Friday, April 13, 2018

Ocelot Suzuki GT750

Gene Davis and Larrie Schneider ran Ocelot Racing, Inc, of Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to producing the Ocelot chassis, Ocelot engineering modified over 130 Suzuki GT-750 engines over a time frame covering from the early 70s to the mid 80's. These Ocelot/Suzuki engines ruled DSR for many years, until the more powerful Kohler (140HP) came on the scene. Several DSR National Championships were won with Ocelot Suzuki engines. Note that the Ocelot made even more power than the factory TR750 due to larger carburetors and a full 750cc displacement compared to the TR's carburetor size, limited by Grand Prix rules, and 739cc displacement. Note that with the horsepower listed below, Ocelot engines put out 2.5 HP/cubic inch or 150 HP/liter in the mid 70s! Ocelot made two basic race engine types: A 750cc "regional" engine good for 110-115 HP. A 1978 pricing sheet from Ocelot shows the "Introductory" 750cc engine at $2,463 Their killer 850cc 130HP "national" engine. The same 1978 pricing sheet from Ocelot shows the "National" 850cc engine at $3,545. Modifications: Ocelot engines included these changes: a modified TR-750 porting (similar to the Suzuki GP bike racing version) a "squish" head offering a small combustion chamber. un-tilted the outboard spark plugs. initially used the German Krober ignition type, then later change to the Lucas RITA LR105 (Racing Ignition Transistor Amplifier).
For more pics see
Ocelot Suzuki 
Some vids of the car
Ocelot Suzuki 1
Ocelot Suzuki 2

Thursday, April 5, 2018

F1 RDRG500

This time some pics of rather special contraption a Suzuki Mark 7 RG500 chassis with an RD500 engine, it was built for the F1 race class of the TT of Man in 1987. Raced by Mike Buoys, it completed 2 laps at 110 mph and retired due to a fuel leak. After that it was sold to Chris Faulkner and due to a broken wrist he did not ride the machine. Then it was sold by Steve Griffiths as a project to a collector and was restored by Nigel Everett. The machine is a Suzuki RG500 Mark 7 chassis, Suzuki radiator, magnesium throttle, long range replica alloy tank and fibreglass seat, Suzuki discs, top and bottom yokes, forks, temperature and rev counter, White Power rear unit and Campagnolo wheels. The engine comes from a Yamaha RD500, with Mikuni carbs and Gibson pipes.
For more pics see 
F1 RDRG500