Etc.

ETC.

ROUNDUP

A QUICK TRIP TO THE CAPE

As you read this, one of motorsports most demanding and dangerous competition events will be drawing to a close. Called this year “Dakar ’93,” the event, which began life 15 years ago as the Paris-Dakar Rally, left Paris in late December, with competitors on their way to Capetown, South Africa, at the southernmost tip of the African continent. Competitors, including five categories of motorcycles, were scheduled to arrive in Capetown January 16. The event’s promotional booklet promises, “...long stretches of deep sand, where anything can happen.” And probably will.

FOR THE RECORD

Here’s a note regarding Cycle World’s Ducati 900SS project bike (see CW, December, 1992): The Storz Performance GCB steering damper used in the project will work in conjunction with the stock full-fairing, contrary to what we stated in the story. The kit will not, however, fit the half-fairing version of the Ducati.

MORE HONDA RC50 RUMORS

More details on the all-new engine that will power Honda’s fuelinjected RC50 racebike continue to leak out of Japan. It now appears that Honda engineers have moved the geared cam drive from the center of the engine, between the cylinders, to the side-although just which side remains unclear. Of greater import is that Honda apparently will abandon the tried-andtrue 90-degree Vee-angle for this engine, going instead, according to sources, with a Vee-angle perhaps as narrow as 30 degrees. This decision was made, we’re told, so that Honda engineers can compact the mass of the engine. This will enable it to be located in the chassis for optimal handling.