The rotary engine.

[Darkside]

I'm not too in the know about these things, but from looking at the specs on paper the performance from these things are fantastic, nice smooth power delivery all round but there were problems. I hear Honda are woking on honing the old wankel, what does anyone think the chances of this resulting in the production of a production bike are, Norton tried it though it wasnt exactly a success. What does anyone think. Or do i generally need correcting???
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https://www.r1-superbike.com

[MarJay]

They drink fuel and are pretty damn poor on emissions.

Although I suppose the same could be said for two strokes really...
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[jay12329]

Mazda RX-8 is all i have to say on the subject.
J

[TheShaggyDA]

Some piccies :- https://www.smokeriders.com/Pictures/Rota_pics/body_rota_pics.html
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[stinkwheel]

I think the main problem is that due to arguments over engine capacity, you can't really use them in the 'big name' bike racing events. This means that the development of the engines (which would undoubtedly be in the 'superbike' class) is not on the company agenda.

Suzuki also made a rotary engined bike called the RE5.

https://www.allenmotorsports.com/images/re5_blue.jpg
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Frost]

We are seeing a change in aproach from the manufacturers as of late. Instead of focusing on sports bikes, they are trying to attract sales by developping unique and interesting bikes that are good in certain practical areas, such as street fighters and supermoto's.

I wouldnt be supprised if soemone had another stab at a rotary bike.

[MissFickle]

didnt norton do a racing bike with a rotary..?

[MissFickle]

yeah here it is...

https://www.motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/1989_jps_norton.html

[Darkside]

[MissFickle]

Uh Huh... utter madness...

[Will87]

The norton roatry was a great design. Uncle had one, all i ever hear when i ask about it is how smooth it was, pulling from 10mph to 110mph effortlessly with gears being something to keep you entertained!

I really want to have a go on one the idea seems very good. I thought it was 150mph from 60ish? only 556cc i think it was but other people claimed it was more!

[bish777]

well the last version was 135bhp but weighed less than 135kg so it went like shit off a shovel!

Rotaries are getting much more efficient using fuel injection and new advances in the designs of sealing the rotor and better wearing rotor tips.
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GSXR1100J

[MissFickle]

Yes i think it was one of the better ones.. I mean i think some ppl just forget just how fast some of the older bikes were.

[MissFickle]

Technical Specification

Engine: Twin cylinder liquid cooled rotary

Displacement: 588cc

Compression ratio: 10:1

Carburation: Twin 36mm Amal smoothbore carburettors

Ignition: Crighton "Hall Effect" capacitive discharge type

Gearbox: 6 speed, close ratio gearbox

Clutch: 20 plate hydraulically operated aluminium wet clutch

Power Output: 150bhp at 10,000 rpm

Maximum torque: 78 lbs / ft at 8,500 rpm

Frame: Twin spar, triple section, aircraft specification extruded aluminium

Suspension: Whitepower upside down, fully adjustable front forks. Twin Whitepower rear dampers. Adjustable ride height all round.

Brakes: Front: Twin cross drilled 320 mm front discs with AP one piece 4 piston caliper. Rear: Single 190 mm cross drilled rear disc with twin piston Brembo caliper, Ferodo pads

Wheels: 3.75 x 17 magnesium alloy front wheel. 6.00 or 6.25 x 17 magnesium rear wheel

Tyres: Dunlop radials

Weight: 134 kilos

[Will87]

Absolutely looney, i love it .

[MissFickle]

i would love a go on one..

[pipnet11]

The Norton rotary engined bikes were fantastic. No vibrations at all, smooth power etc. The problem thay had is the one that most rotary engine developers have, which is the rotor tips. They didnt last long at all.
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I love the girls that do, I hate the girls that dont, I hate the girls who say they will and then they say they wont, but the girl I like most of all and I think youll say Im right, is the girl who says she never has but looks as though she might. - Max Bygraves

[stinkwheel]

Of course, the Wankel isn't the only type of rotary engine...

There is also the Gnome rotary which as far as i know was only ever used in one motorcycle called the Megola which is a pre-war drag bike with a gnome rotary built into the front wheel. Madness!

https://www.kunis.nl/bikes/megola1.jpg
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MissFickle]

My dad would wet his pants for a good look at that!

[Will87]

Nice. . . I still want a go on the Norton Roatry tho . Having ridden ES2 and a Commando those big bore things i want a go on a smooth powerful small bore vehicle.

[MissFickle]

yeah...

[Frost]

[epz]

anyone know what the torque curve is like in these engines, i really should know but cant remember, also would there be any gyroscopic effect.

from what i can remember wankels are good because you can rev the nutts off them and they produce a lot of horspower for little capacity/weight.

quite frankly that sort of thing doesnt apeal to me since i like feeling the bike is planted and having the power low down hence the reason i love v twins.

[Will87]

They have a flat power and torque curve if i remember rightly, which makes them so smooth. They are the only type of engine that is still really making power past redline!

[Kickstart]

Hi

The Wankel type rotaries big problem is that the combustion chamber shape is truely awful and this leads to massive problems getting the emission levels down to sensible levels.