I’m bored

Steve Parrish took a 961 around the IOM , lap speed was in the high 80 mph range.
The original Manx is good for 100mph +.
I don't know what the Molnar are up to, maybe 105 with pro rider?
Steve Parrish ran a Thruxton R around there as well.

Glen
 
worntorn said:
Steve Parrish took a 961 around the IOM , lap speed was in the high 80 mph range.
The original Manx is good for 100mph +.
I don't know what the Molnar are up to, maybe 105 with pro rider?
Steve Parrish ran a Thruxton R around there as well.

Glen
Click to expand...
I think the lap record for a Manx around the TT is now over 108mph.

A 961 wouldn’t get a look in.
 
Voodooo said:
I was meaning a original 1962 Manx. If the same pro rider on the same track. Same day. On each bike. I need to weight my commando and compare it to my dominator and see what the weight difference is. I’m sure it’s not a whole lot different.
it would be nearly impossible to ditch 80+ pounds from a 961
Click to expand...
I am not 100% certain, but I believe a ‘62 Manx was around 325lbs and 50bhp.

A Molnar is around 260lbs and 60bhp.

I’d estimate that the ‘62 will be better, but close in term of power to weight ratio to a good 961. The 961 has better brakes, the Manx has less weight. I’d still predict the Manx would win.

But a modern Manx at 260lbs and 60bhp would be a different ball game.
 
Right, that was Bruce Anstey on the Macintosh bike at 108.1.
Molnar's website states their fastest lap was @ 104, not really much different than the original late model Manx?
Perhaps he needs to find a Geoff Duke type rider.
I went to Westwood in 1970 at age 16. As a Norton 500 ES2 owner, I was thrilled to see the single cylinder 1959 Norton Manx winning against modern Japanese and European multis.
Seems the Manx is still surprising people who aren't familiar with them-

advrider.com

Those 60 year old Norton Manx's are amazing

Was at the AHRMA races saturday in Daytona. They group several classes together and run them to save time. They had the 500 GP class and the classic...
advrider.com advrider.com

Fantastic race bike but Im still thinking it would be a fairly disappointing machine as a road bike for those of us spoiled by torque.

Glen
 
Last edited:
Voodooo said:
What’s your knowledge on these?
it’s a 1970 MKIII 350 twin cap tank with tach.
Click to expand...
I'm not a huge vintage bike aficionado but as an early Desmo bevel drive single, I think that model is considered well above average in collectability - you've probably already researched it.

At low-20s HP, it's not what most people today would consider a desirable rider, but more so a collector / display bike. If you plan on riding it, consider your body weight a huge factor in riding satisfaction, as low HP vintage bikes can be a challenge for some.

For me, it's not as beautiful as some other vintage Italian bikes, and if I were buying for collectability / display beauty, I would be looking at the MV Agusta and Moto Morini 350s. But everyone has his own taste in beauty. Good luck with your quest!
 
worntorn said:
Fantastic race bike but Im still thinking it would be a fairly disappointing machine as a road bike for those of us spoiled by torque.
Click to expand...

It would certainly require a different mindset !

I used to race unlimited and 500cc in BHR, jumping from one to the next in the same meeting. It’s surprising how well the brain sub consciously adjusts. But it definitely needs to as it’s a vastly different riding experience / requirement.
 
italia said:
I'm not a huge vintage bike aficionado but as an early Desmo bevel drive single, I think that model is considered well above average in collectability - you've probably already researched it.

At low-20s HP, it's not what most people today would consider a desirable rider, but more so a collector / display bike. If you plan on riding it, consider your body weight a huge factor in riding satisfaction, as low HP vintage bikes can be a challenge for some.

For me, it's not as beautiful as some other vintage Italian bikes, and if I were buying for collectability / display beauty, I would be looking at the MV Agusta and Moto Morini 350s. But everyone has his own taste in beauty. Good luck with your quest!
Click to expand...
As you stated it's a low horsepower vintage bike, but 20 bhp from a 350 is low, why? The 250 Desmo kicks out around, give or take, around the low 30s, and remember this is a 350, but I'm still unsure its a Desmo.
 
The 450 Desmo is only rated at 27 bhp.
I was considering one of these until I saw the output.
I wondered if the number was correct then recalled a 1970s race between a friend and me. I was on a 1957 Norton ES2, he was on his 73 Ducati 450 Desmo. He won, but only by a fraction.

The alloy head Norton ES2 was supposed to produce about 25 bhp and was quite a bit heavier than the Ducati.

Glen
 
The fastest Ducati single standard road bike tested was not a Desmo or even a 450 or 350. But a simple valve spring 250 which probably never produced more than 25 hp. Managed to do 106mph with several magazine testers .Mine only did 104 mph in ideal conditions ,but gave many a 650 a fright around twisty roads. Still have one. A brother to the one ridden by Paul Smart to victory in a 24hour 600 lap endurance race in 1967.
 
the joke about the ducati singles is they never got faster as they got bigger the size increase only increased the vibrations
 
worntorn said:
The 450 Desmo is only rated at 27 bhp.
I was considering one of these until I saw the output.
I wondered if the number was correct then recalled a 1970s race between a friend and me. I was on a 1957 Norton ES2, he was on his 73 Ducati 450 Desmo. He won, but only by a fraction.

The alloy head Norton ES2 was supposed to produce about 25 bhp and was quite a bit heavier than the Ducati.

Glen
Click to expand...
I think the ES2 very underrated... mine is appreciably quicker than mynew Enfield Classic 500 . I have never actually had mine truly flat out.. it goes on incrementally building up speed well into the 90s. I always have to shut off because am laughing too much.
 
Has anyone seen a 961 Dominator with the BST carbon fiber wheels? If so could you share a pic
 
oldmikew said:
I think the ES2 very underrated... mine is appreciably quicker than mynew Enfield Classic 500 . I have never actually had mine truly flat out.. it goes on incrementally building up speed well into the 90s. I always have to shut off because am laughing too much.
Click to expand...
If you was expecting the Indian made version to beat it, then it was you who under rated it!
 
Bernhard said:
If you was expecting the Indian made version to beat it, then it was you who under rated it!
Click to expand...

I have owned my ES2 since 1969 and certainly do not underrate it. The Enfield is claimed to put out 27 bhp and weighs about the same but it was purchased to enact my final series of Rural Rides and for that is far more suitable.

Incidently, the Enfield singles have been made in India since 1955 .
 
Dommie Nator said:
If I was to do another project it would be a twin, possibly a Lowboy Domiracer replica.
Click to expand...
Me and my mouth...
I’m bored
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top