Presentation of the NCR 1000 NE

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Presentation of the NCR 1000 NE

One to one

Minimalistic beauty in small series: The NCR-Ducati based on the 1000 DS was super light and strong as a bear. The developers had a clear goal: Each PS should not drag more than one kilogram.

This is what technicians and sports riders have been wanting for decades: a motorcycle with a power to weight ratio of one kilogram per hp (Suzuki GSX-R 1000: 1.25 kg / hp). This dream should now come true in small series, because the developers of the NCR 1000NE are striving for a clear goal for their super-light Ducati variant: 110 kilograms in weight, 110 hp. And thus create a motorcycle as traditional Ducatisti imagine in their wildest dreams? only nicer, faster and easier.
A whole team of experts from Bologna is working on the implementation of the concept. The racing focus is provided by none other than the Bolognese superbike hero Pierfrancesco Chili as test driver. The Italian racing team NCR and the titanium specialist Poggipolini, both also based in Bologna, take care of the technology. And because Ducati is also located there and the relationships between all those involved have grown over the years, the manufacturer supplied the developers with the new 1000 cc engine with dual ignition as the basis for their race iron already a year ago. An engine for purists, with two valves per cylinder and air cooling.
In order to live up to their lofty goals, the experts from NCR and Poggipolini radically revised the engine. They even completely redesigned the chassis, with their own frame. Strictly according to the principle: leave out unnecessary and make what remains as light as possible. The Bolognese team has now completed three prototypes, in different versions, the lightest of which currently weighs 112 kilograms and brings 105 hp on the rear wheel to the slopes. The power-to-weight ratio is not yet correct, but »it’s not all evening yet«, as Stefano Poggipolini says. Because the developers are testing other lightweight construction ideas.
But even in its ready-to-drive condition, the NCR 1000 NE gives you a feeling on the slopes never seen before with a four-stroke engine. Power and weight roughly correspond to a 250cc Grand Prix machine. The driving behavior of the motorcycle underlines this similarity, because the 1000 series rushes almost weightlessly around the track in Monza. The thought of a curve is almost enough, and you find yourself in a full lean angle. Their handiness is light years away from any street athlete. The engine does the rest, from the lowest speed range it screwed its way up to 8500 rpm without a loss of power and without the slightest hesitation. The automatic gearshift proves to be helpful here, in which the gears engage automatically, even if the driver lets the accelerator stand still. Surprisingly, the V2 engine hardly develops any vibrations, neither on the handlebars, on the seat or on the footrests are annoying vibrations. Only the brakes tarnish the harmonious overall picture a little, because the potent double disc at the front proves to be too snappy to be able to control the deceleration properly.
In order to push the performance of the original Ducati V2 from its nominally 86 horses to 105 hp, the developers donated titanium connecting rods milled from solid, titanium valves with an inlet valve enlarged to 47 millimeters in diameter (series: 45) as well as valve seats and guides Beryllium bronze, an extremely heat-resistant material with high strength. The exhaust manifold and the titanium silencer also help the performance and weight on the jumps.
Larger forged pistons with a diameter of 96 instead of 94 millimeters lift the displacement to 1035 cm3 and the compression ratio to 11.5: 1 (series: 10.0: 1). However, 98 and 100 pistons are still being tested, which could give the final kick on the way to the desired 110 hp. The throttle valves come from the 748. The revised gearbox with a shift drum made of Ergal (high-strength aluminum) weighs 400 grams less than the series. Always an eye-catcher: the open dry clutch, in each of the two test variants. One is made of red anodized Ergal, the other is made of titanium with four delicate carbon fiber discs. Ferrari supplier Poggipolini, together with NCR, derived the lightweight of 790 grams (series: 3010 grams) directly from Formula 1.
The developers also slimmed down the chassis wherever possible. The completely new frame with the engine as the load-bearing element is made of chromium molybdenum and is limited to a few tubes, the remarkably small diameter of which was calculated with the help of structural analyzes. There are two versions of the two-sided swing arm made of titanium: Because test drivers Chili found the one that was initially developed to be not stiff enough in great inclines, Poggipolini and NCR built a second, reinforced variant. In test operation, however, both will be sanded and filed. The tank, seat and rear form a one-piece monocoque, optionally made of aluminum or carbon fiber. The seat bench cover is limited to a wafer-thin layer of neoprene; After all, the NCR 1000 NE is not built for leisurely touring, but for the racetrack.
And because everyone wants to see their own ideas implemented there in order to achieve fast times, customers can put together their own favorite suspension. “Such an exclusive motorcycle must fit the rider like a tailor-made suit,” says Stefano Poggipolini. In the standard version, a fork from Marzocchi and a central spring strut from Double System are used; Ohlins and Extreme-Tech components can also be used on request. As an alternative to the rather oversized brake system with a 290 double disc and radially screwed brake calipers at the front, a single disc is currently being tried out ?? after all, this saves weight.
The electronics of the NCR 1000 NE testify to its absolute exclusivity, as it comes directly from Carl Fogarty’s last superbike. On the central digital display in the cockpit ?? Also foggy-tested – there is therefore a lot of additional information in addition to the usual speed and rpm display. Among other things, for example, oil temperature and pressure, the mixture composition measured by the lambda probe and the suspension travel of the fork and shock absorber.
KThe exclusive piece should cost between 35,000 and 40,000 euros, depending on the components selected. The developers want to build only 30 units per year, initially exclusively as racing motorcycles. Stefano Poggipolini is also toying with a homologated street version. For this he needs the approval of Ducati, but given the small number of units, the manufacturer is unlikely to see any threatening competition in the NCR 1000 NE. According to reports, Ducati is even considering taking over sales itself. And then there is little in the way of “one kilogram per hp” happiness on the road ?? Apart from the price.

Technical specifications

Engine: air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 90-degree V-engine, one overhead, toothed belt-driven camshaft, two valves per cylinder, desmodromic actuation, wet sump lubrication, electronic intake manifold injection, double ignition. Bore x stroke 96 x 71.5, displacement 1035 cm³, compression ratio 11.5 : 1 Power 77kW (105 HP) on the rear wheel Max. Torque: n / a Power transmission: primary drive via gear wheels, multi-disc dry clutch made of Ergal (or four-disc clutch made of titanium and carbon fiber), six-speed gearbox with automatic gear change, O-ring chain. Chassis: tubular frame made of chrome molybdenum steel, Marzocchi upside-down fork (optionally Ohlins), adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of titanium, double system central spring strut (optionally Extreme Tech), adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, double disc brake at the front, Braking Wave, O 290 mm, radial screwed four-piston calipers, rear disc brake, O 200 mm, four-piston caliper, magnesium wheels from Marchesini. Chassis data: wheelbase 1385 mm, curb weight 112 kilograms.

NCR and Poggipolini

The NCR racing team was founded in 1969 by the two Ducati mechanics Georgio Nepoti and Rino Caracchi in Bologna; the name stands for Nepoti-Caracchi-Racing. NCR’s first major success came in 1978 when Mike Hailwood won the team’s Tourist Trophy on the team’s Ducati 900 SS. Another highlight for NCR was the 1991 Superbike World Championship, which Texan Doug Poland won with incredible superiority. On the Ducati 888 Fast by Ferracci, which was looked after by NCR, the Texan won a total of 17 races ?? a record that still stands. Since Ducati has been taking part in the races of the Superbike World Championship with its own racing team, the NCR has been the preferred satellite team. Further information from NCR srl, Via della Fisica 18, S. Lazzaro di Savena 40068 Bologna, Italy, phone 00 39/051/625 58 40, fax 0039/051/625 59 13, Internet www.ncrfactory.it Poggipolini has existed since 1950 in San Lazzaro di Savena near Bologna and specialized in the production of light metal and especially titanium parts for racing in the 1970s. The manufacturer supplies teams in Formula 1, including Ferrari in nearby Maranello, in the Motorcycle Grand Prix and in the Superbike World Championship and today has around 50 employees. For the development and future marketing of the NCR 1000 NE, Poggipolini founds NCR srl in-house. More information: www.poggipolini.it

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