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Detroit, 8:10 AM
Wed Nov 11
30 posts in the last 24 hours

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  • posts about #honda600 more →

    LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!

    Testing And Tuning The Very Maniacal Evil Tweety

    Evil Clint Gets A Few Loose Bolts, Buys DeLorean And Honda Z600 For Personal Hell Garage

    A Little TLC Will Get This Honda 600 Back On The Road. Well, No.

    PCH, Rotary Swap Hell Edition: Honda 600 or Toyota Starlet?

    PCH, Truck Bed Edition: Honda 600amino or Dodge Vanpage?

    Project Car Hell: Mazda Cosmo or Three Honda 600s?
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    Dsmvwl  Admin  Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×
    Image of abgwin abgwin
    11/02/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    just so you know, if you clear the crap out of the hatch and fold the rear seats forward a bit, a keg, tap and appropriate amount of ice fit back there.

    at least they did in my dad's 70 600 Z coupe. #honda600
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment abgwin was starred abgwin was unstarred
    Image of Serajadeyn Serajadeyn
    11/02/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    Guys... This is EXACTLY in the spirit of LeMons! they're not racing a pure cheatanium E30 or an Unobtainium Rx7, They found a tiny japanese shitbox, and are doing their damnedest to make it work in the most ridiculous way possible. Having the nice facilities is sort of a smear against most of us lemons racers, but all except the gearbox could be done in just about any garage with basic fab tools and a LOT of man hours. Hell, if they didn't have the machine shop they could have mounted the engine another way to make it work still... #honda600
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment Serajadeyn was starred Serajadeyn was unstarred
    Image of Six Flags Over Tomsk Six Flags Over Tomsk
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    Is it even possible to not love motorcycle-engined subcompacts? #honda600
     Reply
    Six Flags Over Tomsk was starred Six Flags Over Tomsk was unstarred
    Image of Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est
    11/02/09

    @Tomsk sez so long Ash78, and thanks for all the fish!: I think you meant "sub-micro-compacts". And I agree. #honda600
     Reply
    Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est was starred Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est was unstarred
    Image of LTDScott LTDScott
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    Very cool, but it once again reaffirms how proud I am of my team for its top 10 finish at Buttonwillow considering our car was built in the garage mostly with hand tools.

    I'd kill to have the engineering and equipment available to this team. While their car meets the rules of the series, I'm not sure it meets the spirit. #honda600
     Reply
    LTDScott was starred LTDScott was unstarred
    Image of Murilee Martin Murilee Martin
    11/01/09

    @LTDScott: Your team is approximately 400 times more likely to take the overall win at LeMons than is this bunch. They wanted to use their skills to build something really ridiculous, which I think is firmly in keeping with the spirit of LeMons. #honda600
     Reply
    Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred
    Image of LTDScott LTDScott
    11/02/09

    @Murilee Martin: I understand that labor is free, but making their own gear box? I think the finished product won't be all that much "crap can" which is what the series is about.

    I also complained about the Metro-Gnome considering it had been advertised for sale on Jalopnik previously for over $2K, and that fell on deaf ears due to the cool factor of the car too. Then they went and won the race!

    But I don't want to come off as a bitter whiner. I'll eat my hat if we ever win, so I'm not all that concerned about the competition as long as I have fun :) #honda600
     Reply
    LTDScott was starred LTDScott was unstarred
    Image of solracer solracer
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    Damn, I'm beginning to wish I'd bought that Fiat 600 I found a couple of months ago. But then I have about 1/1000th the talent these guys have so I'd probably still be staring at a pile full of parts. #honda600
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment solracer was starred solracer was unstarred
    Image of powermatic powermatic
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    The chassis jig alone is indicative of a high-end shop, and check out the drilled-out gussets on the cage-if these guys don't make the deadline, it'll be because they're too professional.

    I've gotta laugh thinking about sitting next to that screaming V-Twin-but the weight distribution should be phenomenal. #honda600
     Reply
    powermatic was starred powermatic was unstarred
    Image of jllevy123002 jllevy123002
    11/01/09

    @powermatic: The V-65 is a V4, not a V-twin
     Reply
    powermatic promoted this comment jllevy123002 was starred jllevy123002 was unstarred
    Image of powermatic powermatic
    11/01/09

    @jllevy123002: Thanks. I should have known that since I own a V4 bike (VFR 800), so I feel the fool x 2. #honda600
     Reply
    powermatic was starred powermatic was unstarred
    Image of Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    I didn't see a toilet plunger being pressed into service to perform a critical fluid sealing function. So it's not quite the peak of awesome I'd thought. Keep at it boys, you're getting there! #honda600
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was starred Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was unstarred
    Image of that ain't the way to have fun, son that ain't the way to have fun, son
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    I actually like this idea better than the Metro Gnome, for two reasons.

    1. It's 100% the same manufacturer. Had the Metro been equipped with a Suzuki two-wheeler powerplant, I'd still have to vote Honda because...

    2. The V65 was an AWESOME freakin' ride. My first 'real' motorcycle was an '83 V45 Sabre, and that machine, even though only a 749cc machine, was borderline terrifying.

    The slightly-tweaked frame didn't help matters, but hey, you adjust how left-hand curves are taken.

    A then good-friend of mine rode my 45 and decided he needed a 65.

    Oh.
    My.
    Fuckin'.
    Gawd.

    The 45 and 65 were not only quite high-tech for the early-80's, but they both had very complimentary torque/HP curves. No need to rev to 4K RPM to get away from a stop sign. Slowly let the clutch out, and you're putting along.

    Also had one of the best commercials of the day. #honda600
     Reply
    that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
    Image of Murilee Martin Murilee Martin
    11/01/09

    @send lawyers, guns, and money: I think the Metro Gnome Mark II is going to be even more ridiculous than this car, due to full IRS and chain drive. #honda600
     Reply
    Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred
    Image of that ain't the way to have fun, son that ain't the way to have fun, son
    11/01/09

    @Murilee Martin:

    Whoa...

    While I really wish they could incorporate the bulletproof-ness of a shaft drive, I'm all for creativity. #honda600
     Reply
    that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
    Image of Turbineguy - now with reheat!! Turbineguy - now with reheat!!
    11/01/09

    @send lawyers, guns, and money: Agree with the "awesome ride" comment. My first "real" bike was an '86 V65 Magna. (I had three V65 scoots way back when - 2 Magnas and a Sabre) The Magnas were wheelie machines if you were too agressive with the throttle. #honda600
     Reply
    send lawyers, guns, and money promoted this comment Turbineguy - now with reheat!! was starred Turbineguy - now with reheat!! was unstarred
    Image of that ain't the way to have fun, son that ain't the way to have fun, son
    11/01/09

    @Turbineguy - now with reheat!!:

    Heart-clicky for not killing yourself on several machines which outright beg for humans to say,

    "Hey, watch this!"

    I'm very anti-beer and two wheels, otherwise it'd be, "hold my beer". Love 'em both, but together, um...never, ever a good idea.

    I sold the V45 for a Transalp, then added an ST1100 for the long trips.

    However, that V-motor always had appeal.

    The V45 was the first, and only, motorsickle on which I had an unintentional wheelie. I'll never forget immediately looking at sky while foot-fumbling the rear brake.

    I think that was also the machine which was just powerful enough to elevate the front tire maybe ¾" off the ground under full clutch engagement acceleration from near-stopped. You got a "head wiggle" when the tire re-contacted the pavement after 'bout ½ second. #honda600
     Reply
    that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
    Image of Evil_Genius Evil_Genius
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    That was my old RX7, glad to see it go to a good use. It may not have been smart however, to sell it to them, as we are racing against them. We'll just have to up our game in the V8olvo and the 'Members Only' 928 #honda600
     Reply
    Evil_Genius was starred Evil_Genius was unstarred
    Image of that ain't the way to have fun, son that ain't the way to have fun, son
    11/01/09

    @Evil_Genius:

    Wait. You're entering a 928?

    Brave, ye be.

    I saw a very late model one, yesterday, and though to myself, "self, that car is still damned good looking, and if you won the lottery, you could pretend you could afford to own an S4." #honda600
     Reply
    that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
    Image of KillerBRacer KillerBRacer
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    Cool? Yes. I think it's the coolest little beast ever.

    In the spirit of Lemons? Sure, in the same way that NASCAR still races "Stock" cars.

    Charter creep is a bitch.

    Enjoy your cheap crapcan racing while you still can... before you know it these races will be dominated by $100,000 professionally fabbed race cars built inside "$500" skins.

    Oh wait... #honda600
     Reply
    Murilee Martin promoted this comment KillerBRacer was starred KillerBRacer was unstarred
    Image of Murilee Martin Murilee Martin
    11/01/09

    @KillerBRacer: You're going to be even more pissed off when you see what Saleen is bringing...

    Actually, you're going to love it. #honda600
     Reply
    Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred
    Image of Anaximander Anaximander
    11/01/09

    @KillerBRacer:
    As long as they're okay with Jay Lamm claiming the car for $500 it should kinda-sorta keep things in check.
    Of course, that might be a more effective threat if it'd ever actually happened... #honda600
     Reply
    Murilee Martin promoted this comment Anaximander was starred Anaximander was unstarred
    Image of Murilee Martin Murilee Martin
    11/01/09

    @Anaximander: Jay almost claimed the Mini Cooper S at MSR last weekend, but it was just too much hassle to get it back to California.

    However, Thunderhill is nearby and Jay is bringing the car trailer... #honda600
     Reply
    Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred
    Image of 80Kofdrew 80Kofdrew
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    ZOMG!! How can that much crazy be stuffed into that small of a bucket??

    Car pr0n at it's finest. DO WANT!!! #honda600
     Reply
    Novaload promoted this comment 80Kofdrew was starred 80Kofdrew was unstarred
    Image of Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    An extremely cool idea but methinks this is kind of against the spirit of LeMons. Tell me that the equipment this shop has doesn't add value toward the $500 spending limit. This seems more appropriate for the Grassroots Motorsports 200x Challenge. Do they even run that anymore? #honda600
     Reply
    Murilee Martin promoted this comment Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson was starred Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson was unstarred
    Image of Murilee Martin Murilee Martin
    11/01/09

    @Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson: The spirit of LeMons isn't about being cheap (although cheapness helps). It's about escaping the regimented tedium of most road-racing series. #honda600
     Reply
    Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred
    Image of Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson
    11/01/09

    @Murilee Martin: Agreed, but somehow all this expensive engineering to create a "$500 racecar" offsets some of the tongue in cheek irony that makes LeMons so great. #honda600
     Reply
    Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson was starred Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson was unstarred
    Image of CptSevere CptSevere
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    I was really impressed by the Metro Gnome, but this little beastie is just terrific. Wait until coupe z600 gets a load of this. I can already feel the envy radiation.

    Too bad they couldn't have found a laid down Valkyrie, or better yet a CBX. Although cooling a CBX engine would be tough, you'd need a huge fan and duct work.
     Reply
    send lawyers, guns, and money promoted this comment Edited by CptSevere at 11/01/09 12:30 PM CptSevere was starred CptSevere was unstarred
    Image of that ain't the way to have fun, son that ain't the way to have fun, son
    11/01/09

    @CptSevere:

    DOH!

    I knew there was a reason I should have bought the 1800 GW back from the ins. company...had only 2K miles on it before it went both flying and swimming. #honda600
     Reply
    that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
    Image of coupeZ600 coupeZ600
    11/01/09

    @CptSevere: I really thought about Lemons-ing my car when I first got it, but the thought of trying to sell $2500 worth of parts off it to get it to the $500 mark would probably have made it undriveable, and certainly unrestorable. I also saw the reaction from the restoration community when they saw things like this being done to vehicles that were already very rare, the purists decrying the sacrilege, and the pragmatists silently counting how much their car has increased in value with every spark of the torch or howl of the Sawzall. While sitting on the fence on this issue (That's Cool/Reprehensible!), by far the most important thing to me is that I can hoon the hell out of this thing and I'm the only one who knows I'm racing. 70mph on the freeway with the Big Trucks, RV's, ruts, potholes, and expansion-joints takes every bit of concentration you've got, and every stop-sign/street-light is a drag-race. My livelihood requires a clean Driver's License record, and a little underpowered car that makes people (and cops) laugh while I'm holding the accelerator pedal to the floor is a good thing. #honda600
     Reply
    coupeZ600 was starred coupeZ600 was unstarred
    Image of CptSevere CptSevere
    11/02/09

    @coupeZ600: The same principle applied when I had a Honda CB350 twin. Made lotsa noise with the two into one headers at it's 10,000 RPM redline but was going nowhere. Sound and fury, signifying nothing. #honda600
     Reply
    CptSevere was starred CptSevere was unstarred
    Image of Brian Brian
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    I've always been a fan of raw fabricators.Especially for a person that is educated and capable to make their own transmission, that is just a little to cool for me to fathom right now.The builder is worth his salt in my book..because working through all of the know issues and unforeseen problems that arise.This all adds-up and shows a great deal of fortitude that could easily boggle the average persons brain. #honda600
     Reply
    Novaload promoted this comment Brian was starred Brian was unstarred
    Image of clocker clocker
    11/01/09

    In reply to LeMons Madness Level Gets Kicked Up A Few More Notches: V65 Magna-Powered Honda Z600!
    I don't see what could possibly go wrong. #honda600
     Reply
    Novaload promoted this comment clocker was starred clocker was unstarred
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