Landracing Forum
Tech Information => Steering - Suspension - Rear End => Topic started by: 2stroke on January 23, 2012, 08:30:41 PM
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I hope to be in Worthington this April with my street bike and old drag bike in tow. I am interested in building something new specifically for lsr and would like some input on whether to go with a hardtail or springs and shocks. I'd like to put together an altered class machine as that would give me that much more room to be "creative". The engine will be a heavily modified Yamaha RD400, beyond that, the sky (more likely my wallet) is the limit. Thanks in advance.
2stroke
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What is going on in Worthington in April?
DW
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I believe "2 stroke" is referring to Wilmington ...
Joe
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2stroke,
Having raced at Maxton for the last 4 seasons I recommended shocks due to the many patches and bumps. None of us have ridden at Wilmington but have all heard about how smooth it is. So now it should not make a difference to the engine whether you have rear shocks. If you have a rigid frame then you can get your seat mounted much closer to the rear tire. But remember that the tires expand quite a bit at higher speeds so don't get it so close that it rubs.
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Rear suspension will help you hook up and reduce wheelspin if it is a rough track. This is a performance advantage if your bike will have a lot of power.
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I am still an advocate of rigid if its a smooth surface it is to be used on. I can and often do build frames with mono/twin shocks but tend to lean toward rigid if i can get away with it.
Oz
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I race rigid drag bike frames and it is not an issue either at Maxton, Loring or Bonneville below 153 mph ... As that is the fastest I have gone that is all I can attest to.
Joe
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The purpose of suspension is to push the wheel down to stay in contact with the earth's surface. You have several choices but consider this.........on pavement your tire will tend to be at somewhat lower pressure than on the salt. If your running at maximum rpms and the traction goes.......do you have a rev-limiter? I would consider a hardtail or Vincent (soft-tail) design for an A-frame with a torque monster motor.
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My sidecar is in the 125 range and its rigid all round. No problems at Bonneville or El Mirage. I don't believe its necessary especially with an RD400.
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No problem with my special build 500cc BSA with rigid suspension and 50 psi at either Loring or Bonneville, as far as handling is concerned. However, quite a few things came lose at Loring, like the oil filter, idler shaft, and the rear fender, which took quite a hike on the return run.
Tom
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Kk. They're singles. They all vibrate. If it ain't welded on its fair game for vibration. : - )