MotoCzysz#C1
{{short description|Defunct American motorcycle company}}{{Infobox company
| name = MotoCzysz
| logo =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| image = Michael Rutter 2013 TT Zero MotoCzysz.jpg
| image_caption = Michael Rutter about to start the one-lap TT Zero race at the 2013 Isle of Man TT races on the MotoCzysz E1pc
| type = Private
| industry = Motorcycles
| founded = {{Start date|2003}}
| founder = Michael Czysz
| defunct =
| fate = Ceased operations
| hq_location_city = Portland, Oregon
| hq_location_country = United States
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Michael Czysz (Founder)
| products = Motorcycles, electric motorcycles, electric drive systems
| parent =
| website =
| headquarters =
}}
MotoCzysz (pronounced {{respell|MOH|toh|chish}}) was an American motorcycle company based in Portland, Oregon that intended to compete in MotoGP.{{cite magazine | last=Cameron | first=Kevin | title=Forging a Future | magazine=Cycle World | volume=45 | issue=8 | pages=84 | date=August 2006 | url=https://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=127 | access-date=2007-01-22 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928132158/https://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=127 | archive-date=2007-09-28 }} The C1 prototype engine was designed with perfect balance not needing a balance shaft. Some of the patented innovations included a slipper clutch with twin clutches, and a unique front suspension. The business also developed a successful electric racing motorcycle, the E1pc.{{citation need|date=July 2024}}
History
MotoCzysz was founded by late American engineer and professional motorcycle racer Michael Czysz.[https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2016/05/michael_czysz_portland_designe.html Michael Czysz, Portland designer and electric motorcycle innovator, dies at 51] Oregon Live, May 11, 2016, Retrieved June 12, 2016{{cite web|url=http://motoczysz.com/media/history/|title = History of the Czysz Family | website=MotoCzysz.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101221061727/http://motoczysz.com/media/history/ |archive-date = 2010-12-21 }} In June 2009, MotoCzysz raced in the world's first zero-emissions motorcycle grand prix. The race took place on the Isle of Man TT course. This race was the subject of the 2011 documentary Charge where the MotoCzysz team were referred to as the "swaggering American hotshots".{{cite web|title=Charge (2011) on IMDB| website=IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1855152/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl}}
In October 2009, MotoCzysz and Bajaj Auto announced a joint venture to create a green automobile.{{citation|url=http://www.motoczysz.com/rss_news_view.php?id=106|title=Bajaj Auto and MotoCzysz JV on "Dream" project (press release)|publisher=MotoCzysz|date=October 2, 2009|access-date=2010-06-20|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118070527/https://www.motoczysz.com/rss_news_view.php?id=106|archive-date=November 18, 2010}} Analysts speculated that the vehicle could be a hybrid vehicle.{{citation|url=https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/motoczysz-bajaj-joint-venture-automobile/|publisher=Asphalt and Rubber magazine|title=MotoCzysz/Bajaj Create Joint-Venture for Next Generation Automobile|date=October 23, 2009|access-date=2010-06-20}}{{citation|url=https://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/04/motoczysz-bajaj-dream/|title=MotoCzysz + Bajaj = dream?|publisher=Autoblog Green|date=October 4, 2009|access-date=2010-06-20}} MotoCzysz teamed with Remy Electric Motors LLC to develop an electric drive system for four-wheeled vehicles.{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Christina|title=Brazilian company taps MotoCzysz for electric drive|url=https://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/05/brazilian-company-taps-motoczysz-for.html|access-date=May 25, 2012|newspaper=Sustainable Business Oregon|date=May 25, 2012}} The company then signed a deal with TAC Motors of Brazlia in 2012 to supply those drives for TAC Motors' Stark SUV.
C1
=Frame=
The C1 features a carbon fiber frame that exhibits more stiffness than most other motorcycles.{{ cite news | publisher=Road Racing World | date=September 2006 | title=Building the Dream / MotoCzysz Factory Tour | author=Sam Fleming | url=https://www.motoczysz.com/pdfs/rrw_9_06.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061201015211/https://www.motoczysz.com/pdfs/rrw_9_06.pdf | archive-date=2006-12-01 }} The frame also serves as the bike's airbox.
=Engine=
The 990 cc four-cylinder engine is mounted to the frame longitudinally, rather than transversely as on most similarly configured motorcycles. A transverse arrangement fights a bike's gyroscopic tendency to stand up when leaned over and applying throttle. The C1, in order to negate the resulting gyroscopic forces of the longitudinal orientation, has its lengthwise-mounted inline 4 engine cut in half, with the resulting crankshaft halves counter-rotating. Thus, the bike handles with no noticeable gyroscopic force from the engine.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/firstrides/122_0507_radical_c1_990/ | title=American Beauty / C1 First Ride | author=Alan Cathcart | magazine=Motorcyclist magazine }}
Two of the bike's four throttle bodies are controlled mechanically, while the other two are controlled electronically by the ECU, hypothetically smoothing power delivery. The ECU-controlled throttle bodies can be adjusted by computer for refinement of the throttle curve.
For the 2007 MotoGP season, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna Sports reduced the engine capacity to 800 cc for the class, rendering the C1's configuration ineligible for competition. Michael Czysz commented in a blog post{{cite web | title=Michael Czysz Responds To Some FAQ's | date=December 2006 | url=https://www.motoczysz.com/club/?p=43 | access-date=2008-02-25 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081117121655/http://www.motoczysz.com/club/?p=43 | archive-date=2008-11-17 | url-status=dead }} that they were looking towards racing the bike in either AMA or WSB competition.
=Production=
File:2010 Laguna Seca e-Power Michael Czysz MotoCzysz E1pc.jpg
As of mid-2010, MotoCzysz was offering to take down payments towards 50 MotoGP replica bikes offered for $100,000.{{ cite web| url=https://www.motoczysz.com/sales/collect.php| title=MotoCzysz website| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229025116/https://www.motoczysz.com/sales/collect.php| archive-date=2008-02-29}} A production date was unspecified.
=Awards=
The C1 was recognized with Robb Report MotorCycling's 2007 Achievement in Design Award.{{ cite news | last=Buchanan | first=Jeff | title=True Believer: Perchance to dream / MotoCzysz C1 | publisher=Robb Report Motorcycling | pages=63 | date=February–March 2007 | url=https://www.motorcyclingmag.com | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030923213423/http://www.motorcyclingmag.com/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=2003-09-23 }}
E1pc
{{main|MotoCzysz E1pc}}
The E1pc all-electric sportsbike
[https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2009/June/jun0409-E1pc-exclusive-picture/?&R=EPI-115514 MCN Article - Exclusive photo: finished MotoCzysz E1pc revealed, claiming V-MAX-beating acceleration] was announced in June 2009 as an entrant for the TTXGP but did not finish the race. In 2010, it took first place in the 2010 TT Zero event at the Isle of Man TT, and set a new course record.{{citation|url=https://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2010-06/motoczysz-wins-tt-zero-sets-new-electric-speed-record|title=MotoCzysz Wins TT Zero, Sets New Electric Speed Record|publisher=Popular Science|date=2010-06-11|access-date=2010-06-14}}
For the 2011 TT Zero Race, MotoCzysz riders Michael Rutter and Mark Miller took first and second places and for 2012 the same riders finished first and third.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}
In the 2013 TT Zero Race, Rutter again won at a new record race-average speed of 109.675 mph, with teammate Miller suffering breakdown.[https://www.cycleworld.com/2013/06/05/iomtt-motoczysz-claims-fourth-consecutive-tt-victory/] Cycleworld.com MotoCzysz Claims Fourth Consecutive TT Victory. Retrieved 2013-07-01{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|MotoCzysz}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060907062206/http://www.motoczysz.com/ Official web site]
- [http://sameerkumar.blogspot.com/2006/08/motoczysz-c1-motogp-replicas-now.html Motoczysz C1 MotoGP replica]
{{USA motorcycle manufacturers}}
Category:Motorcycle manufacturers of the United States