Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Bonneville General Chat => Topic started by: Scottie J on December 07, 2013, 01:00:13 PM
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I was just curious what tires and wheel sizes different guys are running on their bikes for the salt. Also any tips/experience as far as hooking up/spinning on the salt you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Scottie
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A lot of folks like the Bridgestone 003 DOT race tire. You might have luck with the search function for more details, this has been discussed here a few times. -Dean
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Scottie, I have used Bridgestone Battlax BT-023 and the BT-003R tires most of the time. These are hard rubber tires that have Z speed ratings which you need for your project goals. Although I have had one rear tire shaved, another set was not and still has held together for many runs.
Don't use a soft compound tire whatever you do (like I did for one run). It will melt and explode.
Don
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I have to ask about the blow out Don, how did that run end?
Scottie
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Well it was not exactly a blowout at speed, but the tire delaminated, melted, flew apart, whatever and was flat at the end of the run. Here is a pic of it.
I thought I was OK to use an actual drag racing tire since they are made for these speeds and racers do burnouts with them. Wrong. What I failed to realize was that drag racing tires are in use for only a few seconds, while LSR tire must withstand heat and speed for a few minutes.
Don
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Scottie what bike and intended speed
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Scottie what bike and intended speed
1959 Royal Enfield/Indian Chief MPS-PBF. I plan on doing 150mph+.
Scottie
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Simpler answer here, if you built an A bike you can use late model components. It would work for BUB or SCTA. Proper tires fit up just fine.
JimL
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Simpler answer here, if you built an A bike you can use late model components. It would work for BUB or SCTA. Proper tires fit up just fine.
JimL
Jim I liked the original longer answer myself before you edited it down to the 'simpler answer' :-). I didn't understand it all not being a bike person but could see that it was a good overview of maybe not boxing yourself in and sounded like a well laid out plan,
Sum
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I apologize, but it was kinda long and rambling. I get too stuck on one idea, sometimes, and other folks have their own plan.
JimL
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Damn! What did I miss? I enjoy long detailed opinions.
Scottie
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You missed the jaw flapping in between "if you...." and "it would work for..."
I have had mediocre luck with M class speeds using my pushrod engines. I think that trying to compare an M class Hayabusa, or whatever, to an M class pushrod or Classic is not apples to apples.
Read through the build diaries on various A bikes for some interesting ideas. It would probably save you money and time.
JimL
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Jim L, you have a lot more credibility on this site than you give yourself credit for. Your long involved answers always have some very useful information and they promote thinking. That's a good thing. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Jim L, you have a lot more credibility on this site than you give yourself credit for. Your long involved answers always have some very useful information and they promote thinking. That's a good thing. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
Yep
What he said
G
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No can find Jim's rambling response. Hopefully this does not duplicate what he said. Tubeless tires run cooler, are lighter, and are more resistant to sudden pressure loss during a blowout, as compared to tube ones.
Right now I am running a British bike with tubed tires, spoked wheels, and traditional tire sizes. The setup seems safe with BT-023's and speeds in the 140-150's. Would I run this arrangement at 200 mph plus? No.
It would be a good idea to build your chassis around rims that use tubeless tires of sizes where plenty of rubber is available for the speeds you plan to go.
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...It would be a good idea to build your chassis around rims that use tubeless tires of sizes where plenty of rubber is available for the speeds you plan to go.
As I said before I didn't understand the whole post, but knew it was good advice, and do believe that it was based around what you are saying above, or in my words "don't box yourself in--widen one's view" 8-),
Sum
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Lots of tires of various sizes are available for use up to 149 mph, and I know some people are using them at higher speeds. But for the widest selection, I would (did) build for 17" tires because there are endless choices for the highest speed rating, so you don't have to upgrade to go faster. You can probably even find good used ones from sport bike riders as long as there's some tread left and tires are not old (sport bike riders usually wear out tires in months rather than years). Also, after pinching a few tubes in my time while mounting tires (especially "Z" rated ones which are stiff as heck), I wondered how many I almost pinched---that could fail at any time. So I converted to aluminum rims for peace of mind. Aluminum rims are truer as well, so you eliminate runout. I use a 110/70 ZR17 on the front and a 120/70 ZR17 on the rear, which is also a front tire, so I run it backwards. No problems up to 145mph. Traction should not be an issue with the kind of hp you'll have and the 2 mile run up to speed. If you get over 175mph, you can use the international course with 5 mile run up. Not to mention names on here (I ran into one situation where one craftsman took exception my mentioning his name on the forum!), there is a certain 750/1000cc pushrod Triumph Trident that achieved 200mph this year naturally aspirated, so it can be done.
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Thanks Koncretekid! That was the kind of answer I was looking! :cheers:
And it looks like I have Triumph to run down. :-D
Scottie
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That fellow with the silver trident makes it look easy. It isn't. He is one of the hardest workers out there. The first time I saw the bike was in 2007 and it was running before that. Every year he comes to BUB and gives it all he's got. Slowly, year by year, the bike got faster and faster. He got his red hat the hard way.