FANCY A NEW SCOTT?

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32861, 9 March 1972, Page 18

FANCY A NEW SCOTT?

One of the most Interesting exhibits at the recent London racing and sporting show was a water-cooled 650 ex. machine weighing no more than 2661bs and proudly wearing the name of Scott. Prepared by Mr G. Silk of Silk Engineering, the twin cylinder engine of the show exhibit started life as a conventional twostroke 596 c.c. Scott unit of 1947 vintage. But it has been extensively modified. The capacity is now 636 ex. and the crankshaft has been redesigned. Pistons, too, are of Silk’s design, although the original deflector top Is retained.

The frame was evolved after 18 months of racing I development. The machi ine is not only light but it has a low seating position. > “Present day designs I have gone chasing off in > the wrong direction,” maintains Silk. “We have heavy, high-built things : on which many riders s can’t reach the ground ’ with their feet. And these I bikes have such a high centre of gravity, their t handling is dodgy on slipi pery roads.” The machine is expected i to make considerable fant pact on the British market and could well be a ■ pointer to the future. Silk I has plans for putting the machine into limited pro-

duction. Unfortunately, the engines for the present will have to be secondhand. Silk has a stockpile of 35 which should last him for a year’s production. He is hoping ultimately to obtain permission to build the complete engines with the name Scott on them. If this is not possible then he will put his own engine case around the internals which ho already manufactures. “One way or another, we are aiming at building our own engines a year from now. To be permitted to put the name Scott on them would be the crowning glory,” Mr Silk said.

The South Island scramble team will at least look the part when it