Bell's Banter 2022

[zefarelly]

We're about 3/4 mile from the A27 flyover/bypass, thats noisier with motorbikes from 5am on a Sunday morning than Goodwood ever is. I can't say I've ever used it . . . head down, doing 85mph, on a Lambretta.

[delta]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

We're about 3/4 mile from the A27 flyover/bypass, thats noisier with motorbikes from 5am on a Sunday morning than Goodwood ever is. I can't say I've ever used it . . . head down, doing 85mph, on a Lambretta.

Jeepers Joe, Thats blooming scary.

[zefarelly]

Originally Posted by delta

Jeepers Joe, Thats blooming scary.

2 Fingers on the clutch and clench!

new 200 kit I have from Italy is bonkers. It'll rev to 10 000 if you let it.

Its all gone nuts in recent years . . .Rotax 300 top end? they're pushing 60 BHP now

[GORDON STREETER]

Some of those big engine scooters don't hang about, I was driving to Los Gallardos on the main "dead straight" road a couple of weeks ago, I won't admit to how fast I was going but it was "quite fast" when I was overtaken by a scooter, I happened to see it parked up a couple of days later and it was a "Suzuki Burgman". Looking at the specs it is a 650cc twin. I have no idea how they handle at high speed but it seemed stable at about 100mph (allegedly)

[Alan Morgan]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

2 Fingers on the clutch and clench!

Anyone who's driven/ridden a 2-stroke would understand that!

When I started karting in the early seventies, we had no clutch. When the inevitable happened you just hoped there were plenty of straw bales in the area in which you would end up backwards.

[The Fat Clerk]

You and me both. I started in 74.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

I happened to see it parked up a couple of days later and it was a "Suzuki Burgman". Looking at the specs it is a 650cc twin.

Burgman or Honda Siver Wing are more GT oriented, they handle at speed but you must remain careful (wind and trucks are enemies).

The best scooter ever seems to be The Yam' T-Max 500/530, it handles much better than many conventional bikes. I remember recording a 173 kph with the first version of the Piaggio X9 500, the engine is fantastic but it handles like s**t at speed.Seems its restricted now.

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

Anyone who's driven/ridden a 2-stroke would understand that!

When I started karting in the early seventies, we had no clutch. When the inevitable happened you just hoped there were plenty of straw bales in the area in which you would end up backwards.

The only time Mini MM had his DD let go it snapped the chain!

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

[zefarelly]

The Burgman was one of the first 'big' scooters some years ago, more of a recliner for cruising.

y all accounts the new Vespa GTS300 is great, auto, ABS, comfortable, 4 stroke, clean reliable, efficient, boring?

Hasn't stopped people pushing Lambretta and old Vepsa engines and tech, just because, taking a GP200 from 12 to 50+ BHP is a bit like historic racing I guess, just a silhouette. They're now at the point the frame is the weak link . . .no doubt that will be re-engineered soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U__v7XnAPj4

I have a kit which is half as powerful as this, more than enough.

Most of us have come to the conclusion, touring at 60mph is pleasant, with the ability to do 75-80 if needed to overtake, also means sensible fuel consumption,lower revs and longer term reliability.

In other news I've just finished a new helical cut gearbox for the Tin corner and a Diff rebuild . . . . I've even remortgaged the house for a set of crap tyres!

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

Hasn't stopped people pushing Lambretta and old Vepsa engines and tech, just because, taking a GP200 from 12 to 50+ BHP is a bit like historic racing I guess, just a silhouette. They're now at the point the frame is the weak link

What about braking abilities at those speeds? In my club, we had heavily modified RDLC's, electronics from Russia, exhaust valves and crank from Aus (https://www.twostrokeperformance.com.au/shop/) and special heads to with interchangeable domes, boosters, carbon reed valves and so on! Groovy but almost unstopable…

[zefarelly]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

What about braking abilities at those speeds? In my club, we had heavily modified RDLC's, electronics from Russia, exhaust valves and crank from Aus (https://www.twostrokeperformance.com.au/shop/) and special heads to with interchangeable domes, boosters, carbon reed valves and so on! Groovy but almost unstopable…

There are lots of good Hydraulic discs available now, CASA do a double disc for racing as well. billet rims and proper tyres also help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyuNsTOtooI

with this, you need it!

[Gerard C]

My best experiences in the 2-Stroke world remain a 500 RGV and a Gas-Gas 300. Quite different I must admit, but there's noting like a powerful and light engine. Torque? What's that? Any 4-Stroke powered bike is a boat anchor!


During a test day I could enjoy both the ex-Anton Mang's Kwak 250 and a Fast Freddie Spencer RGV 500 sister bike. Compared to any road bike, the lightweight construction and the lack of tensile strengh are amazing (bearings, transmission chain…)! As C Chapman used to say "you must consider weight your enemy". So true!

[Gerard C]

Seems that the wordlwide material crisis could affect some engine parts to say the least. For instance steel head gaskets or valve stem seals are becoming hard to find parts with delays starting at two and half month. Is it the same in the UK or a typically french issue?

[justracing]

I have my car serviced locally by an independent Audi/VW garage who specialize on refurbishing and restoring older VW marks, Sciroccos/Golfs and the like and they are tearing their hair out trying to obtain genuine parts from Germany because of import/custom holdups. Unlike me, most of their customers are monied people willing to spend silly money on car restoration of a vehicle that will only be used at shows or events but frustratingly their workshops are full of half prepared cars that they cannot work on because of the parts delay.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by justracing

I have my car serviced locally by an independent Audi/VW garage who specialize on refurbishing and restoring older VW marks, Sciroccos/Golfs and the like and they are tearing their hair out trying to obtain genuine parts from Germany because of import/custom holdups. Unlike me, most of their customers are monied people willing to spend silly money on car restoration of a vehicle that will only be used at shows or events but frustratingly their workshops are full of half prepared cars that they cannot work on because of the parts delay.

Parts supply is becoming a major problem and one that is not helped by the attitude of the main dealers. They just shrug their shoulders and say "the parts will be here when they are here" (like it or lump it kind of thing).

[Gerard C]

So, not only here I see. Imported parts form the US are a real problem may be more serious than from Germany. Trying to find ACL crank bearings and a Cometic head gasket is a treasure hunting, went for an Elring instead just to close the engine. I wonder if next hasle could be the brake pads…

[Peter Mallett]

Certainly we were unable to source a cometic head gasket last year. Seems its just getting worse.

[Gerard C]

Re historic racers its not a huge gap to return to the middle age! I'm trying to source as many as possible multi layers metal seals wishing they could be resuable with some dedicated products like Loctite 3020 for instance.
Thats what we used to do with two-stoke engines but its a different matter because the CR is rather low. Unless you've a demon Lambretta!

[terence]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

So, not only here I see. Imported parts form the US are a real problem may be more serious than from Germany. Trying to find ACL crank bearings and a Cometic head gasket is a treasure hunting, went for an Elring instead just to close the engine. I wonder if next hasle could be the brake pads…

Get in touch with John at Cambridge Motorsport Gerard. I'm sure he could help on both counts.

[Peter Mallett]

I've been dealing with international projects recently the risk register always starts with logistics. Currently shipping is in relative disarray. The pandemic plus the Suez problem last year, has created the perfect storm.

I am reminded of the circumstances after WW2 when rationing in the UK was only lifted in 1954. Although different reasons, there was a lack of shipping in the right places. These days we are much more reliant on shipping so the problems are exacerbated.

[zefarelly]

ACL were in trouble long before the rest of the world. I had a call from a friend in Aus some years ago now, seemingly all sorted now, they do come from Tasmania remember

King stepped up, their stuff is alright, and you have MAhle if you feel the need to have a reassuringly expensive product.

I've just been quoted 10-12 weeks for CP carrillo pistons . . . . 3 years ago it was 3-4 weeks. Trump caused nearly as many problems as Covid with US supplies.

recently sent an exhaust manifold back to Denmark, poor sod got stitched £270 in duty when it arrived.

Maybe someone will re-write and publish the specials book for modern cars . . .back to the 50's and all home made . . . . .

[GORDON STREETER]

I wonder how long PayPal are going to survive ? I use them all the time !

[Peter Mallett]

Me too.

[zefarelly]

I do as well, although have noticed fleabay don't . . .

free to buy, expensive to sell. Having said that the 5%+ tax has to get added somewhere . . .

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

I do as well, although have noticed fleabay don't . . .

free to buy, expensive to sell. Having said that the 5%+ tax has to get added somewhere . . .

Joe, if you are talking about PayPal, Ebay does accept payment via them, as they own the platform, but because of that ownership, Amazon no longer does.