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Author Topic: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling  (Read 2526 times)

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Offline HondaFreak

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Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« on: December 24, 2012, 05:04:48 AM »
After the Senior GP gremlins in 2012, the DM 500-4 is now back on form and running well with its race engine.
We have been lucky enough to have Frank Melling - organiser of Thundersprint event in Northwich - review the bike at an unfortunately damp Anglesey circuit. It makes a good read and the photos are excellent. Thanks to Carol Melling for those.
 
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/289/15103/Motorcycle-Article/Memorable-Motorcycle--Davies-500-Honda-4.aspx

Work is underway for 2013 updates in anticipation of the Classic TT in August. Higher peak power (currently making 68 @ 11,300) at higher engine speeds are the plan with a more tuned exhaust. Having managed to get the bike to 125kg (dry) then little darling will be on a New Year diet, with the aim of getting her to 120kg.
JD has 2 riders lined up for the Senior Classic - William Dunlop & Alan Oversby - so he should be in with a good shout of a result with those 2 onboard.

Anyway, keep an eye out and lets hope the asthma does return to the breathers in 2013 :)

A Very Merry Xmas to all you racing nutters.

Pete J
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Offline MondayLSR

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #1 on: December 24, 2012, 05:33:10 AM »
Sounds like a killer bike!  Great write up.

Do you have a link to more detailed pictures?
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Offline Sam Green Racing

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #2 on: December 24, 2012, 08:27:30 AM »
It's all in here somewhere Monday.

Great write up Peter, were you there when Frank tested the Bike?

Sam. ;)
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Offline Greg H

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #3 on: December 25, 2012, 05:46:40 AM »
A good write up  ;) I particularly like the sound of the front brake set-up  8) 8).
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Offline turboguzzi

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #4 on: December 26, 2012, 02:02:51 AM »
Impressive numbers! Now go give all the MV-Patton poseurs some hell in 2013 :)
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Offline HondaFreak

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2012, 02:24:30 AM »
No, only JD and his mate John Heywood were at Anglesey for the test. It was able to run with open meggas as the track was available off the back of a private test day; the bike got to run in the lunchtime.
We will certainy try & give the 4v engines a run for their money, but you are always going to be at a disadvantage for peak power with a 2v head. The way we are trying to compensate is with weight reduction, refined handling (so we can keep very high corner speed - conservation of momentum, in a 125 style) and having an easy bike to ride, so that it makes it less fatiguing for the rider. All steel items will be savaged over winter to get the fat off them. It will be all Kate Moss when its done; pretty but skinny :)

Pete
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Offline Sam Green Racing

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2012, 02:51:32 AM »
Quote from: HondaFreak on December 29, 2012, 02:24:30 AM
It was able to run with open meggas as the track was available off the back of a private test day; the bike got to run in the lunchtime.

Pete

Mind reader. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sam. ;)
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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #7 on: August 22, 2013, 04:30:13 AM »
Very cool article and nice writeup. Beautiful pictures too.
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, just catching up on the bike and racing program...

David
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Offline Kemp

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #8 on: August 22, 2013, 12:53:15 PM »
Did they ever build a street version? It was to be for sale to general public. I did inquire directly to them but received no response. Just curious if it ever did happen
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Offline HondaFreak

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #9 on: August 22, 2013, 01:01:43 PM »
No street version got built. Mainly because the race development takes so much time. If JD ever does decide to do one I will post it up on here.
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Offline FunJimmy

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2013, 01:39:24 PM »
Quote from: RAFster122S on August 22, 2013, 04:30:13 AM
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, just catching up on the bike and racing program...

David

Thanks for doing so.
I had previously missed this thread, and what a great story.
Makes me want to start another build.
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Davies Motorsport 500-4 Review by Frank Melling
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2013, 02:55:33 PM »
I'm not a racing fan as such but that bike is beautiful.
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