2005 ZX12r

[gshell12r]

Hi, all.

First post from a newbie so wish me luck! 

A few weeks back I picked up a 2005 Kawasaki ZX-12 Ninja with hopes of making a land speed runner.

So far I'm just getting it built to safety specs so I'll actually be allowed to run. In the future I'm hoping to build the motor, put on a turbocharger, work with the gearing and electric bits, maybe do some mild streamlining, and then put it on a truck for Bonneville. Hoping that with the right combination of power, gearing, and aerodynamics I'll be able to set down a 250mph run.

Posting pictures soon!!

Always open to advice and input.

[Peter Jack]

I'd be getting a rule book for the organization with which you want to run. Study it carefully and follow it faithfully. Otherwise you may find yourself on the salt and not able to run. Good luck with your build. I hope it runs safe and fast.

Pete

[Dr Goggles]

Second that. You're running against some hard headed guys in those classes, but they all started somewhere.

Keep your ears open and your ambitions under your hat and I reckon you'll be in for the ride of your life.

[55chevr]

G-   where are you from?  I would get all the rule books ... At the very least AMA which is online and SCTA ...

[saltwheels262]

G-   where are you from?  I would get all the rule books ... At the very least AMA which is online and SCTA ...

and LTA.
hey?

bf

[55chevr]

thanks Bill --- LTA rulebook is online also ...

[gshell12r]

Hey folks,

Thanks for the support!

I know I'll be up against some pretty big guns but someone's got to be the underdog.

I've already got a 2011 SCTA rule book that I've been studying and using to bring the bike up to par. Its mostly all there since its a production based bike, I'll just be needing to pick up some odds and ends.

I'm based out of Spokane, WA right now, going to be headed to Cheney, WA in a year for schooling.

[Freud]

It's nice to have another racer from Washington State. Since you live in Spokane you may make contact with Gary Harms. He's been there and done that

except he was with a roadster. He can still describe Bonneville........as much as any body can.

FREUD

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Okay, Freud.  I give up.  Is that a cloudy day from 30,000 feet -- or the salt from about a half-inch?

[Freud]

yes

FREUD

[Freud]

Oh YA.........1/2 an inch.

If you really want to enjoy that picture, grab the right corner of the frame and expand the image until it's almost full screen.

These "now days" Panasonic Lumix cameras are adequate to do professional work if they are in the right hands.

I now use a Panasonic DMC-ZS10 for some of the images in the Target550.com web site. There are places where the

larger Nikon can not get into. I pull out the "Spy Camera" and get the image from a totally different perspective.

The salt image can not be done with the Nikon unless you dig a hole in the salt and get the lens down at ground level.

The optical axis of the Panasonic is 1" above the bottom of the camera. Just level the salt with your shoe and you are 1/2" above the salt.

You just have to be out there about 6:45 AM (MDT) to get the light at that angle. Ride with Bret Kepner and you will be there at 6:00AM.

FREUD

[sabat]

You might also want to get in touch with Muzzys Performance in Bend, Oregon. They have plenty of experience with turbo Kawasakis, and have built a number of successful Bonneville bikes. good luck, Dean

[gshell12r]

Had a look at Muzzy's, pretty sure they'll be getting the majority of my pay checks for the next few months, haha.

As far as boosting the ZX, the only place I've found that makes a turbo kit is tobefast.com and at $5k its a bit steep. Guess it really is a question of "how fast can you afford to go?"

One of my buddies at work has a motorcycle parts business here in Spokane that I've worked with in the past. Also does some dyno-tuning so I'm hoping to pull on that as a resource.

Just on the random: I know that a car's engine will handle about 7-10psi on stock guts before you need any serious upgrades, wondering if anyone has any experience/numbers on a motorcycle engine (specifically kawasaki). I've seen Hayabusas push 450+hp on  20+ psi but they've been built up a bit. 450-500 hp from a 1.2lt motor is no small feat so I'm trying to pull as much info as I can.

Thanks, folks!

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Check with Terry Kizer - Mr. Turbo (www.mrturbo.com).  Also go directly to:  http://www.mrturbo.com/turbo-sys/kawasaki/zx12/zx12.html   He's the first of the big-time Kawasaki turbo guys and still does them out of his shop in Houston.  He's worked on a couple of our bikes, being the guy that first worked well with our Ninja 250 turbo - and gave me a quote for setting up one of our ZX14 bikes.  Ain't cheap - but it'll be about as good as you can get.  He visits Bonneville, too, working on Sam Wheeler's bike/liner and also the Moreau & McBride car (now the Flower of Scotland).  Both are Kawasaki turbo powered.  Say hi when you talk to him.

[joea]

a suitable turbo..500-850 $, an header to hold it 200$ and your own time fabbing/welding or around 500-750$ store bought..

wastegate 25-350$....injectors 300-400$....variable fuel reg 200 or so ...various ways to control fueling starting around 300....

......so around 3000 you can have everything to make 500 hp...but realistically need intercooling and or water injection and or methanol
to make over 400 hp for long periods of time....



but...by then you may wish you had spent another 1500-2000 to have bought a kit all thought out and proven out of the box...

rods 800-1100...pistons 500-600...heavy duty cylinder studs....

with that you can make 500 hp all day long....

Terry K. is great....thats who we have worked with also....272 mph with 999cc.....as well as Shane Stubbs over 269 mph...

Terry might not sound "warm and fuzzy" on the phone...but he is an incredibly caring racers friend...!!