Well, here is my project for 2021. A reasonable copy of one of these. There were a lot of mechanical and cosmetic differences in all of them from 1984-1986, depending on changing technology and whether they were used for endurance or sprint races. And, I will have to make do with what can be found today. MikeV





The "mystery" engine is destined for this pile of parts. I must have started collecting what was needed five or more (eight) years ago, and cannot really remember. Finally found the NOS Brembo QR calipers for 300mm discs last year. Some work has been completed over the last two or so years.













The frame kit was from RED FOX (Jan de Vos), and it included the complete swingarm, hoop, shock pivot, the front fairing bracket, and an aluminum oil vapor tank. I also bought the tail section from him since it seems to best match the original. I cannot say with certainty, but some complaint from Jan suggested the frame was built in Italy --- I do not by whom. Like any frame kit, it is [mostly] all there but some things just don't seem to be "right" or fit correctly and have to be modified. It is now primed, and I am waiting for better weather to paint it.

The fairing and belly pan are from a 400cc F3 from a bike from Thailand! They are like the F1 Laguna Seca, with a different cooler opening and 5/8th-inch wider windscreen. I have now cut it and modified it to have the smaller opening and flattened look this TT/F1 had. The front fender is from Glen at the new Sports in NZ. It is a really good copy of the original. Back to the seat/tail, I have also changed that profile to make it look closer. The tank is from Europlast in Italy; the profile and fit is good, but I wish it did not have that seam around the lower edge. At this point I only need to paint the fairing top and the tank.

I have had the M1Rs for some time, and had them on my F1 for about a year. I will strip the paint off to bare aluminum and do whatever maintenance they need, but they are good. I am glad I bought one of Gary Patton's CNCd and anodized top triple clamps to fit on the Paso lower. The Paso has the correct specs and the short stem that fits most TT frames; the stem is 1mm smaller, but there is a correct bearing. The Brembo QR calipers kit was perfect once I figured out which way the adapters bolt on! 300mm discs will be used.

The engine will be completed once the cylinders and pistons are back from Millennium Tech to be bored to 94mm, re-plated, and honed. They actually asked if I want .0025" or .003" clearance ---depending on how it was to be used. Good grief. I am like Paul, I can hardly tell the difference in wheel diameters on the track. This will be a 916cc, with a 94 x 66mm bore and stroke. I want to get some more RPMs out of a 900cc engine, rather than more torque. More on the engine later.

Anyway, this is enough for today. MikeV