Check this thing out! I have never seen one before. Ran into this on e-bay and got to searching around the web. I WANT ONE BAD.



I remember our old motorboat had a "Chrysler Marine" engine on it. Apparently these were built by that division of Chrysler during the first "dark ages" in an attempt to save us from going under. Only the Minivan and K-car could really do that. But a Snow Bike is just to cool.

<!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sno-runner.com">www.sno-runner.com</a><!-- w --> ... Used and NEW sno-runners from $900ish to $2200.

Ok, so you all know I've got my DSM right over there. The DSM has got a 4G63 (2.0 liters) which had a larger cousin, the 4G64, at 2.4 liters. It just so happens that a 4G64 crankshaft, with 12mm more stroke, will fit nicely inside a 4G63. This will increase the stroke to 100mm (from 88) and increase displacement from
1997cc
to
2270cc (assuming one were to keep the bore stock. The stock rods could be used, along with stock block and head, with minimal clearancing needing to be done on the block itself. (Nothing, for instance, I dont' feel confident doing myself.)

Now it just so happens that I have found a known, good, 4G64 crank for 125 dollars. It's a good (not great, but good) price for an increasingly rare part. The plan, basically, would be to buy the crank, and, over time, buy a parts block to, over time, rebuild a block utilizing this crank, then having a fresh block to throw into the car, eventually. The car is in good shape, no rust at all, and, well, I like it alot. I think I'll keep it.

So! The question here is whether I should go ahead (next paycheck) and buy this crank with the idea that, over time, I'll build a 2.3 stroker.

Benefits of a stroker:

• More displacement. More cubes equals more horsepower.
  
• More low end torque. Additional leverage on the crank is a bit more efficient, on a physics level.
  
• More air flow (from the cubes) means a bigger turbo with less lag.

• More expense, both through the crank and the custom (well, aftermarket) pistons.
  
• Increased pressure on main bearings, resulting in increased wear. (Although, what this really means is it won't last 200,000 miles.)
  
• Lower redline.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://x602.putfile.com/videos/b3-32517450871.wmv">http://x602.putfile.com/videos/b3-32517450871.wmv</a><!-- m -->

My favorite part is about 2:11 into the vid.... Its exactly the reason I dont need a literbike

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=6&nid=123798">http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.as ... nid=123798</a><!-- m -->

Quote:As exclusively revealed by Crash.net last week, tobacco giant JT International is to switch its Camel brand from Honda to Yamaha for the 2006 MotoGP season, with the factory team getting a new yellow livery courtesy of title sponsorship.

The outfit, which will retain reigning five-times world champion Valentino Rossi and American team-mate Colin Edwards, will now be known as the 'Camel Yamaha Team'.

The move comes shortly after Camel withdrew its backing of Sito Pons' eponymous squad, ostensibly because of the way Honda had treated Max Biaggi - with whom it retains a personal connection - and in spite of Rossi's reported dislike of tobacco advertising, an alleged clash with the #46's Marlboro Ferrari F1 links and a clause in out-going sponsor Gauloises' deal that apparently precluded another tobacco brand being signed to sponsor the factory Yamaha team.

Thus, the one-year deal marks one of the most surprising sponsorship agreements in recent years - right up until today many were still doubting our earlier report - and only adds to the mystery regarding Yamaha's acrimonious split with Gauloises.

In other words, why were Yamaha and/or Rossi so unwilling to continue working with Gauloises - with whom a 2006 contract was seemingly in place - that Yamaha have risked legal action by ending the agreement early... only to then sign with a rival cigarette brand?

Regardless of such intrigue, Camel is naturally delighted at capturing one of the most lucrative sponsorship deals in motorsport - since its branding will now be carried by Rossi, by far the most popular motorcycle rider in the world, in what could be the Italian's last season of two-wheeled competition.

"A new chapter in the history of Camel in motorsport is just beginning," commented JTI's European regional president Roberto Zanni, "After three years of great satisfaction in the premier class of the World Road Racing Championship, we are today launching a new challenge for the title.

"Our new partnership with Yamaha - the historic, championship-winning Japanese manufacturer - will be highly motivating for us, and it will be an honour to be by their side throughout the 2006 season. We share the same passion and desire for victory and, I am sure, success will not be long in coming."

The new-look Camel Yamaha Team will begin its 2006 campaign at Sepang with a three-day test over 23-25 January.

"Yamaha is very excited to enter into this new partnership," Yamaha Motor Racing MD Lin Jarvis admitted, "JTI has been involved in motorsport at the highest level for many years and has been an active sponsor at the top level in the MotoGP class for the past three seasons.

"We look forward to working with them to enhance the respective images of our brands, and to challenge together for victory as Yamaha enters its 'next 50 years' and aims to retain its MotoGP titles in 2006."

What effect the announcement will have on Biaggi's future remains to be seen, with Camel having been tipped to possibly accompany the Italian to the World Superbike Championship this season. Camel's sister brand, Winston, currently sponsors the Ten Kate Honda WSBK team.

Quote:The following release is from Gauloises Racing:

ALTADIS REQUESTS ARBITRATION TO RESOLVE ITS DISPUTE WITH YAMAHA

Altadis has initiated arbitration proceedings, seeking substantial compensation from Yamaha for the damages arising out of what Altadis considers to be a material breach by Yamaha of the two companies' two-year sponsorship agreement.

Altadis seeks both pecuniary damages and declaratory relief with respect to particular obligations that Altadis maintains have survived the termination of the parties' contractual relationship.

Altadis has requested an urgent decision in this regard, in the nature of an interim order obligating Yamaha to refrain from collaborating with any sponsor whose products compete directly with Altadis products for the coming season.

Altadis regrets that the negotiations to define the terms of a settlement that would have resolved the dispute without the need to resort to arbitration have proved fruitless.

Quote:Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announces the start of a new partnership with JT International (JTI), a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco Inc., whose brand CAMEL will become the new title sponsor of YamahaÔÇÖs Factory MotoGP Team for 2006.

The Yamaha Factory MotoGP Team, consisting of reigning-World Champion Valentino Rossi and his team-mate Colin Edwards, will be known as the ÔÇ£Camel Yamaha TeamÔÇØ in 2006.

Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing Lin Jarvis commented ÔÇ£Yamaha is very excited to enter into this new partnership with JTI. JTI has been involved in motorsport at the highest level for many years and has been an active sponsor at the top level in the MotoGP class for the past three seasons. We look forward to working with JTI to enhance the respective images of our brands and to challenge together for victory, as Yamaha enters its ÔÇ£next 50 yearsÔÇØ and aims to retain its MotoGP titles in 2006.ÔÇØ

ÔÇ£A new chapter in the history of Camel in motorsport is just beginningÔÇØ, commented Roberto Zanni, JTIÔÇÖs Regional President for Europe, ÔÇ£After three years of great satisfaction in the premier class of the World Road Racing Championship, we are today launching a new challenge for the title. Our new partnership with Yamaha, the historic, championship-winning Japanese manufacturer, will be highly motivating for us and it will be an honour to be by their side throughout the 2006 season. We share the same passion and desire for victory and, I am sure, success will not be long in coming.ÔÇØ

The Camel Yamaha Team will begin its 2006 campaign in Sepang, Malaysia with a three-day test on 23rd, 24th and 25th January.

Press release courtesy of Yamaha Factory Racing

Yay, another poor vendor story....

So I was on the fence between ordering from edecals and having it done locally, given that edecals sells you everything you need for the car in one shot - <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://edecals.com/raceg/roadrace_complete_kits.html">http://edecals.com/raceg/roadrace_complete_kits.html</a><!-- m --> but it was a bit pricey. However, one can get a pretty significant honda-challenge discount with them (50%) so I say what the hell and place an order last monday, along with 2 stripes (one red, one black). I asked the guy if he could get them to me by friday and he said no problem - order ships wednesday, and supposedly arrives friday....

Except they sent it USPS, which is absolutely terrible for a business shipment. Why? Because they wont deliver packages to your house larger than the size of a magazine.... so on saturday I get a notice in the mail that says 'come pick up a package' but by this time the PO had closed for the day. And I was hoping to knock out the vinyl over the weekend, since I had someone that was going to get it on the car for me, and the car goes off to piper sunday night.

Anyways, I finally pick this up today, after leaving work early to get to the PO on time and waiting in line for 40 minutes and the invoice is for $125... ^w-t-f mate. Sure it was all 50% off, they just charged $116 for 2 stripes. What a fucking rip off. I'm really tempted to ship the whole thing back and dispute the charge on my Visa, because its really absurd. I could have bought 2 rolls of vinyl for $40, cut it myself and had a metric shit ton of vinyl left over. I never got a call back with a final price quote as requested, otherwise I would have told them to pound sand on the whole order.

So, fuck those guys. My advice is to set up with a local shop, you'll get better service and if you keep going back there they're likely to cut you a deal.

Some guy got nailed in an intersection on south main and that road that goes to the mill apartments...he wasnt moving ;\ Bike was 30 feet away, he was 30 feet from intersection..didnt see it happen, but saw right after everything stopped flying...

JohnC - Stickied so Derek can find the thread

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://gear.ign.com/articles/679/679405p1.html">http://gear.ign.com/articles/679/679405p1.html</a><!-- m -->

What I wouldnt give to get my hands on that

And that 30'' monitor wouldnt be to bad either :wink:

The convo cleaning is this friday the 13th. The game begins at 7:00 pm and we have to be there at the time that the game ends. I'm not completely sure how long the basketball games last because I haven't gone to many. Again, we have to have 20 people there for the cleanup. We need every member who can to come to this fundraiser. The more people we have the shorter amount of time we will be there, so if you have a friend who isn't doing anything this friday night bring them with you to help clean the place up.

Again, this fundraiser will earn our club $250.00. So everyone who can come should definantely come.

Has anyone made an MM official desktop wallpaper? I'd love one for my home PC and the one in the car. Someone should make one in several different sizes, 800x600, etc.etc.

I'd make one but I'm so so lazy.

There used to be an article on the ground control website about castors effect on corner weights. I can't seem to find it now. Does anyone know where I can find this article, or any articles similar to it?