Flywheel Lightening
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,312
From: Brookfield, WI
Spokes, did you feel more engine braking right away? I had Erik cut my flywheel to his lightest specs, and it sure as hell makes a difference with acceleration and rev matching! But, I just didn't feel what everyone (and physics) said I would feel, which is more engine braking. Not at first anyways. Perhaps I just got used to it? Not sure actually.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 932
From: Auckland, new Zealand
Spokes, did you feel more engine braking right away? I had Erik cut my flywheel to his lightest specs, and it sure as hell makes a difference with acceleration and rev matching! But, I just didn't feel what everyone (and physics) said I would feel, which is more engine braking. Not at first anyways. Perhaps I just got used to it? Not sure actually.
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 30
From: Central Coast NSW Australia
Finding someone here is OZ to machine these flywheels is like looking for a healthy meal at McDonald's. If you do find someone they want $200 plus to machine them down.... I have 3 flywheels ready to go and but they just need machining.....
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,461
From: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Are you in Sydney? I miss the old pacific highway....
Cheers
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
So you would be better off buying a flywheel in the US and having it shipped to me, doing the work and then sending it to you.
I'll PM you a email address so we can discuss it.
Erik
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 29
Hello Eric. I know this is an old thread, but you know how addictive this modding can be once you get started. I came across this thread yesterday after you posted a reply to my comment about seized timing covers. I can't resist asking if your still in business for a lightened flywheel?
This is just too hard to pass up given the reviews and the fact I've got the bike apart now anyway.
Bill
Annapolis, MD
This is just too hard to pass up given the reviews and the fact I've got the bike apart now anyway.
Bill
Annapolis, MD
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Hello Eric. I know this is an old thread, but you know how addictive this modding can be once you get started. I came across this thread yesterday after you posted a reply to my comment about seized timing covers. I can't resist asking if your still in business for a lightened flywheel?
This is just too hard to pass up given the reviews and the fact I've got the bike apart now anyway.
Bill
Annapolis, MD
This is just too hard to pass up given the reviews and the fact I've got the bike apart now anyway.
Bill
Annapolis, MD
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Proper tooling to mount the flywheel
Seems I never posted when I updated from a piece of used crankshaft
To a proper mounting system.
I get more secure, repeatable clamping and mounting of the flywheels with this new tooling. Faster setup, and less run out
To a proper mounting system.
I get more secure, repeatable clamping and mounting of the flywheels with this new tooling. Faster setup, and less run out
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
In a way yes I have, but it's hard to say if I really notice a difference one lightened one to the other.
I've now have had three flywheels on my motor, Stock, Ditchfield cut and what I do for a max cut.
Stock to either modified is a noticeable difference. .. Between the modified versions.. I'm less confident on a commonly noticeable difference.
Math says it must make a difference, logic shows the same ... but butt dyno the difference is negligible. ...still.. math dont lie... so I have a light one in place now
I've now have had three flywheels on my motor, Stock, Ditchfield cut and what I do for a max cut.
Stock to either modified is a noticeable difference. .. Between the modified versions.. I'm less confident on a commonly noticeable difference.
Math says it must make a difference, logic shows the same ... but butt dyno the difference is negligible. ...still.. math dont lie... so I have a light one in place now
the lightest one a sub 5lb version to stock is noticeable... the sub 5lb to a 5.75lb was not... blind test back to back 5 runs, flywheels swapped by another I could not tell.
on the 6th run he installed an early version where I had only removed material from the disk weight it was a 6lb9oz and yes I could tell the difference...
RUNLEVELZERO #99
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,219
From: Skokie
So should I send you back my/your lightened flywheel you cut for me a couple years ago but which I have not yet installed (but plan to whenever I get my FP EVO Pro Star shift kit which has been back ordered for 11 months, as I have been waiting for it because it is a PITA to remove my Nipponese track day tubular case guards in order to remove the alternator cover and right side cover), so you can trim/true it up with your slick new jig set-up? LOL (maybe not LOL)
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
So should I send you back my/your lightened flywheel you cut for me a couple years ago but which I have not yet installed (but plan to whenever I get my FP EVO Pro Star shift kit which has been back ordered for 11 months, as I have been waiting for it because it is a PITA to remove my Nipponese track day tubular case guards in order to remove the alternator cover and right side cover), so you can trim/true it up with your slick new jig set-up? LOL (maybe not LOL)
What has changed over the years is how much I take off.
Basically Im only offering the one cut now... but will consider doing less if the owner really wants to retain more weight. Same cost to me mild to wild..so users choice these days.
Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 285
From: Snohomish, WA.
Flywheel
I think this one was headed my way, and I just wanted to put a shout out to Mr. Marquez for not only his level of detail and craftsmanship, but also note that he is a great guy to do business with.
Thanks Erik,
Don
Thanks Erik,
Don
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Don thanks for the kind words and, yes that was yours...
Shipping tracking says it's well on its way to you...should see it by the weekend
Shipping tracking says it's well on its way to you...should see it by the weekend
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Thank you.
Its a labor of love... I have way more time, tooling costs and machine wear then I could ever charge and feel good about.
But I like doing it, so write off the $$ and time as entertainment.
And folks have been great in understanding the job has to wait till I have time. Its not something I can drop other work for, sometimes they get done the day the flywheel hits my door, sometimes it's 2 weeks.
Its a labor of love... I have way more time, tooling costs and machine wear then I could ever charge and feel good about.
But I like doing it, so write off the $$ and time as entertainment.
And folks have been great in understanding the job has to wait till I have time. Its not something I can drop other work for, sometimes they get done the day the flywheel hits my door, sometimes it's 2 weeks.
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
There was another bloke that asked about having one done, I had a computer crash and lost his email....... If the mystery rider is reading this PLEASE send contact again, your flywheel is done and ready.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 214
both mine run lightened flywheels. the yellow bike has the weight only machined and the blue one has a very light one on, and it is beyond doubt the single biggest easiest mod iv done to my bikes. only downside iv found is you always wana hear the engine rev above 6k lol...
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,544
From: New South Wales Australia
I have an exchange H Power from Bill here in Oz and just love it.
The way the bike revs and sounds is addictive.
I wish I had of weighed the standard and modified one.
I also removed the water pump drive gears and chain in an attempt to lighten the reciprocal mass and make the engine spin up quicker.
An electric water pump takes care of the cooling now.
The above mods achieved what I wanted .
A great mod that on a return for $ mod would have to rate as up there!
The way the bike revs and sounds is addictive.
I wish I had of weighed the standard and modified one.
I also removed the water pump drive gears and chain in an attempt to lighten the reciprocal mass and make the engine spin up quicker.
An electric water pump takes care of the cooling now.
The above mods achieved what I wanted .
A great mod that on a return for $ mod would have to rate as up there!
.......
Back Marker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 205
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
I've been swamped with work and machine issues ....but am FINALLY back up.... The down side to not using a brand name US made machine tool is replacement parts....
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Flywheel lighting is back on track
After a long delay, waiting on machine parts, then just time to get on the lathe...
Finally working on a few.....
Started at 7lb 5oz
Finished at 4lb 4 oz
This one is headed to a guy in Singapore
This is the lightest one so far by 2 oz, I have a 4lb 6oz one on my bike
After a long delay, waiting on machine parts, then just time to get on the lathe...
Finally working on a few.....
Started at 7lb 5oz
Finished at 4lb 4 oz
This one is headed to a guy in Singapore
This is the lightest one so far by 2 oz, I have a 4lb 6oz one on my bike
Last edited by E.Marquez; Jul 27, 2017 at 09:40 AM.
RUNLEVELZERO #99
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,219
From: Skokie
How low can you go
If you recall I had you do one for me I think down to 6# 4 oz but I STILL have not installed YET because I waited for over a year for Factory pro to finally make some fresh shifter stars to go with their spring and roller detent arm. In the interim last year I bought a FJ-09 and have been giving the VTR only occasional airings while I racked up almost 18k miles on the FJ in less than a Midwest year.
My question is Erik, after reading how you barely discern a difference with sub 6 and even 5 pound flywheels, will I be able to feel an appreciable change? So before I install it should I have you trim it some more? or try it and then decide?
The FJ-09 engine, if you've not ridden one, has an amazingly wide torque spread and spins up brilliantly. However, it's not as fast, powerful, solid feeling or as good a handler as my VTR (not surprising as the FJ still has the barely adequate suspension, though a re-flashed ECU) but it is more comfortable for my old and beaten body over a long day. Which is the primary reason I bought it. My 76 RD400 is a toy to be played with in short sessions...
If you recall I had you do one for me I think down to 6# 4 oz but I STILL have not installed YET because I waited for over a year for Factory pro to finally make some fresh shifter stars to go with their spring and roller detent arm. In the interim last year I bought a FJ-09 and have been giving the VTR only occasional airings while I racked up almost 18k miles on the FJ in less than a Midwest year.
My question is Erik, after reading how you barely discern a difference with sub 6 and even 5 pound flywheels, will I be able to feel an appreciable change? So before I install it should I have you trim it some more? or try it and then decide?
The FJ-09 engine, if you've not ridden one, has an amazingly wide torque spread and spins up brilliantly. However, it's not as fast, powerful, solid feeling or as good a handler as my VTR (not surprising as the FJ still has the barely adequate suspension, though a re-flashed ECU) but it is more comfortable for my old and beaten body over a long day. Which is the primary reason I bought it. My 76 RD400 is a toy to be played with in short sessions...
