Up'ing the Quest to 275
- Thread starter Papi
- Start date
Cereal KLR
Well-known member
Moar!
Awesome stuff so far.. thanks for all the great pics.. What a cool vibe.
:thumbup
Looking forward to your take on running there on that salty stuff. It always make me wonder what it is like when I see a close up pic of the surface.
arty at high speed baby!! :ride
:thumbup
Looking forward to your take on running there on that salty stuff. It always make me wonder what it is like when I see a close up pic of the surface.
arty at high speed baby!! :ride
EastBayDave
- Kawasaki Fanatic -
Can't wait for the results!!! Go guys!!! :thumbup :teeth :ride
Cereal KLR
Well-known member
Nick rode the salt last year with us, we share a pit this August to run again.
Papi
Mmmmm...Faster
I'm thinking you guys need one more salty nut there to.
Hmmm, I wonder who that should be.....
Papi
Mmmmm...Faster
7/23/14 Update
Sorry for the lack of updates, I'll post the June results up soon with a few pix that will make Teh Budman smile for sure. Some fun and old faces he will know.
There are NO July results, as the race was cancelled with a wet green course. That was a huge bummer, as we use July to make sure our Junk is ready for SpeedWeek in August. And speaking of SpeedWeek, I hope many of you will make the pilgrimage there to see what I believe is one of the greatest American traditions in motorsports. This year will be gigantic. Big Top Speed names, big records to go after. On that topic by the way, I am modifying my program mid year with some changes. More on that later.
Now I created this thread as somewhat of a running journal to capture our trials and tribulations in this sport as a small amateur team. Since starting, we have gained a couple more records in the dirty mile, and continue to push the bar up in small increments. I think my riding has improved as a competitor through continued refinement of my body position. But most of all, trying to keep weight down on me has been my largest personal struggle.
The biggest part and most critical component in racing anything is the big nut holding the wheel. Sometimes that nut can be tight and right, sometimes it rattles a little loose. And as the big nut, I've had my share of both. Staying "on" is a daily deal. By "on"', I mean "on" your game, head "on" and into it, focused "on" racing and uber diligent every day. That's not as easy as it sounds. Nobody's paying me to do this second job, it's expensive and consumes 1/2 my year and "spare" waking moments. It has taken the bulk of 5 years to get that production bike "right", but it takes everyday to keep me "right".
Now I'm not complaining, it's been an awesome experience to be blessed with, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But it's no cake walk if you are focused on records and being the fastest in your class. And with that said, I have two remaining milestones in Production class, then that bike (and my time in Production) is done. I'll go into the reasons below, but I'm happy with what we accomplished, so it's time to move on. I'll keep the bike around maybe for 2015, but my goal is to retire it this year after season the close.
With that said, what really excites me is the future for our po-dunk little team of salted nuts. And that future is in Blown Fuel. Now I haven't shared a lot of details, but this project is not only exciting, it's a big jump forward for the ultimate top speed sit-on bike. In the world there is a handful of folks who are trying to break 300MPH on a sit-on bike. The only person who ever did this so far is our friend Bill Warner (rip) who innovated his way to the top. I miss Bill, he left a big gap when he died doing what he loved. He also left us a huge gift. The gift of inspiration, ingenuity and spirit ( his spirit) to move forward. In the world right now, at this very moment, there is a few of us doing so. I hope to carry on in the same spirit with Bill looking down and smiling, as he shed his smile and friendly attitude to all of us in the sport. (Pausing to cry for a minute, sorry).
OK, tears wiped. So, here's the rest of the story. When I started this thread a couple years back, we were on track in blown fuel to be my next stepping stone. The goal as stated in the thread title was to up the quest to 275MPH and become the fastest sit-on bike Bonneville. And if you have kept up with the story since the thread started, you know that I bought a bike from another known racer, we made some mods, dyno'd it and at my maiden voyage at El Mirage, I blew that motor up good at around 150 when the turbo spooled up in third. Now that was a huge bump in the road of progress, and for me, a major let down. Of course then my Mom passed, and my head was really twisted for a while after that, even though we charged forward and set two more production records in 2013. But that's the past. This is the now, the future, and my destiny awaits. And that destiny and future shape is continuing to evolve, continuing innovation, continuing to challenge the known and push some boundaries around to make new boundaries, new standards, new records.
I'm very excited to share with you as we get closer what has been almost every breathing moment this past two years for me. I'm betting the farm, going big as they say. Pushing way way out of the comfort zone to hopefully (very soon) be the one to post a 300MPH time slip right here in this thread. It won't be this year, we had a late team meeting about that last night. But it will be soon, and 2015 is the new and solid target. And if you know me, and understand my passion for this stuff, it will be bitchen. Thanks for taking the ride with me in this thread. I'll keep trying to do my best for ya.
.
Sorry for the lack of updates, I'll post the June results up soon with a few pix that will make Teh Budman smile for sure. Some fun and old faces he will know.
There are NO July results, as the race was cancelled with a wet green course. That was a huge bummer, as we use July to make sure our Junk is ready for SpeedWeek in August. And speaking of SpeedWeek, I hope many of you will make the pilgrimage there to see what I believe is one of the greatest American traditions in motorsports. This year will be gigantic. Big Top Speed names, big records to go after. On that topic by the way, I am modifying my program mid year with some changes. More on that later.
Now I created this thread as somewhat of a running journal to capture our trials and tribulations in this sport as a small amateur team. Since starting, we have gained a couple more records in the dirty mile, and continue to push the bar up in small increments. I think my riding has improved as a competitor through continued refinement of my body position. But most of all, trying to keep weight down on me has been my largest personal struggle.
The biggest part and most critical component in racing anything is the big nut holding the wheel. Sometimes that nut can be tight and right, sometimes it rattles a little loose. And as the big nut, I've had my share of both. Staying "on" is a daily deal. By "on"', I mean "on" your game, head "on" and into it, focused "on" racing and uber diligent every day. That's not as easy as it sounds. Nobody's paying me to do this second job, it's expensive and consumes 1/2 my year and "spare" waking moments. It has taken the bulk of 5 years to get that production bike "right", but it takes everyday to keep me "right".
Now I'm not complaining, it's been an awesome experience to be blessed with, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But it's no cake walk if you are focused on records and being the fastest in your class. And with that said, I have two remaining milestones in Production class, then that bike (and my time in Production) is done. I'll go into the reasons below, but I'm happy with what we accomplished, so it's time to move on. I'll keep the bike around maybe for 2015, but my goal is to retire it this year after season the close.
With that said, what really excites me is the future for our po-dunk little team of salted nuts. And that future is in Blown Fuel. Now I haven't shared a lot of details, but this project is not only exciting, it's a big jump forward for the ultimate top speed sit-on bike. In the world there is a handful of folks who are trying to break 300MPH on a sit-on bike. The only person who ever did this so far is our friend Bill Warner (rip) who innovated his way to the top. I miss Bill, he left a big gap when he died doing what he loved. He also left us a huge gift. The gift of inspiration, ingenuity and spirit ( his spirit) to move forward. In the world right now, at this very moment, there is a few of us doing so. I hope to carry on in the same spirit with Bill looking down and smiling, as he shed his smile and friendly attitude to all of us in the sport. (Pausing to cry for a minute, sorry).
OK, tears wiped. So, here's the rest of the story. When I started this thread a couple years back, we were on track in blown fuel to be my next stepping stone. The goal as stated in the thread title was to up the quest to 275MPH and become the fastest sit-on bike Bonneville. And if you have kept up with the story since the thread started, you know that I bought a bike from another known racer, we made some mods, dyno'd it and at my maiden voyage at El Mirage, I blew that motor up good at around 150 when the turbo spooled up in third. Now that was a huge bump in the road of progress, and for me, a major let down. Of course then my Mom passed, and my head was really twisted for a while after that, even though we charged forward and set two more production records in 2013. But that's the past. This is the now, the future, and my destiny awaits. And that destiny and future shape is continuing to evolve, continuing innovation, continuing to challenge the known and push some boundaries around to make new boundaries, new standards, new records.
I'm very excited to share with you as we get closer what has been almost every breathing moment this past two years for me. I'm betting the farm, going big as they say. Pushing way way out of the comfort zone to hopefully (very soon) be the one to post a 300MPH time slip right here in this thread. It won't be this year, we had a late team meeting about that last night. But it will be soon, and 2015 is the new and solid target. And if you know me, and understand my passion for this stuff, it will be bitchen. Thanks for taking the ride with me in this thread. I'll keep trying to do my best for ya.
.
Last edited:
Papi
Mmmmm...Faster
8/6/2014 Update
After a very long and difficult couple weeks, I'm making the decision to not compete at SpeedWeek this year. It's not an easy decision, but it's the one to make.
This year (and this decision) has a lot behind it. Mainly I wanted this event to be our run at 275, and then beyond. But our program on the blown fuel bike is just not ready. We have a lot of work to do still before I will feel confident strapping myself on board that thing. It's possible we may still make World Finals in October, but if we don't, I'm not going to kill myself over it. This bike is expensive, a lot of work and a lot of innovation. I would say we have way more into our plant than most ever tried. So because of that, the quest is on hold until the equipment and the pilot are ready.
I won't lie, it's sad for me to do this. I certainly could go on the Production Bike instead, hang with our buddies and make some 200mph passes. But honestly my heart isn't in it. 200 just doesn't do anything for me anymore except as a warm up run. I want 300 and we are betting the farm on doing that with our new bike.
So, we wait, we tinker, we innovate a couple months more. That's how it goes. We will still run the Production Bike the rest of the season at El Mirage, as I think we have 1 or 2 MPH still left in another record at the dirty mile.
If anyone is interested in learning more about our program, or visiting the shop, you can make an appointment by messaging me here on teh barf.
That's the update, out for now, thank you for your continued support.
.
After a very long and difficult couple weeks, I'm making the decision to not compete at SpeedWeek this year. It's not an easy decision, but it's the one to make.
This year (and this decision) has a lot behind it. Mainly I wanted this event to be our run at 275, and then beyond. But our program on the blown fuel bike is just not ready. We have a lot of work to do still before I will feel confident strapping myself on board that thing. It's possible we may still make World Finals in October, but if we don't, I'm not going to kill myself over it. This bike is expensive, a lot of work and a lot of innovation. I would say we have way more into our plant than most ever tried. So because of that, the quest is on hold until the equipment and the pilot are ready.
I won't lie, it's sad for me to do this. I certainly could go on the Production Bike instead, hang with our buddies and make some 200mph passes. But honestly my heart isn't in it. 200 just doesn't do anything for me anymore except as a warm up run. I want 300 and we are betting the farm on doing that with our new bike.
So, we wait, we tinker, we innovate a couple months more. That's how it goes. We will still run the Production Bike the rest of the season at El Mirage, as I think we have 1 or 2 MPH still left in another record at the dirty mile.
If anyone is interested in learning more about our program, or visiting the shop, you can make an appointment by messaging me here on teh barf.
That's the update, out for now, thank you for your continued support.
.
Last edited:
Papi
Mmmmm...Faster
8/11/14 Update
So in a strange twist of fate, SpeedWeek was cancelled due to rain and the track being under water.
Great article from CNN on our buddy Danny Thompson though and his quest. Danny's a fighter and a real scrapper. He's a good man.
Here's the article: CNN Story on Danny
Follow up Story Post the rainout of SpeedWeek: CNN: Danny and Rainout
This could have an adverse effect on the BUB event also, which is coming shortly. Nick on our team is reg'd for it and cranking away on his junk to get ready. I'm again on the fence...
... On one hand, we could go out and go for the AMA national record in class, and I'm sure we would beat the existing speed (as we already have) and end our 5 year streak with that on the shelf. But again, I'm more interested in getting the big bike ready and fighting to get to World Finals with that instead. I feel my window of opportunity to get 300 is closing. It needs to be done with before I hang my suit one last time.
.
So in a strange twist of fate, SpeedWeek was cancelled due to rain and the track being under water.
Great article from CNN on our buddy Danny Thompson though and his quest. Danny's a fighter and a real scrapper. He's a good man.
Here's the article: CNN Story on Danny
Follow up Story Post the rainout of SpeedWeek: CNN: Danny and Rainout
This could have an adverse effect on the BUB event also, which is coming shortly. Nick on our team is reg'd for it and cranking away on his junk to get ready. I'm again on the fence...
... On one hand, we could go out and go for the AMA national record in class, and I'm sure we would beat the existing speed (as we already have) and end our 5 year streak with that on the shelf. But again, I'm more interested in getting the big bike ready and fighting to get to World Finals with that instead. I feel my window of opportunity to get 300 is closing. It needs to be done with before I hang my suit one last time.
.
Last edited:
Papi
Mmmmm...Faster
:laughing OK, deal.
Yeah, it's a big expense for us, but even bigger for the big time streamliner guys like our buddy Danny in the article above. Crew, food, fuel, lodging, entry fees, Ice, hookers... it aint cheap!
Diezel
كافر extraordinaire
Shit, I might have to take you up on that offer. :teeth
Papi
Mmmmm...Faster
9/12/14 Update
Back in the game kids! :thumbup
We race this weekend at El Mirage on Sunday Sunday Sunday!!
A million things to do on Friday, if anyone wants to help I could always use extra hands and a gofer or two.
It will be Nick and I running for points for our club and position. Not sure if I have it in me to squeeze a record run out, but I won't hold back. Nick will going for another license upgrade.
Fingers crossed and the wind at our backs. Keep us in good mojo and in your thoughts.
.
Back in the game kids! :thumbup
We race this weekend at El Mirage on Sunday Sunday Sunday!!
A million things to do on Friday, if anyone wants to help I could always use extra hands and a gofer or two.
It will be Nick and I running for points for our club and position. Not sure if I have it in me to squeeze a record run out, but I won't hold back. Nick will going for another license upgrade.
Fingers crossed and the wind at our backs. Keep us in good mojo and in your thoughts.
.
EastBayDave
- Kawasaki Fanatic -
Good luck to you guys. Take a video @ speed.... :teeth