|
|
The AiResearch / Suzuki turbine bike ( Galerie )
In 1996
I came across a turbine ground power unit (GPU) that belonged to a NF 5 jet
fighter. The same type is also used as a auxiliary power unit (APU) of a Fokker
F28 . I bought it for 2000 guilders
not knowing what to do with it. First I planned to put it in my Trabant P601 car
but the idea was abandoned in favour
of a turbine motorcycle. It all started on the
drawing board, fitting the turbine and gearbox in a Suzuki GT 550 frame. First I
intended to use a Guzzi , BMW or a
English gearbox because the are separated from the engine but it became a GT 550
box because I have loads of parts and experience with it. Due to the dimensions
of the turbine, I had to place the box upside down (Chain on the right). A
intermediate gearbox was designed and milled from a 40 mm thick aluminium plate
(thanx to UMI, Uitgeest, Holland info@umi.nl
). All miscellaneous parts like
wheel shafts, brackets and fittings were made of aerospace aluminium or
titanium. Things I could not make
myself like switches, brakes , electrical- and pipe connections were adapted and
“recycled” from the GPU box or motorcycles .
The Gt 550 frame, the turbine assembly and the gearbox clearly visible I couldn’t use the
original fuel tank (too short, too little capacity) so I chose for a radical
retro design using A replica Ducati tank (Ruig’s glassfiber) and 750 J
sidecovers. The colour of choice was flat black ;simple and minimal. Most
Aluminium parts are black anodised (thanx to ATM Heerhugowaard atm@iae.nl
) to make the bike “one complete”. The instruments were also scavenged from
the GPU box. Beside the percent rpm and temperature gauge in the cockpit I made
a second instrument panel with a fuse box, key switch and hour counter.
er is een foto van! In winter 2000 I dissembled
the bike to solve some problems and make it lighter. Now the bike is ready to
attack the European tarmac.
This page was last updated on 12/27/07
|
