2019 Preseason Prep

[Smash Allen]

2018 ended with a bang when I broadsided my buddy Jay at Sonoma during the Clubman Heavy race first weekend of September. Luckily he didn’t go down, but I did; highsiding somehow and landing on my head. Broken collarbone put me out for the weekend and season, missing the last race at Thunderhill. Collarbone was plated and I have continued to practice Yoga, decreasing my recovery time and staying riding fit. I credit my lack of serious injury to Yoga and highly recommend everyone who rides to take up Yoga as a way to prevent injury, increase strength, stamina, flexibility, and most importantly, mindfullness.

I purchased an airbag vest to prevent another collarbone injury should I have another off, however I do not foresee that happening New helmet and boots are ready to go as well.

After 26,000 miles, 20+ races, and 20+ trackdays, I had my valves adjusted. They technically were not even out of spec, however I wanted to be proactive and didn’t want to have to adjust anything midseason.

Sent my suspension to GP Suspension to have new seals, fluids, nitro, and a spring rate increase. 105 in the front and 100 in the back, from 85 / 85. Quite a jump, but I have a good feeling that this is the right thing to do. Steve Weir of BMW North America says that the 85 rear spring rate is much too soft for the bike, considering my weight, speed, and the track (Sonoma).

First trackday scheduled for 2/23, 2/24 at Sonoma. Doing my sundances to stop all this rain and give Sonoma a chance to dry out before I am back there for the second time and first time since the crash. Looking forward to riding with Berto and having Dave Stanton as my coach / crew chief for another season

 

[Honey Badger]

See you at Sonoma!

Looking forward to a good shake down run, and I'm rather excited coming into this year with a bike that should be working 100% and a much better set up and a good crew behind me to keep things heading in the right direction.

Getting the itch, but still need next weekend to finish up the final "winter" prep on my bike. Everything is in hand, just need to finish getting it installed.

 

[Smash Allen]

See you at Sonoma!

Looking forward to a good shake down run, and I'm rather excited coming into this year with a bike that should be working 100% and a much better set up and a good crew behind me to keep things heading in the right direction.

Getting the itch, but still need next weekend to finish up the final "winter" prep on my bike. Everything is in hand, just need to finish getting it installed.

:ride

I have to install the fairings next weekend and figure out what / how to pack the enclosed trailer. Loading everything into the bed of the truck was physically harder but at least I didn't have to worry about tongue weight ratios :wow

There has to be some sort of weight distribution calculator out there that can tell me where to put things, but perhaps I'm overthinking it??

 

[jacob11379]

ive done lots of stuff to the back up bike to get it ready.

New bike I just painted so as to have my own identity since i bought it from a racer. I still need to change numbers though.

I picked up two pitbull restraint systems so I dont have to stress on watching them in the back up camera while driving.

Ill be there too, weather permitting.

BUT, everything is new. Bike, track, leathers, boots, gloves, helmet, airbag system, GP style shift, lap timer. I have also only ridden Michelin and the bike has Dunlaps on it. And my new tire warmers heat about 20* hotter than old ones.

picked up some new tools and put together a tool box, drills, gas cans, canopy, canopy weights, race wire pliers, and a handful of other stuff....

Ive done all the prep I know at this point.....Aside from RV prep.

Not doing yoga but I have been dieting for the last 2 months. down from 222 to 207.

But I still dont know what im doing. it just looks like it to those that dont know better...

 

[Smash Allen]

Fake it till you make it!!! Sounds like you have a good start!!! :ride

 

[jacob11379]

Fake it till you make it!!! Sounds like you have a good start!!! :ride

OCD can be a great thing when you're passionate about something. Learning curve is much faster and determination is accelerated....

Used to think it was Cliche but I have lived by that phrase over and over again with great success.

I seemed to think I remember someone saying you were running 1:45s at Sonoma, is that correct?

 

[Smash Allen]

OCD can be a great thing when you're passionate about something. Learning curve is much faster and determination is accelerated....

Used to think it was Cliche but I have lived by that phrase over and over again with great success.

I seemed to think I remember someone saying you were running 1:45s at Sonoma, is that correct?

I am also one who jumps into things headfirst

1:48.2 is the fastest lap I finished at Sonoma during my first dry weekend (I rode Sonoma for one day in the rain 2/2017 after I just got the bmw). I’m confident there are several more seconds to find with the proper spring rate and more importantly, improved technique (less trail braking, more upright braking). I’d like to eventually run a 1:40 at Sonoma

1:45 would be a good time around Thunderhill east

 

[jaybocc2]

Moving friday... haven't touched my bike since the last round of AFM...

This week is going to be a rush.

Regarding the trailer, to be honest your truck has good towing capacity i wouldn't worry about it. Your loaded trailer with bike is probably still around 2-2500lbs if not less (assuming 1000lb dry trailer weight)

There are a few techniques to measure tongue weight like weighing the truck on a scale with the trailer off the scale but hitched up and without it hitched up.

You can also finagle up a lever and a bathroom scale to math it out.

They make a tongue weight scale for $$$
They make a tongue weight hitch with gauge for $$$

 

[Smash Allen]

Moving friday... haven't touched my bike since the last round of AFM...

This week is going to be a rush.

Regarding the trailer, to be honest your truck has good towing capacity i wouldn't worry about it. Your loaded trailer with bike is probably still around 2-2500lbs if not less (assuming 1000lb dry trailer weight)

There are a few techniques to measure tongue weight like weighing the truck on a scale with the trailer off the scale but hitched up and without it hitched up.

You can also finagle up a lever and a bathroom scale to math it out.

They make a tongue weight scale for $$$
They make a tongue weight hitch with gauge for $$$

Good luck with the move Jay! Thanks for the tips regarding tongue weight - I store the trailer at a place with a vehicle scale so I may try that out to figure the tongue weight

 

[uncle_nospeed]

When is the first round of AFM?

 

[thedub]

When is the first round of AFM?

https://www.afmracing.org/

 

[Smash Allen]

March 16/17!

 

[uncle_nospeed]

https://www.afmracing.org/

Thanks, saved the link

March 16/17!

Man I need to sign up for NRS ASAP

 

[Honey Badger]

Man I need to sign up for NRS ASAP

Yes, yes you should! :thumbup


Looking forward to my shakedown run at Sonoma, but hoping for a dry day this weekend where I can at least make sure my bike shifts through a few gears before I get there :wow

My first time rebuilding my transmission all by myself, and while it's doing everything it should at this point, I'm still nervous :laughing

 

[Smash Allen]

Bike is ready for Sonoma, everyone keep doing your sun dances!!!

 

[Honey Badger]

Bike is ready for Sonoma, everyone keep doing your sun dances!!!

Mine is - closer to ready :laughing He got his chain changed, oil changed, calipers cleaned, brakes bled, wheels put on, everything tightened down and to the point of being able to start (plus a couple other small side things as I went, including deep cleaning everything I could reach and everything as it went back on).

Tomorrow still has an outstanding to-do list though :rofl

 

[Smash Allen]

My bike is ready, but I still need to inventory and pack the trailer with tools, canopies, etc.

Also have a training / planning session with Dave aka The Butcher and I’m excited to define my racing goals and how to achieve them for 2019 :ride

 

[Holeshot]

Those leathers of Stanton’s are the best investment made.
Remember, he’s STILL #53 too.

 

[Smash Allen]

Fuck yeah, it’s like getting iron mans suit!!! He’s going to be at Sonoma on Sunday helping me out as coach/ crew chief :ride

He couldn’t believe that I was running an 85 rate spring in the rear with me at 230lbs geared up and 16 clicks of compression:laughing

Chassis and suspension setup are my number one priorities this year, I gots some learning to do:nerd

 

[Smash Allen]

Today with Daves help we discovered that I was running far too soft shock valve stacks for my bike, in addition to the eye to eye length being 10mm too short :wow

Soo, shock is back in the mail overnight to GP for a revalve before this weekends season opener with PTT at Sonoma arty