Kenny Roberts KR05 GP bike lives again

This bike image explains why there has not been many posts on this news page in recent weeks as I have been locked away in the workshop getting this awesome KR05 Moto GP bike back running again just in time for Kenny Roberts to ride it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The bike has a V5 1000cc Honda engine and was last ridden by Kenny's son back in 06. Since then it has sat in a UK workshop without any electronics as these were removed by Honda.

Then only a few weeks ago I had a call from Barry Ward at GPMS to let me know Kenny had been invited to ride it at Goodwood and I had the job of figuring out all of the existing V5 engine, throttle and fuel system, then build in a new set of Marelli electronics, map it and get the bike ready. 

After a bit of cranking to get oil pressure the bike fired up and idled first time using my 'best guess' settings, then a day on the dyno to map it before we took it to Turweston aerodrome today and the first test ride by Kenny Roberts. First impressions were 'no problems at all and bloody fast' and after only 3 runs it was declared OK for Goodwood, front tyre still unused as every run was done on the back wheel.

Conclusion - 220hp at 15200rpm, on a bike that weighs very little, of course it wheelies and Kenny declined my offer to turn it down a bit. No big surprise there.