Lightening Rotor/Magneto

Just thinking.

Seeing on how the magneto acts like a flywheel, anyone ventured into trying to lighten one, that will make the engine rev up quicker(less rotational mass), or does it have to remain a certain weight for the magnets.

Feedback?

I thought some racers removed it completely, eliminating the entire alternator. They just ran on battery power. This also gave them better cornering clearance.

On the street, you'd probably want the flywheel action. With abrupt stops, etc, the engine would stall much easier without the flywheel.

Post edited by: loudhvx, at: 2007/02/28 14:32

I suspect road racers don't remove the alternator but drag racers do... they spin the crank to start the engine using an external starter that is then removed prior to the race. They do run off the battery but the battery will discharge fairly quickly so I think it wouldn't be appropriate for longer ride times.

Shaving off material on the outside, to lower the mass? I guess lighter crank and rods would do this as well, but those are more involved.

I have heard of drilling more holes in the clutch area to allow more oil in and out, but that could make it weaker.

Thanks for the replies. Like I stated, I'm just thinking, it's slow at work here today.

Road racers probably removed the alternator more for the lean angle than weight. The battery can easily last the length of a race if it only has to power the ignition, obviously, since they apparently finish the races.

Post edited by: loudhvx, at: 2007/03/01 02:27

eddie lawsen raced the kz 1000 that had modified KX 80 magneto ignition or in other words a battery free AC CDI unit. the alternating magnetic rotor was smaller for higher cornering clearance. and less rotating mass.

I have spces for the modifications but it is expensive and complicated.

I also have lightened rotors for street applications
it is possible to do on a simple lathe.

on a everyday bike, wouldn't it cause long term damage?
i'm just thinking about inerta and a how the balance might be effected by long term use.
short blasts for racing might be ok, but what would it do to the overall balance of the motor?
like to the main bearings?

kawsakiman wrote:

on a everyday bike, wouldn't it cause long term damage?
i'm just thinking about inerta and a how the balance might be effected by long term use.
short blasts for racing might be ok, but what would it do to the overall balance of the motor?
like to the main bearings?

It would have no effect on engine balance if it too was in balance.

Jay

Thanks Mr Engine-Builder Jay!

hi trippivot, please post the details... I have heard of a guy that used a vt250 stator and magneto and then had billet covers made up. The left side of the engine sticks out no futher then a oil burner gsxr.