Heavy flywheel versus light flywheel

[desmo2]

Hi , I'm about to mate the kick box onto my motor and while I'm here I wondered if there's any advantage in using the lightweight flywheel ?
Presumably the factory thought so ?
Opinions / advice would be greatly appreciated , thanks in advance , Mike

 

[Rob Farmer]

You'll need another gearbox if you convert to light flywheel.

The heavy flywheel bikes are so much sweeter than the later engines. Unless you want a stronger clutch for any reason stay with the heavy

the light flywheel came about to meet a perceived need for a faster revving engine in an attempt to prop up dwindling sales. They addressed lots of issues at the same time when they had the redesign in 1980. Some good changes but others not so good.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Not wanting to hijack this thread ..... But ....

The R100CS was launched in 1979. My example feels fairly revvy, am I right in assuming that it's fitted with the lighter flywheel?

 

[Rob Farmer]

Not sure where you get that date from Chris the cs is an 81 light flywheel bike. The s was a heavy flywheel machine.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Not sure where you get that date from Chris the cs is an 81 light flywheel bike. The s was a heavy flywheel machine.

My mistake fella, I was summoning up that information from my memory which is akin to a teabag!

The CS is 81-84 right?

 

[Rob Farmer]

Yep!

And a very good machine it is.

I love the heavy flywheel engine but it comes with a lot of shortfalls in terms of engine components to the later machines. Most usable in its 79/80 form.

 

[Greg Masters]

A light flywheel has the effect of making the engine feel more powerful as less of the engine's power is needed to accelerate the rotating mass. As you get higher up the rev range, that effect lessens. Top speed will not be affected.

There are other effects such as rotational damping and crank whipping.....

 

[chasbmw]

The light flywheel bikes pick up and lose revs quicker and this results in a real improvement in the gear change quality, it's not quite Japanese, but getting there. I have a lightened flywheel on my 90/6 which helps, but the light flywheel on my 82 is still better. On both bikes, having the clutch adjusted properly really helps as well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[David Nimrod]

The heavy flywheel bikes are so much sweeter than the later engines.

Absolutely spot on

The heavy flywheel engine in my '79 RT is gorgeous, the light flywheel engine in my '89 GS is fine, but no way as engaging, or pleasant to ride.