Low & Slow's Ninja 250 project

[renault_megane_dci]

I just saw you got yourself a mule for engine devellopment ?

Let me suggest a fixed atkinson cam timing as discussed in an other thread.

[low&slow]

I still only own one Ninja 250. Alan Smith bought a 2004 Ninja 250 for $700( !!!) and is planning to use that motor and the frame for some modifications. I'll pass on the suggestion to him.

[low&slow]

I haven't posted any updates in a while. After getting the new Vetter fiberglass nose mounted I could see that my tail section was too tall so I modified the existing framework to lower it about 3 inches. I also reskinned it with doorskin ( thin wood veneer) rather than coroplast. I ran it in the our recent SF BAy Area Earth Day fuel economy challenge and finished second after Alan Smith; he got 95 mpg and I got 86mpg.
I acquired another 250 Ninja( 2005 model) by trading my 1982 Vision for it. I've been working on it and will test it to see if it will be a better runner than the current 1999 model.

[JeffM]

The bike is looking good Vic.

Jeff

[bschloop]

Lookin good. I like the shorter tail.

How aggressive was the riding at the SF Bay Challenge? I'm wondering how Alan posted 140mpg in the Vetter competition, and only 95 there. was there something about the course? or conditions?

[low&slow]

Thanks Guys!

Ben, The Bay Area Challenge was hilly, twisty and fast paced. It was also pretty windy in spots. I didn't ride at Carmel this year but ALan said the pace was slower and not windy as is usually the case. My bike feels so good passing through the air now, I can hardly wait to do some more side by side testing with Alan again. His bike still has mine trumped but I think I'm starting to close the aero gap between us. Also I have a new secret weapon: a fresher 2005 Ninja 250 that I traded my Vision for. I may change platforms if the 2005 is a better runner that the 1999 model is currently.

[Frank Lee]

You guys are having all the fun. We just got cycling weather this week.

[bschloop]

Nice, I wish I could get a newer bike, but I'm buyin a house, so all other things must wait. I will be at Mid Ohio though, just bought my tickets.

[Grant-53]

If you get a chance, compare the rear profile of the sailplanes to the tail section of the Vetter fairing. The max length on a bike will be around 84 in. but that should still give an acceptable 75% Kamm effect. The Schweizer SGS 1-26 is close to what you are running. The factory and National Sailplane Museum are here in the Elmira, NY area.

[Grant-53]

Frank, I believe Maxxis makes 17 in. dual purpose tires for winter if a fairing keeps the wind off. Just keep track of the windchill factor and check out the latest snowmobile fashions. Cold rain is the worst.