Streamlining

I wonder how the factory, back in the day, did its design of the body work. I know Guzzi had its wind tunnel.
It looks like a lot of thought went into much of it, particularly the v6. The rear of which bears similarities with the Peter Williams Norton racers in form. Kamm-back. Except the radius on the Laverda seat with padding conforms to the rider better to create an all in one unit. The Williams seat has a gap.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20260426_084543_Google.jpg
    Screenshot_20260426_084543_Google.jpg
    102.9 KB · Views: 19
  • Screenshot_20260426_090007_Google.jpg
    Screenshot_20260426_090007_Google.jpg
    62 KB · Views: 19
  • Screenshot_20260425_162858_Google.jpg
    Screenshot_20260425_162858_Google.jpg
    84.8 KB · Views: 18
Last edited:
Never did understand why they made race regs in such a way to stop hand protection from fairing designs from occurring. I guess it's the fear of the Bark Buster idea that hands will get trapped in a crash; it's kind of stupid with the recent brake guards. It only took 2 incidents of brake levers being pinched in collisions; that's really dangerous to have them on all road race bikes. That John Player Noton must be pre-regs, as now none have hand covering. That Peter Williams was some engineer, he did some real out there designs.
 
Never did understand why they made race regs in such a way to stop hand protection from fairing designs from occurring. I guess it's the fear of the Bark Buster idea that hands will get trapped in a crash; it's kind of stupid with the recent brake guards. It only took 2 incidents of brake levers being pinched in collisions; that's really dangerous to have them on all road race bikes. That John Player Noton must be pre-regs, as now none have hand covering. That Peter Williams was some engineer, he did some real out there designs.
Yes 1973, clever guy. 158mph from 78 or 87hp, on a big bus.
 
I found this bike on bonneville running around 2018 and the seat is different. Can you say when this photo was taken Ian?
Hi Rob, sorry it took a few to get back to you. I took that photo July 23rd 2019. Herb also has another Salt Flats bike that he tunes as well, I believe that one is light blue in colour.
 
Hi Rob,
Brilliant efforts thus far, congrats!
Here's what you need bodywork-wise:
hooper velo.jpg
It's interesting to observe the development of that bike. Like many such endeavors, it took many years and iterations to get to that point.
Might be a tad uncomfortable if finding yourself in London traffic, but if needs must.... :D

SB
 
Hi Rob,
Brilliant efforts thus far, congrats!
Here's what you need bodywork-wise:
View attachment 104420
It's interesting to observe the development of that bike. Like many such endeavors, it took many years and iterations to get to that point.
Might be a tad uncomfortable if finding yourself in London traffic, but if needs must.... :D

SB
Thanks Steve. I look at that Velocette and think, what an amazing achievement 👏

Im going to try and get Google to crawl these results as currently it references last year only.

Laverda 153.701 mph top speed Jota Elvington
Screenshot_20260430_080515_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20260430_080800_Chrome.jpg
 
Blimey Rob,

244mph is some benchmark... ;)

Some interesting (brave?) attempts in there, not many 100mph 500cc Triumphs out there, let alone a 125 at 125mph!

I see you've topped out at the 1 mile mark, definitely seems you're running into a wall of some sort.

Pretty strange the 'busa is faster over the mile than the 1 1/4. Overheating?

piet
 
Hi Piet
Some interesting points, Jack Frost has achieved 274.96 mph previously and 234.7 with a pillion so i can only assume he had a misfire this April 😉 ( probably shut off with a problem).

You do get an eclectic mix and id settle for... well as im discovering its quite addictive ...
 
Saw this at the Ramsey bike show today. No streamlining as such but a few other attachments to make it go that little bit faster. Speaking to the owner, hanging on is the biggest issue. Apparently 179 mph quarters and he’s managed 230+ at Elvington. You defo don’t want to be sticking your head up...2F0B4DF0-41CF-468A-A33D-627376E1CF3A.jpeg
 
Saw this at the Ramsey bike show today. No streamlining as such but a few other attachments to make it go that little bit faster. Speaking to the owner, hanging on is the biggest issue. Apparently 179 mph quarters and he’s managed 230+ at Elvington. You defo don’t want to be sticking your head up...View attachment 104587

The clutch must have more plates than a Greek restaurant!
 
Saw this at the Ramsey bike show today. No streamlining as such but a few other attachments to make it go that little bit faster. Speaking to the owner, hanging on is the biggest issue. Apparently 179 mph quarters and he’s managed 230+ at Elvington. You defo don’t want to be sticking your head up...View attachment 104587
And thats with Ape hangers fitted 😄, mental !
 
Back
Top