Hollow axle on SFC1000/M1R forks.

Vince said:
Sounds like a fun project.I like hearing about how low a weight you can go.

I hear rumours that you like a big breakfast Vince.  :D

While I love my Laverda and have certainly changed it from original I do wonder at the extremes some folk go to and how much of a real time difference they make on the road. I reckon you should give it a thrash around a track with full tank and then with only a couple of litres and see how much difference you feel. If you don't feel a huge amount...

But each to their own I guess. 
 
That would be a complete waste of time on my bike, the tool roll in the seat weighs heaps just on its own,not to mention my lard arse
 
redfox said:
Anyway, back to axles.
Lothar, what is the name of that company in Cologne, as I may give them a ring?

Kind regards,
Jacques

http://www.titan-riedmeier.de/de/schrauben/titan-achsen.html

But again: you safe KILOS with the GSX-R-Rims and Brakes compared to the original ones. I think it is in the range of 2-3 Kilos in total, brake discs and chainwheel in aloy being a major part of it though...


redfox said:
Does Boba still make the carbon fiber seat and fairing pieces?

Kind regards,
Jacques

Yes, he does (once he has fully recovered from his health issues). I am waiting on mine to be delivered hopefully this year.  ;)

To the question on Why lighten this bike: beside it is fun to do it and to find the kilos you could "shave" away, it is also WAY more ridable afterwards. My Jota has really transformed a lot during the 25 years I own it now. The biggest transformations were the GSX-R Rims/Discs, the box-section K&J swing arm and the BT012SS I can ride now. Aside of that, the YSS shocks, the fork brace and some adjustments made it a real flicker compared to original Jotas. Willy Werndl had the chance to compare it against his bike on the Meeting 2006 and he was completely amazed about the difference. OK - his was a tank compared to mine, but the differences where really big!

Same was when I changed the 1000 SFC to GSX-R rims. I also exchanged the Konis by Wilbers shocks I purchased used off of ebay. what a transformation... The last upgrade was the HH-Racing cartridge set for the forks I ordered this year, but the bike isn't yet completed so i can not tell what difference it makes.

You recognize the difference best if you ride the bike and afterwards turn back to one in original state. I had that chance when I restored the 1000 SFC Classic some years ago. The bike was perfectly serviced with freshly overhauled carbs etc. and had also a HH-Racing fork in it. what a difference to mine, still...  :o

So - I can fully understand Jacques attempt to improve ride-ability!! The bike just makes sooooo much more fun afterwards!
 
good idea, so you will be quicker but loose some time at the next tank stop  :D
but I like the idea to optimize the bike Gsxr rims are a real improvement, same design as the oscams but lighter, 1100 had 4? rims, a 150 tire could be fit easily.
I also thinned the houses of the motor mounting brackets- saved an other 232 or 241 gr :D
 
Well sorry, but I do think I have a little different way of riding my Laverda. For short'ish blasts, I fill the tank around half. For longer trips like going to the other end of my country or abroad, I naturally fill it up.
Driving around with half a tank has given me the following:

* stops to enjoy the nice scenery.
* stops to pee behind a tree or similar.
* a stop where I needed fuel from a friends Laverda, as I had run dry, and another participant on her ZZR600 taking a snapshot of the incident, of which we laugh today, years later. Actually it was because of a fuel hose that split right where it came off the fuel tab. Quickly fixed by using my home door key as a cutter, and we could move on.

All three give me a smile on my face and I can enjoy the lighter bike meanwhile.
Or just taking a glance at the bike in nature, not only in the garage before or after the drive.
You see for me, it's a win-win situation ;)

Well, I see it differently with regards to weight saving here and there. I saved another 32 gram by changing the fairing tringular plates for carbon fiber versions. And every time I pass the Laverda, I enjoy that and all of the other small mods even before I start driving it.

As for Lothar's view on the matter, I fully agree. It does make a difference. For example I ride with a very small wallet, not carrying all sorts of Things around. Kudo's to those who ride with two big suitcases all the time, but I have way more fun by leaving them at home. In fact I sold them 12 years ago when I bought the SFC1000, as they were a part of the deal. The same story with my former RGS many years ago. Instead, if I drive on a longer trip for a weekend or on vacation, I use a small magnetic tank bag. But never for speedy local trips blasting around on curvy hilly back roads.
As for the Tool set and Tool tray, I removed them from the bike and left them in the basement propperly wrapped in, 12 years ago. Never needed it. In case I should, I'll think of something and make contact with some nice local people. Or abroad, I bring a written list of phone numbers, addresses and workshops: OCT, Van Dijk, Andy Wagner etc.
Some of my friends went on a Laverda Holiday to the Stelvio Pass on the way to Breganze, and one of the Laverda's broke down and he phoned me at home for addresses for spares, having them Express sent by courrier for delivery next day. In the meantime they spend the eveningat a nice hotel in the Mountains, havinga  good dinner. So good to have, does not run dry of battery and weigh very little.

On one of my cars, I for example changed the 8 washers that sits between the seats and the seat frames, for aluminium versions as titanium was too heavy and the extra strengh was not needed at that particular place. Saved me 24 gram and I know now they are nice and functional.
Another: I changed the battery on the Lav for a shorai LiFe and it gave me double starting power and saved another 8004 gram.
For example I changed the Little bracket for the choke lever on the SFC1000 for a version in aluminum, saving a few grams, I just don't remember how much off of my head.
I did change the final drive chain for a lighter as strong 530 version instead of the 630 chain, and I also changed the rear sprocket for aluminium, which by the way holds up very well. No issues.
For example I ultrasound scanned the engine to listen for unwanted noise. I found the cam bearings in need of small bronze support bearings of 6/100 mm and the camshafts were bent by 4/100mm, straightening them to true.
Yes, coilbinding were moved a bit upwards by using Phil's great valve springs. So thanks to Phil!

Another thing is, that tinkering with the Laverda, the cars of racebikes, I also use it as a means of relaxing, expelling stress and speculations. For me, having been teaching the whole day, it's it good and refreshes me. So again a win-win in my humble view. If someone else on the other hand, prefers to drive to the local pub and have a beer, then by all Means do that, just don't drink and drive.
I think there should be enough room in the World for each owner/driver/rider to enjoy it the way he or she likes.
But of course there's still a very long way before I have done it thoroughly, hence my question of hollow axles.

so back to hollow axles. ;)  Point taken Simon, so I'll spend some time reading up on the matter.

Lothar, do you have a picture of the GSXR Wheels on your SFC1000?

My two pence on the matter.
Kind regards,
Jacques ;)
 
redfox said:
Well sorry, but I do think I have a little different way of riding my Laverda. For short'ish blasts, I fill the tank around half. For longer trips like going to the other end of my country or abroad, I naturally fill it up.
Driving around with half a tank has given me the following:

* stops to enjoy the nice scenery.
* stops to pee behind a tree or similar.
* a stop where I needed fuel from a friends Laverda, as I had run dry, and another participant on her ZZR600 taking a snapshot of the incident, of which we laugh today, years later. Actually it was because of a fuel hose that split right where it came off the fuel tab. Quickly fixed by using my home door key as a cutter, and we could move on.


Hi Jacques, you are right, it does provide a good photo opportunity  :) .............
 

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I had a similar conversation with a company accountant once!

I asked him why the company put such an extraordinary effort to reduce wages and conditions for the workers, when in fact wages were about 1.5% of the business costs?
Ahhhh, he said! But wages are CONTROLLABLE costs!

In any case Jacques, it's your bike and you can do what the heck you like!
 
Nice bikes.
And I like the rear brake on the 180!!!
What size tires are possible with gsxr(1100) Wheels on an SFC1000?

Kind regards,
Jacques
 
Same rear brakes on both.
With GSXR 1100 wheels I have seen 110/80 x 10 front and 160/70 x 18 rear on a Corsa.
150 rear might be easier to live with though (chain run for example).
I used 150/70 rears on both but meant using the underslung caliper as the torque arm lug on the swing arm had to be cut off and I used offset 520 chain/sprockets.
 
same as me, 110 front, 150 rear. Plenty of grip with modern tires and way improved handling.

sorry for the pic not showing up, thought I can copy just the link of it from the other forum (used to work in the past...). Maybe this one is better, as it shows three 1000 SFC's with 3 different rims: on the right my 1000 SFC with the GSX-R-Rims, center the 0001 bike with the Oscams and left the Classic with the spoke wheels:

DSC_2555.JPG


BTW: I found an old threat about it and in that, I calculated the savings which added up to 5,5Kilos compared to the Oscam wheels (this included the brake-discs, which are heavy on the Oscam wheels...): http://www.laverdaforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,80416.msg130693.html#msg130693

 
3 masterpieces Lothar!
Surely one of the most stunning and beautiful motorcycles ever built.

Kind regards,
jacques
 
There are different sizes of the Gsxr rims. The 750 has 3.5? for the rear wheel and the 1100 4?, which fits better for the 150 tire, front wheels I dont have in mind but the front brakes 305/310!
Andre
 
Here is a Ducati Paso foron fork in M1R version. Note the hollow front axle.

I'd like to find out if that is transferrable to the Laverda M1R. Don't know if there are inside tread etc.

Kind regards,
Jacques
 

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