I just hung up the phone after talking with Keith Baker at BME. They are just finishing the last run of 102 Evo twins before starting to set up to produce the 110 Xtremes, and expect to be producing the 110's very soon. Of interest, though, is the information he gave me concerning the first prototype 55cc single "Xtreme" that they have begun testing.

Initial power and tractability look VERY promising. The prototype is using a modified crankcase from the current 50cc engine, with the cylinder and new style crankchaft adapted to the casing. The motor uses a side reed valve arrangement, rather than rear or piston ported induction. At this time, crankcase volume has not been optimized, being still about 10-15% larger internally than the final crankcase will be, and the motor weighs 2lbs 2 ounces bare. CAD generated crankcase design shows a drop fo 2-3 ounces of overall weight, as well as increased efficiency due to reducing internal volume and making the motor properly optimized.

Initial power is, unexpectedly, VERY much more than anticipated. With 10 minutes of run time the little 55cc motor turned a consistent 7800 rpm at max power with a Mejzlik 22-10 prop. This is a motor that is NOT broken in, still using an improperly fitting crankcase, and run fully warmed uo.

A corellation of power to a Menz-s 22-10 would be about 7500-7600 rpm right out of the box. This is on a stock muffler, NOT on a pipe setup. Keith went on to say that after they get the crankcase design finalized, they expect to have under 2 lbs final weight, and 2-300 more rpm for max power.

Imagine that. . 2 lbs. . 7800-7900+ with a Menz-s 22-10, close to 8200 with a Mejzlik 22-10, and God only knows how strong with a 24-10. . .(probably very close to 7000)

Seems to me that the 27-30% planes will have a new engine to power them soon.