> > Paul,
> > Have you seen this video of the Suzuki RE-5? Especially
> interesting is
> > the peripheral port and the things they do with the exhaust pipe.
> Does
> > anyone know what was used to coat the rotor housing? The narrator
> spoke
> > of the ease of servicing. Can anyone who owned one of these bikes
> > comment on that aspect? Could we find any photos of a teardown?
> Dealer
> > service training info? Perhaps some knowledge gained can be > used for
> > aircraft engines. What caused the demise of this bike?
> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkPeB1rAagU&feature=related
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkPeB1rAagU&feature=related>
>
>
>
> > > > Jim Brewer
> > > > That is cool. Here are some pictures I have.
> > > I have no idea why they stopped building it.
> >
> <snip>
>
> Paul Lamar
>
> There were several problems with the RE-5. First, they had a horrible
> backfire problem because they refused to inject the engine at the low
> price point they were shooting for. That could be corrected. They > used
> a dual points system to retard timing in decel. While I love the
> function of the rotary, the RE-5 was simply one of the ugliest bikes
> ever built. OK I know that appearance is a subjective thing, but the
> public treated the RE-5 like a leper. That and production costs
> killed it.
> Bill Jepson
>
> "the RE-5 was simply one of the ugliest bikes ever built."
>
> Bill,
>
> Thanks for saying what I was thinking. While I love the rotary, and the
> RE-5 rotary engine sure wasn't ugly, but they sure stuck it in an ugly
> frame. If they had used that as an opportunity to update their styling,
> they would have had a real winner. Too bad, its water under the bridge
> now.
>
> Mark S.

There's one for sale on eBay right now, in case anyone is
interested...in Las Vegas.
Item number: 280224346881

5 days left...bid is currently up to $1525.

Seller has excellent, though low feedback, and Atkins Rotary has dealt
with him in the past.

Harley Dixon

Harley et all,
Unless you are looking for an archive bike, I would stay away from the RE-5.
Not because it was a bad machine, but parts are non existant now. The
engine would be the easy part. Every part on that bike was relitively
unique.
They were after a "round" look. the instrument cluster was a round cylinder
going left to right, and had a little Speed Racer cover that swung open
when
you turned the key! Interesting but impossible to replace unless you're
Bill Gates
or something. If you are interested in a novel item ok, otherwise beware.
Bill Jepson


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