Screwball / SFV Race Project – The Early Stages – 2/23/15

Since the SFV came out I’ve wanted to do something with that frame. I had this idea of taking a ducati 999 gas tank and mating it with the SFV frame for a Ducati look. I purchased a salvage frame and gas tank from a 749. At first it seemed the gas tank would mount up semi easy. The other challenge of the tank is fuel delivery. The thought was to use a 1st gen SV harness and carb system. Put a simple petcock on the gas tank and cover the hole for the 999 pump.

ducati 999 gas tank Sfv650

Next step is to cut some weight off the SFV’s frame. It’s heavy and with the subframe welded to the main frame it complicates dropping weight. Quick whip with the hacksaw and the frame is instantly 8 pounds less. There are many smaller mounts that can be shaved off but only for minimal savings. With 8lbs off frame and 8lbs off swing arm, we’re already looking a decent build. The bike will not shrouded in any type of race fairing. Mainly for look but cutting the calories will help with the ending weight goal.

SFV650 Gladius Racer Build

Woodcraft rearsets from a 2004 GSXR1000 for the foot controls. These are fairly straight forward. The second mounting hole doesn’t quite line up but it’s simple enough to get mounted. A 2nd Generation SV650 Yoshimura exhaust system seems to be mounting up very well so far clearing swing arm, linkage and frame. Now comes the fun part, the motor and the front end.

Suzuki decided to make a front end swap more difficult on the SFV Gladius. A fork swap on the SV650 was very simple since the SV and GSXR shared a similar steering stem and bearings. The SFV650 on the other hand had to be different. The stem is 20mm longer and finding on of these has been near impossible. So that leave my good buddy Zoran at TWFRacing.com. He produced a beautiful custom stem that mimics a GSXR unit but 20mm longer. The bike can now be fitted with any GSXR front end. That would be a bit too easy…….

SFV650 Steering Stem TWF Custom Made

The original motor plan was to do a 694cc 3mm big bore motor with rest of the motor being stock out of a 1st gen SV. This has now gone out the window with some 87mm Wiseco pistons making their way to my door. This punches the motor out to 744 CC. To match the power of these pistons some Crower A beam rods will be used. The flywheel will be lightened as much as possible and be a total loss system. Meaning no magnets and no battery charging. The 744cc pistons are very heavy, 55 grams heavier than the stock SV650 pistons. This crank does not stand a chance…..

Quick and sloppy photoshop concept. Started with the LRG Gladius build, slapped on some ducati parts, vintage front number plate, and tyco suzuki 600 tail.

sfv race bike concept
New updates soon.

2014 Prep Post #1

2014 season is right around the corner and it should hurry up. Making a few changes to the bike. First is moving away from the F3 5″ rear wheel and going back to the 5.5″ GSXR rim. Second is a new motor with J&E high compression pistons, APE studs, Falicon rods, and chopped airbox.

Motor started with a bottom end purchased off ebay. Was said to have Falicon crank but only came with Falicon rods. Also Picked up a spare complete 1st generation motor.

The flywheel and sprag were lightened by Zoran at TWF Racing.

My AXO Talon suit got dyed.
yellow AXO talon leather race suit

Printed Factory Effex DX1 backgrounds

Bike Mid Season Revamp #2

I decided to do some tests on the bike. First test was compression. It was low. Next test was leak down…. again not good. Front cylinder has 16-18% loss through intake valves. Rear had 12% through exhaust valves. I had a old set of heads around and decided to put those on the bike for this coming round at NJMP. Heads that were on the motor each had an issue. Crack valve spring collars.

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Got the motor all buttoned up. Rode it around the block, felt pretty good. New 45t rear sprocket, grips, throttle tubes, fork oil, and most important new front brake pads. All season so far the brakes have been bad. Hopefully this sets me up to be trouble free at NJMP*knock knock
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Gotta thank Zoran at TWF for his help and support.

Bike Mid Season Revamp #1

Decided to make some changes to the bike. First thing is getting rid of the GSXR rear wheel for the more narrow Honda CBR F3 rim ( 5″ wide ). Reason behind this is to run a 165 rear tire.
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Picked up a smaller race subframe and new race tail which is painted black. The subframe is actually for a 2003 SV650 which sits a bit higher. Also got a forward battery box from Zoran at TWF Racing.

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New paint on upper and numbers. Also touched up right side fairing from wreck.
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I also hope to get the bike on dyno and get a good tune before next round at summit.