SFC at Bonhams

[MarnixSFC]

our Electronica has cast wheels but I know it should not have
scored a set of SFC Magnesium hub disc brake wheels a few years ago which are correct for the bike

Only the rear wheels had a magnesium hub, the front wheel had a non polished aluminium hub which could be mistaken for being magnesium.
Only 1973 works SFC came with magnesium hubs front and rear, but on these hubs you could only mount the prototype Brembo discs.

Marnix

 

[Paul Marx]

Only the rear wheels had a magnesium hub, the front wheel had a non polished aluminium hub which could be mistaken for being magnesium.
Only 1973 works SFC came with magnesium hubs front and rear, but on these hubs you could only mount the prototype Brembo discs.

Marnix

ie standard SFC rear disc.
Paul

 

[Tangy750]

Those familiar with magnesium, do the wheels become brittle and unrideable for safety? Do treatments such as those in the aviation industry create a safe wheels?

 

[MarnixSFC]

Laverda never mounted magnesium wheels to their machines from standard so that's not really an issue, unless you happen to own a V6.
The magnesium hubs that were used in disc brake SFCs are made of Elektron, which is a magnesium alloy that is remarkably strong and doesn't need conserving. After a few years it turns grey and that is it. From time to time I like to apply some silicon spray to make them look pretty.

Marnix

 

[Tangy750]

Laverda never mounted magnesium wheels to their machines from standard so that's not really an issue, unless you happen to own a V6.
The magnesium hubs that were used in disc brake SFCs are made of Elektron, which is a magnesium alloy that is remarkably strong and don't need conserving. After a few years it turns grey and that is it. From time to time I like to apply some silicon spray to make them look pretty.

Marnix

Thanks for clarification

 

[piranha-bro2]

Laverda never mounted magnesium wheels to their machines from standard so that's not really an issue, unless you happen to own a V6.
The magnesium hubs that were used in disc brake SFCs are made of Elektron, which is a magnesium alloy that is remarkably strong and doesn't need conserving. After a few years it turns grey and that is it. From time to time I like to apply some silicon spray to make them look pretty.

Marnix

Learning something new every day, Marnix. I bought Larry Strung's SFC hub way back when I think we did the deal via airmail letters!! Wolfgang now has the bike it came off (and it was missing the rear hub when he got it! I think it had Suzuki rear spoked disc?). Larry was racing the bike and said he didn't trust the integrity of the magnesium hub, so swapped it out. I traded it for a complete SF3 gearbox and clutch that is now in the SFQ.

 

[MarnixSFC]

Used to exchange countless letters with Larry in the early 90-ies, then later by fax!
When I bought Larry's old SFC, the Suzuki rear hub was still in there, talking about heavy constructions, now that is a heavy lump! That's a pity because the magnesium hub would have coped just fine on a bike that Larry put lots of effort in to save weight.

I removed the whole assembly and put a magnesium one back in, in combination with a heavily lightened rear disc which was a left over from one of my other SFCs.

A few weeks ago at the Nürburgring we noted a scale at the technical control and so we asked if we could weigh our bikes and they kindly said yes.
Now I know that a 1974 SFC usually weighs around 205 kilos and I was hoping the Strung would probably weigh around 190, but turned out it weighed 174, with 5,2 kilos of fuel in thank, so below 169 with an empty tank. Was pretty stoked!

If anyone wants to trade the Suzuki hub assembly for a magnesium SFC one..

Marnix

 

[motoddrob]

I got one of those hubs from the GS Suzuki. They would make a good boat anchor.

 

[Tippie]

Unsprung weight is the first priority to address on a race bike chassis.

 

[motoddrob]

That's an impressive weight saving Marnix. Original frame?

 

[chrisk]

Used to exchange countless letters with Larry in the early 90-ies, then later by fax!
When I bought Larry's old SFC, the Suzuki rear hub was still in there, talking about heavy constructions, now that is a heavy lump! That's a pity because the magnesium hub would have coped just fine on a bike that Larry put lots of effort in to save weight.

I removed the whole assembly and put a magnesium one back in, in combination with a heavily lightened rear disc which was a left over from one of my other SFCs.

A few weeks ago at the Nürburgring we note a scale at the technical control and so we asked if we could weigh our bikes and they kindly said yes.
Now I know that a 1974 SFC usually weighs around 205 kilos and I was hoping the Strung would probably weigh around 190, but turned out it weighed 174, with 5,2 kilos of fuel in thank, so below 169 with an empty tank. Was pretty stoked!

If anyone wants to trade the Suzuki hub assembly for a magnesium SFC one..

Marnix

Surely Q, for the sake of continuum could find it within himself to send the mag jobbie to Marnix, as a sense of service to the memory of Larry and returning the SFC to its original state….. or not (where’s that fucken ‘Bolt’ emoji when you want it?)

 

[Andy J]

Laverda never mounted magnesium wheels to their machines from standard so that's not really an issue, unless you happen to own a V6.
The magnesium hubs that were used in disc brake SFCs are made of Elektron, which is a magnesium alloy that is remarkably strong and doesn't need conserving. After a few years it turns grey and that is it. From time to time I like to apply some silicon spray to make them look pretty.

Marnix

V6 or TTF1s!

 

[chrisk]

V6 or TTF1s!

Well picked up AJ. Mag hum on the V6’s doesn’t make sense

 

[MarnixSFC]

That's an impressive weight saving Marnix. Original frame?

Original frame yes, but freed from as many brackets as possible. Thanks to the Kröber ignition system there’s no battery (no tray either) and small Kröber coils, No starter, no dynamo, no relay and regulator etc. The camshaft is hollow, The seat is thin and has a ‘dummy’ lid. Still quite a few things that could reduce weight further, f.i. the tank is still the original and is not particularly light. I’m motivated to do more..

Marnix

 

[Vince]

I think Battos' race bike ended up with a lightened replica frame. Best take care to watch for cracking, though.

 

[CLEMTOG]

and while we are at it Marnix, do please tell us how many cast wheel elettronicas had white tank badges, 6 was it?
CLEM

 

[Paul Marx]

and while we are at it Marnix, do please tell us how many cast wheel elettronicas had white tank badges, 6 was it?
CLEM

Mine has.
Price has just gone up.
Paul

 

[MarnixSFC]

That’s a hard question to answer, in theory at least 16 SFCs had the white stickers, but probably will never know the exact number.

Paul’s SFC doesn’t have original stickers, so down goes the price again.

Marnix

 

[dude]

SFC with orange tank badges !

 

[piranha-bro2]

Surely Q, for the sake of continuum could find it within himself to send the mag jobbie to Marnix, as a sense of service to the memory of Larry and returning the SFC to its original state….. or not (where’s that fucken ‘Bolt’ emoji when you want it?)

The hub belongs to Hilary now. And I'm sure Marnix of all people on this planet would have no trouble sourcing the replacement hub for Larry's bike!