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An internet interview with Yngwie:
rcbike.com: Yngwie, tell us a little bit about yourself. Yngwie: I'm 30 years old and live in Sweden with my wife and 3 year old daughter. I work as an engineer at a small mechanical company. My friends jokingly like to refer to me as a 'new Leonardo da Vinci' because I have so many interests and always have a new 'project' going on. When I was young I decided to be a guitarist in a neoclassical metalband, but because I had so many interests I always found myself short of time, the time for the band and my composing didn't seem enough. My friends used to call me Yngwie after the famous Swedish neoclassical guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, I guess the name just stuck! Besides my interest in music I also had a burning interest in mechanics, which I now practice a lot in my RC hobby. rcbike.com: When did you first become interested in rc motorcycles? Yngwie: It all began when I first saw a picture of the DWA Commando bike in a magazine. I was sold on it, but it was so expensive. So later on I decided to build my own replica DWA. My general bike interest came from full size bikes. I have ridden bikes for 10 years now and I even own a real –99 Yamaha R1 with Yoshimura four to one system. Here's a picture of me doing a 'stoppe' on my R1:
Here's a picture of my DWA replica alongside the my nitro Thunder Tiger:
rcbike.com: When/why did you decide to modify your Thunder Tiger FN-1e from electric to nitro? Yyngwie: I decided when I first saw prototype pictures of the Nuova Faor nitro bike and discovered that Thunder Tiger and NF frame/parts are practically identical. In the next couple of days I saw the TT bike in my local hobby shop and the idea hit me, why not make a NF replica, the 'da Vinci thing' again! So I bought a TT and as soon as I got it home I began to dismantle the bike and started on the nitro conversion. I may add that I never drove that bike in electric. I've always wanted a nitro bike (my DWA replica hasn't been ridden yet) and I saw this as an opportunity to really make one. I also had a bet with the guy at the hobby shop that is was do-able. I won! Here are a couple of close up shots of the finished TT nitro conversion:
rbike.com: You must have a pretty good home workshop to achieve the kind of results that you do with your Thunder Tiger. Tell us about what’s in your workshop. Yngwie: My workshop isn't much to speak about. I have a modified drill-press so I can use it as a mill with coordinate board and a small lathe. It's all about being creative when you don't have all of the tools and machines. You have to work with what you've got! rcbike.com: Do you have any other rc bikes besides your nitro Thunder Tiger? Yngwie: Yes, I have one semi NF (some parts NF and some homemade) and my DWA replica, which isn't completed yet, despite starting the project in 1993. rbike.com: Some time ago you posted on Yahoo Groups RadioControlMotorcycles that you were thinking of installing a miniature camera on your nitro Thunder Tiger. Have you done this, and if so what kind of camera did you use, and what were the results? Yyngwie: This project resulted in a heavy crash due radio interference. I believe it came from the cam itself. I used a full color mini-cam which I think is really meant for for baby-watching. I really didn't have any good results with the project so far. I'm going to try again with better equipment. rcbike.com: We’ve all seen your amazing wheelie video clips on John Veal's 1/5th Scale IC model bike website ( www.nitrobike.co.uk). Tell us how you started out doing wheelies, how you developed the technique, and any advice you may have for rc bikers that want to have a go. Yyngwie: First of all, I love wheelies. I do a lot with my full size R1. Well it all began during the first ride with my nitro converted bike. The first question from the guys at the circuit was – can it do wheelies? I knew the bike wouldn't do that because it is heavy at the front end, but with some modifications it can be done! It's mostly about quick engagement of the clutch. So I mounted the clutch shoes in the opposite way (grab in ,instead of slide in). I also did some porting in the engine itself to get more smooth power out of it. The best working modification is to cut one link from the chain, and move the rear wheel closer to the main shaft, and in this way you effectively shorten the wheelbase (less torque needed to lift rear swing arm). You can also move the battery pack further back so the center of gravity will be closer to the rear wheel. I also use a different gear ratio for more starting power. A 13 tooth clutch bell and 46 T spur is standard, but I prefer 11T/47T for my wheelie stunts. rcbike.com: What plans do you have for the future with your nitro TT, if they’re not a closely guarded secret? Yyngwie: I will replace all those heavy ergal plates with carbon plates. I'm also working on a new layout right now so the engine will be more accessible and look more real, like a GP racer! I always wanted a 2 cylinder nitro bike, I have some plans to put two OS cv´s together to make a V-twin. Just the idea of a well laid out tuned pipe, and the sound it would make .... just the thought of it makes me drool !! rcbike.com: Yngwie, thanks for this internet interview. Good luck with that twin cylinder nitro bike, keep us posted. Yngwie: You’re welcome. I'll keep you posted !
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Yngwie
(image by yngwie)
(image by yngwie)
