Racing monoshock frame

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The only difference between a Commando and a CBR1000rr, is the Honda is much quicker in a straight line.
 
That’s true Al.

Oh, plus it has infinitely better brakes.

And ABS.

And infinitely superior suspension.

And tyres with more grip than a Commando could dream of.

And they’re lighter (road bikes at least).

And they handle and steer better.

And blow up less frequently.
 
Good to hear from you Doug.
I'm wondering if my frame would be legal in some classic racing as its been documented on the track since the mid-late 1980s. The plans include the earlier twin shock version as below. I had to enlarge the gas tank so I could wrap my body around it for support in the turns.

You can change out the shock mount plates to switch back and forth between twin or monoshock. Note the different bridge on the twin shock swingarm. Had to go to upswept pipes because I was dragging them.
Racing monoshock frame
Looks sweet Jim! You need to have look at the AHRMA and VRRA rules, depending where you want to race it and check some of the fine print- I believe it would fit into the Superbike class as mono shock but in twin shock form it might be fine in Formula 750 which is really where it should race- not sure if it would fit in BEARS. It does say ‘twin shock’ in the rule book for some classes. Rule book as all online and can be looked up
 
Well that's ruined things for me!
I like a special
& there I was quietly putting my Commando engine into my Honda Fireblade chassis thinking how great is this!
Not
 
That’s true Al.

Oh, plus it has infinitely better brakes.

And ABS.

And infinitely superior suspension.

And tyres with more grip than a Commando could dream of.

And they’re lighter (road bikes at least).

And they handle and steer better.

And blow up less frequently.
Not to mention the extra ~110 HP
 
Looks sweet Jim! You need to have look at the AHRMA and VRRA rules, depending where you want to race it and check some of the fine print- I believe it would fit into the Superbike class as mono shock but in twin shock form it might be fine in Formula 750 which is really where it should race- not sure if it would fit in BEARS. It does say ‘twin shock’ in the rule book for some classes. Rule book as all online and can be looked up


In Australia, the only development race classes are the historic classes, which is a nonsense. If I was racing my Seeley 850 and a 961 Commando or a bevel Ducati was on the start grid beside me, I would be happy. When our guys write their rules, the first thing they do is think about what they DON'T want racing. It is all silly stuff. - I've seen races with three bikes on a track which is licenced for thirty.
 
Not to mention the extra ~110 HP

The size of the circuit is important. Winton Raceway used to be a small circuit of about 2 Km and was extended to 3 Km, so now has two additional long straights. Back in the 1970s the small circuit was in use. One of our faster guys was sponsored on both TZ350 and TZ750 Yamahas. He only brought the TZ750 to Winton once, and after that it was always the TZ350. These days with the Longer straights, he would be at a major advantage. A CBR1000rr would probably be pretty useless on the older short circuit at Winton. With a Commando-based bike, it is much better suited to smaller tight race circuits where you don't get into a drag race down long straights.
I've seen a guy on an RS125 Honda, riding around all the guys on 600cc sports bikes on the old circuit at Winton. That would beat any Commando around there.
 
These days, if I race the Seeley 850, it is in Period 4 Historic. The faster guys all ride 1100cc methanol fuelled CB750 Hondas. On the longer circuit at Winton, if I did not out-ride them in the corners and get on the gas much earlier coming out, I would not see which way they went The larger circuit at Winton has just the right balance of long straights and tight corners for the Seeley 850 in Period 4. On the old short circuit, I would probably beat an average guy on a CBR1000rr, even though there was till one fairly long straight.
 
I noticed that Steve Maney brought a Commando to Phillip Island a few years ago. He ran up the back of Craig Ditchburn's bike during a start and hospitalised himself. He might have found the large circuit a handful with a Commando.
 
I noticed that Steve Maney brought a Commando to Phillip Island a few years ago. He ran up the back of Craig Ditchburn's bike during a start and hospitalised himself. He might have found the large circuit a handful with a Commando.


Don't let the facts get in the way of your tall tales. Find out what really happened and then come back to us.

I know the facts....do you??
 
Don't let the facts get in the way of your tall tales. Find out what really happened and then come back to us.

I know the facts....do you??

I obviously do not know the facts about Steve Maney,- I just hope I've got the right guy in mind. - but on Phillip Island there would be a lot of bikes which would easily out-run a Commando, even if you raised the gearing high enough. On small circuits it always easier to do well, when your motor's performance is about torque rather than top end power.
 
I obviously do not know the facts about Steve Maney,- I just hope I've got the right guy in mind. - but on Phillip Island there would be a lot of bikes which would easily out-run a Commando, even if you raised the gearing high enough. On small circuits it always easier to do well, when your motor's performance is about torque rather than top end power.

Steve had no problems at PI, the accident was because some twat put a wheel designed for a 350 into a TZ750, so it broke up as he dropped the clutch. At 100mph in a clutch start you have no chance of avoiding that.

You commando may be set up for your local car park, the rest of the world race at race circuits and we do just fine. My 750 can mix with TZ350s and some 750s, and has no problem with triples, even the 930s.
 
Steve had no problems at PI, the accident was because some twat put a wheel designed for a 350 into a TZ750, so it broke up as he dropped the clutch. At 100mph in a clutch start you have no chance of avoiding that.

You commando may be set up for your local car park, the rest of the world race at race circuits and we do just fine. My 750 can mix with TZ350s and some 750s, and has no problem with triples, even the 930s.


Which came first - the chicken or the egg ? - Is a TZ350 wheel different to that of a TZ700, apart from the rim size ? Barry Ditchburn has been around for a while. and is unlikely to make mistakes.
 
[QUOTE="acotrel, post: 467689, Barry Ditchburn has been around for a while. and is unlikely to make mistakes.[/QUOTE]

You think?
 
The only UK race circuit I have seen for real has been Goodwood. But from the videos, most of the others look to be large and flowing. That is not usually where a Commando is at it's best. If you join the procession at full lean in corners, life becomes more difficult. There are three race circuits on South-east Australia which are quite tight. Phillip Island is not one of them.
 
[QUOTE="acotrel, post: 467689, Barry Ditchburn has been around for a while. and is unlikely to make mistakes.

You think?[/QUOTE]

I think he is re-manufacturing major components for TZ750 - that is a bit smart.
 
Perhaps that rear hub was from an RD350 - cush drive ? What you are telling me is that the rear hub on Craig Ditchburn's bike, gave up. I would have thought that spoked wheels from a TZ350 and TZ700 would be the same except for the rim size.
As I understand it, the international guys who came here for that Phillip Island meet, were freaky about Turn One. I do not blame them, it has always worried me and I would be reluctant to race my Seeley around it. I need to keep accelerating through corners and that bend is approached at extremely high speed.
 
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