Lambky Liner
ManufacturerMax Lambky
Assemblyc. 1990–2012 (12 redesigns)
ClassSpeed record streamliner motorcycle
EngineTwo, c. 1,000 cc supercharged Vincent Motorcycles pushrod V-twin engines
Alcohol fuel
Top speed250–275 mph (400–443 km/h)[1][2]
BrakesParachute assist
Wet weight1,600 pounds (730 kg) with rider and fuel

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]

Design and construction

World 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

Riders 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

The 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

  1. ^ Rocky Robinson (August 6, 2008), "Salt Addiction: Lambkys Liner", Motorcycle USA
  2. ^ Rocky Robinson (September 8, 2009), "Salt Addiction: First, Best and Next", Motorcycle USA
  3. ^ Rocky Robinson (June 21, 2012), "Salt Addiction: Max Lambky", Motorcycle USA
  4. ^ Lambky, Max (November 2007), "1990-1992 First Streamliner"
  5. ^ "A 400-MPH Vincent?", Cycle World. 36 (9): 26, September 1997
  6. ^ "Motorcycle Lightning: Vincent Streamliners", How Stuff Works, December 2008, archived from the original on 2016-03-03, retrieved 2014-10-05
  7. ^ 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
  8. ^ "Aero-Horsepower & Drag Loss Calculator", Los Angeles: RB Racing
  9. ^ Mark Rustigian (March–April 2007), "Sonny Angel Motorcycles", Motorcycle Classics
  10. ^ ""GRIP – Das Motormagazin": "Der Ferrari F12 Berlinetta"" [GRIP – the motor magazine: the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta] (in German), Focus, September 28, 2012
  11. ^ "Second annual international motorcycle speed trials—Cash Prize Award Recipients", BUB Racing Inc., September 12, 2005, archived from the original on January 14, 2012, retrieved October 5, 2014
  12. ^ "Lambky Liner", SCTA records page, Southern California Timing Association, archived from the original on 2014-11-30, retrieved 2014-10-05

Further reading