So all winter I toiled on a new bike so that i could do some serious racing this year. Basically built it from a bare chassis, had a new motor professionally built for me, got some new leathers/helmet, the whole 9. So April 25th, I brought my new baby to the "Bikes in the Valley" event at Lebanon Valley Dragway to do some license passes and basically try to dial it in a little bit to get used to her as she is a much different beast that the other bikes i've ridden. So I unload her off the trailer at the track, get all my license paperwork squared away, and prep her for the lanes. Checked tire pressure, chain tension, strapped down the front end, set the 2 step. Leathers, check. Boots, check. Helmet, check. Gloves, check.
So I roll into the lanes. Butterflys start fluttering in my stomach. New bike, new track surface, who knows what can happen. For those unfamiliar with getting your NHRA license, basically it consists of 6 runs. 2 launches, 2 half-track passes, and 2 full passes quicker than 10.0. So the 1st pass, i know i'm just going to launch it and then roll down the track. Roll up to the water box, do my burnout and get in the beams and on the 2 step. 2 step is set way too low and the bike bogs hard. I started out with a little higher tire pressure and I figured the track was still "green" so I was soft on the 2 step and boy was i wrong. I go back to the pits and raise the 2 step a bunch, and get ready to go at it again. I let it cool for a few minutes and get back to the lanes. Burnout, launch much better, and start to feel good that the setup is gradually getting better. Go back to the pits, make another 2 step adjustment, and check tire pressure. Back to the lanes and this time I know I can run it to 1/2 track. Burnout, stage, 10.7 @ 78 mph letting off before the 660'. Heres a pic.
http://photosbyjim.smugmug.com/gallery/8013265_hfPvt#521236811_XtUkS
Ok, story is getting boring, I know. Here's where it gets "fun". Go back after a cooldown for another 1/2 track pass. Little did I know there would be no pass....
I get into the burnout box, start the burnout, smoke starts coming off the tire, moving her side to side to get the whole tire warm....BRAP BRAP BRAP BRAP BRAP, and it slowly stalls out the motor. I knew it wasn't the sound of spark cutout, or a bad coil, etc. That sinking feeling came over me. You guys know what that feeling is when you hear a rod-a-knockin, or know you're pressurizing your coolant b/c a headgasket decided to throw in the towel. Loaded her back on the trailer got her home and started the teardown.
So without further adieu....some pics of the carnage of a brand new motor.
1st thing 1st, pull the plugs. Here's the 1st one i pulled. (all others were normal)
So I roll into the lanes. Butterflys start fluttering in my stomach. New bike, new track surface, who knows what can happen. For those unfamiliar with getting your NHRA license, basically it consists of 6 runs. 2 launches, 2 half-track passes, and 2 full passes quicker than 10.0. So the 1st pass, i know i'm just going to launch it and then roll down the track. Roll up to the water box, do my burnout and get in the beams and on the 2 step. 2 step is set way too low and the bike bogs hard. I started out with a little higher tire pressure and I figured the track was still "green" so I was soft on the 2 step and boy was i wrong. I go back to the pits and raise the 2 step a bunch, and get ready to go at it again. I let it cool for a few minutes and get back to the lanes. Burnout, launch much better, and start to feel good that the setup is gradually getting better. Go back to the pits, make another 2 step adjustment, and check tire pressure. Back to the lanes and this time I know I can run it to 1/2 track. Burnout, stage, 10.7 @ 78 mph letting off before the 660'. Heres a pic.
http://photosbyjim.smugmug.com/gallery/8013265_hfPvt#521236811_XtUkS
Ok, story is getting boring, I know. Here's where it gets "fun". Go back after a cooldown for another 1/2 track pass. Little did I know there would be no pass....
I get into the burnout box, start the burnout, smoke starts coming off the tire, moving her side to side to get the whole tire warm....BRAP BRAP BRAP BRAP BRAP, and it slowly stalls out the motor. I knew it wasn't the sound of spark cutout, or a bad coil, etc. That sinking feeling came over me. You guys know what that feeling is when you hear a rod-a-knockin, or know you're pressurizing your coolant b/c a headgasket decided to throw in the towel. Loaded her back on the trailer got her home and started the teardown.
So without further adieu....some pics of the carnage of a brand new motor.
1st thing 1st, pull the plugs. Here's the 1st one i pulled. (all others were normal)
