TOPIC:

I'm trying to collect a few things to improve the performance and wondering if someone like Kanonordie could chime in.

I have a Nordwest and a Saturno with a spare Nordwest engine to transplant at some stage. I think I read how two 33mm Keihin CR
have been tried with a suitable manifold.

I also have a spare Saturno head........has anyone tried a single 39mm keihin, or even a 41mm with this head on the 558cc bottom end?

I'm also planning to rebuild the exhaust system in stainless. Have read various things about increasing the existing header diameter(32mm OD) slightly. Depends on whats available in stainless, probable 38mm OD

I'm also going to try an electric water pump....my Saturno came with a Bosch one, but will also try a cheaper ceramic solar water heater pump.I haven't tried removing the thermostat yet.
If the temperature gauge can be believed, the cooling sometimes works well, and other times not. This is with a good water pump, bled system, and reasonable ambient temps (20 deg C.)

On another note, I discovered last night that the Nordwests' handling improved a lot with 32psi in the front tyre rather than 14 !!

My Saturno is fitted a 558 Nordie engine with 2xKeihin cr carbs, this require frame mods to fit the carbs, others have gone the 41mm single carb route, with 500 Saturno head fitted with bigger Nordie valves and 558 Nordie barrel and pistons this requires an extra oil hole in the head gasket, Joachim is the expert on this mod
My Kawasaki zx10r engine in a race care is fitted a 12v Mikuni water pump, as I needed the water pump drive for a dry sump scavenge pump, nice little pump, I did post a part number somewhere on a previous posting.
John

water hole, not oil
The water chanels in the head have different positions.

There are also 2 different engine cases out there. Early Saturnos may have the old 350ccm case.
Newer the reinforced one.
Maybe it's better to use a Nordie engine and replace only the head.

Choosing which diameter for the header pipes depends on what you want to use the bike. For the track you may use something bigger. That ends up in having more power at higher revs. But it's also meaning you will have less at low revs.
Maybe not the best or road use.

ciao Joachim

Thanks John and Joachim.

Yes I'm planning on using the Nordwest engine and altering the frame to make room for the carbs as necessary.
Although the idea of a more race orientated engine has its appeal, I am more likely to ride it on the road and want the low down grunt.

John, were those dual Keihin CR's a pain to set up? I'm looking at a set that came off a 750 ss Ducati....

They were already set up by the original builder when I got the bike and have always behaved well since I had it, I had a second set of CR carbs ex 72degrees hillclimb big bore Nordwest that ran a little rich when fitted to my standard Nordie, I will open the Saturno CR's and get the jet sizes if you need them?
you do have to cut bits out of the frame to fit CR's which many would not like to do!
Regards John