'85 SELVY 200R Build

[Buster Brown]

Thanks guys!
I tore the 200R apart this morning and pop'd the cylinder off after removing the engine. Pretty cool inside. Getting it all carefully boxed up to send to California. Rob Selvy will be personally rebuilding this motor and reproducing a matching 200R hand pounded sectional pipe for me if all goes well. Pretty thrilled to have him performing his craft and bringing this build to a new level. It might even make it to Ashtabula this summer. Can't promise, but I'm talking with rob about the trip. That would be SO fun! Anyway, some pics for anyone curious of the top end. I believe he said it uses a highly modified Yamaha piston. There was so much stuff modified I'd be forever lost trying to rebuild this myself. I'd most likely just mess it up really. Lots of knowledge with this only Rob probably understands. A HUGE thanks goes out to Rob Selvy!!! Happy New Year!
-Andy

[BWard]

OMG Andy, You Lucky MAN, I would be HAPPY to Race that for you in Ohio or anywhere
Awesome

[Buster Brown]

Ok, lets talk.

[BWard]

I sent a text, Talk to you later, Awesome my friend, Just Awesome

[Buster Brown]

Ok, I'll call ya Brian.
Thanks.

[Buster Brown]

Rob Selvy has spent many many hours rebuilding this little engine over the last couple weeks at a close friend's shop in Cali. Rob is on the left.



Rob's been so nice taking time for many pictures and update conversations. I'm told this particular "pregnant" style exhaust port with the "snuffleupagus" slope is extremely rare. Rob built 200R engines with different stages of modification and increased power output levels. Rob has informed me that my 200 is a very high end (1 of 5) Team SELVY, and/or Team HONDA. A "WURKS Sonic 3" 200R. Among other differences, the Sonic 3's had the entire OE exhaust port is cut off, then a billet sleeve grafted on and heavily ported. The Selvy 200R engines (seen in these 3 pictures) are typical privateer engines sold to the general public/privateer. Apparently Rob did many engines for Honda on the "down low". He never really got due credit. Rob has also assured, he NEVER had Power Pros make any pipes for him. Kenny Roberts has produced pipes for Selvys, but Rob himself too hand pounded out many of them over the years. Rob is having Kenny Roberts make me a new pipe for this build, due to Rob's long term neck injury.



Here are some pictures of my crank, cylinder, & piston. Notice the difference in shape/contour of the exhaust neck on this "WURKS" cylinder.



Here are some pics of then extensive case repair work Rob performed, due to a thrown chain and a Frankenstein weld "fix" from a previous owner (not Trace "Ninga"). The cases were warped from prior welding heat, and had been pried apart with a chisel/screwdriver tool. Rob welded a fine bead along the case gasket surfaces and then machined them true/square. He also cleaned up the previous welders work and repaired the case saver bosses to near new.

[rjs89ia]

Amazing, I wish I was lucky enough to have what you have. Your another one of my inspirations when it comes to owning and building trikes. Of course your a lot better at it than I ever will be and most anyone. I appreciate you taking time out of your life to pass on all this cool info about your builds. Its the kind of stuff that can keep my eyes glued to the computer screen for hours.

[yaegerb]

Super nice work. It is fantastic that Rob is actually doing all the work on your R. Simply cool.

[Buster Brown]

Here are some pictures of the porting clean up, head modifications, '85 CR ignition, and partial assembly. Rob welded up the head to get proper squish and to drop the spark plug down into the optimal spot. He then machined the piston dome for optimal flow and clearance. Needless to say there is a ton of work done to bring this engine back to (as Rob says) "Grand National Readiness" He is also building a custom carb and intake manifold to round out the package. Here too is a preliminary picture of the hand pounded sectional pipe progress. Ashtabula here we come! THANKS Rob & Carlos !!

[Buster Brown]

Amazing, I wish I was lucky enough to have what you have. Your another one of my inspirations when it comes to owning and building trikes. Of course your a lot better at it than I ever will be and most anyone. I appreciate you taking time out of your life to pass on all this cool info about your builds. Its the kind of stuff that can keep my eyes glued to the computer screen for hours.

Thanks! My pleasure!
I love reading you guys's builds just the same. I only wish more people would share. Pictures ,pictures, pictures!
I'm nothing special, just a gear head like you. Maybe just foolish with tax returns!

[yaegerb]

So Buster,
Is Rob sending you these pictures from his shop in calli? Do you know if he will do "265 National" work? I would love to eventually have an oldskool 265 motor!!!!

[poohbee1]

very cool stuff i just wish i could go watch them run.

[Keith Salyer]

Wow guys, this is way cool motor work.

[Buster Brown]

So Buster,
Is Rob sending you these pictures from his shop in calli? Do you know if he will do "265 National" work? I would love to eventually have an oldskool 265 motor!!!!

Yes, Rob texts the pics almost daily when he's working at Carlos's shop (BDTM). We chat a couple times a week about progress and general history. He is an abyss of knowledge. It's great cause I'm up late driving at work all night and he's 3 hrs. behind my WI time zone. I can chat it up on my head set rolling down the road til the we hours. I really enjoy picking Rob's brain about what "was" or "is". Like, boost bottles?, Turbo cranks?, What powered the factory Team Honda 200Rs???
Not to start a war, but unprovoked when I asked about the Team Honda 200Rs, Rob said "MTX200 engines". According to Rob, SELVYS Performance built many engines for Team Honda without the publicity like Paul Turner. Some of Rob's Sonic 3 engines were sent to Japan and never seen again. Until the '87 & '88 Rs came out anyway. Rob said he could see many similarities found in his previous work.... Only a top Team Honda mechanic was honorable enough in copping to the similarities and lack of public acknowledgment. It sounds like there was some inherit politics when dealing with the factory Teams.
The engine build details are endless and at times are way over my head. I only wish I could hang over his shoulder and be mentored in person. I've never met a nicer more willing to share "the passion", kind of guy! Well, I haven't actually met him yet. Hope to hang with Rob at Ashtabula. Rob's graciously invited me to pit with him and the crew. Can't wait!

I'm sure he'd love to help you with any project, especially a vintage one!

[nstyle73]

Don't be encouraging them, I'm next in line :-) Rob has been overly helpful almost. Really, I feel like I'm holding him back as I'm not as available to talk as I think he would like. I think you are making me look bad because you are super excited when you talk to him, and I don't think my excitement comes across on the phone.