Messages

I agree. It is not best solution optical wise. If it would be my own bike and own decision I would go another route. We have to use a period solution and that is the cheapest option. But it is race bike so optics are behind function.
Myself I would go the Lockheed or Brembo P05 route. I have a RD250 race bike with a Lockheed caliper and EBC disk. It is a good combo. Obviously it need an adapter also.

Only sliders won't work. They are for 35mm stanchions up to 1978 or 36mm 1979/80.
Complete TZ fork is just too expensive for the bike we will build.
Background is that our team build a bike out of leftover parts which we will lent newcomers for free. Everybody of the team donated parts which he had lying around. The TZ rotor is not a must, we can always start with a RD rotor but we have it. As a friend builds a RD caferacer with a TZ brake we thought we try to get an adapter. If we don't find one we have to do a drawing or a pattern one ourselves. It is just a shout out to get a drawing or file to make it easier for us.
In the meantime I located my old bike and the owner is capable and willing to make a drawing of the one I used many years ago.

Hi @Dvsrd,
I am aware of the XS sliders. We tried them many years ago. The length of them is the problem. Under hard brakeing they hit the bottom yoke. So not really a solution.
The 38mm doesn't fit in the rules for the class the bike is in. Maximum 36mm ones allowed.
I know that the mounting lug can be relocated per welding a new one on. A friend will use one for a street used caferacer also. The registration rules in Germany are that strict that no welding is allowed on structural devices. It is difficult enough to get an adapter through it.. But for that we have someone who is certified for to do the calculations and we have a certified shop who could machin such an adapter. It is a bit more difficult here to get a modified bike on the street than in the States.
But thanks for your input
Gruß

@manicmechanic
Richard,
not quite right. In Germany the 1976 RD400C came with cast wheels as standard. The spoke wheels were a higher priced option. On the other hand the RD250C came with spoke wheels as standard and cast wheels were a higher priced option. God knows why it was that way as it was.
From 1977 on all RD's had cast wheels as standard.
In the UK the 1976 RD250C model came with spoke wheels as standard but a drum rear brake instead of the disk.
The RD250 from 1976 on was never sold in the USA
Regards Uwe

Hi,
a few years back I had a RD400 with a 297mm TZ brake disc. So there was an adapter for the use of the genuine RD caliper installed. Sadly the bike is long gone.
So my question is. Has anybody a drawing or a STL-file of such an adapter plate?
I would like to build a bike with such a combo.
Regards Uwe

Mark,
that is really a sweet bike. Sadly we never got them in Germany.
Regards Uwe

Great story. I love it
Regards Uwe

World champions Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement will have their first TT also. So could be quite interesting.
I am a bit sidecar biased as my daughter is deeply in there as a passenger which culminated in a World Championship campaign in 2018. Sadly after 3 meetings money dried up. Now she is racing in our clubsport series and sometimes helping out in other series.

@SoCal250
In my opinion he got the best available passenger. Let's see if they harmonize.
The only question mark is that Kevin Rousseau has not much experience at the TT, it will be his 2nd time there.
I am curious if Ben Birchall will do a World Championship season also. But then he needs another passenger as Kevin is racing there with Harry Payne. But the World Championship is not confirmed anyway. The promoter gave back his rights. So the FIM will do 3 rounds of the championship themselves and for further 3 rounds they are in negotiations with the old promoter to work something out. But it looks not good for the WC.
Regards Uwe

Another cool feature is what appears to be an adjustable swingarm pivot.

Hawaii-Mike,
the genuine Bakker frames had this feature up to 1976. I have a genuine Bakker TZ with this adjustable pivot also. Their first cantilever frames in 1976 still had these pivots but through that year they changed it to "normal" configuration.

Early twinshock Spondon TZ frames had this also. Not sure if that feature was an improvement or not. I read different stories.
Regards Uwe

Hi Mark,
sadly track use is the only option. You need not even think about to get the bike or the engine moved in a still registered frame through the german registration process. We have very harsh requirements what you can do and what not. Every piece you bolt on a bike in Germany which is not homologated by the bike manufacturers needs a certificate. And a bike(frame) which never was built by a bike company is a no go. It would need to fulfill the actual emission laws for example.
I have a 4cylinder(built out of 2 aircooled engines) on the workbench also. That one was registered an ridden on the streets in the UK 15-20 years ago. Not possible in any other country in Europe.


Regards Uwe

Yes Mark,
375ccm now. 525ccm with 350 cylinders fitted. But even then no chance. The bikes who races in that class have all above 70hp, some of the best bikes 85hp and more. And far better forks and brakes. I have other bikes who fit into the race classes better.
For parades to potter around it is okay as it is
Regards Uwe

Hi,
I only did a functional test at a field lane myself. I would say it goes like a good running RD350. I suggest maximum 42-45hp. With other carbs and port work you can gain probably 10-12hp easily.
I or as most times I lent my bikes out will run it at parades/demonstration runs only. In the race class it fits in at our races it would be hopelessy underpowered and underbraked. Racing against TZ350 and RD350YPVS would be like David versus Goliath.
The builder of the bike did around 10 parade meetings over the last 5 years with it and the bike ran flawlessly then.
Regards Uwe

Hi guys,
stumbled over an interesting RD this summer. After a bit of thinking, bike stood in the Netherlands, I decided to have a go an buy it. After a 14hrs roundtrip I had it at home......
It is a complete homebuilt. The clever guy did everything himself. Converted RD engine into a 3 cylinder. Frame is a roughly built after a Bakker twinshock TZ frame he used as an inspiration. Fairing, mudgard,tank and seat he made of alloy. Engine is only blueprinted as he used it at parades only.
Everything was fabricated and built in a 2,5m x 4m garden shed





Regards Uwe

thats awesome. the uk guys must be going nuts over this. 

And I sold my box full of these lids too late now I suppose