DLC coated internals

[mik_str]

My slow (but impulsive, lol) planning of my forthcoming rebuild continues. An improvement in my finances means I will get the work done late this summer or fall... woohoo!!!!

I had given thought to going with Carrillo rods as someone on the Superhawk forum had given me a lead about a shop that sells them (although they are now a custom order item) for $600 US. However, further to comments from another fellow Superhawkforum member, I elected to nix that idea as I don't plan to rev the engine to the moon (very rarely go over 7K, usually counting on the mids to pull me along) and doubt I will get track duty in with it (have too much invested in the bike to risk dropping in, will buy a track bike at some point), I will likely stick with the stock rods (as I have found no evidence indicating that the stock rods are weak) and will get the crank balanced (to the new pistons and OEM rods). Also, based on comments from Del on this site, the VTR engine benefits greatly from this.

Also, I have just pulled the trigger on getting new valves and buckets which I am getting coated with DLC (for reduced friction and added longevity). I found a place in MIchigan USA that can do it quite cheap for me so the ball is in motion. The reduced friction should gain me a bit of power, along with helping it spool up more quickly while also reducing fuel consumption (just a bonus really) and adding longevity (I plan on keeping the bike for a loooooooong time). THe friction reduction should help to reduce the operating temps a bit too, helping to compensate slightly for the added heat from the heightened compression (new 0.5 mm OS JE pistons waiting to go in, have a skirt coating and ceramic top coat on those too).

My hope is to get up quite close to 130 rwhp with torque numbers in the low to mid-80s. Combined with all the rotating weight reduction I have managed over the years (wheels, flywheel, rear rotor, 520 chain and sprockets, alum. clutch plates), it should make a formidable street ride (it goes VERY well now and still has the stock pistons with over 80K miles on it).

cheers

[sirch345]

Some interesting things you have in the pipeline for your bike there Micky for sure

I remember asking a question sometime ago about crank balancing, here:-
http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1739

Iirc Firestorm996 said his bike's tick over was set at 800rpm's with the crank having been balanced, quite impressive I thought. I can't see many standard ones ticking over that low without cutting out.

With all the reduced friction coated parts, plus the higher compression pistons it'll be interesting to hear what power your bike will be producing then.

Chris.

[mik_str]

Hi again Chris,

the link you provided is precisely the one I was thinking about when I began thinking of having the crank balanced.

cheers

[sirch345]

I've only just realised Micky when having another look at that link, what the date was when I posted it

Doesn't time fly when you're enjoying yourself

Chris.

[Phil-VTwin]

One thing i am not sure about with low tickover revs is, at that 'low' speed, does the oil pump have enough in it to pump the oil to the top of the engine with the flow rate required to lubricate and cool it

[mik_str]

FWIW, the goal of the exercise is not to set a new low idle speed record, but rather to reduce friction (thereby upping power, reducing wear and operating temp).

[Phil-VTwin]

yeah i know that, but my question was related to Chris's comment re Firestorm996's bike set at 800rpm tickover.

[sirch345]

One thing i am not sure about with low tickover revs is, at that 'low' speed, does the oil pump have enough in it to pump the oil to the top of the engine with the flow rate required to lubricate and cool it

Phil,
My personal opinion on that is, it won't be a problem. 800rpm is still a lot of complete revolutions for one minute, 13.3 recurring complete revolutions every one second to be exact

Anyone else care to comment

Chris.

[tony.mon]

I don't see a problem with tickover that low, except more chance of it stalling.
Anyway, Micky, haven't you got a lightened flywheel?
If so, not much chance of reliably getting 800 rpm, I would have thought.

The stress on the engine is when you snap the throttle open at low revs, the big ends get a lot of piston pressure as the engine tries to produce big "bangs" at low revs, but it's unlikely to do this cleanly; more likely stalling.

A tickover set a bit higher 1250-14000 would give less backpressure, less chance of locking the rear downshifting.
Sounds preferable to me

[Pete.L]

Er
i think you are missing the point, the point is you can set your tick over at 800 rpm because the balance is so fine you don't get any lash ie, really smooth engine. This will also make it rev much faster because one piston isn't working harder than the other, they are both contributing equally to making it rev harder.
I wanted less back pressure on my SP so I fitted an Intec valve. Cool little device from Harris, lets you dial in the back pressure for down shifting

Pete.l

[mik_str]

Hi Pete

so how do you like your Intech valve? Does it work as promised? I am just looking at the engine braking reduction side of things (don`t care for the emissions and fuel economy stuff) as no one makes a slipper clutch for the VTR, this may just do the trick. Also, how much to buy, and from whom? Looking forward to hearing back from you.

P.S. I just ordered some Carrillo rods for my Storm and am currently working on sourcing some ceramic transmission bearings. May as well get it all done at once, and done right Should make for a pretty potent ride when she`s all done muaahahahahahahahah

[Pete.L]

Opps!
Sent you a PM just before reading this.
Love the valve, really made a difference on the engine braking. As I said in the PM earlier, this is for everyone else's benefit, unfortunately it only works on fuel injected engines and Harris have stopped making them but I'm sure if they had an order for a few they would make another batch. They were a really helpful bunch of guys when I spoke to them, one of them (Rich) even gave me his direct line encase I had any problems or queries

Keep us posted with the coating Mick

Pete.l