6
edits
Difference between revisions of "Suzuki XN85"
→A Far from Ideal Installation
| Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
Of the Japanese [[Big Four]], [[Suzuki]] was the most reluctant to follow the fashion for [[turbocharger]]s. But there are times when commercial sense dictates that you have to follow the current trend. So, though everything was well conceived, it was with a certain lack of conviction that Suzuki set about turning a classic 650 into a turbo, starting with the addition of a [[Mikuni]]-Bosch L-Jetronic injection system - in the end they produced a landmark bike that combined several innovations and looked very different from the competitors. | Of the Japanese [[Big Four]], [[Suzuki]] was the most reluctant to follow the fashion for [[turbocharger]]s. But there are times when commercial sense dictates that you have to follow the current trend. So, though everything was well conceived, it was with a certain lack of conviction that Suzuki set about turning a classic 650 into a turbo, starting with the addition of a [[Mikuni]]-Bosch L-Jetronic injection system - in the end they produced a landmark bike that combined several innovations and looked very different from the competitors. | ||
==A Far from Ideal Installation== | ==A Far from Ideal Installation== | ||
The turbo was mounted above the gearbox; the position was poorly ventilated and a long way from the exhaust headers. This layout had little beneficial effect on the power output; to some the XN85 had little more performance than the normally aspirated 650, and its lackluster engine could scarcely claim to offer any sort of "turbo effect. ''(as a rider of a | The turbo was mounted above the gearbox; the position was poorly ventilated and a long way from the exhaust headers. This layout had little beneficial effect on the power output; to some the XN85 had little more performance than the normally aspirated 650, and its lackluster engine could scarcely claim to offer any sort of "turbo effect. ''(as a rider of a 28 year old Xn85 my views differ - there is certainly a "turbo effect", often comparisons are made to bikes that appeared during the XN85's short career rather than those that existed before the XN85.)'' | ||
Suzuki were concerned about the potential longevity of the engine, even though it had vulnerable parts strengthened. As well as strength they focussed on the extra heat generated by the turbo and introduced yet another innovation - new to bikes, but used in WWII Japanese fighter planes - using oil sprayed under the pistons as a coolant. Just before production began the engine was de-tuned - time has shown their fears about strength and heat were unfounded. | Suzuki were concerned about the potential longevity of the engine, even though it had vulnerable parts strengthened. As well as strength they focussed on the extra heat generated by the turbo and introduced yet another innovation - new to bikes, but used in WWII Japanese fighter planes - using oil sprayed under the pistons as a coolant. Just before production began the engine was de-tuned - time has shown their fears about strength and heat were unfounded. | ||