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| Matsu Matsuzawa Talks: | ||||||||||
| Matsu Matsuzawa competed in the 1983, 84 and 85 Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Contests. After 27 years, I asked this great competitor how he was doing and would he tell the new generation how he achieved such incredible mileage. Here in his own words, Matsu talks: | ||||||||||
| Beer and ice cream? From his biggest competition, the Rifle Team. Looks suspicious. | ||||||||||
| Most people think you simply lower the needle and put in smaller jets to get good mileage. Maybe put on a smaller carb. I know there is a lot more. Will you describe your entry? The bike:”No name”,”Egg”,”Spud” Put new name on each year . The modifications you made: *Stroke up 125cc to 185cc *Put neutral between top gear and 4th gear *Changed all grease and oil to very light weight machine oil. (Engine oil, Wheel hub grease, Chain and etc.) *Change valve spring to light weight (thin &soft) *Change fr. and rr. sprockets. *carburator modify (Jetting &size) *High air pressure in tires. *Duct tape work on my shirt and pants to tight up cloth! What worked? *Everything What did not work? *None Can you tell us what mistakes you made so the new generation of builders does not have to make them? *I do not remember Mufflers… what worked what did not work? *Silent with it, noisy without it. What can you tell us about spark timing? I believe some of you actually moved your timing around, manually. Can you tell us what worked? *It worked by Ken’s (Ken Miyako) finger touch. How many speeds were used in your tranny? *5 speeds It is generally believed that false neutrals and or sprag sprockets were used? *I do not know meaning of “false neutrals and or sprag sprockets” Did you have to use an additional jack-shaft to get it geared up? *No What about wheels and tires? Big diameter vs small diameter… *17 inch on both What tire pressure seemed best? *Higher the better” Streamlining: Do you recall in your testing, the effect of having your streamlined body on versus off? I think people would like to have some seat of the pants answers for the value of streamlining. *It’s a lot different. No resist on air made no sound around my helmets. *It looked weired without fairing, because crauching riding style.
Would you like to give credit to anybody that helped you? This is a good place and time. *Ken Miyako, Vernon Gavert, Gabor Copectiboght, and Steve Jones.
Applying your lessons today:
Today, if you wanted to build a usable, high mileage machine for real, solo, cross country riding (coast to coast) please describe what kind of machine you would start with and what you would do to it: *Buy Honda Insight, drive easy with air conditioner. The size…two seater Hybrid. What general guidelines can you offer to riders to get better mileage? The pros and cons of, shifting early, lugging the engine, coasting, tidbits that you can offer to help the new generation. *Enjoy ride to try get low mileage result. Try many ways, but with fun!! t what you are doing today? *Creating Honda’s Global Corporate Advertisement. *Trying to make Honda as the most crazy company. Is your Fuel Economy bike still around? Where? Honda had the machine crushed about 2006. I really hope to see you soon Craig. You have given great fun time for me, and that was one of best experience to feel an American friendship. It is a big pride for me that there was only one Japanese guy had stand on the center podium at Lagna Seca circuit Surprisingly three times. (First time was just only stand on, no win.but any way)
Matsu Sep. 1, 2005 | ||||||||||
| Page updated Jan 5, 2008 | ||||||||||
