light engine building

[koko64]

i put a lightened flywheel on my SS and the difference is noticeable -- with the FCRs, it wheelies in 2nd gear.  very quick acceleration, engine spins up faster than the original flywheel.

+2

[atomic410]

i would cut down the stock one, i just had mine done for $60.  there is a ducati race team that does it in CO. for $100.  here's what eats clutches on a race bike......racing.  lightened flywheels are well worth the money imho

[Buckethead]

So if someone were cutting down the stock flywheel, what, specifically, needs to stay?

[atomic410]

from what i could tell all of the weight is cut off of the outside, so it becomes smaller in diamiater.  from what the machienest told me is that it is kinda hard on bits if its not done a certain way so going though someone whos done it before seems to be the way to go.  i'll see if i can spot that teams name and post a link.  i think they wanted $100?  i'll check

[junior varsity]

don't think that's a good way to go on carbies with the ignition pickup lump on the flywheel

[ducatiz]

don't think that's a good way to go on carbies with the ignition pickup lump on the flywheel

or the efi models with the ignition pickup lump on the flywheel.

[junior varsity]

i ain't got none of them thar fancies in my g'rage.

[ducatiz]

i ain't got none of them thar fancies in my g'rage.

yew keepin' 'em in th' shed, zeb?

[junior varsity]

nah! that's where i poot me banjoz!

[Monsterlover]

or the efi models with the ignition pickup lump on the flywheel.

I turned more than 2 pounds off my stock flywheel.

I never noticed a pickup lump.

My bike runs just fine fwiw. 

I turned a lot of material off the od and back face. If I had to do it again I would have drilled holes through the face of it as well.

All that really matters is that the stator rotor and one way bearing still are able to mount up and locate properly.

I swear to you this is not rocket science.

Do a search for a thread of mine called "machining a stock flywheel and gears"

[ducpainter]

or the efi models with the ignition pickup lump on the flywheel.

no lump on efi models...the lump is on carbies.

it's on the idler gear on fuelies.

[ducatiz]

no lump on efi models...the lump is on carbies.

it's on the idler gear on fuelies.

yup, i knew that.  i swear i knew that esp after all the greenmonster postings on the ignitech

[ducpainter]

yup, i knew that.  i swear i knew that esp after all the greenmonster postings on the ignitech

You're either suffering from brain cramp...

or getting old. 

[koko64]

no lump on efi models...the lump is on carbies.

it's on the idler gear on fuelies.

hdp's correct.

Carb flywheels have to be machined around the ignition trigger lumps, inner face, the inside diameter and back 'shoulder' sections. Mine was also relieved wherever the machinist could do so without buggering it up. They need to be done in a way that maintains the integrity of the material and within reasonable balance.

A mate did mine for 60 bucks and removed a kilo (2.2lbs). It's nice off corners and not too snatchy like a really light one when toodling along. Wouldn't stop me shelling out for a Nichols super light one though, just to try one.

Some may not like the side effects of a very light flywheel with a hi comp motor. I had a DP alloy piece on my 900SL and I found the engine braking quite intrusive with hi comp pistons and 39 FCRs. When I lightened the clutch I swear the effect was reduced.

I have the same pistons (literally) in my Monster and the engine braking is not quite so savage nor low speed operation as snatchy. I take a pillion much of the time so I think it works well. I think a couple of pounds off a stocker is a nice compromise.