News 2002
 

11th November.

I'm still here, though not a lot has happened to the bike. Our business has been so busy that work on the bike has been impossible until this weekend. The good news is that Turnertech has taken delivery of new equipment giving us much greater machining capacity, so billet blocks, heads etc are now a distinct possibility. This weekend I've added footrests, rear brake master cylinder mount and what seems like dozens of brackets for this and that. Bodywork has stagnated a bit due to lack of interest by other members of the team, guess I'll end up doing that too. December/January should see major progress, just don't hold your breath!
       
 

5th. September.

Oh hell, time is flying by and there's loads to do. As you can see I decided to use fibreglass for the bodywork, hence the wooden pattern. The mould will be made next week, hopefully followed by completion of the frame. The tank is from our old road bike and has the bottom cut out (nothing like stating the obvious). Somehow I don't think we are going to need wheelie bars! I've allowed plenty of seating room so that weight distribution can be adjusted depending on track conditions.

Next update.....er, when there's some news.

   Oooer isn't it long vicar!
       
 

 

22nd June.

Here it is our new rolling chassis, we are going to need a longer trailer next year!

The main loop looks a bit vast with only a spare pair of crankcases fitted, but it will all be filled with blower, fuel tank etc.
I had intended to have a removable section in the top frame rails, but time is running out and with so much to do it can wait. Fork rake is 35°, not too radical as the finished bike will have a sort of 'Outlaw 500T' look. Wheelbase is 72" and judging by what we have so far the resulting bike should only be a couple of kilos heavier than the old one.

Yes that rock hard rear tyre will be replaced with a slick, but nothing too wide as its only a little 500 remember.

Since these pics were taken the seat loop and head steady have been added, and the complete power unit fitted. Bodywork is next on the agenda so that all the necessary tabs can be welded to the frame prior to painting. At the moment I'm not sure whether to go for aluminium or fibreglass for the body. This time next month you should know.

  

New frame less seat rails

Must get a slick
 

18th May.
THIS photo was taken about a month ago, and is the point where I decided that there was little point pursuing installation in the existing frame. Besides the fact that I thought it looked horrible, clearance between tyre and carburettor would have been nil under heavy braking. The Honda frame is so heavily braced around the head tube, raking would have probably taken as long as the other option:-

So we are into a new frame then. This is well under way and is lower, longer and lighter. I doubt we will be racing this year though.

  Mock up using the existing frame.
 

 

      
 

2nd March.
FINALLY lurking in a corner of the TURNERTECH workshop, here is some evidence of what we have been up to over the last few months.

RIGHT: First installation of the engine/blower in a modified 500T frame to comply with class regulations. Engine is an old unit used to mock up the power 'pod' which will be self contained.
Inlet manifold is in mild steel whilst the bike is under development.

BELOW: The blower is mounted off centre by a substantial amount but will be balanced by the battery. The inner part of the battery carrier can be seen left of the supercharger.

   Blower mounted at last! Turnertech advert.
         
 

Pulleys mounted and battery carrier under construction.

  

The fruits of a large bin of swarf.

ABOVE: The new right hand engine cover. Offboard starter will be located in the blank stub at lower left. External oil feeds to remote filter will come off the plate at the lower the right. The design allows for future lock-up modifications to the clutch and a cylinder head hold down kit.

  
 

RIGHT: Billet slimline cam chain tensioner was necessary to allow blower feed into bottom of the billet plenum chamber. Rectangular holes are for burst panels (necessary to prevent supercharger damage in case of a backfire).

Blower drive is now in place and I'm working on the belt tensioner. This will allow completion of the belt guards and inlet manifold. Next will be carburettor manifold, frame strengthening, fuel tank.........

   More holes with bits of aluminium round them!