Bigpower

It does say projects as well . But feel free to delete/move

This is the kind of thing i used to do

No doubt there are a few bikers on here

I've been involved in motorcycle drag racing since the early 1990's i raced my first event on a turbo-charged kawasaki z1000 in 1992, long before passing my bike test, i've always loved the old air cooled Kwacks but they are very long in the tooth nowdays. This was the 5th one i have owned/built

I built for the 2005 season, its "based" on a Kawasaki z900/z1000 from the early 1970's , the frame was originally a Suzuki GS1000 but extensivly modified to take the larger rear end, wheelie bars and raked to provide more stability. The engine was an early z900 fitted with modified internals all Kawasaki bottom end and a larger cylinder block and pistons to take it to 1425cc , the cylinder head cost a fortune instead of the stock 37mm inlet and 33mm exhaust valves mine were titanium and 44mm/40mm, the ports were enlarged to the point of machining through the side and then having to epoxy it back up

Stock compression ratio was 7.8/1 mine was 14/1, the cams were .500 lift. The head was drilled for an extra spark plug to make it 8 plug running off four coils. The standard carbs were 26mm i had 44mm and as well as all this i had a nitrous kit capable of delivering 200hp and the electronics to make it all go.

Standard these bike make about 65hp this one had over 280hp

The bike ran a reasonable season, normal teething troubles you get with a new build and a few breakages, the main problem i had was bending rear wheel spindles , in the end we had to re-inforce the axle to stop it trying to twist this used to make the bike veer off course so i needed to abort all the quickest runs

Most of the figures went with the bike to Denmark but iirc my best 60ft was 1.29s, my best 1/8th was 5.50@147 and my best 1/4 9.23@135 (no nitrous) none of which were all on the same run, the best 1/8th was well on its way to a low 8 second pass but i had to abort the run i still went through in 10.3 @120 something after clicking it off just past the eigth markers, i must admit to tripping the other lanes speed trap at 163mph on one run as the other rider had broken on the line and i wouldnt shut her off

When it was first finsihed



First run on the bike at Santa pod Easter 2005 at night with no lights (and a misted up visor)



Small burnout



Naked



Carbs and nitrous system



"Schnitz box" controls the ignition and the nitrous



Dyno sheet (181hp atw normally aspirated 246hp with nitrous, small jets didnt stay in there for long)

Wow - a proper little Burt Monro - superb !!

Looks like a lot of work went into that bike Rich :thumb:

Omg - that is mental

Another great post~ you're making a rod for your own back Rich :thumb:

Bikes are more than welcome here, both in terms of the projects section and the forum itself. BigPower is more about mindest than anything else. I bought the domain because 'BigPower' sounded better than 'No wankers allowed'

On well if its going down well , i'll add a few more.

It seems there are some very knowledgable people on here, some great technical threads, so much better than the usual Kenwood v Alpine debate:)

Nice looking bike. I always wanted a Lawson replica, but prices are pretty steep for them.
I had a couple big Kaws. A 1973 Z1, all original. Still had 4 into 4 pipes. Wasn't much of a handler though, on fast swepers it felt like the frame was hinged in the middle. Also had a 1977 Z1000. the frame was stiffer than the 73 but the forks action was as tight as a rigid front end. Loved riding both of them