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/126422
four-amp - unit. The alternator sidecover is cu t, a section removed, then welded back together for increased cornering clearance on the left side. "We bought Yoshimura's old Superbike last year," Dennis adm~tted. Along with other good ideas from Pops' stable of fast thoughts, Team Kawasaki retained the machined aluminum motor mounts on Spencer's bike. A tachometer from a KR750 road racer is used, and we were told that 10,000 is the shift point on the Team Kawasaki Superbikes. They weigh 442Ibs. Kerker designed and built a fourinto-one pipe for the machines, one that they offer now as a replica-type pipe to KZ1000 owners. The transmission is a close-ratio five-speed, purchased through Yoshimura. The clutch is stock although it uses a Denco roller bearing release mechanism. Keihin 51mm smoothbore carburetors feed the beast with fuel from a stock gas tank. The stock vacuum-type fuel petcock has been replaced by an old fashioned model, and a second one has been added on the opposite side of the tank. Kawasaki retains the stock paint scheme for the closest-to-standard-Iooking Superbike in the pits. They've been using the blue parts, but there's been some dIscussion about changing Schlachter's machine to the red parts. Matches his leathers better. A British-made oil cooler purchased at Earl's Supply has been added; inlet/outlet ducts are easily located where the oil gauge sender unit - now removed - used to fit. A KR750/H2R oil tank is mounted under the seat to serve as a breather catch tank. The shifting linkage is made at the race shop, and it converts the onedown, four-up standard pattern to road racer-style one-up, four-down. the shift lever itself also is a race shop fabricated unit, and it's extra strong. "The best system on the bike is the front brake system," Dennis David explained as we went over the disassembled machine, A standard master cylinder actuates double discs pirated from Kawasaki's KR750 road racer, and they're mounted on an IS· Morris Mag wheel. The team chose the IS· size because there were .more tire compounds available in that standard road racer size. On the rear, a full Lockheed system from master cylinder to discs - is in use. On Spencer's bike, an 11· drilled disc was A KR750 oil tank serves as a catch tank. On the other hand Sears Point winner in motion. chosen; on Schalchter's there's an eight-inch solid disc bolted to the Morris Mag. Goodyear slicks are mounted front and rear, an A-25, 02190 on back and an A-25, D1996 up front. Kayaba rear shocks - Yoshimura Superbike shocks with six damping positions and dual springs - are used on Spencer's machine, and they're mounted in the cantilever position. On Schlachter's S&W Strokers are mounted in the upright position. Both swingarms are reinforced with tubing welded on below in a triangulated pattern for rigidity. On Schlachter's machine, the tubing is bowed out so thar the chain runs inside it. The rear sprocket on that bike was offset to allow a wider tire (although they still have to shave the tires on both bikes), and the bracing had to be wider to fit. Also keeping the machine more stable is a rectangular cross-section brace at the steering head. Kawasaki front forks have an altered damping rate, and they've been converted to air/spring for easier at-the-track adjustment. "We put three degrees more angle in it than the stock frame," Randy Hall said of the steering head modifications. They also fabricated a double pinch bolt set-up on the lower triple clamp for stability. A factory road racer steering damper is used. Can Spencer do it again? Hard to tell. Unlike other forms of AMA racing, Superbike Professional Production has not been dominated by any particular brand or rider. With Pops Yoshimura's formidible Suzukimounted team and an array of other superstrong modified stockers, Team Green (or blue or red) has their work cut out for them at Laguna Seca. • • • With Freddie Spencer's Superbike on the opposite page, it somehow seemed appropriate to provide contrast with a word or two about the vintage race. While the KZ1000 Kawasaki Superbike epitomizes the latest trend and technology in road racing, Tony Murphy's SOOcc Norton Manx road racer, pictured here, was the ultimate in trick stuff a relatively few years ago. This particular machine, the winner of the first motorcycle race held at Laguna Seca, and 25·30 other vintage machines will line up for an exhibition run just before the Superbike final event begins on Sunday morning. Riding will be Murphy, Don Vesco, Cycle World magazine's Allan Girdler and a host of others on unique machines. Papa Wealey won't miss it. Front wheel brakes are off the KR750. 19