Author Topic: R.C. Eng - 1000cc Cobra (Read 5614 times)

flybox1 · « **on:** July 23, 2012, 02:12:38 PM »

just emailed a guy locally who was parting out some 750 stuff.
wanted to see if he had a complete engine.
he said the 8 engines he had were all gone
also claims 6 of those were 1000cc Cobras

http://www.hondahog.com/RCeng_01.htm

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2012, 02:21:44 PM »

Did I ever tell you the story of the 10 complete sandcast bikes I sold for a song?

flybox1 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2012, 02:24:06 PM »

hahaha...what song?

MCRider · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2012, 02:25:17 PM »

Quote from: DukieFrankenkit on July 23, 2012, 02:21:44 PM

Did I ever tell you the story of the 10 complete sandcast bikes I sold for a song?

Piker. I had 12 I gave to the vocational dept at the local high school.

MCRider · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2012, 02:27:41 PM »

Seriously though. I suspect that many engines dubbed "Cobra" weren't the full Cobra treatment. And the legend grows with age. A true Cobra engine that was actually run, may not be worth having (worn out).

flybox1 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2012, 02:28:36 PM »

go easy, guys

with the number of NOS listings this guy has right now, i lean towards believing him...he's quickly responded to all my emails. ill see if i can get more info

MCRider · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2012, 02:36:25 PM »

Quote from: flybox1 on July 23, 2012, 02:28:36 PM

go easy, guys

with the number of NOS listings this guy has right now, i lean towards believing him...he's quickly responded to all my emails. ill see if i can get more info

Sorry.

There are cache's out there, NOS, built motors, sandcast barn finds, etc. just got to be careful.

flybox1 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2012, 02:59:50 PM »

exactly. never heard of one before today.
but if i had the opportunity, you bet id come here first to get the skinny...

MCRider · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2012, 03:35:16 PM »

Quote from: flybox1 on July 23, 2012, 02:59:50 PM

exactly. never heard of one before today.
but if i had the opportunity, you bet id come here first to get the skinny...

Oh well that makes a difference. Those of us from the era, lusted after the Cobra. There are a few true Cobra's owned by forum members. But most by far are partials, or wasted bits of junk. AS advertised they were powerful and in the days when valve float was the rev limiter, they often ... well... didn't survive.

Now to build a current Cobra knockoff with modern parts, that would be nice. The originals were mostly carved from clay.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #9 on:** July 23, 2012, 04:34:04 PM »

Quote

Now to build a current Cobra knockoff with modern parts, that would be nice.

That is exactly what a couple of us are doing Ron {some at the same speed as your build

}

Billet Alum block with no iron sleeves, nikasil bores, big port head, 1000cc forged pistons, megacycle 125-75 cam, diamond primary chains and heavy duty cam chain, back cut gearbox, high temp friction coatings, heavy duty clutch, high volume oil pump, fuel injection and every other trick part i can jam in the casings....

Although i am getting closer to a build, don't hold your breath waiting...

flybox1 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:22:53 AM »

I dont know anything about these engines. you guys might see through any BS.
here's what the guy said...
Sold them for 10 grand each. In 1973 they were 6000 each. I had a race team and some were set up for top fuel and some were good on the street if you sat on the fuel tank,or stretched the swing arm. They all had zero miles on them just as they left the R.C.shop.....The K8 frame would need to be modified to handle the power up grade. Swing arm bushings had to be changed to tapered bearings. Was expensive but tons of fun. With 32mm smooth bore carbs slick and wheelie bar they went low nines high eights.Redline was 14,000 RPM.They just pulled till redline like a bear.They had the big block cylinder that could safely go to 1400 cc.

MCRider · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:35:39 AM »

Quote from: flybox1 on July 24, 2012, 07:22:53 AM

I dont know anything about these engines. you guys might see through any BS.
here's what the guy said...
Sold them for 10 grand each. In 1973 they were 6000 each. I had a race team and some were set up for top fuel and some were good on the street if you sat on the fuel tank,or stretched the swing arm. They all had zero miles on them just as they left the R.C.shop.....The K8 frame would need to be modified to handle the power up grade. Swing arm bushings had to be changed to tapered bearings. Was expensive but tons of fun. With 32mm smooth bore carbs slick and wheelie bar they went low nines high eights.Redline was 14,000 RPM.They just pulled till redline like a bear.They had the big block cylinder that could safely go to 1400 cc.

There may be some benign exageration there. Never heard of tapered bearings in a swingarm. Needle bearings maybe, but they wren't any stronger than good bushings AFAIK. Besides, high end dragsters use a hardtail or struts and the bushings become unnecssary, immobile.

1400cc isn't possible without stroking the crank IIRC. even then I think 1200+/- is all that's physically posible

I prefer to give the benefit of the doubt and accept the story as real at its core. Pretty cool.

Greggo · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:39:11 AM »

Sounds pretty legit. Got a link to any of his auctions, or are you keeping that a secret?

754 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:45:16 AM »

Sounds like major B.U. LL#$%*TER... typical fib about whats gone to promote interest or make you feel bad..

Possible yes.. likely no...
I dont think they were 6 grand back in the day.. more like 3-4 grand..

HondaMan · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2012, 10:39:00 AM »

R/C also made a 1000cc "street engine kit", which I helped install on at least 2 choppers of the early 1970s. These had low-dome pistons and a mild cam. The cases had to be drilled and helicoiled (actually, a form of the Keensert was used) to get more threads and a 10mm bolt in place of the stock 8mm ones. This held the crank still, nicely. The crank was stroked, I think it was 2mm (not sure) and the rods had thin bearings that relied on the rod strength to keep them from migrating out of shape. Russ was really smart, the way he did this stuff. The cylinder liners were touching each other in the head surface area, and they showed thru the fins! Still, the bikes ran well, even on 'putts' of up to 250 miles one way in a day. I lost track of them in 1974 when I moved to CO.

chung · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2012, 02:43:16 AM »

Is this what One looks like? 70mm x 63mm BxS:
Special Cast Cylinder Block anchored with 10mm Studs, Arias pistons, Knife-edge Crankshaft, narrowed Alternator Rotor, Peened and polished Rods, Stainless valves, RC315 camshaft, Martek Optic Triggered Ign, Mikuni 29mm Smoothbore carbs, Holes drilled everywhere etc. This does not look like a "kit" to me? I t came with a "off a wrecked dragster" story.
And yes, I agree that 1400cc is a bit of a stretch, pun intended. But This engine sort'a found me, maybe you found yourself one. I emailed Russ but I don't think he bothers with that motorcycle stuff anymore, that was 40 years ago.. You can call him. He was still kikin just a few years ago building Fuel Injectors.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2012, 02:48:56 AM »

70mm is 970cc, Russ's son is a member here, he frequents the HIPO forum quite a bit....

chung · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2012, 03:01:35 AM »

Sorry I thought I put two attachments on there. Here is that main one. I see how I made the mistake, I replaced the first one rather than adding a second one

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2012, 04:55:02 AM »

Quote from: 754 on July 24, 2012, 07:45:16 AM

Sounds like major B.U. LL#$%*TER... typical fib about whats gone to promote interest or make you feel bad..

Possible yes.. likely no...
I dont think they were 6 grand back in the day.. more like 3-4 grand..

I'm with you Frank, either he falls into the "The older I get, the faster I was" category, or he's just full of schidt.

chung · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2012, 02:40:11 PM »

Sorry for not doing my homework first, mine has the wrong cam, wrong Ign. I won't do it again

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #20 on:** October 03, 2012, 03:43:38 AM »

Quote from: chung on October 01, 2012, 02:40:11 PM

Sorry for not doing my homework first, mine has the wrong cam, wrong Ign. I won't do it again

It hasn't got an RC points cover mate, but I've got a NOS one if you'd like it?

sohc boy · « **Reply #21 on:** October 03, 2012, 04:18:43 AM »

Quote from: 754 on July 24, 2012, 07:45:16 AM

Sounds like major B.U. LL#$%*TER... typical fib about whats gone to promote interest or make you feel bad..
yep.......
Possible yes.. likely no...
I dont think they were 6 grand back in the day.. more like 3-4 grand..

754 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 03, 2012, 07:47:57 AM »

Chung, maybe it's a mini-Cobra..pretty cool motor..I'm..
Sorta like what I want to build minus block, with Webers and Goldenrods..

BryanMcGowan · « **Reply #23 on:** October 04, 2012, 07:31:48 PM »

I've just bought a '77 that has a 1000cc engine in it. I was led to understand it's a RC Cobra but it doesn't have the word "Cobra" or "RC" anywhere on the cylinders. I have verified it is 1000cc, but is there any way to find out who made it? And what would be the value of such? It also has an RC Engineering exhaust system.Thanks guys

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #24 on:** October 04, 2012, 11:53:52 PM »

Welcom Bryan, I know that you're only new here, so I need to warn you that there are some very untrustworthy folks here who you should pay little attention to.

While I'm taking you under my wing I'll also let you know that you're in luck, as, believe it or not, I'm actually the resident RC Cobra expert, and I can actually identify a Cobra engine just by looking at it.

Sadly I have to see it "In the flesh" as it were, but I'm also a very generous man, so I'm quite happy to pay for you to ship your engine to me so that I can verify for you that in fact you have a genuine Cobra engine.

Of course, if it's not a genuine Cobra engine I'll let you know right away Bryan, in which case it probably won't be worth me sending it back to you, but don't worry, I'll dispose of it thoughtfully. Trust me, I work for the government.............

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #25 on:** October 05, 2012, 02:59:44 AM »

You do have a way with words Prendy,

Welcome Bryan.

Sam.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #26 on:** October 05, 2012, 05:09:04 AM »

Quote from: Sam Green Racing on October 05, 2012, 02:59:44 AM

You do have a way with words Prendy,

Welcome Bryan.

Sam.

I owe it all to my trip to Ireland Sammy, I kissed the Blarney Stone, and it kissed me back...........

chung · « **Reply #27 on:** October 08, 2012, 03:20:05 PM »

No need for a points cover Mate, That's one thing that I was reminded of in the article, firing two plugs etc... I'm still holding out for the RC Distributor setup. I've barely missed buying several. I've only seen one setup like it and it was a Joe Hunt Mag "Vertex" on a CB350F. Now that was an impressive site to see. It'll be between the Hack and the bike, just poking around the corner for the trained "and untrained" eye to see

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #28 on:** October 12, 2012, 12:23:13 AM »

Quote from: chung on October 08, 2012, 03:20:05 PM

No need for a points cover Mate, That's one thing that I was reminded of in the article, firing two plugs etc... I'm still holding out for the RC Distributor setup. I've barely missed buying several. I've only seen one setup like it and it was a Joe Hunt Mag "Vertex" on a CB350F. Now that was an impressive site to see. It'll be between the Hack and the bike, just poking around the corner for the trained "and untrained" eye to see

No worries mate, that's why I offered the RC points cover, I've got the RC distributor for my engine (and it is a really cool piece, for sure) so I don't need a points cover either. As often happens, Jim (City Boy) told me that he needs an RC points cover, so it's on it's way to Canada. Cheers, Terry.

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Author Topic: R.C. Eng - 1000cc Cobra (Read 5614 times)