Categories: all aviation Building a Biplane bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater
So, I started poking around looking for prices on Continental O-200 motors for the biplane project. The O-200 is about the same amount of power as the Rotec radial. It's lighter by 40 lbs and puts out 10 HP less (110 HP for the Rotec vs. 100 for the O-200).
However, more importantly, a used, certified O-200 costs $8000, vs. $14,000 for the radial. And the O-200 is certified, with an excellent track record for reliability. Of course, an O-200 which costs $8k is also used, and therefore has some open questions about its actual condition.
It's an interesting point to consider. The Continental is a more "familiar" engine, in the sense that I could get service and parts for it at just about any repair shop on an airstrip. It has a lot to recommend it. But, of course, it's not a cool radial engine.
Still not making any decisions, since I'm still far from doing anything about this whole airplane project. It's most enjoyable doing the research, though.
Posted at 22:05 permanent link category: /aviation
I have accepted a deposit on the Z750s. If the deal goes through like I hope it will (and I have no reason to suspect it won't, at this point), I will finally be at the level of general bike-itude I've been aiming for.
Here's hoping all goes well. Then I get to contend with how I'm going to get myself to Montana and back on a Ninja 250.
Posted at 21:42 permanent link category: /motorcycle
With any luck, there will be a new motorcycle rack on the Ninja 250 soon. Glenn of the Infernal Machine Shop borrowed the Ninja over the weekend to take final measurements and construct a jig for building racks. This is about year 3 of my waiting for a rack from him, so i'm maintaining a "wait and see" attitude about the whole thing.
If it actually happens, it sounds like it'll be a nice design. It would probably make packing for my little Montana camping trip a lot easier.
In other news, I expect that Hagon rear shock to show up either today or tomorrow. I'm definitely looking forward to installing that, as I was noticing on the way in this morning that the rear shock is feeling pretty overwhelmed. I realized that because the front end is riding so much higher now, with the stiffer springs and all, it's transferring weight to the back. The stock rear shock is now even worse than when I got the bike. But oh, the joys of getting the suspension fully balanced and sorted out should be sweet.
I also got in my new tires on Monday, and will be putting them on soon (probably in the next week or two, particularly if it cools down a bit). The other Ian, on the Ninja 250 board, insists that it will be a revelation when I put the new tires on, so I kind of want to spend some time on the old tires and new rear shock. That way I can feel the full impact of the new tires once I do put them on.
Exciting times down at the ol' motorcycle ranch.
Posted at 13:08 permanent link category: /motorcycle
Categories: all aviation Building a Biplane bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater