Menus
Studio 819
Driving report: Moto Czysz C1
The American dream
Can the dishwasher become a millionaire? Can an architect build a MotoGP racing machine? Maybe, you just have to believe in it. The American Michael Czysz wants to implement his idea of a super sports motorcycle with euphoria and diligence.
Cliches usually contain a bit of truth. The Moto Czysz seems to be an example for the land of unlimited possibilities, while something like this would be doomed to failure here in Europe. The project C.1 is kind of completely crazy. Even the plan to build a MotoGP racing machine out of nowhere without a large company in the background, the offshoot of which will then become the most powerful sports motorcycle for the road, is quite daring. The idea came from Michael Czysz, architect and former amateur racing driver, who realized the dream of a self-constructed motorcycle and has already created several drivable prototypes of the C1. He and his team developed around 2000 parts on their own.
However, the Americans have now buried their dream of a big appearance at the home GP with an American driver, and it stayed with a few demo laps during last year’s race. A small series is still being planned. When colleagues from the US magazine Cycle World observed a prototype during the first tests, it drove, but still had a few problems. The engine was difficult to bring to life, did not take on the gas properly, and did not rev up properly. The clutch failed after three laps.
Mature prototype
Studio 819
Czysz’s vision: a top US athlete.
Since then a lot has happened. This quickly became apparent in a few test rounds. When you press the starter, the machine ignites immediately and inspires with a peculiarly radical sound that you have never heard before. The aggressive sound is the only thing that suggests the incomparable drive (see MOTORRAD 5/2008). The four-cylinder measuring 990 cm³ is installed upright lengthways to reduce the frontal area. Furthermore, the engine is tilted forward in favor of a low center of gravity. The engine is actually not a four-cylinder, but rather composed of two coupled twins in tandem construction. They are arranged on two different levels, the two crankshafts, coupled via gear wheels, rotate in opposite directions. This arrangement eliminates the gyroscopic forces of the crankshafts. On the dynamometer, the engine currently produces 200 hp at 14,500 rpm. Still too little for a competitive racing machine, but more than current production super sports cars can do. A speed-fixed gear cascade drives the two overhead camshafts per cylinder row. Theoretically, the maximum speed is 16,000 tours, but the speed limit was set at 13,200 rpm during the test drives.
Optical stimuli
Craig Wagner
Radical: Slim line, a fork strut hidden under the steering head and an exclusive carbon frame.
Czysz looks optically ?? 1000 cc compact like a 250 cc GP machine, small, slim and narrow. But when rolling off, turning in on the 16.5-inch Michelins is not as ultra-light as expected, while the C1 feels extremely handy on the track. Like a 600cc racer, but with a lot more steam. It turns like lightning and completely without vibrations "Double twin" high. From 8000 revolutions there is usable power, then the Motot pulls very linearly and smoothly through the belt, only to be blocked by the limiter surprisingly early. You can feel that significantly more power would be possible with a higher speed. However, wheelies cannot be provoked even in second gear. The rear wheel doesn’t spin, either, but sticks to the ground when accelerating.
On the other hand, it is unpleasant how hard the motor pushes the bike into the corners. Instead of an anti-hopping clutch, the C1 has an electronic system designed to reduce the engine braking torque. The electronic control of the throttle valves (ride-by-wire) and the maps for ignition and fuel injection still need fine-tuning in this regard. The throttle response is not as smooth as on a carburettor motorcycle, but already as good as on the current Fireblade. In general, the characteristics of the C1 are closer to those of a street athlete, and it is still a long way off from the dynamics of a Ducati V4 racing machine, which one of the authors has already tested. But at least: The feeling is right, that brings enormous cornering speed straight away. Lots of unconventional things can also be found in the chassis. The rocker is supported directly by two helical springs with linear identification. The damper with progressive lever deflection sits separately within the swing arm. The carbon fiber bridge frame with the generously dimensioned control head is elaborate.
Chassis and technical refinements
Studio 819
What’s going on? Ex-racing driver and designer Michael Czysz (right) in dialogue with author Nick Ienatsch.
Lots of unconventional things can also be found in the chassis. The rocker is supported directly by two helical springs with linear identification. The damper with progressive lever deflection sits separately within the swing arm. The carbon fiber bridge frame with the generously dimensioned control head is elaborate. A "6X Flex front" baptized fork with linear ball bearings takes over the guidance of the front wheel. An Ohlins shock absorber is responsible for suspension and damping; it sits inside the steering head and is supported on a bridge between the two sliding tubes. Reportedly, Honda has shown interest in the innovative front. However, the damper tuning is still too soft at the moment. Michael Czysz is aware of the problem: "We worked so hard on the engine, in the future we can focus more on the chassis." Caster and wheelbase ?? currently 1420 millimeters ?? can be varied using inserts on the front axle clamp. The swing arm is located in the engine housing, coaxial with the chain sprocket, as in the 450 BMW Single.
Technical finesse, which also inspire the four-time 500cc world champion Eddie Lawson. He supported the patriotic US project as well as the three-time world champion Freddie Spencer. Thirteen patents were granted for the Moto Czysz C1. Visit www.motoczysz.com for more information and the option to pre-order a copy. According to the AMA Superbike homogolation, 50 racing machines are to be built, as well as 150 street bikes. The purchase price of the single seat is $ 100,000 with a $ 5,000 deposit. "We still have to test and optimize a few things", says Czysz, "such as the exact injection times and valve lifts as well as control times, perfect intake and exhaust lengths." As expected, the path is stony and long. Only an American can come up with the idea of attacking the Japanese or Ducati on their own territory as a nobody.
Related articles
-
Driving report Cannondale E 440 R
Driving report Cannondale E 440 R Italo-Western On the swing arm of the Cannondale E 440 R a sticker announces the American national pride. Nevertheless…
-
BMW G 310 GS in the driving report
BMW Motorrad 30 pictures BMW Motorrad 1/30 BMW G 310 GS. BMW Motorrad 2/30 BMW G 310 GS. BMW Motorrad 3/30 BMW G 310 GS. BMW Motorrad 4/30 BMW G 310 GS ….
-
Victory Octane in the driving report
Victory 13 pictures Victory 1/13 Victory Octane. Victory 2/13 Victory Octane. Victory 3/13 Victory Octane. Victory 4/13 contrasts: LED lights, black …
-
Driving report MotoGP-Honda RC 211 V
Rudolph driving report MotoGP-Honda RC 211 V (2005) Driving force beaten by Yamaha in the MotoGP class ?? the Honda racing department is in the …
-
Driving report Honda RC 211 V and RC 211 V Evolution
Driving report Honda RC 211 V and RC 211 V Evolution Head to head in MotoGP Two generations of the MotoGP Honda RC 211 V: Nicky Hayden’s (69) world…
-
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX in the driving report
Photo: Kawasaki 11 photos Kawasaki 1/11 Part of the new front fairing are the LED headlights. They should shine brighter and wider at the same time …
-
Hesketh 24 in the driving report
Cathcart 21 images Nakamura 1/21 Hesketh 24. Nakamura 2/21 His lordship does the honors: One sips the French red, the other smokes …
-
Driving report Bimota SB 8 K The »Go« road show After Anthony »Go« Gobert’s surprise victory in the Superbike World Championship, Bimota pushes the …
-
Suzuki GSX-R 1000 R in the driving report
Suzuki 27 pictures Suzuki 1/27 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 R. Suzuki 2/27 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 R. Suzuki 3/27 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 R Suzuki 4/27 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 R ….
-
Driving report Honda SP-1 Superbike
Driving report Honda SP-1 Superbike We can do it differently Honda is pushing for the Superbike crown with power and is attacking with a two-cylinder for…