While at the track this weekend I had a friend who was updating some friends on another forum as to my progress, so instead of me writing something I have copied what he has written as he can write/tell a story much than I. Remember he is writting this to people who do not have knowledge of LSR so he explains a lot of stuff most of you know. he used to race bikes with Ed Mabry.
Here is what he wrote:
UPDATE NO. 1
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Scotty just called at 1:30PM, PST.
On the first run of the "new" Bonneville Buell, all was well, pulling clean & strong, handling perfectly.
At the normal shift point, 7300 RPM in 3th gear the bike would not shift to 4th.
He kept trying to make the shift but in so doing he lost several hundred RPM.
He finally got it into 4th but it bogged a bit from the dropped RPM.
Scott nursed it back up to the the shift point but it would not shift to 5th, even after several tries.
He "ran out of track" and was timed at 148 MPH in 4th !
The record for his class is a fast 178 MPH. His gearing calculator shows the bike *could* run 177 MPH at 7300 RPM in 5th (top) gear.
The rev-limiter hits at 7500 RPM, so...if he gets the shifting problem straightened out, he could top the 178 MPH record by several MPH.
Unlike Bonneville where you have to average two opposite direction speeds and exceed the old record to set a new one, at El Mirage you only have to exceed the old record in a single, one-way run. So, if the shifting can be corrected, a new record is definitely do-able and could happen..
*Could* being the operative word. No Land Speed Racer worth his salt says what he is going to do, only what he has done !
But it is very encouraging and Scott is really pretty happy. He is going to check all the obvious things like boot or shift lever interference and will try pre-loading the shifter as a way to possibly help. He may/may not attempt a shift mechanism repair at the track.
It is 105 F. at the track and he ran just after noon, meaning the air was very "thin". A bit cooler for a later run today will be a plus, and the jetting should still be good.
Tech inspection went great and the Bonneville Buell performed flawlessly, save the recalcitrant shifter. He found a little engine oil in the belly pan after the run and will be chasing that but it is not significant.
He is really impressed with the performance of the motor and how stable the bike is...both signs of a well built racer !
More later...wish him luck !
EDIT: I forgot to mention, last year's best speed of the (brand new) Bonneville Buell was 128 MPH in 5th gear. Great progress !
UPDATE NO. 2
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Scott called with today's last update.
Best case scenarios for the shifter & oil puking problems. Both turned out to be "new racer" teething problems that require a bit of fettling.
A heim joint on the shift linkage was rubbing inside the fairing preventing the 4-5 shift. It sounds like he'll do a "trackside fix" that will get the job done but require some TLC when he gets it home. "Inelegant but effective" for now.
The oil is normal for a "breathed on" HD motor turning 7300-7500 RPM for extended periods. A jerry-rigged catch bottle and a little hose will fix that.
The bad news is he won't get to make another pass today.
The good news he is near the start of the line for a pass tomorrow morning.
The other good news is why...
He gave up his slot for a run today to help another racer fix a problem and get in his "rookie run".
It was obvious that Scott has the smarts, skills & balls to build and race this bike in Land Speed Racing.
Now it is obvious that he also has the heart of a true racer.
Good luck tomorrow man...
UPDATE NO. 3
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Scott got in another pass this morning at 9:00AM PST.
No record (yet) but things are progressing.
He was still experiencing shifter problems although it was better. He "missed" the 2-3 shift which cost him time (track length) and speed (power); until he could shift on up, 2-3, 3-4 & 4-5.
His trap speed was 168 MPH in 5th (against the 178 record), with the engine still pulling & accelerating.
In other-words, he "ran out of track", well before he ran out of power, gearing, or "aero". Very encouraging.
Unlike Bonneville, El Mirage is much shorter and doesn't allow room for missed shifts, etc.
Temp was 85 F. and air density was 5,180 ft. Anyone know the 'mean sea level' at El Mirage ?
He said he *may* get in one more run and will update us if so.
If you see no more updates, that's "all she wrote" for this meet.
In my opinion he has had a very successful meet. Only a couple of minor problems with the "new" bike, and the potential more more speed was proven.
Way to go Scotty !
As you can see my friend is an excellent writer!
I could of made a few more passes today after my morning pass, however I just didn't feel right about getting back on the bike again until I had gone through it again to make sure everything was tight and in good working order, so next month we will be gunning for the 170 and 175 mark!
Here are few pics to start, I will post more in the next few days.
Scott
It was really hot!! WATER!!!
We are off!
Here is me and my pregnant Umbrella Girl/ Crew Chief!
