A look at the engine through a cutout showing the way it was before the fire.
(The cutout was added by the museum. It didn't race with one.)
This is a couple of shots of the rear wheel and swing arm. All aluminum melted in the fire as you can see. There was no rear suspension. The swing arm was mounted to the frame using square tubing. Must have been brutal to ride, even on the salt.
Attached are photos of the steering head. Very interesting design and it took Keith and I a while to figure it out. You can see a section that pivots vertically. There was a cable connecting this with the footers that could deploy from the cockpit to hold up the bike while taking off. This is a mechanical 2-stage steering lock. At low speed while taking off or maneuvering, the section is pivoted up to allow full steering. When the footers are raised the section lowers into place and limits side to side steering. This is to prevent a "tank slapper" at high speed. Neat engineering solution for an age old problem.
Dennis Tackett
Project Manager
Here is a shot of what's left of the gearbox. When I cut the rear chain to remove the rear hub and wheel the gearbox fell out on the floor. It was completely melted and the chain was the only thing holding it in the frame.
Dennis Tackett
Project Manager
