Up'ing the Quest to 275

[Papi]

Thank you Jen for volunteering this year :thumbup
You have proven yourself already and really helped out this past weekend.

One correction above, we currently are the SCTA Record Holder in 1650 P-P.
However, we missed the BNI Record by less than 2MPH in 2010, so we are going back to go after that. If all goes well at SpeedWeek, then we will also go for the AMA and FIM records.

As Jen said, the new bike we are also running (1350 APS-BF) is a new game. I ran that bike once before taking out an Intake valve under boost last year at about 150 in 3rd gear at about 50% load. Our fresh Motor should be ready by SpeedWeek, and we are also adding some new tricks. Like Jen said, our goal is to beat the standing record and hopefully turn over 250, then onto 275. My one and only pass on that bike last year was very interesting. Besides smoking the motor, having a Blown Fuel bike is like having the hand of God push you down the track. It's no where near as violent as NA, it's just magical with mind blowing HP between your legs.

7/2 UPDATE: The ZX14 P-P motor fired up last night on the Motor Dyno, after a whole weekend of battling electrical gremlins, swapping out harnesses, connections and so forth. I was about an inch away from slitting my wrists over that stupid closed Kawasaki ECU when the Wizard found an open circuit wire under harness wrap. When she fired, it sounded so very sweet and bitchen, I about wet my chonis. We will break her in on the cradle attached to a Frough-Hoffman water brake with Superflow data acquisition. Our built baseline numbers need to be upped by at least 15HP squeaking near 240HP out of the factory built motor. Fingers crossed.

She will be poked and prodded today and tuesday by the Wizard measuring Data Aq out of every orifice we can plumb. The tuning is next, then off of the cradle so we can re-assemble a torn down bike replacing corroded parts (from the salt) along the way. Going to be a very busy two weeks.

Attached is a crappy cell phone pic from the glory of her running last night and the Wizard hooking her up. I friggen love that man.

 

[Papi]

7/7 Update

We have her almost all torn down, cleaned, lubed and inspected.
I heard a rumor she may not pass Tech Inspection without wheels, chain and motor, so we might want those back in prior...

Big thanks to Pat (ZoomSplat) for a good days work on her as this years Crew Chief.

:thumbup

 

[Papi]

7/12 Update

Well, with just two days before we need to leave for El Mirage, our program has changed.

The 14 Motor is still in it's cradle getting tweaked on the engine dyno. We had a few hurdles to cross, and the Wizard is on it. The good news is some major changes we made have proven worthy. Now it's on to getting the final numbers dialed in and seeing how much more power she will make. We just cant rush this stuff, as we have only one real chance for it to be right when going for Top Speed in Class.

Next stop at this point is straight to SpeedWeek in August @ Bonneville. :thumbup

 

[Papi]

7/15 Update

Reaching the light at the end of the tunnel is gratifying and exhausting. Saturday night in the motor dyno room.

1 motor almost ready, 1 more to go...

 

[OLeary]

AWESOME stuff

 

[tommygunracer]

Very nice. Are you going to do any aerodynamic mods are is that not allowed ?

 

[Papi]

7/15 Update - Sunday

Today was about getting the rolling Chassis re-assembled. Virtually everything was taken down already, and today we started putting her back together.

It is literally amazing how much damage Bonneville does to parts and metal of all kinds. So many parts after a season are just junk because of corrosion.

Before she gets re-assembled, every part that is going back on the bike is soaked in a penetrating oil, then WD, then coated in light oil, rub and made almost dry, but just lightly oily. This will help when cleaning the bike and getting the salt off between rounds.

All day Sunday was dedicated to making sure absolutely no residue was left on the bike from last season. It's a major PITA, but must be done to protect the investment.

Here she is @ 9PM Sunday night. I'm beat, time to go home so here's a quick shot. Tomorrow will be more of more after the work day.

 

[Papi]

Very nice. Are you going to do any aerodynamic mods are is that not allowed ?

Good question. Answer is No. This is a factory built Production Bike only. Meaning, she must look pretty much like a factory bike when she gets inspected. The production class is brutal, We are very restricted and very limited. No body changes/mods are allowed at all. Even the rear fender must be in place and factory exhaust.

Our other bike in Blown Fuel will have a more aerodynamic body. I'll post pictures of her tear down later, but she is in the first picture.

 

[Brown81]

sub'd!!!

 

[Papi]

4/16 AM Update

Bad news delivered 15 minutes ago. We just suffered a catastrophic failure...

THREAD EDITED OUT -- Problems being fixed by those involved.

 

[mean dad]

:thumbdown

sorry to hear, man. good luck on the tear down, hope it's something that can be overcome quickly.

 

[Papi]

7/16 PM UPDATE

Not a good day. As stated in my morning update, we had a.......

THREAD EDITED OUT -- Problem being fixed by those involved. End of story.

 

[Lester Green]

I don't see that as failure, just dedication that it takes to be on top. best of luck to you Papi. :thumbup

 

[mean dad]

damn. I'll stop whining about having to do my valves every few thousand miles.

 

[Papi]

7/17 Update

I have edited out the last couple days of posts. Those in the know have stepped up and problems are being resolved.

We may, just may, have a shot at B'ville again. :teeth

 

[Papi]

7/19 Update

One of the most difficult parts during this quest is the "unexpected". Compound that with all the folks that pitch in and donate resources, experience and time above and beyond our annual budget. So much energy is put into the quest for "Top Speed" that when our plans get interrupted, it's like mourning a loss. Some folks would just give up. But we have survived many obstacles that have built our persistent nature to move forward regardless the issues we face. I am very proud of all our vendor partners and most of all, our "all volunteer crew" who demand nothing less than being the best at what we do to achieve records with class, honesty and integrity.
Hats off to PatH, Jen, DP, Fe, my wife Marina, the Wiz and everyone who helps out in each unique way.

Today's update is about the scramble to make SpeedWeek. We are knee deep in getting the pieces together for an attempt at the 1650 Production Record. Parts are being crafted everywhere, Fremont Kawasaki and Eddie's crew in parts of Kevin and Taylor are mad rushing bit's from Kawasaki like a boss for us. Those guys work their butts of to get us whatever we need each day, and they are invaluable to us as a partner.

We are also finalizing our Blown Fuel effort with an entirely new system design. After months of work, we have sought expertise from the kings of blown. This is going to be pretty bitchen to say the least. Our hope is at least we make World Finals on this bike.

As we battle through the seasons issues and a million things to fix or make better, our fingers are still crossed to make SpeedWeek in time. Let the gods of Speed shine luck upon us, and all the good karma we can get to push the bike into the trailer for the Salt is given to us.



arty

 

[Lester Green]

just a minor setback Homie. GO PAPI GO!!!

 

[EQPlayer]

just a minor setback Homie. GO PAPI GO!!!

+275! (Or more)

 

[Papi]

7/23 Update

We ordered a new custom engineered Turbo for the Blown Fuel bike. So much for staying in budget this year. We "up" sized considerably, leaving us room for HP expansion next year as we develop the bike in the BF class. Custom Header will get made soon, plus an extended swingarm and subframe to match. Plan on some new tanks in the tail, then bodywork. We may use our front still, but will need all new tail work done for the custom extension.

The mighty 14 is still chugging along. We hope to have that motor finalized by next Monday, giving us just a few days to get her in and Bonneville ready. We have several vendors promising us parts by Thursday/Friday.

The other shoe dropped on trying to be ready on time. Our trailer (Weekend Warrior FS2600 Toy Hauler) had some of the metal siding pull away and caused some major water damage that was much worse than anticipated. We spent this past Saturday getting metal off the side, pulling out a window and replacing the damaged (and rotted) frame wood. We could only fix so much, and definitely could have used some professional help, but money is super tight and we had to just screw and glue what we could. The timing is really bad to get another trailer right now, and if we do, I will never ever buy another wood framed unit. What a POS those things can turn out to be if they get wet inside. Maybe someone out there has a Renegade rig with a double stacker trailer they want to give us?? :laughing

While we could use another trailer, and really bad (30' Minimum), we just cant afford it right now.
Anyway, you can never have enough budget in Top Speed, and we have well blown through this years already. Gonna just keep hanging on and doing our best.

No pix this update, sorry, the weekends news has just been to depressing. Trying to stay positive right now is a chore.

Special thanks this past weekend to the crew who slaved in the sun with me to put our rolling party wagon back together with bailing wire, gum and big long screws. Hope she makes it up 80.

 

[Papi]

7/30 UPDATE

We are 1 week and 3 days out from needing to leave for Bonneville to make inspection at SpeedWeek on Friday AM.
And, in typical fashion, more doom and gloom. We went to inspect our rig to make sure she was ready to tow the trailer, and the curse of Bonneville has killed the braking system. All of it. So, we took it all apart, put in new rotors, heavy duty pads, calipers and what have you. I have never seen so much corrosion and still have the brakes mildly work. Wire wheel and PB Blaster cures all.

On the bike front, we are only taking 1 bike if we actually leave. That will be the 1650 PP bike (ZX14) as it is the most complete. Motor should be out of it's dyno cradle on Wednesday, and back in the bike she goes.

The trailer is still mildly fookered, but we will have to find a way. Our total entourage is two rigs, two trailers and one spare truck. I'm sure out of the 3 one will make it there. :laughing

Countdown is on. I am giving us a 65% chance of leaving on time next weds or thurs.



arty