Highlights
Specifications
- OEM 6-speed transmission
- undercut shifting dogs
- Chain final drive
Modifications
- Nearly the entire drive train was replaced after the dynamometer disaster (mostly OEM)
- Various rear sprocket sizes available to balance acceleration / top speed
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Transmission
The Red Baron uses the OEM Moto Morini 6-speed transmission and runs a lightweight synthetic oil. The OEM transmission utilizes undercut shifting dogs (arrow in Fig. 1). The trapezoidal shape of the shifting dogs reduces the likelihood of jumping out of gear, but also makes it more difficult to get in gear and can cause false neutrals.
The Red Baron typically has a reverse-shift pattern — toe-up will shift down, and toe-down will shift up. This wreaked havoc when conducting a power test during the post-2017 off-season. A dynamometer operator mistakenly shifted The Red Baron down from 2nd into 1st gear, rather than up to 3rd gear. The result sent shocking forces through the drive train and threw the motorcycle violently, nearly totaling The Red Baron.
Final Drive
The Red Baron uses a 530 chain to connect to the final drive sprocket. The final drive sprocket is changed to achieve a balance between acceleration and top speed. This balance between acceleration and top speed is dependent on the race length. A smaller rear sprocket increases the theoretical top speed of the motorcycle, although it is slower to accelerate due to the taller gearing.