Simon’s new book, the CG engine, and more…

You’ll remember intrepid traveler and good buddy Simon Gandolfi, perhaps the original “most interesting man in the world.”    Simon rode with us on the very first Baja run about 6 years ago, when we rode CSC-150 Mustang replicas the length of Baja and back…

Simon Gandolfi and his CSC-150 somewhere in Baja

I was happy to read this article about Simon’s new book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the photo the story included…

Simon Gandolfi on one of the CG-engine motorcycles used for his world travels

You’ll notice the engine in Simon’s bike above…it’s one of the many variants of the original Honda CG engine.    That engine formed the basis of our CSC-150 Mustang, and it is one of the most frequently-seen motorcycle engine designs on the planet.  The CG engine in all of its forms is manufactured in several countries by several manufacturers, including Zonghsen.   You’ll see them in Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, North America, and of course, all over Asia.

In the engineering world, simple designs are elegant designs…and the CG engine is certainly that!

The CG engine is what many would consider old school technology…overhead valves (and only two of them), air cooling, a carburetor, and relatively modest power output.   But folks who would say that are missing the point entirely.  The engine was not developed to win races (although it has done a lot of that, and in fact, CSC took the MSILSF land speed record a few years ago and the CSC-150 has been used in a number of endurance events).

Syl Binau at speed, working to keep the front end down on his LSR California Scooter

TK, Arlene, and yours truly riding our CG-engined CSC-150 Mustangs in the Hell’s Loop Endurance Rally through Death Valley

Bill Murar riding a CSC-150 in the Lake Erie Loop endurance event

The CG engine was developed to take a licking and keep on ticking.   It was specifically designed to keep on trucking with little maintenance and lots of abuse, and it’s done that job very well.

You’re probably wondering:  Why all this information on the CG engine?  Well, it’s because that’s the basic engine design used in our new TT250…

The CSC TT250 engine

If you’d like to read the story behind the CG engine click here and take a look at this!