> 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



     > > > 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

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