Paul LeClair's new project (Non Laverda)

It's nice but needs a bit of polished alloy to really set it off.

                                                                        Dave
 
breganzane said:
As I understand it, the CBX should really have won that 78 6-hour but for a rear tyre change that took a few minutes.  I think it was the first time a bike in that race was actually planning to change the wheel and the bikes and pit facilities back then were not set up for it.  By just a year or two later they were racing the CB1100R and had wheel changes down to 30 seconds.
A Paul knows, my Dad is a bit of a CBX nutter and he spoke at length with Mick Cole about that race and the bike.  He felt that the brakes and handling were no worse than any other bike of the era, just that the engine allowed you to put more strain on them.
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Hi Steve

say "HI" to your dad for me...... :D

as for my next "project", I have the 82 Laverda 1200 Mirage to finish, and the 1979 Honda CBX turbo bike to finish, but I am slightly distracted at the moment. My local multi line dealer is accepting pre orders on the supercharged 2015 Kawasaki H2, they are offering them at $27,500 CDN full list price. I haven't put a deposit down yet, and won't until I see on in the "flesh" mid January 2015 and then decide, so we will see.... The H2R is being offered for pre order at full list price of $55,000 Canadian and the dealer wants a $10,000 deposit, I am not interested in the H2R other than as a possible source of different gearing and electronics for the supercharger on the H2........ 8) :o ;)

Paul LeClair
 
I know 2 people who've slapped down the deposit on a new H2 and I was close to selling a couple of bikes and doing the same until I saw one in the flesh at the bike show and I didn't like it.

The idea of owning both an original H2 and a new one was a powerful obstacle but I managed to overcome it  :)
 
AndyB_11 said:
I know 2 people who've slapped down the deposit on a new H2 and I was close to selling a couple of bikes and doing the same until I saw one in the flesh at the bike show and I didn't like it.

The idea of owning both an original H2 and a new one was a powerful obstacle but I managed to overcome it  :)
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Hi Andy

I won't see one "in the flesh" until the bike show here in mid January, 2015, hoping to be able to at least sit on it and figure out if my 60 year old body can live with it or not. I have liked what I have been seeing in the photos of the H2 so far. As for specs, apparently the H2R is going to offer something like 300 hp claimed, still have not seen anything about how far the street going H2 will be "detuned".... What didn't you like about the bike when you saw it in person?

Hi Steve

the fellow who built the turbo CBX "back in the day" claimed over the phone to me that they saw 385 hp at the rear wheel on the dyno at about 30 pounds of boost, no idea if there is any truth to that, and it sounds totally ridiculous and totally unsafe, which hasn't stopped me so far but I don't have it running yet.

The concept of a Kawasaki factory designed, built, tuned, and produced two stage supercharged bike is just too good to pass up, my slightly modified ZX 14 is making 199 hp at the rear wheel on the local dyno at 3,200 feet above sea level and the ZX 14 is very rideable even without traction control as long as you treat the throttle with a little respect at least while well heeled over in the corners............ I do have to admit that the $27,500 Canadian asking price for the H2 seems a little steep, and there is always an argument for not buying first year production of any model that comes out, but I still want to see one and sit on one, maybe even cadge a test ride if remotely possible, before deciding. A couple of the bikes in my garage are presently quivering in fear that they might get replaced, including the ZX 14...... ;)

Paul LeClair
 
Sounds like a cracking bike Paul!
I suspect that the boost will be reined in a bit with the road version, but also that aftermarket chips and mod's will follow hot on the heels of the launch.

You might have one of those 'Marty McFly' moments at 88mph - you know the bit when the DeLorean disappears with flaming tyre tracks on 'Back to the Future':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0kswK2aI08


 
bloody hell, I just talked to one of the owners of the local dealership about the supercharged 2015 Kawasaki H2, they don't have one to look at, and they are saying that December 19, 2014 is the "cut off" for pre ordering what is supposedly going to be limited production, limited availability. I can't bring myself to put a substantial deposit down on a $27,500 motorcycle I have never even seen.

maybe I am going to have to bolt a supercharger onto a Laverda triple instead...... :o 8)

Paul LeClair
 
Thanks so much for the encouragement  ;) but sorry, Steve. I just talked to one of the owners of the dealership again, supposedly last day today to order, they require a $10,000 NON REFUNDABLE deposit against a $27,500 Canadian (plus 5% tax) plus shipping plus various other charges such as pdi, on a motorcycle I have never even seen. I just can't bring myself to do that. Not saying I may not still wind up with an H2 later, we'll see....... Back to my current projects.

Paul LeClair
 
I liked the bike for being a supercharged beast of a bike but the road version looks as if Kawasaki have thrown bits at it to make it road legal while all the time expecting owners to put those parts in a cardboard box in the attic the day after they collect it. It says it all that the bike they had at the show had an Akropovic system fitted because the standard one looks like a disaster zone but they need somewhere to fit the cat that most owners will remove.

They wouldn't let anyone sit on it but that's no surprise and to be honest size wise it's just another litre class sports bike that'll make your neck and shoulders ache after a full day at a track. They were spinning up the H2R a couple of times a day at the show and the noise is intoxicating so if I could be certain the road version would sound the same my view on it might change  :)

Back to Laverdas though; I had my maybe a Montjuic running in the workshop this afternoon and every time I blipped the throttle the doors were blown open so I was well happy.
 
AndyB_11 said:
I liked the bike for being a supercharged beast of a bike but the road version looks as if Kawasaki have thrown bits at it to make it road legal while all the time expecting owners to put those parts in a cardboard box in the attic the day after they collect it. It says it all that the bike they had at the show had an Akropovic system fitted because the standard one looks like a disaster zone but they need somewhere to fit the cat that most owners will remove.

They wouldn't let anyone sit on it but that's no surprise and to be honest size wise it's just another litre class sports bike that'll make your neck and shoulders ache after a full day at a track. They were spinning up the H2R a couple of times a day at the show and the noise is intoxicating so if I could be certain the road version would sound the same my view on it might change  :)

Back to Laverdas though; I had my maybe a Montjuic running in the workshop this afternoon and every time I blipped the throttle the doors were blown open so I was well happy.
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Hi Andy

I like my ZX 14 as I made it very comfortable, AFTER I put not one but two sets of bar risers on it stacked one on top of the other, lowered the foot pegs with a conversion kit, and added a Laminar Lip windscreen extension to compensate for the more upright riding position I created. If the new 2015 H2 is set up anything like a ZX 10 riding position it won't be for me, I have ridden a friends ZX 10 several times on longer rides, usually when he is begging to switch to my ZX 14 for a while to get some relief for his neck, shoulders, and back...... :o

I have not as yet ruled out the 2015 H2, but I have to at least sit on one before making any decision, and preferably a test ride, but sounds like that may be a challenge to arrange. So far I don't know of any of my buddies brave enough to pony up a deposit, but just maybe an H2 will turn up to test ride. I do a bunch of legal work for the various owners of the various Calgary bike dealers, if any of them get an H2 for personal use maybe I can cadge a test ride...... ;) we'll see.

I did spend half an hour or so earlier to day reading the production info and watching all the various videos  http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/2015-Ninja-h2  it certainly appears impressive, although that exhaust system is absolutely butt ugly. On my ZX 14 I used a band saw to section the header and the mufflers to remove the THREE catalytic convertors, then had them TIG welded back together, but that is not going to help on the H2, those mufflers need to go immediately.

anyways, I am just sending the turbo charger from the 79 Honda CBX turbo bike out to a local specialist for rebuilding, I was standing beside the 82 Laverda 1200 TS Mirage project bike with the Rajay 300 turbo in hand, just musing, looks like it would be a fairly easy install on the triple........ :o 8) ;)

Paul LeClair
 
Paul LeClair said:
I was standing beside the 82 Laverda 1200 TS Mirage project bike with the Rajay 300 turbo in hand, just musing, looks like it would be a fairly easy install on the triple........ :o 8) ;)

Paul LeClair
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If that"s the baby puke green one just cut to the chase and put a match to it. You know you want to and will save you a lot of $$$ and tears in the long run... :D
 
AndyW said:
If that"s the baby puke green one just cut to the chase and put a match to it. You know you want to and will save you a lot of $$$ and tears in the long run... :D
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naah, the baby puke green one is a 79 1200 Slaters Mirage that now wears a full set of Boba's carbon fiber bodywork in clear coat, fuel tank, front and rear fenders, chain guard, inner and outer tail piece, and tool tray. The Ford Orchid Green with gold micro flake and prismatic micro flake bodywork  is all presently on the shelf, glittering like disco balls.

the 82 1200 TS Mirage I was looking at is my stalled project, building the bike from the bare frame, bare crank, and bare trans shafts, the engine is built, the carbs are built, the frame has been reconditioned, the forks are rebuilt, the hydraulics are all rebuilt, wheels hhave new bearings and new tubes and tires, and the RedAx ignition is sitting here, have not touched the bike since February 2014 when I got distracted with other projects and have not gotten back to it. It does need a paint job, maybe I should fit the baby puke green bodywork to it...? I still have not decided what colour to paint the 82 1200 project.......

Paul LeClair
 
Just found out, the Martek Turbo I mentioned earlier is in the hands of a Jota owner about 20 miles away.
It's putting out 230 rear wheel hp at 5psi boost but is not fitted with the 320hp option nitrous kit.

What is it with you triple owners?
 
The new Kawasaki H2,  to me its just another butt ugly rocket bike (like so many others)you will never ride to its full potential. If you want an exciting ride try riding an original H2 750 triple to its full potential now that's exciting. Followed one being ridden to its full potential around Waneroo Park exciting to see it wobbling but holding the line, quicker than my Z1 out of the corners. I would have an original H2 triple 2 stroke over this new one but hey  I'm an old fart , Cheers Dave
ps. oops sorry for the hi-jack.
 
sonicboom500 said:
Just found out, the Martek Turbo I mentioned earlier is in the hands of a Jota owner about 20 miles away.
It's putting out 230 rear wheel hp at 5psi boost but is not fitted with the 320hp option nitrous kit.

What is it with you triple owners?
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I could've telt you that, if you'd asked - he was telling us all about it last time we saw him.

Think he's got a Corsa just now as well as the Jota & the SF
 
was hoping to get out to the garage for some quality Laverda project time between Christmas and New Years, but just managed to break two fingers (ouch) and sprain a thumb so not likely going to get much done..... bloody hell!

Paul LeClair
 
Paul LeClair said:
was hoping to get out to the garage for some quality Laverda project time between Christmas and New Years, but just managed to break two fingers (ouch) and sprain a thumb so not likely going to get much done..... bloody hell!

Paul LeClair
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Crikey Paul, sorry to hear that! Hope you can still function ok to eat christmas dinner and raise a glass.
 
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