to post them here but they didn't go through. Guess I don't know what I'm doing.

Leonard · **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2008, 02:20:35 am

Are you clicking on the words Additional Options... down there on the bottom left?

Quote from: c1skout on December 23, 2008, 01:15:13 am

Hey Adam, I found 2 pictures of your racebike from when I saw you at beaverrun. I tried to post them here but they didn't go through. Guess I don't know what I'm doing.

BigDon · **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2008, 03:26:24 am

Quote from: 72westie on December 20, 2008, 04:12:06 pm

Yes, that's me from BG Motorcycle. Maybe one of these years I can make it down to Daytona. Right now, the closest I have been is Roebling Road. Here are a couple of pictures of the split crank pin.

Let us know when you next race at Roebling. Due you run the AHMRA SE series?

Is theirs or the series you run schedule out for 2009?

72westie · **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2008, 03:16:15 pm

Here is Ahrma's schedule for 2009. The tentative plan is to hit Roebling Road, Possibly Road America, Grattan, Mid-Ohio, VIR and Barbers. The other dates are either too far away or cost too much money, ie Daytona. Road America is iffy for me, as the music festival Bonnaroo is on the same weekend and I am a hippie at heart I guess. I am wait for the band line-up to be released before I make the decision on Road America.

Schedule deleted as it was the 2009

72westie · **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2009, 12:47:44 am

Just found this video online from the Barber Vintage Festival this past October. This is from the Bears/Classic 60's race. The Bears class started before us, but I ended up passing the guy with the camera at the 1:35 mark. I have the triangular tailsection. I lead the guy until the end of the clip when he passes me back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3LmJ3jhVc4&feature=PlayList&p=E465C0BD2AA2A20B&index=3

Cabo Cruz · **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2009, 03:12:16 am

Westie, very cool... WOWZAA!!!

Leonard · **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2009, 08:29:30 pm

Quote from: 72westie on January 05, 2009, 12:47:44 am

Just found this video online from the Barber Vintage Festival this past October.

The knee dragging lean angle is just amazing. You mentioned that you use race compound tires, could you tell me the brand name and the size? I'm not looking to go racing, just curious.

72westie · **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2009, 09:24:09 pm

The tires are Avon race compunds. I think they are AM20 front and AM18 rear, but not sure. 90/90-19 front and 100/90-19 rear.

Vulin · **Reply #17 on:** January 11, 2009, 05:16:04 pm

any full body shot pics of the bike?

72westie · **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2009, 01:21:27 am

I will take one or two tomorrow.

72westie · **Reply #19 on:** January 13, 2009, 09:02:54 pm

Ok, here are a couple of side shots as the bike sits right now. Parts are removed and its getting some winter work.

Here is a picture of my new winter project.

Bankerdanny · **Reply #20 on:** January 13, 2009, 11:41:32 pm

Is that an Enfield twin in the background?

72westie · **Reply #21 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:32:45 am

No, its a Norton Commando.

BigDon · **Reply #22 on:** January 14, 2009, 04:01:37 am

Hope to see you race at Roebling.

I will be there Friday and plan on staying over for the AHMRA Dirt Races at Oglethorpe Saturday Night.

Weather will dictate weather I ride the Bullet or the Valkyrie.

PhilJ · **Reply #23 on:** January 14, 2009, 04:28:31 pm

That is one nice racing VW.

Bankerdanny · **Reply #24 on:** January 15, 2009, 08:47:40 pm

Quote from: 72westie on January 14, 2009, 01:32:45 am

No, its a Norton Commando.

When I was a teenage, maybe 15, one of my father's friends offered us a basket case 750 Cammando.

For some reason (and I can't think of why, my father was a Brit bike veteran of many years) we didn't take him up on it. It's one of those decisions that I still kick my self over.

72westie · **Reply #25 on:** October 02, 2009, 08:00:30 pm

Bringing up a old thread here. Just got some new bodywork in for the Race Bike. I just got it mounted today and hopefully will get it painted on Sunday. Racing at Barber next weekend.

ace.cafe · **Reply #26 on:** October 02, 2009, 08:14:01 pm

Nice tail section!
I reckon that's gonna really help out, along with the little bikini fairing up front.

I notice 2 things that I have questions about.
1)You have that carb moved quite far back with a longer manifold hose.
Wanna expound on that?

2)Did you just cut off the casquette to make that upper fork yoke, or are there some modifications to it?

BTW, I picked the same location for my rear-set pegs on my other Bullet. I think that's a good spot.

Thanks,
Tom

72westie · **Reply #27 on:** October 02, 2009, 08:31:19 pm

The carb manifold length is where we get the best power. Farther back or farther inwards and we lose power. If we went any farther in towards the tank, we would have to section the corner out for clearance.

The casquette is a Fury one that our old mechanic bought off of E-bay right before he died. I had forgotten to bid and he bought it and dangled it in front of me. After he passed, I bought it from his wife. He had bought it for me, because he knew I would forget to bid on it.

The rearset can still catch or drag from that spot. You may also want to drill a second hole in the arm that mounts to the shifter spindle. Ours shifted a lot better once we moved the hole down.

Cabo Cruz · **Reply #28 on:** October 02, 2009, 09:14:55 pm

Very cool, Br. Westie!!!

I wish you the absolute best of luck at Barber's!!!

aleman · **Reply #29 on:** October 03, 2009, 01:59:39 am

Thanks 72westie. I am very much looking forward to your updates. I am planning some bottom end beefing up this winter and I will need inspiration. Also, I live in New Mexico and I noticed you are in ABQ second week of September. Best of luck with everything.

aleman

single · **Reply #30 on:** October 03, 2009, 02:01:18 am

Can't get enough of the race bike.Ditto on the shifter move,transformed mine.

72westie · **Reply #31 on:** October 06, 2009, 11:19:13 pm

Bike is ready to go. Paint looks like crap in person, but not bad in pictures $:-\$ Leaving Friday morning.

Jinx · **Reply #32 on:** October 08, 2009, 10:32:17 am

Roebling Rd.!!! Georgia! Off Hw17.
Hey,you were just 5 miles from my house! Would have liked to seen that race.
Congrats!

ace.cafe · **Reply #33 on:** October 08, 2009, 02:07:43 pm

I think it looks nice!

72westie · **Reply #34 on:** January 20, 2010, 04:27:18 pm

Bringing this back up from its slumber. While cleaning my desk yesterday, I found a picture CD from a friend/customer from my first Mid-Ohio on the Enfield. This was way back in 2003. I like to think that I have figured out how to 'tuck in' more, but I doubt it

I was rocking some borrowed leathers and lots of shiny aluminum. Here are a couple to laugh at. Enjoy.

Rick O'Shea · **Reply #35 on:** January 21, 2010, 12:53:25 am

Hey Westie, just saw Roebling Road is a non-spectator track; we can't watch you race?

Reelmaster · **Reply #36 on:** January 21, 2010, 05:32:16 am

Hi Adam, Jack Erskine here long time no talk!!! a Hardy "Congrats "on your Terric Win.

Keep up the Good work.!!!!!! Have you ever tried a Flat Slide Carb on the Bike., They.tell me they are definetly an im provement.

??

Best Regards. Jack.

Bug_Catcher · **Reply #37 on:** January 21, 2010, 05:53:00 am

totally off subject but your racer is silver like my bike. yaaay

72westie · **Reply #38 on:** January 21, 2010, 04:13:35 pm

Hey Guys. That schedule is from last year and isn't valid anymore. I think I am running Wera this year instead of Ahrma. Wera has more races closer to me, I am getting tired of driving 8 hours one way to race.

Hey Jack, how the hell are you?? Its been a while. How is the bike coming/going?? We have never tried a Flat-slide on our bike. We ran a round-slide Mikuni for a while and then Amal's.

I will try and find some race dates in a bit and post them here. I think I am going to try some more flat-track racing this year. It was fun and scary at the same time.

500KsGerry · **Reply #39 on:** January 24, 2010, 06:25:40 pm

Congrats on your win! ( and wheelie

) All best my wishes an luck from The god of speed to you. Consider me a new spec-tater. Hope for a little sponsership in atleast the small ways comes for ya. Thanks for the cool postings.

72westie · **Reply #40 on:** January 25, 2010, 12:53:32 am

Here are a few pictures of one of my current winter projects. Fiberglass Brake Air Scoop. Hopefully my brake won't overheat now

GeorgeE · **Reply #41 on:** January 25, 2010, 04:34:31 pm

Hey Adam
I was wondering if that was you or if someone nicked your# 1 plate. I'm the ugly bald guy with the gray beard that stops to see you at mid O. Are you racing there this year? Close to home for you I think. Hopefully the pits will be a little fuller this year. The politics seemed to have seriously wounded that event . Haven't heard much re AMA vs AHRMA lately. Bikes looking good. Enfield kicks Manx a$$ who woulda believed it.
George

RGT · **Reply #42 on:** January 25, 2010, 05:33:34 pm

I see you have the holes drilled in the backing plate. Might there be something to be gained by drilling some holes around the diameter, through the working surface, of the drum?

Leonard · **Reply #43 on:** January 25, 2010, 08:11:59 pm

Quote from: 72westie on January 25, 2010, 12:53:32 am

Here are a few pictures of one of my current winter projects. Fiberglass Brake Air Scoop. Hopefully my brake won't overheat now

This post rang a bell for me. It took some searching but I remembered "oldsalt" making an air scoop for his Bullet. Yours looks like it would gather more air but oldsalt's looks like it would work well for the street.

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1722.0;attach=1350;image

and

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1722.0;attach=1352;image

72westie · **Reply #44 on:** January 25, 2010, 09:16:23 pm

Hey George, Yes, that was me down at Mid-ohio. Hopefully the turn-out will be better this year. Mid-ohio is about a 1 1/2 hour drive, so we always go there for racing

We already had some intake holes and exhaust holes in the backing plate. I added some more when I made the scoop. I hope it works, its weird when you pull in the brake lever around 80-90 MPH and there is very little action and the corner is coming up very quick. We plan on drilling some holes in the hub, but not the drum surface area.

72westie · **Reply #45 on:** January 25, 2010, 09:18:24 pm

Quote from: Leonard on January 25, 2010, 08:11:59 pm

This post rang a bell for me. It took some searching but I remembered "oldsalt" making an air scoop for his Bullet. Yours looks like it would gather more air but oldsalt's looks like it would work well for the street.

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1722.0;attach=1350;image

and

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1722.0;attach=1352;image

Damn, that makes mine look like crap.

Leonard · **Reply #46 on:** January 25, 2010, 09:26:28 pm

Quote from: 72westie on January 25, 2010, 09:18:24 pm

Damn, that makes mine look like crap.

Doubt anyone will notice at 80-90mph.

72westie · **Reply #47 on:** January 25, 2010, 11:17:33 pm

80-90 was the only time I ever really had the brakes fade on me. I run the bike to 115 mph on the Dyno and it can still go a little more if I wanted to.

ace.cafe · **Reply #48 on:** January 25, 2010, 11:38:40 pm

It's quite important that the scoop is totally sealed all the way around, except for the intake at the front.
It has to be sealed airtight against that alloy brake plate, or it will allow air to leak out the seams.

The way it works is that it scoops in the air at the front, and builds pressure inside the scoop housing, forcing the air into the brake drum, thru the holes you drilled in the brake plate. If there is anywhere that the air can escape out the seams of the scoop, then the scoop will not build pressure inside, and won't work right.

The holes you drilled in the brake plate behind the fork are exit vents, and the outside airstream passing over them creates a low pressure zone, which pulls the air out of the brake drum, and it goes out into the airstream.

So, there is a clear entry and exit path which needs to be in place for this air flow thru the brake. The better you make that path, the better it will work.

Have no air leaks anywhere in that scoop, so that the air is forced into the brake drum.
If you have sufficient air leakage, the scoop will not even work at all, and it will only be a drag on aerodynamics, and provide no brake cooling.

A screen may be used on the intake in the front to keep little stones or gravel out. It's not mandatory to be screened, but it might help on sandy tracks.

Reelmaster · **Reply #49 on:** January 26, 2010, 12:27:18 am

Hi Adam , Are you still running the Adjustable Oil PumpConversions on the Bike or have you reverted back to Springs?

If you are still on the 0.005" adjustment setup how often do you teat up Spindles ,,is it better than you expected.

??

Take Care & Best for 2010& the racing series

I look forward to hearing from you ..Best Regards. Jack.

P.S. What Brand of Piston & Skirt Clearance are you running

What Oil do you use.

??

72westie · **Reply #50 on:** January 26, 2010, 12:34:50 am

I need to do some sealing around the edge's I think Ace. My finished product is a little rough on the edges, but nothing some silicone won't fix.

We have had at least 2 intake holes and those 5 or so exhaust holes, I was just looking for a little more flow after Barber last year. Its all stock brake parts in there, so they get worked pretty hard throughout a weekend.

Jack, we are still running those custom pump covers. I am not sure what the clearance is on them, when we put it together, it was too tight, so we re-adjusted it and it spins fine now. Haven't pulled the cover off to check for wear yet, that will be soon.

We are running a .020+ piston, not sure what brand or clearance off of the top of my head.

Spectro Oil is what we use. We have ran 5W30, 10W40 in full Synthetic and Semi-synthetic. We may try some 0W20 or lighter this year. I am happy though with the 5W30.

72westie · **Reply #51 on:** February 01, 2010, 10:28:13 pm

Well, I was running the bike last Friday on the Dyno and on the last run at around 85ish, the motor stopped motoring. I pulled in the clutch and slowed her down with the rear brake. Tore into the motor today and found 1/4" clearance on the intake pushrod. I just figured it jumped until I pulled it. Split open the motor and it appears that the rod main bearing cage has died and passed on to another world.

ace.cafe · **Reply #52 on:** February 01, 2010, 11:31:01 pm

Sounds like piston and valve may have had an unhappy meeting.

That pushrod is pretty bent!

cyrusb · **Reply #53 on:** February 02, 2010, 12:32:41 am

Pictures of the rod? Is that the second Alfa big end you've smoked?

72westie · **Reply #54 on:** February 02, 2010, 01:50:57 am

Piston did meet the head and intake valve. Haven't pulled the valve yet. Piston is good. Rod looks good so far, we have to press it apart yet. This is the 2nd Alpha for us. First one was a split pin when the transmission shifted from 4th to 1st at around 90is mph. This one appears to have had the cage let go.

cyrusb · **Reply #55 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:11:52 am

Well, you did mention 7k rpm. That's pretty high . Still I would have hoped that expensive bearing to be a little more durable. Was it in service for some time or was it a newbie?

ace.cafe · **Reply #56 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:31:04 am

A Bullet doing 7000 rpm has an average piston speed of 4133 feet per minute, or about 69 feet per second.
The peak piston speed is significantly higher than that.
That is a very high piston speed.
A Yamaha R6 doing 14500 rpm would have about that same average piston speed, and the peak piston speed would actually be lower than the Bullet at 7000 rpm.
And the R6 doesn't have anywhere near the moving mass as the Bullet has hanging on that crankpin.
Sometimes people don't fully understand how much stress that is.

That's going to be tough on nearly any engine.
But in racing, you push things hard so you can win.
Sometimes stuff breaks.

So next time you think the Bullet is a slow-revver, you can just listen to an R6 howling down the road at 14000 rpm, and realize that's how fast 72westie's 1-pound piston is moving up and down in his Bullet.
It may be a lower rpm, but the piston speed is the same.

72westie · **Reply #57 on:** February 02, 2010, 06:19:27 pm

Well, crank came apart today.not much left of the rollers.

I did some RPM checking. The run prior to breakage was ran to 6800 RPM. Some runs from last summer were 7200rpm+.

72westie · **Reply #58 on:** February 02, 2010, 06:26:53 pm

I did some RPM checking. The run prior to breakage was ran to 6800 RPM. Some runs from last summer were 7200rpm+.

Life from this pin was 2 years. The whole 2008 season and what little we ran last year

cyrusb · **Reply #59 on:** February 02, 2010, 07:08:52 pm

I guess 2 years at that stress level isn't all that bad. From the picture it looks like it got hot, hows the oil flow?

72westie · **Reply #60 on:** June 30, 2010, 03:13:29 am

Well, I figured it was time for an update. We are getting ready for Mid-Ohio next weekend. Bike should be running tomorrow hopeful. Mainly we just have to set and time the ignition now, I have most everything else ready now. Woohoo!!

Ice · **Reply #61 on:** June 30, 2010, 05:16:31 am

She's gorgeous Br. Westie !

Best of luck to you.

Reelmaster · **Reply #62 on:** June 30, 2010, 12:47:51 pm

Hi Adam, Can you please tell us more about your extended Manifold set-up I'm most interested. i'm gonna fit a 32mm Mikuni Flat Slide & guess there wil be a lot of messsing around getting the Jetting all sorted out etc.

All the Best for the Racing Season

Best Regards. Jack.

ace.cafe · **Reply #63 on:** June 30, 2010, 12:54:51 pm

Looking Good!

Best wishes this season!

72westie · **Reply #64 on:** June 30, 2010, 03:29:11 pm

Hey Jack,
I am sure Ace can explain the variable length intact tracts way better then I can, but increasing and decreasing the length makes an impact in the power curve, I am unsure if it affects the torque or HP or both. We have fiddled around with different lengths and have found good luck with 6" for us. At that length its a good power balance and it also was in a good spot to make a carb support bracket for the carb to rest on.

Our schedule right now only has Mid-Ohio next weekend, the 10th and 11th, then on Friday the 16th, I am going to try Flat-Tracking again in Wauseon and hopeful then Marion on the 18th for another Flat-track race. If all goes well, I hope to hit a couple more Road Races in Ohio.

GeorgeE · **Reply #65 on:** June 30, 2010, 03:31:12 pm

Hey Adam
Glad to see the bike is up and running again. See you at Mid Ohio. Hopefully there will actually be someone for you to race!
George

72westie · **Reply #66 on:** June 30, 2010, 04:27:19 pm

Hey George,
I am kicking around the idea of racing two races a day down there. I will know by Friday what I decide to do.

72westie · **Reply #67 on:** December 27, 2010, 10:59:05 pm

Well, Finally got the Race Bike in the shop to figure out my clutch dragging issue. Apparently these Bob Newby Clutches need serviced after 6 years of racing

The ball bearings were completely packed with clutch plate dust and the basket wasn't spinning almost at all. Took it apart, cleaned the bearings and grooves out, greased and re-assembled. Still has a slight drag, but MUCH better then what it had (none) before.

72westie · **Reply #68 on:** December 27, 2010, 11:01:47 pm

baird4444 · **Reply #69 on:** December 28, 2010, 12:48:05 am

Holy crap... belted primary??
Very cool!!

Lahti35 · **Reply #70 on:** December 28, 2010, 05:40:56 pm

72westie:

Are those holes in your swing arm nut there to lighten the load?

72westie · **Reply #71 on:** December 28, 2010, 07:53:18 pm

There has been a lot of drilling on anything we can to help lighten the load.

single · **Reply #72 on:** December 28, 2010, 08:46:44 pm

Well,how lite is it?Or,how do you figger you have removed,weight-wise.I would like to see the bike in person.I would like to see you race,also.Good luck with it in the coming year.I would really like to get a second bike to really modify the way yours is done,but I do not have the guts to race it.Mite run it purty hard,tho,sometimes.Appreciate the updates on here.I hope you kick some serious ass this year.

72westie · **Reply #73 on:** December 30, 2010, 04:11:16 pm

Have never gotten around to weighing it. We removed all the street equipment, stator, rotor, reg/rectifier and cut of unless tabs and other assorted stuff. I am hoping to do more racing with it this year, I didn't do very much with it last year.

cyrusb · **Reply #74 on:** December 30, 2010, 07:52:25 pm

I may be wrong, but I think Old Salts brake scoop thread stated that it was non funtional. It does look like it belongs there though.

72westie · **Reply #75 on:** January 08, 2011, 10:38:00 pm

A couple new photos from today. Bodywork only has a couple of bolts holding it on, just seeing how everything fits with the tank.

single · **Reply #76 on:** January 09, 2011, 01:51:57 am

Really lookin' good.

Reelmaster · **Reply #77 on:** January 09, 2011, 10:27:40 am

Hi Westie 72. Welcome to 2011 I hope you have a Great One & do Well with your Racing, I noticed in your latest Pic that you have a Steering Damper on the bike ,I have searched every where for one Can you please let me know where I may be able to buy one similar.
Best Regards. Jack.

72westie · **Reply #78 on:** January 09, 2011, 07:20:13 pm

Jack,
That dampener is off of a 1990's GSXR sportbike. I used the stock suzuki frame mount and drilled the frame and bolted it on. On the fork, our Mechanic had a old connecting rod that he had modified years ago to mount onto a Norton fork for a front dampener mount and it just happened to fit the enfield.

Reelmaster · **Reply #79 on:** January 12, 2011, 06:34:41 am

Hi 72 Westie, Thanks for the info on the Steering Damper, I will see if I can locate one down here, D Do any of you posters know where I may be able to buy Same in your Neck of the Woods. or if you have one for sale please advise.

Best Regards Jack

bob bezin · **Reply #80 on:** January 12, 2011, 04:51:32 pm

does the damper limit the steering radius?

72westie · **Reply #81 on:** January 14, 2011, 03:25:43 pm

The dampener doesn't affect the turn radius, it still goes stop to stop. It just helps to slow down steering shake at high speeds.

single · **Reply #82 on:** January 14, 2011, 03:40:34 pm

Westie-was there a noticeable shake in the front or is this a just in case measure?I am always a little concerned when I see these things mounted that it may be something I need to do as the high speed capability of my own bike increases.

72westie · **Reply #83 on:** January 14, 2011, 04:47:07 pm

I have never really noticed any shake from high speeds. When it starts shaking really bad, its normally from me doing something really dumb.

I am going to run the bike in a different organization this year, WERA, and they require dampeners on all bikes.

single · **Reply #84 on:** January 15, 2011, 12:01:04 am

Cool.

baird4444 · **Reply #85 on:** January 15, 2011, 12:14:07 am

Just out of curiosity what tires do you run and why??
do you think that they wear good?
- Mike

72westie · **Reply #86 on:** January 15, 2011, 03:35:36 pm

I run some Avon race compound tires. They are very sticky and work excellent. Some years I get a season out of a set, which was 10-12 races and 2 practice session a race day. I have gotten 2 years out of a set, but that wasn't a lot of racing those seasons. I will throw up a picture later on showing my rear tire, I think it only has one or two weekends on it at the most.

72westie · **Reply #87 on:** January 15, 2011, 05:44:02 pm

Front

Rear

72westie · **Reply #88 on:** January 15, 2011, 07:58:35 pm

Mmmmmm... 38 mikuni...

72westie · **Reply #89 on:** February 18, 2011, 02:56:25 pm

single · **Reply #90 on:** February 18, 2011, 03:26:39 pm

The bike looks really serious and purposeful,something I really like about race bikes and cars.
What are your thoughts about a fork brace?I see that you do not have one and must not have the need,obviously.
Does the intake tube help the high range only?What do you think the top speed is and are you most competitive on longer or shorter tracks?Are you able to accelerate with the competition,faster thru the corners or are most of the bikes closely matched?What other makes are prevalent in the events?Sorry if I missed the answers in a previous post.

72westie · **Reply #91 on:** February 18, 2011, 03:41:02 pm

I like watching those fork bend like a wet noodle

I haven't noticed a need for a brace yet...

I can't remember where the tube made the effect, but I think it was mid-higher ranges. I have to do some testing, as the tube length was set-up for the Amal 1036 we were running, but I switched over to a VM38 for this season. The VM38 hopefully be a little bit more responsive coming out of corners then the 1036, but we will see...

RGT · **Reply #92 on:** February 18, 2011, 03:58:38 pm

looks good, like the avatar as well. Do you run with the primary open like that?

72westie · **Reply #93 on:** February 18, 2011, 04:16:26 pm

I just haven't bolted the cover back on yet, but its covered.
This also just came in the mail this week.

r80rt · **Reply #94 on:** February 18, 2011, 05:09:22 pm

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!

single · **Reply #95 on:** February 19, 2011, 01:38:05 am

Ya gotta be lovin' that .

Reelmaster · **Reply #96 on:** February 20, 2011, 09:02:12 am

"Congratulations" 72.Westie.!!!!!Well deserved we hope you can hang on to it for a long time to come.!!! Best Regards. Jack.

Ice · **Reply #97 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:40:27 am

Way to GO Adam ! Congratulations !

500KsGerry · **Reply #98 on:** February 23, 2011, 05:25:08 am

Quote from: 72westie on February 18, 2011, 04:16:26 pm

I just haven't bolted the cover back on yet, but its covered.
This also just came in the mail this week.

Don't let any dirt get on it ! Great job!

72westie · **Reply #99 on:** February 28, 2011, 02:29:13 pm

After about a half an hour with a cut-off wheel and a hammer. I just need to get some black silicone around the edges to seal my small gaps.

72westie · **Reply #100 on:** March 03, 2011, 06:47:22 pm

Well,
I faxed over my form to get a WERA license the other day, so I thought I would add what races I plan to hit with them on here in case anyone wants to stop out and heckle me.

As of right now, I am planning on doing the following races. The vintage races are only on Saturday though. I am planning on running 2 races per Saturday though.

4/30-5/1    Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH-rs,
5/14-15   Grattan Raceway Park, Grattan, MI-cc,rs,
5/28-29   Gingerman Raceway, South Haven, MI-rs,
6/18-19   BeaveRun Motorsports Park, Wampum, PA-rs,
7/8-10      Grattan Raceway, Grattan, MI-c,
7/22-24   Vintage Motorcycle Days, Mid-Ohio, Lexington, OH-
8/4-7   WERA Cycle Jam at VIR, Alton, VA-H,HL,
9/3-4   BeaveRun Motorsports Park, Wampum, PA-HL,rs,
9/24-25   Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH-HL,rs,

500KsGerry · **Reply #101 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:51:04 pm

Damn I wish it wasn't so far away. With you in spirit. GO GET EM !

72westie · **Reply #102 on:** March 05, 2011, 09:20:20 pm

New tach mounted. Never used one on the bike before beyond the Dyno tach.

72westie · **Reply #103 on:** January 13, 2014, 11:07:15 pm

Well, I finally got off my ass and pulled the Enfield out of the corner and stripped her down. Got the motor pulled and the cases split this afternoon. Gotta get some bearings ordered and some seals and gaskets coming from NfieldGear.

Ace had sent me a note about my cylinder head. Apparently it flowed pretty darn good to begin with, close to a Fireball! Gotta figure out what rockers/cam combo we want to go with. With my current cams, I can't use Ace's roller ratio rockers, as the lift will be too much. The only other set of cams I have have even more lift. Need to get a piston figured out too.

ace.cafe · **Reply #104 on:** January 14, 2014, 01:20:15 am

Okay.
I didn't get that port diameter measurement from Mondello's today, but I will tomorrow.
I think it's smaller than that carb you are using on it, judging by the flow numbers from that port.

Anyway, the bottom line is that there is a certain time/area/flow that is needed to service the displacement at certain rpms.
You can get there a variety of ways. You don't have to use those same cams. If you desire to use the roller rocker kit, you can just use a smaller cam, with the ratio in the rockers giving more than your cam ever could.
So, it's a matter of how you want to skin the cat.

For example, if you were to use a port job like the Ace Hi-Port with the Ace Hi-Lift Roller Rocker package which is what our Ace GP head consists of, it works out like this.
The port is 35mm, and will flow up to 241 cfm at .550" lift. The Ace Magnum cams with .350" lobe lift, will drive the 1.56:1 ratio rockers to about .550" lift. There is about 264 degrees duration between the .050" lift points which is the usual reference method for measuring working cam duration.
With a 11:1 piston and race gas, this package will peak hp around 7200 rpm, and be able to hold on the power to at least 7500 rpm before dropping off.
The peak hp for a package like that is about 52 hp at 7200 rpm, at the crank. That's about 45 hp at the rear wheel.

That's just an example of our normal existing package. It can be adjusted in a variety of ways to suit custom needs.

The way it works with these ratio rockers is that when you have the ratio in the rockers, you need a smaller cam because you are not relying solely on the cam for lift anymore.

We could use your existing port, give it a better valve job, put some longer valves in it for our hi-lift roller rockers, and use a set of our Ace Magnum cams for a total of about .550" lift.
This is not cheap, but it's available and we have it all worked out, and it's there if you want it.

We'll talk about this stuff in detail for your project.

ace.cafe · **Reply #105 on:** January 14, 2014, 03:23:43 pm

Got the port diameter figure. It is almost 34mm.

So we could go a variety of ways with this.
If you want to keep this port, we can put longer valves and springs in, and put the roller rocker package on top. You would need to pick out a smaller cam, to go that route. But it would give more power than anything you could get with that big cam and normal rockers.

If you want to keep the big cam, we could just use that, and try to make up a prototype set of Shotgun Rockers for you, to try to get some more lift out of that big cam without getting into the expensive roller rocker package. We have to keep that under .510 lift because of spring bind at lifts more than that with the springs we would use in that application.

Or we could talk about some other options, based on your desires that you would need to tell me.

To reach 7500 rpm, you will need a little bit larger port, and you could use some higher lift to flow what the larger port can provide.
We can talk about how you want to get there.

72westie · **Reply #106 on:** January 14, 2014, 05:25:58 pm

E-mail sent.

boggy · **Reply #107 on:** January 15, 2014, 10:34:36 pm

BW - Forgive me if the info has already been given, but this is a long thread. What are you running for rear suspension? I see the lower fork legs are Enfields but what about the rest of it and what about that yolk?

Boggy

Bullet Whisperer · **Reply #108 on:** January 16, 2014, 09:46:46 am

Boggy, this one is not my machine - 72westie is your man for this one

B.W.

72westie · **Reply #109 on:** January 16, 2014, 03:06:02 pm

We are running Work's Performance rear shocks and a pretty much bone stock front end. The yolk is of Enfield origin, but not sure what model. We bought it off of E-bay a few years ago.

ace.cafe · **Reply #110 on:** January 16, 2014, 03:25:41 pm

Quote from: 72westie on January 16, 2014, 03:06:02 pm

We are running Work's Performance rear shocks and a pretty much bone stock front end. The yolk is of Enfield origin, but not sure what model. We bought it off of E-bay a few years ago.

I think that is a yoke from an off - road model like a trials bike or woodsman or something like that which didn't have the casquette.
Some people used to cut down the casquette to get that look but it is said to be too weak after being cut down that far.
They are often seen on ebay at a reasonable price if you want one.

72westie · **Reply #111 on:** January 16, 2014, 08:23:58 pm

Alright, got a question for you Ace and BW. I just called a local bearing supplier to get some prices for the new crank bearings. I inquired about the N-205/305-M bearings. The prior ones I used were bronze based, their supplier only has steel based, no bronze. Are the steel ones ok for a crank bearing application? I forgot to ask for a brand on them.

N-205 $34.45
N-305 $47.30
6305 $14.36

ace.cafe · **Reply #112 on:** January 16, 2014, 08:46:46 pm

Quote from: 72westie on January 16, 2014, 08:23:58 pm

Alright, got a question for you Ace and BW. I just called a local bearing supplier to get some prices for the new crank bearings. I inquired about the N-205/305-M bearings. The prior ones I used were bronze based, their supplier only has steel based, no bronze. Are the steel ones ok for a crank bearing application? I forgot to ask for a brand on them.

N-205 $34.45
N-305 $47.30
6305 $14.36

You want NU305, not N305. I don't know the exact difference, but the correct designation is NU305. Same with the NU205

Steel will work okay. Bronze cage is preferred.
I can't vouch for the longevity of Chinese bearings.
Ours cost a lot more than that. We know they are genuine, and we pay more to be sure of it.
Get C3 clearance on the main rollers, and C4 clearance on the 6305 ball bearing.

72westie · **Reply #113 on:** January 16, 2014, 09:14:45 pm

Ok. We had run the N-205/305 before, still have their boxes here. Not sure what the NU would be. I will call them back and see.

AgentX · **Reply #114 on:** January 17, 2014, 12:37:31 am

On a totally fluffly mostly-cosmetic note, that fairing is killer. Bultaco metralla, correct? I was looking at the same one back when I wanted to go full-on cafe racer with my bike.

72westie · **Reply #115 on:** January 17, 2014, 03:11:52 pm

The fairing was made by Nationals Fiberglass out of Akron Ohio. Not sure what the Dude made it from.

ace.cafe · **Reply #116 on:** January 17, 2014, 03:29:30 pm

email sent

speeddog · **Reply #117 on:** April 28, 2014, 01:59:01 am

Quote from: 72westie on February 18, 2011, 03:41:02 pm

I like watching those fork bend like a wet noodle I haven't noticed a need for a brace yet...

I can't remember where the tube made the effect, but I think it was mid-higher ranges. I have to do some testing, as the tube length was set-up for the Amal 1036 we were running, but I switched over to a VM38 for this season. The VM38 hopefully be a little bit more responsive coming out of corners then the 1036, but we will see...

The brace will give you better front braking.

Yamahawk · **Reply #118 on:** May 03, 2016, 12:54:59 pm

Hey Adam!
Are you going to Mid Ohio in July? I hope to be there again, perhaps we can meet. I live in Toledo, and want to run my RD350 there again. Last year I had the 1989 Honda VTR250 and ran it in GenX LW and Starz LW. They sent a certificate for 7th in GenX, which surprised me, as it was the smallest bike there.
I have also raced at Nelson Ledges, with Moto Series, but this year there are new owners of the track and there will be nothing until next year when they get the track totally redone. They are going to make it into a class 3 track like Mid Ohio! So far they have demolished the buildings in the front, and next will replace the track and shred the 2 million odd tires that are out there and build new safety barriers. Should be a cool track.
I am enjoying the forum here very much, and have a 1996 RE bullet 500 that I picked up a month ago. Learning a lot from reading all these posts! Take care, and hope we can meet sometime.
Charlie