Sum, those Mellor and Hooper records are really impressive. There are none of us "pushrod people" on the same page with that Triumph. I do think I have as much power in my 680cc, but my engine width, bike width, and insufficient aero development will never compete at that level.
In the SCTA records, Rossevelt's 158 plus Blown record was a really good result, two years ago. That was a special day, to say hello, again, (after 42 years) and find ourselves side-by-side in impound....right where we stood all those years ago.
Scottie, my little note is also for your consideration.... that you too will find the "getting of records" becomes less a challenge of "beating some guy", and more the challenge of establishing a "good record, worthy of your effort". You will find that aspect much more addictive than you ever imagined. You will know its happened to you, the day you drive right past impound after your first pass on an Open record.
Four decades ago, a young guy from your area (Longmont) went to Bonneville with high hopes and some pretty big plans. Fate smiled on him for two respectable records, but the salt gave him a big taste of reality. Life got in the way for over 25 years, but what I learned there in 1969 has lasted a lifetime.
I had a lot of good advice from some really good folks, and some of the best was "dont make an Open record your first record". After four days of struggle to finally put 20 mph onto an existing record, I felt it fair to take an Open record later in the week. It teaches you something extra, to chase an existing record.
The choice of a Pushrod class bike means you (we) have chosen a difficult path, indeed. We will never be recognized in that elite of ultra-high speed record holders, absolutely because we have chosen this difficult path. Everything we do is an experiment, and we quickly learn that we must do our own development after the "experts" discover how far up the learning curve keeps climbing.
And so, as they say, welcome to this misery. Just like all of us....steel yourself to be humbled when occasionally it comes your turn to "watch the devil dance on the salt". No need to worry about that, because it never ends....but you will never regret a minute of it.
JimL
PS: Food for thought, perhaps; there was really only one chance to be the "worlds fastest Indian", but somebody else has already done that. Any other "worlds fastest...." doesnt have the same ring to it.
And like they say, "You never get a second chance to be first". Somehow, "worlds second worlds fastest Indian" doesnt sound that cool.
Sooo...start entertaining us in the Build Diaries with pics, and progress, and goofs, and smart questions, and dumb questions. We all take our turn at it, thats half the fun of this hobby, you know?
