Tag Archives: works

NewsNew

BLING ON A BUDGET 2001 HONDA CR125 PROJECT: 2-STROKE TUESDAY

This week’s 2-Stroke Tuesday, sponsored by Decal Works, takes us back to a Honda CR125 build from 2016 that may have inspired a project bike trend. We set a $3,000 budget for this CR125 build, including the cost of the bike itself. Back then, prices were much lower than they are now!

Despite the limited budget, we were able to complete this build with some hard work and creativity.

One of the replacements we made was for the OEM Mikuni carburetor, which we damaged while adjusting the jetting. Fortunately, Mikuni offers a replacement that comes pre-jetted and ready to use. It’s a bit more expensive than an option on eBay, but it comes with guaranteed performance and support from the Mikuni team.

The exhaust pipe was damaged, but we were able to get it fixed by Pacific Crest Pipe Repair at a fraction of the cost of a new one. We also cleaned up and repacked the silencer packing, making it good as new. Mylers provided us with replacement radiators, and many OEM parts were restored and reused in the build.

We entrusted LA Sleeve with the complete rebuild of the engine, including repairs to the cylinder. Rebuilding a 2-stroke engine is much more affordable than a 4-stroke engine. We also added Samco silicone radiator hoses for a touch of bling and replaced the worn-out original hoses.

MSR Hardparts offers affordable bolt-on items for older 2-strokes, which we used in this build. The OEM wheel sets were restored by Faster USA for about $200, and they now look amazing.

All the powder coating for this build was done by Chris Johnson and the team at San Diego Powder and Protective Coating. They have experience with both two and four-wheeled vehicles, provide quick turnaround times, and produce outstanding results.

Price: Contact for pricing.

Contact: www.sandiegopowdercoating.com or (619) 956-0987

YES, we did go slightly over budget by about $600, and the bike isn’t perfect. However, it performs excellently at our local track and constantly brings smiles to our faces. We consider that a great success!

BMW

Valentino Rossi Wins his First GT World Challenge Europe Race at Misano

Valentino Rossi, the nine-time motorcycle world champion, has claimed his first victory in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS (GTWC). The race took place at Misano, Italy, and was part of the Sprint Cup in this season’s championship. Rossi, racing alongside Maxime Martin, dominated the one-hour race and secured the win in scorching hot conditions. This victory marks Rossi’s biggest achievement in car racing so far. BMW M Team WRT, Rossi’s team, also celebrated a class win in the Gold Cup, as well as other podium finishes.

Rossi and Martin were elated after their win and were cheered on by their countless fans. This triumph on home soil is Rossi’s most significant success in automobile racing. While he had previously won his first race on four wheels at the ‘Road to Le Mans,’ winning against the best GT racing drivers in the world in GTWC Europe is an even greater accomplishment. Martin played a crucial role in the victory, especially since the last time a BMW race car won in the GTWC Sprint Cup was eight years ago with Martin and Dirk Müller driving a BMW Z4 GT3.

BMW M Team WRT had more reasons to celebrate as well. Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts showed an impressive performance, climbing from 21st on the grid to finish third in the Saturday race. They started from pole position on Sunday but faced setbacks during the pit stop, ultimately settling for ninth place. Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Thomas Neubauer finished third, joining Rossi and Martin on the podium. Niklas Krütten and Calan Williams secured the Gold Cup victory on Sunday.

After the race weekend, Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, congratulated Rossi on his first GT World Challenge Europe victory and praised his development as a driver. Vincent Vosse, Team Principal of BMW M Team WRT, expressed his emotions and highlighted the significance of winning the race with Rossi at Misano. Rossi himself expressed his joy and gratitude, emphasizing the specialness of winning in this racing series at his home circuit. Maxime Martin also shared his excitement and mentioned the momentum they have as a team going into future races. Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts reflected on their performance, acknowledging the setbacks but remaining optimistic about their progress with the BMW M4 GT3.

Featured

2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV First Drive Review: A Practical Missile

Mercedes-AMG is wasting no time in rolling out its revamped lineup as it moves towards full electrification by 2030. The latest addition to its electric vehicle (EV) family is the 2024 AMG EQE SUV. This SUV shares many similarities with its sedan counterpart, the AMG EQE Sedan, but offers extra practicality with increased interior and cargo space. While the shift towards electrification may result in a less thrilling driving experience, the practicality and comfort of the AMG EQE SUV compensate for it.

The design of the AMG EQE SUV closely resembles that of the sedan. It features the same aerodynamic-focused design language that is becoming a trademark for the brand’s EQ models. The front of the SUV is adorned with a Panamericana-style “grille” finished in gloss black, while the lower front fascia incorporates a subtle splitter and air inlets on each side. The SUV maintains the sleek and sporty look of the sedan, with short front and rear overhangs, a sloping roofline, and a tall shoulder line. The rear of the SUV is equipped with a roof spoiler, a small rear window, and a glossy black diffuser in the bumper.

Despite its muscular appearance, the AMG EQE SUV falls on the smaller end of the mid-size SUV segment. It offers 18.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 59.2 cubic feet of space with the seats folded down. Under the hood, the SUV is powered by two permanently excited synchronous motors, which deliver a combined output of 617 horsepower and 701 pound-feet of torque. With the Race Start feature engaged, the power output increases to 677 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque for a faster sprint to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.

On the road, the AMG EQE SUV provides a luxurious and comfortable driving experience. It features adaptive air struts and AMG’s Active Ride Control to minimize body roll and maintain a smooth ride. The SUV offers multiple drive modes, including Slippery, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, which enhance power output, responsiveness, and suspension stiffness. However, the handling in corners may feel less controlled due to the SUV’s weight and body motions. The brake pedal of the EQE SUV varies depending on the amount of electrical regeneration, which can affect the smoothness of the braking experience.

Inside the cabin, the AMG EQE SUV offers a high level of quality and luxury. The centerpiece of the interior is the massive hyperscreen, which combines a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment display, and a passenger screen. The hyperscreen integrates the graphics and systems of all three screens seamlessly, creating a visually appealing and user-friendly interface. The SUV’s interior also features Nappa leather upholstery and minimal use of plastic materials, emphasizing the premium feel of the cabin.

While official range figures for the AMG EQE SUV have not been released, it shares the same 90.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack as the sedan, which has an EPA-estimated range of 225 miles. The SUV is expected to have a slightly lower range due to its heavier weight. It can charge at 170 kW, allowing for approximately 100 miles of range to be recuperated in just 15 minutes. The EQE SUV includes advanced charging features, such as preconditioning the battery based on navigation data to ensure the quickest charging time.

Pricing for the AMG EQE SUV has not been announced yet, but it is expected to start around $110,000, with fully-equipped models reaching closer to $120,000. While the EQE SUV may not deliver the same thrilling driving experience as some of its competitors, its blend of power, comfort, and practicality make it an enticing option for those seeking a high-performance luxury electric SUV.

Car review

BYD Dolphin

The BYD Dolphin, introduced in 2023, comes with standard adaptive cruise control and lane following. However, the system is not as smooth as some other options available in the market. One annoying feature of the Dolphin is its bongs and spoken message that scolds you for exceeding the speed limit, even if you actually haven’t. Unfortunately, turning off this feature can be a hassle. It would be better if there was a simple button to disable it.

Now, let’s talk about the Dolphin’s potential impact on the small EV market. Looking at its pricing, it seems that the Dolphin could be a game-changer.

The base Active model is priced at £25,490. However, we recommend avoiding it due to its torsion-beam suspension and lack of power. For an additional £1000, you can get the Boost model. The Comfort model, which comes with a larger battery, is priced at £29,490. Finally, the fully loaded Design model will set you back £30,990. Comparing to other options in this price range, such as the MG 4 EV, which has a different character, the Dolphin either offers a considerably larger size or a significantly longer range.

Speaking of range, the Dolphin impresses with its excellent range for a car of this size. In a road test of the Atto 3, we found that the efficiency indicator was overly optimistic. Therefore, we take the Dolphin’s claimed efficiency of 4.1 miles per kilowatt-hour (which translates to 249 miles of range) with skepticism. Nevertheless, achieving a comfortably doable range of 200 miles should not be a problem.

BYD aims for people to buy its cars based on style and individuality rather than just affordability. However, the current version of the Dolphin lacks the refinement in terms of multimedia, chassis, and some interior materials to truly impress. Nevertheless, its attractive pricing may make up for some of its flaws.

News, Technology

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Will Have a New Health Feature to Monitor Irregular Heart Rhythm

Samsung is introducing a new Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) system in the Samsung Health Monitor app. This system will work alongside existing metabolic detection services that monitor heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood pressure. While the app is running, the IHRN system quietly tracks your vitals in the background and immediately notifies you if any irregularities are detected. Atrial fibrillation, while not always immediately concerning, can indicate the potential for stroke or heart disease. Therefore, receiving immediate notifications can be life-saving.

Hon Pak, Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics, stated, “Cardiovascular disease remains a significant cause of death worldwide, and we are committed to enabling our users to stay informed about their heart health by providing monitoring tools, including blood pressure measurement and irregular heart rhythm notification. We are constantly exploring new ways to help Galaxy Watch users effortlessly gain deeper insights into their health and wellness, day and night.”

The IHRN feature will come as a standard in the Samsung Health Monitor app and will be available on Galaxy Watch devices. It will be included in the new One UI 5 Watch, set to launch later this year, and will also be made compatible with previous Watch versions.