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/126293
fro m the top shock mount to the steering head. An aluminum gas tank sits in the area normally occupied by the air filter , and holds 2.2 gallons. which will take the economical Honda engine just about 100 miles. A Mikuni snowm obile gas pump which works off engine vacuum obtained from the manifold pumps fuel to a framereinforcing tube. This is sealed at both ends to act as a holding tank for fuel. From the tube/tank there are two outlet tubes , one to the carb and one bac k to the fuel tank , ensuring no p ressu re buildup against the needle and seat in the carburetor. This gives a sm all theoretical side- benefit from the tu ning standpoint. Fuel level is always consta nt , regardless 01 the quantity of fuel in the tank . The holding tank allows use of standard motorcycle carburetor. A cover which looks like a conventional fuel tank covers the air filter a nd electrics and gives the rider a place to press with his knees. (It's been said that a motorcyclist. instead of baving four wheels in contact with the ground. has eight ground contacts; the wheels. his hands, his feet , and his knees .) ·A torquey-yet-high-revving 250cc Honda motor propels the 238 lb. motorcycle. special frame. The seat is from a Honda CR125 but hinged at the rear for access to the fuel tank. Petty fenders and lights handle the rest of the styling chores while holding weight down. Suzuki RM forks handle the front bumps, while Fox Shox do the controlling at the rear. The swingarm is made of old Yankee stock - quite literally. The oval tubing was purchased from John Taylor, left over from the ill-fated big twin two -stroke. Montek O vring chain transmits the power to Sun rims which sport a Metzeler tire on the rear and a Barum up front . The exhaust pipe is handmade from j.C. Whitney bent tubing and terminates in a Super Trapp muffler still a trifle loud for street use . The bike has an all-up weight of ) The air filter hides under the phony tank housing. The fuel tank is relocated in that box under the seat. G as is pumped up into the lower top tube where it drains into the carbo 238 Y.! Ibs. with full gas and oil tanks and skid plate. ready to ride in the woods . Glenn has 4000 miles on the bike. including several wins in NESC Over-The-Hill-Gang motocross cornpetition, riding against much larger two-stroke engines. The bike is light , lithe, and lively; few four-strokes can match its handling and maneuverability. It pulls cleanly from -virtually an idle, with full controlabilit y. The front wheel can be lofted as desired , yet unwanted wheelspin is not a problem, and there are no undesired power peaks. Glenn has a 350cc engine downstairs, and he'd like to interest a Honda goodies manufacturer in supply some go· fast parts so he can build an Open class motocrosser with another frame. He figures he's got about 150 hours into building the prototype, but most of that was spent building jigs for the frame , so he can tum out another a lot quicker. . Beyond that, Glenn would like to go into limited production of a rolling chassis , so the purchaser could supply his own engine, and ride it away. He estimates that the cost would be in the neighborhood of $1900. One change made in the interest of production would be a switch from the Suzuki forks , probably to an Italian marque. Glenn would like to thank the following who helped with the project. AI Zitta at Cycle Dynamics was the only one who actually donated anything for free. Al supplied the fuel pump and ca rbu retor. Kevin Murray at Frame-up Engineering builds drag racing Cars. In his shop Glenn built the frame. Sto Smeal at Motocross Engineers supplied the Fox and Petty pieces. Don Thrush at Sun Rims did a super job of lacing the wheels . Manchester Honda offered help with Honda parts. Hank Terlesky, a pattern maker, in whose woodshop Glenn made the fiberglass cover for the filter and electrics, Joe Montano at Montek Chains and John Taylor at Yankee Motors complete the thank-you list. • Vincent often competes in - and wins - the Over The Hill Gang class in New England motocross. 25