Wankel anyone?

[txironhead]

For those of you that LOVE working on a bike with impossible-to-find parts!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-Suzuki-RE5-1975-Suzuki-RE5-RE-5-Wankel-Rotary-parts-bike_W0QQitemZ160045251184QQihZ006QQcategoryZ6027QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

A RE5 Wankel Rotary Suzuki!

This bike is so unusual that I might be interested in it if it wasn't so far away. I wonder when the rotary engine will be making a comeback on bikes like it is on cars.

[Nessism]

I wonder when the rotary engine will be making a comeback on bikes like it is on cars.

Who is using a Wankel other than Mazda on their RX8?

[Guest]

Would that bike be considered a "collectable"? How many did they make? I've never seen one before!!!!

[txironhead]

Check this out:

http://www.suzukicycles.org/RE5/RE5-Rotary.shtml

What's really cool is the instrument panel. There's a flip-up cover over the gauges (not sure why). There's other interesting features exclusive to these bikes. They're definitely a collector item in my book. Just seeing the look of confusion on peoples faces when they see it would be priceless.

I've heard that Honda and a few others were experimenting with rotary engines for cars.

[bwringer]

I grabbed a picture of this one, in slightly better condition, at the Slimey Crud run stop in Leland during the Galena rally:



I didn't get to hear it run, though.

[Guest]

How does a Rotary engine work?

[t3rmin]

How does a Rotary engine work?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine

Nice animation.

[Boondocks]

How does a Rotary engine work?

See Wankel Engine and Suzuki RE5 for an explanation and some background on the Suzuki.

I bought a rotary engined Mazda RX-7, the first model of that sports car line when they were first available in late 1978. It was fast for its time, handled great and was a sweet runner. See Mazda RX-7 for info.

[t3rmin]

See Wankel Engine and Suzuki RE5 for an explanation and some background on the Suzuki.

Aha! Beat ya! ;-)

I bought a rotary engined Mazda RX-7, the first model of that sports car line when they were first available in late 1978. It was fast for its time, handled great and was a sweet runner. See Mazda RX-7 for info.

A buddy of mine had a few RX-7s. They really sounded like lawn mowers from outside the car when he got on it. ;-) Nice cars tho.

[Guest]

Thanks, simple design.
Phillip, I just bought some sintered brake pads following your advice.
Thanks

[SqDancerLynn1]

My Grand dad had an RX2, very different.. Early mazdas would always blow the apex seals from being over reved Could you imagine the look on your dealers face if you brought your RE5 in for service. They were ahead of their time, got bad gas milage, liked to eat spark plugs

[Hap Call]

Wankel engines do not produce much torque either...

Hap

[Boondocks]

Thanks, simple design.
Phillip, I just bought some sintered brake pads following your advice.
Thanks

You're welcome.

I think that you'll like them, particularly as their friction characteristics are more consistent over a wide temperature range, and they work a lot better in the rain. Brakes that didn't work well when first applied in the rain were considered a major shortcoming of the early GS's, and the sintered pads should help overcome that behavior. They should also last longer than organic pads. I'm using the Vesrah sintered pads. What brand did you buy? Pardon the mini-hijack.

[Guest]

I wouldn't mine having one, would make a great conversation piece!

RE5 Rotary 1974-1976 Specifications

Engine type: NSU Wankel-type rotary engine, single rotor, water-cooled housing and oil cooled rotor
Displacement: 497 cc
Power: 62 bhp at 6,500 rpm (48 bhp net at 6500 rpm)
Torque: 55 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm (45 lb-ft at 3500 net)
Compression ratio: 9.4 :1
Carburetor: Two-barrel, down-draft, 18-32mm automotive-style carb. Mikuni, 18-32 HHD
Lubrication: Dual oil system to lubricate the engine seals
Ignition: Dual ignition system
Starter system: Electric and kick
Transmission: 5-speed, constant mesh
Suspension: Front fork Telescopic, oil-dampened
Suspension: Rear swing arm Oil-dampened, 5-way Adjustable
Ground clearance: 6.7 inches
Front brake: Hydraulic caliper dual disc
Rear brake: Internal expanding
Front tire: 3.25H19-4PR
Rear tire: 4.OOH]8-4PR
Fuel tank capacity: 4.5 gal
Fuel consumption: 31-33 mpg
Length: 87.4 inches
Width: 34.3 inches
Height: 46.1 inches
Wheelbase: 59.1 inches
Weight: 507 lb dry, 552 lb fueled oiled and watered
Fuel tank capacity: 4.5 gallons US (3.7 gallon Imperial)
Fuel consumption: 31-33 mpg ("your mileage my vary")
Top speed: 176 km/h (110 mph)
Quarter mile: 13.9 sec, 93 mph

[Dan Ruddock]

A rotary will never be as efficient as a piston engine (too much internal surface area to absorb heat energy). Hot radiators only heat up air. Dan