Thanks, Arkline...
For the translation. I knew Bultaco made a few TSS road race water-cooled bikes, but I was unaware of any street ones. Glad to know I hadn't cooked off too many brain cells!
Simon,
I have kind of decided not to continue the NR-500 saga... I honestly don't think too many are interested in it here on a BMW board (which is okay, and I can understand totally...). It is a fascinating story to me, but I already know it...
I think some may think it woould be too long, as it will take quite a bit more to tell the whole tale. Silverstone in 1979 was only the beginning in a way... So much happened in the NR's history, but so little of that made it out where it stayed on the surface. And the most interesting part is that the NR's technology isn't dead - not by a long shot...
If you don't think the FIM is still spooked by Honda's oval pistons, take a look at the current (2002 to 2006) MotoGP rules, and then look at the new ones for 2007...
Here's how they read from the FIM rule book:
2.5.1 The following are the minimum weights permitted:
- 125cc motorcycle + rider 136 kg
- 250cc 1 cylinder motorcycle 100 kg
2 cylinders motorcycle 100 kg
- Motogp 1 cylinder motorcycle 101 kg
(2 stroke) 2 cylinders motorcycle 101 kg
3 cylinders motorcycle 116 kg
4 cylinders motorcycle 131 kg
- Motogp 3 cylinders or less motorcycle 138 kg
(4 stroke) 3 cylinders or less with oval piston motorcycle 148 kg
4 and 5 cylinders motorcycle 148 kg
4 cylinders or more with oval piston motorcycle 158 kg
6 cylinders or more motorcycle 158 kg
As from January 1st, 2007, the minimum weights required in the
Motogp class will be the following:
2 cylinders or less 133 kg
3 cylinders 140,5 kg
4 cylinders 148 kg
5 cylinders 155,5 kg
6 cylinders or more 163 kg
The use of oval pistons will be forbidden.
(Of course, in 2007 MotoGP bikes get reduced in displacement from 990cc four-strokes to 800cc, and two-strokes will no longer be allowed - 500cc two-strokes up to four-cylinders have been allowed currently)
You may ask why... One of the reasons was Honda has had another oval-piston engine - a V-3 - in development for some time now. It was really interesting, too... as they way they had it laid out with respect to the rods and the crank it would not have been much wider than a parallel twin, and this would have been a wonderful advantage for reducing frontal area...
But there are other reasons the oval-piston Honda just won't die, but that's another story...
Anyway, I'm not sure I'll finish the NR-500 story... Only about three people want to hear it...
Cheers!
Dallara
