Phantom Phun

[Tahitian_Red]

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!
 

[mx250]

  They are so nimble and sweet handling!
 

A good chassis and light weight I take it.

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

[Tahitian_Red]

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.
 

[090]

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]

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.
 

Thanks Red. Comments like that give a good 'feel' for the bike and to understand if the reputation is real or BS  . Thanks again .

[Tahitian_Red]

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.

[VMX60]

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]

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.

[matcho mick]

i'm running a 34mm dellorto on my phantom (barrell  ),but then again i'm not reving the begeezas out of it ,

[evo550]

The GP2's came standard with a 36mm bing

[Tahitian_Red]

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. 

[mx250]

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  .  Carby size was definitely part of masturbation marketing back in the day .  .