8 replies to this topic

[knickerbrook]

The 107.55 lap by Ian Lougher on the Linsdell Enfield at last year's Classic TT, got me wondering if this was the fastest ever by a push-rod motor? Apparently, Alex George got a Triumph triple around at 107.34 in '78. Dave Morris won the Singles TT in '99 on a BMW with a race average of over 110mph, but I know nothing at all about the bike - presumably that was overhead cam? (Didn't even know BMW made singles!). Are any of the BMW horizontal twins push-rod? 

 

Any thoughts on this - or details about that BMW single?   

[Siddley]

The ( modern ) BMW single engine is actually made by Rotax. It's fitted to the BMW F650, which is sort of a halfway house between a dirtbike and a roadbike - there are silly marketing words to describe them like 'funduro' and 'dual sport' as a class of bike. I'm not sure if it's single or twin cam - but definitely overhead.

Edit - obviously the F650 chassis is no good for racing, that Dave Morris bike would have just used the engine in something like a Spondon or Tigcraft etc frame.

 

Edited by Siddley, 11 May 2014 - 14:39.

[Rennmax]

The BMW single racer was based on the engine of the BMW F 650 roadbike ('fun enduro'), definitely not a push-rod engine, though I'm not sure whether sohc or dohc.

Anyway, this 'BMW'  had an engine supplied by Rotax and was built by Aprilia

 

All horizontal twins for normal road use  were push-rod engines till the R 1100 RS came along in '93

 

PS: Blimey, a bit too late

Edited by Rennmax, 11 May 2014 - 14:50.

[knickerbrook]

Thanks for the replies!

Even if the jury is still out on the question, a remarkable achievement I think - considering that the fastest ever Manx Norton lap is 108-something (by Bill Swallow I believe).

Here is Ian on the Enfield in the 2013 Senior Classic TT in which he finished a very creditable fourth.

[Siddley]

I think it's an amazing feat to get an Enfield to reach 107mph without blowing itself to pieces, let alone average that speed around the TT course..

I would love to know what is inside the engine and how it was built.

[SteveLinsdell]

Hi all,

I have looked at this site with much interest although hampered by a complete lack of computer skills and a very slow machine that made viewing tiresome! So many fantastic pictures that slowed down the device to a crawl. Anyway now a new machine and I have managed to create a account!

 

I believe that you are right Knickerbrook that it is the fastest TT lap by a pushrod engine. It is also as far as we can find out, the fastest single cylinder lap of any type in a Classic Manx/TT race. Anstey last year did 108 in practise, Bill Swallow did 108 at the singles TT a few years ago, also Alan Oversby did 108 as well in practice some time ago. All on Norton's. Anstey would of gone faster in the race last year I believe if he had not broken down.

Anyway Ian's 107.55 lap and 106 race average last year I thought was brilliant and did not receive the publicity it should of but I suppose I'm biased!

 

Son Olie wants to ride the Enfield this year and Ian will ride the Paton Olie won on last year. Oliver is convinced he can do 108 on 'Harry' (Enfield) after a 106.5 from a standing start two years ago. He was running a strong second in the race to Farquar when the big end failed with a lap and a bit to go. It had already competed a Manx GP and a seasons CRMC racing so I fully took the blame for not changing it.

I hopefully can find a little more power before then to get him closer to the top in the race for the first 110mph 2valve single lap of the TT course.

 

The engine has of course had much done to it but no more than any other recreated classic racer running at that level. It does however use original castings from the 50's so I am getting a little nervous of the crankcases that have done 5 Manx's plus lots of CRMC meetings, dyno work ect. Work will start this winter on my 'Ultimate' Enfield that will have all Enfield designs inc frame, forks and gearbox.

 

Harry is a short stroke 90x78.4 Bullet engine reving to 8,200 with over 50hp at the wheel. I'm quite proud of it, but in the words of somebody 'you aint seen nothing yet' !!!

 

I have retired from racing after being made to look slow by Olie, 36 years of fun making and riding the unlikely! I have nearly completed the rebuild of the 350 Bullet I started on in 1977 with the 700cc twin well on its way also. I want to ride them again before I turn my toes up!

 

[picblanc]

That your picture Barry? its a cracker!

[GD66]

Good stuff Steve, Ian's lap and race, and Ollie's the year before, might not have received due publicity but it didn't take long for word to spread around in classic racing circles and on both occasions I had sat listening on the net making regular profane exclamations of disbelief, only to do discover several of my friends had been doing likewise. To get an Oilfield percolating like that deserves all our admiration, and we look forward to the next chapter in your quixotic quest.
More power to your right arm, son !

[knickerbrook]

That your picture Barry? its a cracker!

Sadly not Graham - I found it un-attributed somewhere in the "public domain"   (a USA Royal Enfield site I think).

Good innit!

 

Welcome aboard Steve - good stuff  .

Edited by knickerbrook, 14 June 2014 - 16:43.