| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
Very cool story: http://www.odd-bike.com/2013/04/konig-500-gp-outbo ard-powered-underdog.html | ||
| Bads1 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA1NyvpLDwc | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
There is something going on in that little island. Munro, Britten and this guy? | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Yup, they'll do anything to get away from the sheep.  | ||
| Fast1075 |
In high school, I took a year at VoTech school. The class was outboard motor mechanics. One of the instructors was a retired OMC engineer, and racer. He brought a Konig to the shop to show the students. It was an opposed twin. He raced it on a small hydroplane hull, reaching speeds in excess of 90mph. In the test tank, running on Klotz green label and race fuel, it turned in excess or 12K rpm with open chambers. An astonishing piece of engineering. | ||
| Trojan |
Good article, but a little wrong in places. Konig were not the first manufacturer to experiment or fit expansion chambers on 2 strokes,. That honour goes to Walter Kaaden and his incredible MZ racers, that were using expansion chambers back in 1951. Also it wasn't the japanese that developed 2 stokes but again MZ under Walter Kaaden. The Japanese (Suzuki) only got hold of the technology after Ernst Degner defected to the west, taking the plans with him. I remember seeing Newcombe race his Konig at brands Hatch and Silverstone. It sounded amazing compared to the 4 stroke multis and 2 stroke twins of the time, and was certainly quick. Handling was appalling though and he always looked like he was about to crash every lap  There were other Konig engined bikes racing in the UK at the same time, with frames built by Seeley and Daval. Konig motors were used extensively in sidecars from the mid 70's right into the early 80's, with the Boret brothers amongst others using the motor in their 'wedge' outfits with great success. More on the varied Konig racers here http://www.koniggrandprixracers.com/ If you want what had to be the pinnacle of 'alternative' engined motorcycles then the Tularis must take the prize http://thekneeslider.com/tul-aris-two-stroke-racer / | ||
| Trojan |
or this one..... http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/crighton-rac ing-cr700p/#more-48177 | ||
| Firstbuell |
Newcombe's senseless death was a tragedy - & a powerful indictment of callous race officialdom | ||
| Trojan |
Newcombe's senseless death was a tragedy - & a powerful indictment of callous race officialdom There were plenty of sensless deaths in racing in those days. Saarinen and Pasolini are probably the most famous and most missed, but even in domestic racing serious injury or death was almost a common occurence back then. You do have to put this in the context of the time though. ALL racing was extremely dangerous back then, and safety concerns were not addressed until later when riders/drivers got organised and threatened to strike. Even F1 had diabolical safety in the 1970's. There were plenty of races that really should never have gone ahead but nobody knew how to change things back then. If you want to see what US road racing safety standards were like in the 1970's have a look at the fil 'Little Faus & Big Halsy' starring Paul Newman. great cult film with some good race action too. (Message edited by trojan on October 10, 2013) | ||
| Firstbuell |
yes, Trojan. all true however - I've watched a vid [on YouTube?] where Newcombe goes to the UK race officials & points out a dangerpous spot, saying haybales are req'd "Piss Off" was the reply race begins & Newcombe's fatally injured at that exact spot.... | ||
| Rick_a |
Nice. Didn't know that such a thing existed. |
