Author Topic: Phantom Phun  (Read 3832 times)

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Offline Tahitian_Red

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Phantom Phun
« on: June 14, 2011, 01:49:08 am »
I finally got to race one of my Phantoms a few weeks back, at Brad Lackey's Nor Cal Classic.  I raced a loner Phantom last year, when this one was totally flooded out from a leaking petcock, but nothing like tearing it up on your own bike.  If you ever get a chance to race one don't pass it up.  They are so nimble and sweet handling!
 ;D

The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

mx250

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2011, 06:01:58 am »
  They are so nimble and sweet handling!
 ;D

A good chassis and light weight I take it.

Whatcha reckon, more the light weight or more the chassis?

Offline Tahitian_Red

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2011, 06:18:09 am »
Since the last Vintage bike I raced was a 74 TM250 (prior to a Phantom), the weight seems to be the most impressive thing.  It went where ever I pointed it and probably would have it is was 15 lbs heavier.  As with most great bikes, it's probably the totally well thought out package that gets the job done.
 ;D
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

090

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2011, 07:25:53 am »
Cool! So what carby are you running? How does the motor feel? Peaky or broad power? Plenty of horses? I can't wait to get stuck into mine.

mx250

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2011, 08:27:09 am »
Since the last Vintage bike I raced was a 74 TM250 (prior to a Phantom), the weight seems to be the most impressive thing.  It went where ever I pointed it and probably would have it is was 15 lbs heavier.  As with most great bikes, it's probably the totally well thought out package that gets the job done.
 ;D
Thanks Red. Comments like that give a good 'feel' for the bike and to understand if the reputation is real or BS  :P. Thanks again 8).

Offline Tahitian_Red

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2011, 08:40:31 am »
Cool! So what carby are you running? How does the motor feel? Peaky or broad power? Plenty of horses? I can't wait to get stuck into mine.

Brad,

I'm running a 34mm Mikuni.  I think the pilot jet was a little lean and it is definitely geared tall by a few teeth, so I had to keep it wound up.   The loaner Phantom I raced last year was strong off idle and through the mid-range.  It was stock except for a Circle F pipe and jetting changes.
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

Offline VMX60

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2011, 09:16:46 pm »
Hey Brad

The Phantom just grows on you as a race bike

Run a 38mm Mikuni for vmx.  The  34mm is way to small for the Phantom models

Cheers

090

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #7 on: June 16, 2011, 06:49:59 pm »
A 38mm on a 250? A bit big don't you think? I wouldn't want to fit something that big on it.
I will try the bing first and see how it goes.
I'm keen to get it out there to see how it feels and to put a bit of exotica on the track rather than just another green stripe.

Offline matcho mick

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #8 on: June 16, 2011, 07:39:20 pm »
i'm running a 34mm dellorto on my phantom (barrell  ;D),but then again i'm not reving the begeezas out of it ;), :P
work,the curse of the racing class!!
if a hammer dosn't fix it,you have a electrical problem!!

Offline evo550

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2011, 09:31:29 pm »
The GP2's came standard with a 36mm bing

Offline Tahitian_Red

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #10 on: June 17, 2011, 03:11:17 am »
I was told the Bing 36mm flows similar to a Mikuni 38mm, but I always go conservative on carburetion.  (My Can-Am MX6 250 runs a 34mm Mikuni and my Can-Am engine guru said I would love it with a 32mm.)

I'm sure the Phantom would make more upper mid to top end power with a 38mm Mikuni, but I would never really use it, being a Novice.  Another concern for me was the Phantom's reputation as a "Wheelie Machine" and the 34mm does keep the front end down better.

We all have different skill levels and powerband needs, so to each his own.  :)
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

mx250

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Re: Phantom Phun
« Reply #11 on: June 17, 2011, 08:04:36 am »
Although I don't own or run a Phantom I'm with you Red. The smaller the carb more bottom end and mid-range, and the more tractable and controllable the delivery and drive.

A 34mm Miki sounds about right to me. You could try a 36 or even 38 but for most mere mortals at MX I would expect a 34 to give the best results in the most situations, and there would only be a poofteenth at the top end anyway.

On hard packed MX circuits and Dirt Track the 36 or 38 might start having advantages.

I think carby size is associated with Penis Envy  :D.  Carby size was definitely part of masturbation marketing back in the day :o;) ;D.