Big Red (motorcycle)
The Big Red was the machine with which the American Don Vesco set the motorcycle speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats with 405.25 km / h on September 17, 1970 .
During Bonneville Speed Week 1969, Vesco had reached a speed of 227 mph (365 km / h) with the Big Red Yamaha . The following year he made several attempts with the five and a half meter long motorcycle built from a drop tank to break Robert Leppan's record (395 km / h), which had existed since 1966, and was successful with 405.25 km / h. A month later, the record was broken again: Cal Rayborn achieved an average of two runs in opposite directions 427.25 km / h.
The motorcycle is now an exhibit at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum .
Technical specifications
General data
| Length: | 5486 mm |
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engine
| Type: | 2 Yamaha - two-cylinder engines of 350 cm³ |
|---|---|
| Working method: | Two-stroke engine |
| Power: | unknown |
Power transmission
| Drive: | Rear wheel drive |
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landing gear
| Frame: | Monocoque |
|---|---|
| Brakes: | Braking parachute |
swell
- 1969 - 1970 Don breaks motorcycle landspeed record , Team Vesco official website (accessed January 18, 2014)
- Power, speed and drag , website "yamaha-motor.eu" (accessed on January 19, 2014)
Web links
Commons : Big Red - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
