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Up'ing the Quest to 275
- Thread starter Papi
- Start date
8/26 Update
After getting over the SpeedWeek hangover, I finally had a chance to unpack more and get the bike in order.
The typical scenario is we clean up the bike(s) and start doing analysis of the runs, diagnostics and so forth. Now the bike hasn't run since our last pass at SpeedWeek (where we thought we ran out of fuel), so the computer still has that pass loaded for us to study. I was concerned that fuel wasn't the issue. The way the motor behaved mid point in the run wasn't very good. As they say, "it always runs best just before she blows".
We hooked up the computer and began reading the run. All looked OK there sans the closed throttle position after 6th. That was when the motor stuttered on me at around 180MPH and felt like she just ran out of fuel. When I turned off, the motor died hard, and on restart, she sounded like only two cylinders were firing. So at the time, we just presumed we ran short on fuel.
So after the download, we reset the tune to our elevation, put a gallon of fresh fuel in her and tried to start her up. No go. My first thought was maybe we lost ignition somewhere. We hunted that down, and all checked out OK. Next step was a compression test. We pulled the body off, removed plugs and when the Wiz saw plug #4, he said "um, oh-o". I knew that wasn't good.
We threaded in the bib for compression testing in #4 cylinder first, she read 0 pounds. #3 cylinder - 200 pounds, #2 cylinder - 200 pounds, #1 cylinder - 0 pounds. Essentially we cooked #1 and #4.
This now represents a whole new set of issues. It's not that we can't rebuild the top end, it's should we. I was pretty deflated about this because we are in full swing on the blown fuel bike, and needed the production bike to carry through the season without issues. For 3 years the 1650 P-P bike has been a rock of reliability, and now that we have pushed the edge more in HP, it is nothing but problematic. That and we are running on a Gen1 platform while producing big HP numbers is really seat of the pants edgy. This is why in NHRA PSM for example, a team typically has 3 or more spare motors. But in Top Speed, and being a privateer, I cant afford to have spares like that. We put all our best efforts into a plant that is strong and push it hard, over and over again. In fact, it wasn't until late season after running her harder and harder did I set the SCTA record. So there is a level of confidence we get in the motor, our builder and the plant in general that leaves me relying on the salty junk not blowing up.
Anyway, I digressed a bit. The bottom line is we need to make a resources decision. We have barely enough budget left to put the blown fuel bike together still, and that's about 20k away from being complete. Making 600HP is going to be expensive. Now we have a new top end needed on the production bike, yet we are now 6MPH away from the top speed record (the record was pushed up from 201 to 205 last day of SpeedWeek). I estimate 1 month on the production bike motors to be rebuilt, and two months on the blown fuel bike to completion. That takes us to World Finals @ B'Ville, and the last El Mirage meet of the year. It's going to be really tight.
Racing is a lot of emotions. When you're on top, it's great and a lot of fun. But when nobody's paying you to do it, and you have to fund the whole wagon train on your own, moments like a motor going south in your #1 ride can really take the wind out of your sails. I think eating some DeCon rat poison would be less painful at this moment.
I just hope we can keep moving forward. This is a tough road ahead, and by far one of the most challenging things personally I have ever done. None of it could have happened without the wonderful support of our volunteer crew and family, sponsors and vendors. They have been there every step, good and bad to help the dream become realized.
It all boils down to just one thing. Who will be the fastest?
.
After getting over the SpeedWeek hangover, I finally had a chance to unpack more and get the bike in order.
The typical scenario is we clean up the bike(s) and start doing analysis of the runs, diagnostics and so forth. Now the bike hasn't run since our last pass at SpeedWeek (where we thought we ran out of fuel), so the computer still has that pass loaded for us to study. I was concerned that fuel wasn't the issue. The way the motor behaved mid point in the run wasn't very good. As they say, "it always runs best just before she blows".
We hooked up the computer and began reading the run. All looked OK there sans the closed throttle position after 6th. That was when the motor stuttered on me at around 180MPH and felt like she just ran out of fuel. When I turned off, the motor died hard, and on restart, she sounded like only two cylinders were firing. So at the time, we just presumed we ran short on fuel.
So after the download, we reset the tune to our elevation, put a gallon of fresh fuel in her and tried to start her up. No go. My first thought was maybe we lost ignition somewhere. We hunted that down, and all checked out OK. Next step was a compression test. We pulled the body off, removed plugs and when the Wiz saw plug #4, he said "um, oh-o". I knew that wasn't good.
We threaded in the bib for compression testing in #4 cylinder first, she read 0 pounds. #3 cylinder - 200 pounds, #2 cylinder - 200 pounds, #1 cylinder - 0 pounds. Essentially we cooked #1 and #4.
This now represents a whole new set of issues. It's not that we can't rebuild the top end, it's should we. I was pretty deflated about this because we are in full swing on the blown fuel bike, and needed the production bike to carry through the season without issues. For 3 years the 1650 P-P bike has been a rock of reliability, and now that we have pushed the edge more in HP, it is nothing but problematic. That and we are running on a Gen1 platform while producing big HP numbers is really seat of the pants edgy. This is why in NHRA PSM for example, a team typically has 3 or more spare motors. But in Top Speed, and being a privateer, I cant afford to have spares like that. We put all our best efforts into a plant that is strong and push it hard, over and over again. In fact, it wasn't until late season after running her harder and harder did I set the SCTA record. So there is a level of confidence we get in the motor, our builder and the plant in general that leaves me relying on the salty junk not blowing up.
Anyway, I digressed a bit. The bottom line is we need to make a resources decision. We have barely enough budget left to put the blown fuel bike together still, and that's about 20k away from being complete. Making 600HP is going to be expensive. Now we have a new top end needed on the production bike, yet we are now 6MPH away from the top speed record (the record was pushed up from 201 to 205 last day of SpeedWeek). I estimate 1 month on the production bike motors to be rebuilt, and two months on the blown fuel bike to completion. That takes us to World Finals @ B'Ville, and the last El Mirage meet of the year. It's going to be really tight.
Racing is a lot of emotions. When you're on top, it's great and a lot of fun. But when nobody's paying you to do it, and you have to fund the whole wagon train on your own, moments like a motor going south in your #1 ride can really take the wind out of your sails. I think eating some DeCon rat poison would be less painful at this moment.
I just hope we can keep moving forward. This is a tough road ahead, and by far one of the most challenging things personally I have ever done. None of it could have happened without the wonderful support of our volunteer crew and family, sponsors and vendors. They have been there every step, good and bad to help the dream become realized.
It all boils down to just one thing. Who will be the fastest?
.
Last edited:
firstbuell
GO! 04,16,23,31,64,69,95
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2004
- Location
- dem hills o'Redwood City
- Moto(s)
- 99 Buell M2 Cyclone;06 KTM 450 EXC-plated!;04 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Disc;19 Wilier Cento1Hy
- Name
- Curt
firstbuell
GO! 04,16,23,31,64,69,95
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2004
- Location
- dem hills o'Redwood City
- Moto(s)
- 99 Buell M2 Cyclone;06 KTM 450 EXC-plated!;04 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Disc;19 Wilier Cento1Hy
- Name
- Curt
"Cycle World" out on The Salt
Licensing, legality, cool people and high speeds at the salt flats
http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/09/02/return-to-bonneville/
Licensing, legality, cool people and high speeds at the salt flats
http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/09/02/return-to-bonneville/
firstbuell
GO! 04,16,23,31,64,69,95
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2004
- Location
- dem hills o'Redwood City
- Moto(s)
- 99 Buell M2 Cyclone;06 KTM 450 EXC-plated!;04 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Disc;19 Wilier Cento1Hy
- Name
- Curt
Fireman Jim, Gregg & Kim make it to print [digital, anyway]
Salt Addiction: Red Hat Diaries
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/287/1...-Red-Hat-Diaries.aspx?WT.i_e_dcsvid=478306643
Salt Addiction: Red Hat Diaries
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/287/1...-Red-Hat-Diaries.aspx?WT.i_e_dcsvid=478306643
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2002
- Location
- Menlo Park, Ca.
- Moto(s)
- Keep me rocking life
- Name
- Budman
- BARF perks
- AMA Life Member #203453
Good luck papi.
Tough decisions are best made by tough men.
Good decisions are made by wise men.
Tough decisions are best made by tough men.
Good decisions are made by wise men.
10/31/2012 Update
We are back to the off season grind. I may have to blow the dust off my dirt bikes and get back into D36/37 to stay happy for the winter. I sometimes really miss CC and Desert racing, but my body sure doesn't.
Our new engineered turbo for the blown fuel bike is just bitchen. Top notch job done by all involved. Looking to be in the 600 to 650HP range with this new motor design. Lot's to do still, especially with our intercooler design. Must keep the charge temp cool.
The production bike motor has parts being made after it scrambled @ SpeedWeek. Custom this and Ti that, another cash infusion turned to metal. Our piston design is being cut now, we really feel this is the best design to squeeze as much compression as possible. We are approaching 16:1, and with a vastly superior architecture and dome. 2 years of trial and error at high speed went into this design. I'm super proud of our work in geometry.
I have accelerated our build and dev time. We have 4 to 5 months to be trailered and ready. I do not want to miss the opening or any events in 2013. So changes are being made to structure, crew, vendor support and so on. All we can do is keep trying.
Pix and bike updates to follow. Here we go again folks...
.
We are back to the off season grind. I may have to blow the dust off my dirt bikes and get back into D36/37 to stay happy for the winter. I sometimes really miss CC and Desert racing, but my body sure doesn't.
Our new engineered turbo for the blown fuel bike is just bitchen. Top notch job done by all involved. Looking to be in the 600 to 650HP range with this new motor design. Lot's to do still, especially with our intercooler design. Must keep the charge temp cool.
The production bike motor has parts being made after it scrambled @ SpeedWeek. Custom this and Ti that, another cash infusion turned to metal. Our piston design is being cut now, we really feel this is the best design to squeeze as much compression as possible. We are approaching 16:1, and with a vastly superior architecture and dome. 2 years of trial and error at high speed went into this design. I'm super proud of our work in geometry.
I have accelerated our build and dev time. We have 4 to 5 months to be trailered and ready. I do not want to miss the opening or any events in 2013. So changes are being made to structure, crew, vendor support and so on. All we can do is keep trying.
Pix and bike updates to follow. Here we go again folks...
.
Last edited:
Tydive
Rides every day
600-650HP 'Busa... Now that's a scary Halloween costume. 
You can dooooo eeetttttt!
You can dooooo eeetttttt!
EQPlayer
Straight roads are evil
Go fast(er) Papi!
Here's a couple pix I took of our new beastly Turbo last week. I swear it's bigger than the system on my F350 Turbo Diesel 
It was engineered around the tables we built in motor geometry. Precision Turbo is top notch on tweaking systems to spec. I'm very happy with them so far. It'll push 30 to 40 pounds no problem, maybe even up to 50
. Spools like a dream, no lag. All ceramic bearings. Purely bitchen.
It was engineered around the tables we built in motor geometry. Precision Turbo is top notch on tweaking systems to spec. I'm very happy with them so far. It'll push 30 to 40 pounds no problem, maybe even up to 50
. Spools like a dream, no lag. All ceramic bearings. Purely bitchen.
Last edited:
11/10/12 Update
The LSR Season ends this weekend on the dry lake @ El Mirage.
I'm sad not being there, it's been one of my favorite events.
Everything is still in pieces, and both bikes should be ready to roll at the season opener in 2013. It's gonna be a loooong winter.
Cheers to all my buddies attempting Top Speed in the dirty mile today and Sunday, Go Fast.
The LSR Season ends this weekend on the dry lake @ El Mirage.
I'm sad not being there, it's been one of my favorite events.
Everything is still in pieces, and both bikes should be ready to roll at the season opener in 2013. It's gonna be a loooong winter.
Cheers to all my buddies attempting Top Speed in the dirty mile today and Sunday, Go Fast.
12/29/12 Update
Today I spent time at the motor shop inspecting new parts and some cool prototype parts. The P-P motor has all the components ready except the head and some machining. Valve pockets will get cut into our custom engineered piston$, and hopefully short block assembly will be done mid January. I'm hopeful the P-P motor will be complete and dyno'd by February and the bike re-assembled @ our shop before mid March.
The blown fuel bike is getting motor parts still machined. We are going to beta test some cool new internal parts, enhanced oiling and a few radical ideas to get big power. I drooled over the turbo again today, that thing is pure sex.
Still lots to do there and 5 months left. Gotta get on it.
A Super Big thanks to our sponsors who are sticking with us for another year!
Big shout out to our factory-dealer sponsor for Kawasaki and Suzuki - Fremont Honda-Kawasaki-Suzuki and owner Eddie. He and his parts manager Kevin have really done a great job for us the last two years and we really appreciate the hard work and dedication they have shown us. Big thanks also to Taylor who makes it happen when we need stuff overnight. I cant say enough good things about Fremont HKS, they are just top notch!
Today I spent time at the motor shop inspecting new parts and some cool prototype parts. The P-P motor has all the components ready except the head and some machining. Valve pockets will get cut into our custom engineered piston$, and hopefully short block assembly will be done mid January. I'm hopeful the P-P motor will be complete and dyno'd by February and the bike re-assembled @ our shop before mid March.
The blown fuel bike is getting motor parts still machined. We are going to beta test some cool new internal parts, enhanced oiling and a few radical ideas to get big power. I drooled over the turbo again today, that thing is pure sex.
Still lots to do there and 5 months left. Gotta get on it.
A Super Big thanks to our sponsors who are sticking with us for another year!
Big shout out to our factory-dealer sponsor for Kawasaki and Suzuki - Fremont Honda-Kawasaki-Suzuki and owner Eddie. He and his parts manager Kevin have really done a great job for us the last two years and we really appreciate the hard work and dedication they have shown us. Big thanks also to Taylor who makes it happen when we need stuff overnight. I cant say enough good things about Fremont HKS, they are just top notch!
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2002
- Location
- Menlo Park, Ca.
- Moto(s)
- Keep me rocking life
- Name
- Budman
- BARF perks
- AMA Life Member #203453
Eddie and gang rock for sure.
5 months to go.. that sounds like a long time.. but when your trying to really go fast.. so does the time.
Good luck.
5 months to go.. that sounds like a long time.. but when your trying to really go fast.. so does the time.
Good luck.
two wheel tramp
is the cutest
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2010
- Location
- your mom’s house
- Moto(s)
- DR6Fiddy x 2!, 790 ADV S, 9Fiddy SM-R, 89 Transalp, TTR2Fiddy
- Name
- Triple R
- BARF perks
- AMA #2771957
Papi, you are a professional bad ass. 
I guess that, when I can afford a drz, I should show love to your sponsors.
I guess that, when I can afford a drz, I should show love to your sponsors.
louemc
New member
10/31/2012 Update
We are back to the off season grind. I may have to blow the dust off my dirt bikes and get back into D36/37 to stay happy for the winter. I sometimes really miss CC and Desert racing, but my body sure doesn't.
Our new engineered turbo for the blown fuel bike is just bitchen. Top notch job done by all involved. Looking to be in the 600 to 650HP range with this new motor design. Lot's to do still, especially with our intercooler design. Must keep the charge temp cool.
The production bike motor has parts being made after it scrambled @ SpeedWeek. Custom this and Ti that, another cash infusion turned to metal. Our piston design is being cut now, we really feel this is the best design to squeeze as much compression as possible. We are approaching 16:1, and with a vastly superior architecture and dome. 2 years of trial and error at high speed went into this design. I'm super proud of our work in geometry.
I have accelerated our build and dev time. We have 4 to 5 months to be trailered and ready. I do not want to miss the opening or any events in 2013. So changes are being made to structure, crew, vendor support and so on. All we can do is keep trying.
Pix and bike updates to follow. Here we go again folks...
.
Will your time trials be made in the same trials that Sam Wheeler is making for the quest for 400mph EZ-HOOK Streamliner attempt?
Yes, for the most part. Sam is a really great guy. His venture with the streamliner is going against Rocky Robinson and the AckAttack. A lot of us think Sam is a mad genius, and there is a high likelihood he will succeed and become the new TopSpeed record holder in MC Streamliner class and beat Rocky's ever increasing speed and FIM/AMA World Record.
I'm cut from a different thread though. I like the open bikes, not the streamliners. I've been inside a few streamliner's from teammates and fellow racers, and honestly I cant do it. I think those guys are nuts for being inside that tin pencil can and they think I'm nuts for being on a sit-on. All us TopSpeed MC LSR's are a little nuts anyway
Either way, looking forward to Sam's effort. That dude has a lot of soul.
Last edited:
louemc
New member
Yes, for the most part. Sam is a really great guy. His venture with the streamliner is going against Rocky Robinson and the AckAttack. A lot of us think Sam is a mad genius, and there is a high likelihood he will succeed and become the new TopSpeed record holder in MC Streamliner class and beat Rocky's ever increasing speed and FIM/AMA World Record.
I'm cut from a different thread though. I like the open bikes, not the streamliners. I've been inside a few streamliner's from teammates and fellow racers, and honestly I cant do it. I think those guys are nuts for being inside that tin pencil can and they think I'm nuts for being on a sit-on. All us TopSpeed MC LSR's are a little nuts anyway
Either way, looking forward to Sam's effort. That dude has a lot of soul.
What are the dates of these trials? I want to be there to see the machines, and..there is a rumor that this is Sam's last year that he feels he can make this attempt. I've met Rocky (through his Dad, Joe) But I'm rooting for Sam..I'd like to talk to Sam if possible...But see his Streamliner at least. I resonate with his style.