Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126283
Yamaha Keith McCarty showed us Bob Hannah's new 0W32A Yamaha, an all-new design from motor to frame. Unlike the previous works bikes, the TransAMA Machine's frame does not have the large pressed steel top tube which encloses the monoshock - the shock is visible from beneath the tank. The frame design also provides a more rigid swingarmmount than the previous model . The front forks are essentially the same as before although they do feature " slight internal damping changes." The motor displaces " about 400cc" according to McCarty _ The works shock with an accumulator func tions on the Oeearbon principle and controls an alloy swingarm made by Yamaha. On this machine, Bob Hannah won the opening mota of the '77 Trans-AMA MX Series at Mid -Ohio and was leading the second race before a screw came out of the his chain guide and stopped his charqe. The funny thing was that Hannah didn't look like he was really hustling. In fact, he looked unusually smooth and controlled . And the pow ... that gave him the first mota holeshot was competitive. Moto-X Fox Suzuki Not a factory team in the literal sense, the MotoX Fox Trans-AMA team still has some pretty trick machinery. What's even more interesting is that they had to start with stock RM Suzukis and build from there - something that every privateer can relateto. Steve Wise's RM370 Trans-AMA International class contender was built by mechanic Cliff White, and Mark Barnett's RM250 Support class machine was done by Chuck Tannlund, both of Moto-X Fox. The RM370 motor underwen t a " general clean-up" according to White who , with limited time to prepare the machine, opted to simply match up the ports and leave the motor other wixestock. Simons forks give the modified production bikes 10" of front wheel travel - as much as most works machines. At the rear, 17%" Fox Airshox (naturally) handle the bumps through a Thorwaldson alloy swingarm that was specially built for Fox. The rear wheel swings through 10Y.t .. of travel. The expans ion chambers were built by Paul Turner (Jim Turner's brother ) for the Moto-X Fox team. M aico Honda At a glance, the works Hondas, designated RC400, appear to have undergone no changes for the Trans-AMA Series. They do, however, havea new cylinder new carburetor and a new . pipe, according to Marty Smith's mechanic Dave Amold. The Open class Honda displaces 400cc (which seems to be a rounded off figure, but that's all they 're letting out) and judging by the Honda Team's 2-3-4 placing at the Mid -Ohio Trans-AMA Series opener, the power's there, Ukewise, in the suspension department, Honda claims 12" of travel at both wheels - a full inch longer than the Husqvarna at 11" and even more than that on the other works machines. The suspension is the unchanged for the Trans-AMA bikes. It didn't need it. Showa shocks 'and forks handle the spring/damping chores at both ends of the all red cycles. 24 ~~ _ " Versuch II" is Gaylon Mosier's new Trans-AMA mount Maico. lVersuch means " prototype") The new offerings fro Maisch's West German factory are entirely new machines frame to motor to rounded fuel tank. They were introduced forerunners of a new production machine. The new motor features tiny cases that contain a COl ig under a plastic sidecover instead of the old points type spar troller. Also tucked away in a space that looks far too smaU to is a fi_speed gear cluster that transmits the awesome po the 386cc motor to a relocated countershaft sprocket. Maico 50 hp. The sprocket is set back to get it as close as possible swingarm pivot. In that location , the chain stays ad' throughout the wheel travel in the LTR suspension. ,The Maicos have 10" travel in the leading axle forks and amount in rear wheel travel. On Mosier's cycle, Corte e shocks handle the damping . Herbert Schmitz uses Ohlins. C Casso is an Italian firm owne d by the Fiat Corporation; they shocks for Ferrari and other expensive automobiles . Corte e shocks will be standard Quipment on the production Maico forks are different internally; less air is run in the new ones previous models. The frame is entirely new. A lower motor mounting I helps keep the center of gravity low. Ukewise, the swingarm helps keep the machine low yet still retains su suspension travel. There's a 436cc model. Steve Staekable is it in the Trans-AMA Series.