Vr 360?

[Stan S]

stan your right but there still live one more that was built by lyle

Chis, I didn't know that still existed. I would be very interested in hearing about it's known history. The one I have came with some paperwork from Lyall and some specially made conrods that were manufactured for Gary's bikes. I ate plenty of dirt from behind these bikes in 73 and 74 before Gary received a prototype VA360 for the 75 season. Got to eat plenty from behind that one as well  . I would love to know where that prototype ended up.

Stan.

[JC]

Lyle sent me some info/pics on this bike too, which I've previously posted on here. I'll have to check my info but I'm sure he said he built about 4  VR360's. Of course he could have been stretching the truth (which wasn't unheard of!)

Did Ed Lancaster ride one too?

He also built some 360  63Ms too but he said they weren't so successful. I know Ed rode 1 of those.  Just as an aside, how many remember Ed won an Oz title on the humble 4sp 125 Mont in 72 or 73


Getting back to the original question about the VR engine, I'm no Montesa engine building guru, but the VR/V75 sleeve is quite thick - OD is 80.5mm w 70mm bore. I'd have tho't that could be safely bored to take a 75mm piston, perhaps even 76mm, if you could find one w a 16mm gudgeon to suit the rod.

 Perhaps try watercraft pistons. Kaw often used 16mm gudgeons.

That would give about 280 - 290cc. But I have no idea if the stock rod/big-end could handle it reliably.

It would take some boring tho. The liner is very hard. Lyle once told me the Rockwell hardness but I've long since forgotten it.

[firko]

how many remember Ed won an Oz title on the humble 4sp 125 Mont in 72 or 73

1972
1: Ed Lancaster......Montesa
2: Steven Cramer...KTM
2: Geoff Taylor......Yamaha

Cramers second spot is the earliest title rostrum appearance by KTM too.

[albrid-3]

Gary was the only person racing the VR360, the 73 bike was change due to an accident at Calder Rally cross, Gary`s front wheel hit a bog hole which was on the corner of the S-bend and shot gary and the vr off the track over the bitumen track hit the guard rail and rolled on top off the guard rail and came to rest, I was racing that same day same class because I hit the same hole on my husky and it to shot the rear wheel up in the air and rode the full length of the back straight on the front wheel. Gary`s Monty was wrecked Tank, frame etc. then Lyall built the 74 model.