Mean Green Machine

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grandpaul

grandpaul

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Finally at the detailing stage on this VR880 replica.

Mean Green Machine


Mean Green Machine


Mean Green Machine


Mean Green Machine


Norton Commando 880 Sprint Special VR replica with box section swingarm, big bearing transmission cradle, and Yamaha XS650 front end. Dreer VR880 bodywork with fuel resistant plastic fuel cell & leather uphostery, JE dished pistons with Total Seal gapless rings, Sparx electronic ignition & alternator, Emgo dual lead coil, AGM battery, Sureflex clutch plates, Brembo front brake master cylinder, front brake disc drilled & Blanchard ground, Honda CB750 rear wheel, Ducati Monster headlight, highly polished aluminum bits and other goodies. Sure wish my budget had allowed for all new pipes, tires & rims, they distract when you look close...

I'll get some much better photos after it's detailed out and ridden to a proper setting.
 
Great looking bike Grandpaul. What is a big bearing transmission cradle?
Dan.
 
motorson said:
What is a big bearing transmission cradle?
Click to expand...

Kenny Dreer built 3 of these, one is on my monoshock protoype 952 bike, one is (was?) on Dave Edwards VR880, and this is the 3rd one.

Mean Green Machine


The swingarm spindle tube is removed from the transmission cradle and replaced with a 2" dia. tube between the plates and (2) rings with I.D. slightly larger than steering bearing O.D. welded to the outside of the plates (same centers as the original swingarm pivot point). As the bearings are sealed, there is zero maintenance.

The box-section swingarm has two large clamping rings that retain two threaded hubs which carry a new 1" spindle.
 
grandpaul said:
Mean Green Machine
Click to expand...
Gorgeous! It helps that I'm partial to green.

Not to be snarky, but why not run the caliper behind the leg? It helps keep the center of mass closer to the rotation center.

So jealous; must. not. dwell.
 
That is a nice swing arm pivot! Thanks for the pic. I think I'll have to ponder that some more since it looks like it would fit an eccentric for the purpose of chain tension adjustment. Looks like a really nice bike to get out on regularly.
Dan.
 
Another nice one! Can you elaborate on the swing arm and axle mounting.
 
motorson said:
... it looks like it would fit an eccentric for the purpose of chain tension adjustment.
Click to expand...

RE-EDIT.

On yet further review, the design will allow eccentric adjusters. Just need to re-design the adjuster tool holes to allow for the offset.
 
I have those same headlight brackets on my bike... I see them occasionally on old brit bikes and wonder where the hell they came from...?

I also would like to ask if you considered a faring of some sort on the bike? gorgeous bike!
 
Rob94010 said:
Another nice one! Can you elaborate on the swing arm and axle mounting.
Click to expand...

The swingarm has large ring clamps welded to the ends; those clamps grasp two finely split alloy hubs with threaded centers, the new swingarm spindle threads into these hubs.

The transmission cradle's existing swingarm pivot spindle tube is removed and replaced with a larger diameter pipe. Then, two bearing retainer rings are welded in place to house a pair of standard FAG Norton sealed steering bearings (done purposely to have parts commonality, and to preclude maintenance). Bearings are a light press fit and also employ a pair of grub screws to ensure they stay fixed.

The new swingarm spindle is a length of high grade steel heavy-wall pipe with it's O.D. mated to the bearing's I.D. in a light press fit.

I've already got plans to reproduce the swingarm in a monoshock configuration, as I like the layout on my 952 prototype. Depending on the sale of this bike, I might go ahead and build my parts bike up as a monoshocker and buy the bodywork from Airtech who purchased Kenny Dreer's VR moulds.
 
o0norton0o said:
I have those same headlight brackets on my bike... I see them occasionally on old brit bikes and wonder where the hell they came from...?

I also would like to ask if you considered a faring of some sort on the bike?
Click to expand...

My guess is they are Emgo or other aftermarket "generic" clamp-on brackets. I like them for the ease of mounting the keyswitch; the large holes are exactly the size of a standard keyswitch lug.

No fairing. Paint alone would be near $300, and they don't seem to be liked by a majority. The lean and clean look on this bike would be diminished.
 
Nice looking bike GP.

The back sprocket looks tiny! Is it super high geared for a land speed record attempt?
 
Fast Eddie said:
Nice looking bike GP.

The back sprocket looks tiny! Is it super high geared for a land speed record attempt?
Click to expand...

I went with a 19 tooth up front. Should be great for highway cruising right at the bottom of the power curve in 4th with everything left to give when needed.
 
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