Bimota Forum

[Gavin944888]

Here is an image which started this whole process.

What I witnessed, was the factory protoype, still being developed after 10000 man hours, mainly all by the same guy: Davide Commandini.

He came up with the design, wrote the software, built the bike and tested over a few thousand kms

Including....2 frames...3 engines...2 sets of forks (Ohlins and Marzocchi RAC50) and rear shocks (Extreme Tech and Ohlins) and 2 dash units until it was right.

Only for the whole idea to be shelved, when it had passed the 12000 man hour limit the Swiss owners had capped it at......at approx 55-60 euro per man hour.



[img]2_35529594050_o by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]


If you look closely you will view the wiring hanging down at the side for what I thought was easy access................wrong.


It turns out that the wiring was so cumbersome, that it was easier to leave it hanging!

So........cast on some 18 months and a call from X Bikes followed by 'It wouldn't fit' was met with 'Why not?'

Wisbech is a strange place, where a lots of folk have the same surnames and it takes hours to get there from this little island on the Thames river.

So....off I trot to try to assist in getting 3 gallons of stuff into a 1 gallon can.


First off the battery box...a smaller lithium unit and stuck to the side of the engine between the radiator and engine cases....that saved a bit of space and was smaller than the OEM unit.




[img]P1040665 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]






[img]P1040664 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]



The seat unit and rear fuel assembly (fuel pump no longerin the tank) is more complicated......I had already fabricated something which I thought was good enough.




[img]IMAG0292 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]



Unfortunately...although a lovely design and execution...it was no good!

If this is what X Bikes are dealing with........Lordy knows how Bimota does it?



[img]P1040659 (003) by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]




[img]P1040662 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]




[img]P1040660 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]



So...... after a lot of placing and stratching of heads on how to mount the units ....we come to this.


[img]P1040661 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]


We now have the fuel regulator, fuel pump and fuel break connectors all hidden in the seat hump.

Added to this ....we have the programmable ECU fixed in there also.


All this leads to the question 'How do we dismantle this thing?'


Ahhhhh...........I learnt this at VYRUS......they used these......VYRUS broke the complete loom into 3 sections each with twist connectors straight from the German milatilary spec supplier!






[img]P1040667 (002) by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]




Here is a side view of the female waterproof, fireproof and very expensive connectors.




[img]P1040668 (002) by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]



It is difficult, as this is not how or where or even to what spec...I would have done it....but you give a specialist his head and you get the best.


Also............he has dicovered 3D printing and thought the connectors would look good if on show.

He also used the 3D printer on the rear tail light bracket....resulting in this




[img]P1040670 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]



And this gave the rear end a better finish.....






[img]P1040673 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]



Although, he got carried away and forgot that the OEM Bimota hanging number plate carbon fibre tail section was in another box!

Still................I guess that he wanted to show his sheet metal experience.


So, the tail unit and ECU, fuel pump, filters, regulstor, tail-light and all conectors are now finished.


Part 1 of the wiring is done.....next the engine side, regulator and fans which is

Part 2 .....followed by the front of the bike (Part 3) including dash assembly......


More to follow......soon....I hope.....will it be in Manchester at the 2Bims show?



Gavin
the Scottish Engineer
_________________
On an Island in the River Thames!

Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger

[djt77]

Great to see this still moving along Gavin, you have done a great job to keep it going, i for one cant wait to see the end result and hear the first ride reports back

[TVRRICH]

Thanks for the update Gavin, really interesting stuff as usual. Cant wait for the finished item

[2bims]

I phone we're all waiting for the finished product(s)...just not quite as much as gav is....nearly there....37 days until the bike show...

[Gavin944888]

Sometimes you post something and then it vanishes. Other times you copy and paste and it also vanishes.

Bearing in mind I have just hit 60....these computer things are good BUT frustrating.

Here are some missing images;



A better angle of shot of the female connectors as used on my VYRUS.

VYRUS offer 2 wiring looms ..standard and race...

These fittings form the race option components.



[img]P1040668 (002) by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]





In the very best theme of 'Let's make a template'....here is one I made earlier!





[img]P1040684 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]



And another ........just as I am getting the hang if it.



[img]P1040683 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]




So...........as most of the work under the seat unit is now completed.....by the way..this is how it started....and that is the MICROTEC ECU.







[img]P1040685 by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]



I am thinking of building model ships in glass bottles!




More soon

Gavin
The Scottish Engineer
_________________
On an Island in the River Thames!

Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger

[Gavin944888]

Ladies and Gentlemen....more residue from the hand wipes of a serial tinkerer...thought I might go topical!

Here we go.....again:


The wiring stalled from Aug 19 till Jan 20 and it seemed that all was lost....for a time I thought it was over.


XBikes were really against it with family issues, illness and the obvious knock on effects on business and work flow.

The DB7-11VLX mule was way down their list and just a time pit.

I spoke with Chris owner of XBikes, tried to assist in a new time line and targets whilst not just demoralling the poor guy.

The Manchester show was used as a target and as I type 2Bims has just announced that it has been cancelled due to Coronus Virus

.......so here we are...the latestest images of electrical work to date.


To me it looks right...which means, it probably is....no short cuts ..all tidy and all working.

Ignore the cardboard template....the sheet alloy one is away being coated.




[img]P1040699 (003) by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]







[img]P1040700 (002) by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]







[img]P1040701 (002) by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]




I find it difficult to comment on.....but looks GOOD!





[img]P1040702 (002) by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]






[img]P1040703 (002) by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]





I like the attention to detail...it speaks volumes regarding the quality of a persons work





[img]P1040704 (003) by bear (as in animal ..not gay idol), on Flickr[/img]





I particulary like the cassette type approach where everything come out as one........very race type orientated.


More to follow..regards

Gavin

I know nothing of wiring!
_________________
On an Island in the River Thames!

Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger

[2bims]

I want to both Stand and admire and applaud...and then also run for the hills at the complexity and worry....The work of demons and goblins and other mythical creatures that live at the bottom of the garden

[quikduk]

Gavin, it continues to baffle my very small mind at how far you have come on this journey. I can't wait so see a video and hear a sound clip of this thing running.

[Gavin944888]

Well....something stirring.

Like an old man reliving the exploits of youth......there’s something happening.

AWeek ago, Chris the software engineer called and asked for the keys!

He wanted to fuel and test the fuel tank prior to first ignition.

His planned start up is via normally aspirated .....then supercharger introduction

The keys are for the fuel tank only as he has programmed for phone activation ignition

So.....something is a happening.

Which ...off topic ......takes me to an overheard conversation

A guy is seriously worried about this fathers addiction to Viagra.
He is expressing his concerns to his own son and the implications associated with this addiction

‘ No one is taking it harder than Grand Ma’. He states


Regards

Gavin
The Scottish Engineer
_________________
On an Island in the River Thames!

Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger

[brian]

Good to see there's still some progress on this one Gav. Excited for you, it will be nice to finally hear it running and spinning that supercharger
_________________
'99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851

[Gavin944888]

Yes......2020 has had a profound effect on projects .......and the world

Some are completed in record time whilst others are just waiting

The Manc show is normally a catalyst to get done certain bikes for the March

But the 2020 cancellation of Madchester Live Bimota stand run by 2Bims, stopped a lot in their tracks....

....who knows maybe 2021 will see 2 Bimota Superchargers on the stand, now...that’s something to aim for

Regards

Gavin
The Scottish Engineer
_________________
On an Island in the River Thames!

Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger

[2bims]

I dont know about "runs" the Bimota stand......perhaps I turn the tap and try to coerce folk to provide the flow.....

But yeh.....a few folk used to "aim" for the March end date to finish a project or at least get one back onto its wheels.....I've heard nothing more from the organisers since they postponed this years show until next year....Normally they would be starting to sell cut-price advance tickets at this time of the year but they havent done so.....Mind you....those that bought last year for this year still havent been refunded for this year....including the dealers and their high priced stands

[Gavin944888]

Hello......from an Island in the River Thames.

Mist is lingering on the dis-used oil transfer jetty and the temp is 11 degrees....almost shorts weather in Scotland.

However this is England and here is an update on the VLX.

Well it starts...everything works...next up the DYNO.

I was sent 2 videos to inspect and all looks good.

I have asked 2Bims to access the files and upload on my behalf as that seems like a demonic task.

I hope to come back after 2Bims has done his work and chip in with more details....
but there are about 11 minutes of general walk round electrical explanation video...I went for a bovril half way though....I hate electrics.

regards

Gavin
The Scottish Engineer
_________________
On an Island in the River Thames!

Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger

[2bims]

https://youtu.be/Y2fR3Y0q0Nw

Click and play....and turn up your volume.....if youre suffering from insomnia...

[2bims]

https://youtu.be/pQH5teGSAgA

instructions as above