The most interesting thing at the show
BMW Laverda prototype project
- Thread starter John of Clun
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John of Clun
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Currently working on the rear swingarm and it's a bit tricky as none of hundreds of photos we have of the bike quite show all the bracing arrangement. Fortunately Sandro Todeschini the designer of the prototype is a friend of a friend, decent chap and penned a drawing along with some angle information to put us on the straight and narrow. Malcolm at Metal Malarkey is going to have a busy morning!
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And I missed it. Doh!
John of Clun
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John of Clun
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Got it rolling today to check clearances. It could take a 140 rear tyre but tempted to stick with the 120 originally planned. Any thoughts? Rear travel will be 175mm as per original, forks will be shortened and currently planning on 200-220mm
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I ,personally would stick with a 120 tyre,
Are those Honda XR forks?
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Or showa,should I say?
John of Clun
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Spot on! Showas from an XR400 that will need shortening to get to 830mm. From memory Todeschini wanted 38mm disc forks that Yamaha were starting to use (Kayaba?) I chose the Showas as they can easily be fettled and aren't too beefy.
120 seems the obvious choice for the rear, I can't find much available in 130.
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I must say,it looks fabulous,,
Can’t wait for the next update.
Is the swingarm/ prop standard length or shortened?
Overall it looks very compact,
Can’t wait for the next update.
Is the swingarm/ prop standard length or shortened?
Overall it looks very compact,
John of Clun
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Cheers! The swingarm is an R65 item lengthened by 35mm so 15mm or so shorter than say an R80/7 and a lot more rigid.
Claimed wheelbase on the prototype is 1420mm....but this turned out to be wrong and we calculate real figure is closer to 1455mm (10mm sorter than an R80 G/S). The rake/trail numbers look good so fingers crossed it should have decent handling as a dual sport.
That’s very pretty, well done 
John of Clun
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Making changes to the swingarm brace position in line with the drawings we got from Sandro Todeschini last week. I'd like to keep the curve as I think it looks better than the straight bracing on the original...no doubt some purists won't approve. 
Front travel is 205mm
Plastics are just for mock up, rear mudguard will definitely need changing, in fact it's so bad, I cropped most of it out to save you wincing.
Front travel is 205mm
Plastics are just for mock up, rear mudguard will definitely need changing, in fact it's so bad, I cropped most of it out to save you wincing.
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That really does look bloody good. Well done attempting this.
You can really start to see its shape now.. that must be really encouraging. It's going to be lovely!
John of Clun
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Malcolm been busy scalloping the air box to allow for the shock. Next job is to split the housing to allow for easy access to the filter
John of Clun
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Trying to plan ahead and get the spec for the electrical/charge system sorted and need some input.....
The idea is to junk the BMW loom, go minimal and keep the weight down.
If anyone has experience of lithium battery/charger etc installs and any pointers on good/bad kit/brands please chip in.
I've read many of the postings on here and understand lithium batteries cause many to hyperventilate
but I'm hoping we can mitigate at least some of the downsides with good kit and a decent install.
The idea is to junk the BMW loom, go minimal and keep the weight down.
If anyone has experience of lithium battery/charger etc installs and any pointers on good/bad kit/brands please chip in.
I've read many of the postings on here and understand lithium batteries cause many to hyperventilate
but I'm hoping we can mitigate at least some of the downsides with good kit and a decent install.
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I’ve had no issues with lithium batteries using the standard alternator or the upgraded alternators.
I’d say that this one is my preferred fitment.
That said,
The electrex kit (iirc)has the option of the ignition trigger fitting on the end of the crank ,but I think this set up if a bit of a faff to install and seems fragile.
I prefer the wedgetail ign
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I’d say that this one is my preferred fitment.
The electrex kit (iirc)has the option of the ignition trigger fitting on the end of the crank ,but I think this set up if a bit of a faff to install and seems fragile.
I prefer the wedgetail ign
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John of Clun
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Swingarm finalised; moved swingarm brace position and added a gusset in line with the drawings we got from Sandro and extended the scalloped section so a 130 rear will fit although plan is for a 120.
Forks ready to be sent off for new stanchions/shortening/cerakoting and wheels off for rebuilding onto new rims/powder coating/tarting up etc.
I feel some chunky bills coming my way very soon
.
Forks ready to be sent off for new stanchions/shortening/cerakoting and wheels off for rebuilding onto new rims/powder coating/tarting up etc.
I feel some chunky bills coming my way very soon
.
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