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Drag Racing Heathcote drags.

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Racing and Track Days' started by jmw76, May 22, 2022.

  1. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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  2. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    @Frankster was still struggling to come to grips with the changed characteristics of his bike which resulting in him launching early on his first competition run and red lighting. So our day ended relatively early. More practise and tweaking required I guess. A pity as @Frankster kept improving on his ETs throughout the day and there was an indication of some good times (for a 250) if the trend continued.
     
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  3. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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  4. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    Lots of talk now about the next round of improvements.
     
  5. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Thanks @jmw76 for your write-up and pics.

    While the weather was excellent, the day itself was very frustrating, but not unexpected. it felt like I hadn't run the bike for 18-24 months, but I did actually run it just over a year ago for a cancelled TDRA meeting at Gunnedah. I got 3 runs in at that meeting before dropping the bike on its way to the dummy grid and having to make repairs back in Tamworth with the help of @GreyImport. I wasn't comfortable on the bike at that meeting as the new tank and layout was putting me off a bit.

    upload_2022-6-19_11-38-10.png

    As mentioned, many changes have been made since then, so a lot more test&tune sessions are needed to sort out the new combo. First race since my knee operation, so also a bit tentative.

    Anyhoot, I'm about to give a more detailed rundown of the changes and how the day went (from the rider's point of view), so if you're not interested, here's your chance to click off.

    upload_2022-6-19_11-42-32.png

    Run1: I had a new helmet and as I was staging I dropped the visor and it instantly fogged up. I fumbled around trying to find the visor release, but tree was activated and off I went. I changed into second and then tried to pop my visor again, but the visor was clearing so I just ran the bike to the end in a fabulous 16.6secs.

    Run2: My new helmet has a habit of fogging even if I'm breathing out of my nose, so I popped the visor to the lowest level and staged the bike. Launched the bike, but new clutch plates and changed flywheel weight made the bike bunny hop in first gear and after nearly stalling, I eased the clutch out and made the rest of my run on power without any issues.

    Run3: I decided that since my normal banzai launches weren't working, I would just try and leave the line cleanly and then sneak up on whatever was going wrong. After a rather 'gay' launch, the bike performed well and I made it to the other end just behind a lightweight rider on a CFmoto 650GT. On the return road, my gear change rod fell off and I was 'surprised' when I went to change down a gear to look down and see my gear lever flapping around. A long walk back up the return road ensued and I eventually found the little bugger and installed it to where I thought it should be angled on the bike. I had it a little too low, which effected my next run, but no excuses.

    Eliminations round 1: After drawing the guy parked next to me in the pits, I was confident that even with a 'revised' launch I could run to a 14.90 dial-in and stand a chance of progressing. I missed the 1-2 gear change, but I got to the finish line first and eased off when I looked over and he wasn't there. He came by just after the line. I went back to the start hoping I hadn't broken out, but was told I had redlighted (by a gigantic .21sec - WTF?). Packed up and went home to mull over my day.



    Overall, I'm not unhappy about the changes that I've made and if I can get the bike to launch properly, then it should translate to much quicker and faster times. I had changed the gearing from 14T/48T to 13T/48T to help the bike launch 'faster' but I never got to really test that theory. My best 60ft time with 14T/48T is 1.95sec, so that a long way from the 2.23 I ran in the final. Hopefully, I can get some more testing done before my next trip up to Gunnedah. The reduced flywheel mass certainly helps the bike rev faster, but it has changed the launch characteristics of the bike. And, I guess the new clutch plates, reduced bike weight, rider position and lower gearing just all made it a bit of a mess to sort out with a handful of runs.

    And finally, thanks to Peter for his help, observations and input on the day. My engine needs new rings, but Peter said it sounded fine and wasn't blowing any smoke, so I'll keep with it for a bit longer.

    The 'Foot in Bowl Photography' guy got a good pic of my new helmet just before the effing thing fogged its visor on my first run.

    AGV.jpg
     
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    Last edited: Jun 22, 2022
  6. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    Frank, best as I can make out, it looks like you were in 5th when crossing the line and still have 1000 or so rpm to play with. So gearing isn't too bad. If the gearing was any shorter, you might need sixth. My suspicion would be that the additional gear change would then just slow you down.

    Yes the bike did sound pretty sweat going down the track. So leave the engine tune alone for the time being.
     
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  7. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    I'm using the shorter gearing to accelerate faster. As this bike is too slow, I don't intend to run a lot of 1/4 mile with it, so what gear I'm in when I cross the line is only important for 1/8 mile racing. I was just changing into 4th at the 1/8 mile marker, so when I factor in the missed 1-2 change, the gearing seems okay for 1/8 mile racing. The next time I run 1/4 mile, I will go back to 14T/48T as I think that will get me to the other end a bit quicker.

    Serious swingarm mods used here.

    Screenshot 2022-06-22 21.09.00.png
     
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    Last edited: Jun 22, 2022
  8. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    Happy for someone else to remove pics deemed inappropriate. I don't think I have edit capability at this point.
     
  9. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    @GreyImport can you remove those pics or edit out the registration plates please, unless you're okay with them on your forum. Thanks.
     
  10. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Personally I dont see any reason why they should have special treatment because of "who they are" .... no one special in my books , but interesting they are drag racing ..... they must of misread the program though as tractor pulling wasnt on that weekend :cool:
    As I didnt post them originally I edited them anyway
     
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  11. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    I don't think they deserve special treatment either, but I wouldn't like anyone using the forum to be targeted for doing anything 'they' may take offence from. And, to be honest, I personally try to never include anyone's license plate on anything I upload.
     
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  12. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    HPR Bike Mayhem is this Saturday (20th of August). My bike is still in the back of the Van from the recent TDRA meeting, so just fuel and a charged battery needed (and for the weather to play nice). Hopefully, I can make it past the 1st round this time.

    upload_2022-8-16_21-38-9.png

    upload_2022-8-16_21-39-28.png
     
  13. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Just to put a period on this... When I ran at Gunnedah recently, I was getting to the finish line in 3rd gear with the lower gearing (13T/48T). This was due entirely to me effing up the starts which meant I wasn't changing into 2nd as soon as I would normally. On the couple of runs where my launches were okay and my 60ft times reasonable, I was able to change into 4th well before the finish line and even with the gear change, I was able to run respectable times (9.27 & 9.31). Personally, I think standard gearing (14T/48T) is preferable for 1/4 mile racing and the 13T/48T is probably only an option for the shorter stuff. I will try and run 14T/48T this weekend and compare times to Gunnedah. I have a quick shifter to install on the bike at some stage to gauge what affect that will have on ET's and after that I will put new rings in the engine and flow the head.
     
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  14. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    upload_2022-8-18_16-57-49.png
     
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  15. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Well, it has been a long time since a motorcycle racer has passed away while drag racing at a dedicated facility. Alarmingly, it was at Heathcote Park Raceway on the weekend. We all know racing is dangerous, but it never really prepares you for when it actually happens. VALE Warren Monson.

    upload_2023-4-24_17-17-50.png
     
  16. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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  17. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Well today was one of those weird days at the drags. HPR had one of their ‘Bike Mayhem’ meetings scheduled, but after the recent death of Warren Monson at the track, the management turned the day into a Memorial event and have committed to having the event annually. There was a moment of silence on the startline for Warren before the meeting kicked off and a number of Suzuki people were in attendance for the event. Warren was a speedway champ and also a successful mechanic/tuner that had been part of 7 Australian Superbike championship winning (Suzuki) teams.

    Weather in Melbourne has been very ordinary (nothing new there), but when I checked the BOM weather Radar for Bendigo & Heathcote this morning, it was dry as a bone so off I went to try and get a few laps in.

    I left Melbourne in the pouring rain, but the conditions improved tremendously as I got closer to the track. Once there, I realised a LOT of rain must have fallen the night before and earlier as there were pools of water everywhere.

    Wet.JPG

    It was about 8 degrees when I got to the track, so the wet track would take some time to dry and then prepare. The HPR team did a great job and just before midday the track was open and the many riders/bikes in attendance went about testing and dialling themselves in.

    There were a lot of bikes in attendance and a large variety of machines. Yours truly was the only 2fiftycc representative and the next smallest capacity bikes were a bunch of 600’s. A few big bikes and some serious racers were also in attendance.

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    buell.JPG AMB.JPG VMX1200.JPG ZX14R.JPG
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    Unfortunately, testing was completed at about 2:30 and at the exact moment, it started raining. Initial hope of it clearing was soon dashed and the meeting was eventually called off. Trophies were handed out for any classes/awards that could be finalised e.g. Quickest ET, Fastest Speed, Best Reaction Time (my .009sec best was in the top five) etc.

    Warren Monson.jpg

    For those of you playing at home, you may recall that I recently removed the flywheel from my engine in an effort to get it to spin up quicker. It definitely does that, but the lack of inertia when launching has been difficult to overcome. Actually, I think it’s more about me changing my launch procedure to factor in the lack of a flywheel. I aborted my first couple of runs due to missed gears and really bad launches. My last three runs weren’t great, but at least I had some consistency to go into eliminations. There was a blustery headwind which kept my MPH low, but even without the headwind, my 60ft times were so slow (0.3sec slower than normal) that all my runs felt awful.

    Crap.JPG

    Anyway, the next all Bike meeting is in June, so I will pop up and do some more runs to try and get the bike launching better.

    Someone took some pics on the day. I threw away my timeslip that had the .009 reaction time, but this photo confirms it. The B/MB racer in the lane next to me won the best burnout award. He actually did the winning burnout next to me on this pairing. I must have been sitting in the pre-stage for ages waiting for him to push his bike back from well past the Christmas Tree. He's a nice guy and we had a good chat while waiting for the rain to pass.

    009RT.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2023

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