The Lambky Liner is a motorcycle land-speed record streamliner designed by Navy veteran and Vincent motorcycle restorer Max Lambky from Kansas, United States.[3] It reached a top recorded speed of 250 mph (400 km/h) at the 2007 International Motorcycle Speed Trials,[1] and an estimated 275 mph (443 km/h) in second gear before a supercharger spindle broke and spoiled a run in 2008.[2]
| Manufacturer | Max Lambky |
|---|---|
| Assembly | c. 1990–2012 (12 redesigns) |
| Class | Speed record streamliner motorcycle |
| Engine | Two, c. 1,000 cc supercharged Vincent Motorcycles pushrod V-twin engines Alcohol fuel |
| Top speed | 250–275 mph (402–443 km/h)[1][2] |
| Brakes | Parachute assist |
| Weight | 1,600 pounds (730 kg) with rider and fuel (wet) |
Design and construction
editWorld record holder Don Vesco consulted with Lambky on several features of streamliner design that Lambky utilized, including hub-center steering.[4]
The streamliner is powered by dual alcohol-burning supercharged Vincent Motorcycles pushrod V-twin engines, built in 1949 and 1952.[5][6][7] The total displacement is almost 2,000 cc running on alcohol, developing c. 400 horsepower (300 kW).[5][6]
Total weight with rider and fuel is 1,600 pounds (730 kg).[6] Frontal area is 4 square feet (0.37 m2).[8]
As of 2012, nine iterations of the streamliner had been built by Lambky, including a sidecar configuration.[3] Development costs were reported as $100,000 in 1997,[5] and over $150,000 by 2008.[6]
Riders
editRiders included Don Angel, the first, who was recorded going 150 mph (240 km/h) through the timing lights backwards in 2006,[2] and Hartmut Weidelich, a German who also rebuilt the engines.[2][9][10]
Records
editThe streamliner won an award at the 2005 Speed Trials by BUB at Bonneville Speedway in the antique division at 212.86 miles per hour (342.56 km/h).[9][11]
In September, 2010, it set a new Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) record of 191.303 miles per hour (307.872 km/h) in the SCS-PBF class; SCS stands for special construction (hub steering, two engine) streamliner; PBF stands for piston, blown, (alcohol/nitro) fuel.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b Rocky Robinson (6 August 2008), Salt Addiction: Lambkys Liner, Motorcycle USA
- ^ a b c d Rocky Robinson (8 September 2009), Salt Addiction: First, Best and Next, Motorcycle USA
- ^ a b Rocky Robinson (21 June 2012), Salt Addiction: Max Lambky, Motorcycle USA
- ^ Lambky, Max (November 2007), 1990-1992 First Streamliner
- ^ a b c "A 400-MPH Vincent?", Cycle World, 36 (9): 26, September 1997
- ^ a b c d Motorcycle Lightning: Vincent Streamliners, How Stuff Works, December 2008, archived from the original on 3 March 2016, retrieved 5 October 2014
- ^ Johnson, Wayne (2010). Live to ride: the rumbling, roaring world of speed, escape, and adventure on two wheels. Atria Books. pp. 203–244, chapter 7, "At the Last, Fastest Place on Earth: Salt Fever". ISBN 978-1416550327. p. 222
- ^ Aero-Horsepower & Drag Loss Calculator, Los Angeles: RB Racing
- ^ a b Mark Rustigian (March–April 2007), "Sonny Angel Motorcycles", Motorcycle Classics
- ^ ""GRIP – Das Motormagazin": "Der Ferrari F12 Berlinetta"" [GRIP – the motor magazine: the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta], Focus (in German), 28 September 2012
- ^ Second annual international motorcycle speed trials—Cash Prize Award Recipients, BUB Racing Inc., 12 September 2005, archived from the original on 14 January 2012, retrieved 5 October 2014
- ^ "Lambky Liner", SCTA records page, Southern California Timing Association, archived from the original on 30 November 2014, retrieved 5 October 2014
Further reading
edit- Rocky Robinson (19 September 2008). "Salt Addiction: BUB Speed Trials". Motorcycle USA.
- Max Lambky (July–September 1997). "Details of the World Speed Record Machine". M.P.H., Journal of the HRD Vincent Owners Club (582, 583 and 584).
- Max Lambky (July 1997). "Details of the world speed record machine, part one" (PDF). M.P.H. (582): 34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
- chassis: tow release, parachutes, tyres and wheels;
- drivetrain: engine coupling, clutch, jackshaft
- Max Lambky (August 1997). "Details of the world speed record machine, part two" (PDF). M.P.H. (582): 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
- steering: hubs, steering ratio and steering geometry;
- chassis: aerodynamics;
- engine: engine cooling; cylinder heads, valve train and timing; pistons, rods and crankpins; break-in; flywheels; oiling system; crankcases
- Max Lambky (September 1997). "Details of the world speed record machine, part three" (PDF). M.P.H. (582): 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
- transmission: air shifter;
- engine: volumetric efficiency, fuel injection, nitrous
- Max Lambky (July 1997). "Details of the world speed record machine, part one" (PDF). M.P.H. (582): 34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
