> > 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

Hi all -

The later models of this bike had most of the Suzuki GS-750 for the
cosmetics & running gear. The fancy cosmetics were dumped for
production reasons. Hope this helps -

Ride & Fly Good -
Bryan In England


Bryan, was the Norton always a two rotor engine?

Paul Lamar

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