Redline Motorcycles Dyno Day Saturday 2nd August, 2008
Randal's invite to a dyno day at Redline
Motorcycles in Dandenong seemed like a great chance to get the power figures on
the replacement motor recently fitted to the R1 after a noisy (knock) end to one
of my rides to the west of
Ninety-five km of a dreary drone down the
freeways to
Randal was the only other Club member there so I was able to get the R1 onto the Dynamic Dyno for the first of 2 runs: base power run to be followed by a mixture test run with a Lamda sensor in the exhaust.
Redline is set up in a fairly small factory but appears to have all the kit required for extensive mechanical and tuning work, the kind of stuff that would be great to have in one's shed. The Dyno takes pride of place but is open to the rest of the workshop.
Tristan Cuvenor, along with Brett Todman soon had the R1 strapped on and along with Zuki the Staffy (Staffordshire terrier?) we all did the ear cover thing as the bike was warmed up for the power run. Running a rich mixture R1 on the dyno soon had the place full of black sooty smoke. Once the pall had cleared the reading showed 136.7 HP @ 10,431rpm with peak torque 72.1 lb-ft @ 7800rpm. The only reference I have of expected power from an R1 is from the Haynes manual which quoted the UK Motor Cycle News test at:
1998/99 models 140 hp @ 9900rpm peak torque 79 lb-ft @ 7300rpm
2000 model 147.9 hp @ 10000rpm peak torque 79.5 lb-ft @ 8500rpm.
The reason for the black smoke was revealed on the second run with the lamda reading .87 from 5500rpm to 8500rpm then .85 to 10000rpm and .81 to 11500rpm. A good lamda number is 0.92 which is near 14.5:1 air to fuel mix ratio.
The trace printed out was very linear with no flat spots, a typical trace for a rich running engine. Carby wear over time opens out the internal passages losing tight mixture control. More reason to consider an injected bike. Brett suggested another 10 HP may be available if the bike was tuned to deliver a 0.92 lamda reading. My fears of running lean were not based on fact.
Randal's ZX9 was then run but power was less than the R1; top end on the Kwaka with ram-air effect another number altogether.
During this time Cameron turned up on the 600 Yamaha but had been to the Hang More Club dyno day the week before and had a print out with 84.5 HP. He did not do a run on the Redline Dyno. Just proves that speed on the road relies more on the rider than the engine.
After discussing braided lines with Cameron who had influenced my recent fitting of a front set of HEL lines to the R1, I headed home to lean out the carbs, as you would. Into the shed, on to the stands. Tank and airbox off, carbs out of their spigots ready for the needle exchange. Fossick around in my collection of jets and needles, select the longest and thickest set, set the clips in the top grooves (lean) and refit to the carbs. Reassemble in reverse order and then fit the carb balance unit and adjust for even idle.
Some tweaking of the Krank Vent equipped breathers as they seem to not like to be vertical as that creamy blow- by condensate builds up on the outlet of the valve and can not drain away. No test ride option so the bike awaits next Sunday's ride to see if there is an improvement. The best option is another Lamda run at Redline.
Geoff
Jones