My Cannondale Race Bike for the 2015 season

Venice Motor Bikes · Feb 27, 2015

So I finally decided to build a new race bike... (The old OM Flyer just didn't have enough room for a proper racing engine).

After thinking about it for a long time, I finally decided to use a all aluminum Cannondale bike.

I built it with new Felt 50mm wheels, I machined my own reed valve engine from all used parts & a used FMF CR80 pipe.

I'm running a rear coaster brake on a vertical dropout frame, so I had to do a lot of extra work to get both chains just right.

I'm also running a Fred head right now, but hopefully my new VMB Shark Heads will be ready to go for the first race.

James at GhettoBike built me the gas tank & welded my brake tab on the aluminum fork for me... (I did all the other welding & fabrication).

This is by far the most powerful engine I've ever built & I can't wait to get it out on the track next month! (^)

dan2015 · Feb 28, 2015

Nice looking bike. Where did you get the angled seat post from, and how much was it?

graydog8josh · Feb 28, 2015

why'd you mount the gas tank on the top of the handlebar stem?

LandSpeedRecord · Feb 28, 2015

Very very nice!

maniac57 · Feb 28, 2015

Looks like it should handle great! That tank filler cap sticking up makes me a bit nervous though...Looks dangerous in a crash and potentially deadly in a collision or flip.
Imagine grinding it off or slamming into it with your chest at speed.....
I'd rethink the fuel setup myself.
Like hanging it down below the bars in front, almost like a rack mounted position
But that's just my thought. Your bike.

Venice Motor Bikes · Mar 1, 2015

dan2015 said:
Nice looking bike. Where did you get the angled seat post from, and how much was it?

I don't know who makes the seat post, It was on the bike when I bought it.

graydog8josh said:
why'd you mount the gas tank on the top of the handlebar stem?

maniac57 said:
Looks like it should handle great! That tank filler cap sticking up makes me a bit nervous though...Looks dangerous in a crash and potentially deadly in a collision or flip.
Imagine grinding it off or slamming into it with your chest at speed.....
I'd rethink the fuel setup myself.
Like hanging it down below the bars in front, almost like a rack mounted position
But that's just my thought. Your bike.

The reason the tank's mounted above the stem is because if I placed it under it (or behind the seat) it would put the shut off valve lower than the carb inlet, (& the tank wouldn't completely empty into the carb).

It looks a little sketchy being there, but trust me, I'm very concerned with safety & I feel comfortable (safety wise) with it being there.

graydog8josh · Mar 13, 2015

what is the front brake? what are you going to do for the rear brake?

Venice Motor Bikes · Mar 13, 2015

graydog8josh said:
what is the front brake? what are you going to do for the rear brake?

The front is a 200mm hydraulic disc, & the rear wheel has a coaster brake.

2door · Mar 13, 2015

I like it, Norm. It looks fast. How much does it weigh without rider?

Tom

Davezilla · Mar 13, 2015

Very Nice!!
Is that a CR80 pipe you're using?
I really like those 50mm rims and thickslick tires too

scotto- · Mar 14, 2015

maniac57 said:
Looks like it should handle great! That tank filler cap sticking up makes me a bit nervous though...Looks dangerous in a crash and potentially deadly in a collision or flip.
Imagine grinding it off or slamming into it with your chest at speed.....
I'd rethink the fuel setup myself.
Like hanging it down below the bars in front, almost like a rack mounted position
But that's just my thought. Your bike.

That tank wouldn't worry me a bit......those pedals are what's gonna get you

Bike looks great Norm, look forward to seeing it on the track!

scotto-

Venice Motor Bikes · Mar 15, 2015

2door said:
I like it, Norm. It looks fast. How much does it weigh without rider?

Tom

Thanks Tom, I haven't weighed the bike yet... But I'll try to remember to bring a scale to the shop & find out.

Davezilla said:
Very Nice!!
Is that a CR80 pipe you're using?
I really like those 50mm rims and thickslick tires too

It turns out that this is probably a CR125 pipe... (It was listed on ebay as a CR80 pipe). :/

scotto- said:
That tank wouldn't worry me a bit......those pedals are what's gonna get you

Bike looks great Norm, look forward to seeing it on the track!

scotto-

Thanks Scott... I'll see you at the track! (^)

bairdco · Mar 15, 2015

lookin' good norm!

i'll see you guys at the track. i'm putting some minor tweaks on the speedster and i'm rolling out friday and camping out...

MotorBicycleRacing · Mar 16, 2015

bairdco said:
lookin' good norm!

i'll see you guys at the track. i'm putting some minor tweaks on the speedster and i'm rolling out friday and camping out...

Awesome. That is a cool and fast bike that was derailed by a stuck pedal at it's last race.

We are renting out Grange for all of Friday 27th from 10 am to dark.

Only $20 to practice all day.

bairdco · Mar 16, 2015

just checked the weather. 80° highs all weekend, partly cloudy, no rain, with 6mph winds on saturday. .

looks like perfect weather so far.

which way we running the track? my vote's for clockwise...

MotorBicycleRacing · Mar 16, 2015

bairdco said:
which way we running the track? my vote's for clockwise...

The weather looks great and just because you asked we are racing clockwise.

Venice Motor Bikes · Mar 16, 2015

I was so happy with how this engine was performing that I decided to tear it apart & 'try to' make it better!!

I added a 42mm stroker crank, a bigger intake port & one of my new VMB Shark heads! (^)

Keep your fingers crossed!!

culvercityclassic · Mar 16, 2015

That's a really nice looking head, I think your bike will do well if the motor holds up. I hope you will be running race gas.

Rudz · Mar 17, 2015

How'd you mount it to the downtube?

YesImLDS · Mar 19, 2015

Awesome looking bike VMB. I'm assuming the stroker crank is custom? What kind of benefits would the longer stroke provide? I would assume more low end torque, but how does that effect the high revving aspect of it? Is the engine completely balanced? (as much as a 1 cylinder can be that is)

Venice Motor Bikes · Mar 21, 2015

YesImLDS said:
Awesome looking bike VMB. I'm assuming the stroker crank is custom? What kind of benefits would the longer stroke provide? I would assume more low end torque, but how does that effect the high revving aspect of it? Is the engine completely balanced? (as much as a 1 cylinder can be that is)

Yes, the crank is custom,... The stroker crank gives more displacement, which in turn gives more power.

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