MMRanch wrote on 12/04/21 at 07:25:55:



I believe liquid cooling is a necessary evil of modern engines and current emission requirements.

Air cooled VW's disappeared - then Porsche.....they just couldn't provide the kind of performance and longevity that was required as the emission requirements got stricter and they both had to go to water cooling - and now it is happening with motorcycles.

I can remember it was common to have to put a new water pump in a a vehicle now and then...... but I have not put one in a car in a very long time - even when they have lots of year and miles on them.  My 2006 Pontiac Vibe has 190,000 miles and is still on the original water pump and serpentine belt!  I was going to replace the belt last spring before the trip to Texas - but when I inspected it the belt was in good shape and didn't need to be replaced.  (I do replace the coolant every 4-5 years).

I have owned 5 water cooled bikes, and I have never had a problem with any of them (Honda ST1100 & NT700, Ninja 250, BMW F800 and R1200RT).  High compression and low emission engines just seem to require water cooling.

Having a radiator on a motorcycle doesn't bother me much......although it would be nice if it wasn't too ugly!

Ruttly wrote on 12/06/21 at 01:18:30:


If BSA wants to sell a lot of motorcycles - they will have to make a 350cc bike.  Royal Enfield sold 20 times more of the 350cc bike than they did the 500cc Bullet, and that is why they chose to make the 350cc Meteor.  When they designed a new emission compliant bike they only chose to make the more popular 350cc bike and they and no longer make a 500cc bike.  In the parts of the world where they sell most of the Royal Enfield - a 500cc bike is too big!    

Woe is me! why are all of these great new bikes coming now when I'm gettin' too old to enjoy them? This new BSA looks just like my old one and that was a great bike. The CR on this bike is 11:1 ?
Cheers!  
ps: that porky header is actually a cover?

I have heard from several of my local riding buddies that they think the radiator is too bulky looking.

I would not be surprised if BSA redesigns that before production.....or that an aftermarket "slimline" radiator will be made before long.

This is a little off topic but several years ago a member posted pictures of a Savage that was modified to look similar to the original BSA Goldstar.  I searched for it but didn't have any luck.  I vaguely recall that the guy said it was his father's project.  It looked good.  If anyone can find that post I would like to take a closer look at that project.

To me it looks like the added frame loop supporting the rear fender is where the shock used to go and they made a new rear shock mount , higher and further back , bet ride is improved over stock. Better swingarm to frame geometry.

Triumph did a better job of hiding the radiator on the current Thruxton/Bonneville. Maybe BSA will tie it up a bit?
Hopefully someone I know buys one and asks me to help drop 50 pounds off of it.
Usual stuff:
Lighter exhaust, ditch the Cat. Tubeless conversion. Lithium battery. Make as many parts out of aluminum that are now steel. And so on.
I’ve been helping a bud sort out his 650 Enfield. Already faster, lighter, better handling than it was.