Scott's El Mirage Update...

[Rchop]

I heard from Scott a little while ago and he has passed tech inspection at El Mirage. This is the first time in weeks that he can relax in the evening!! Nothing to do but wait to race in the morning. I will post what I can tomorrow, but it will be up to Dave to let you know what is going on thru the weekend as I will be dismantling my computer to move this weekend.

Good Luck Scotty :023: Run Fast, Run Safe

[DarthRider]

I'll be happy to Rchop.
I talked with him tinight and we're all set.
Go Scotty !

[Optimus Prime]

Go Scotty, Go!!

[Ed K]

We're all sitting at the edge of saddles... waiting to hear the latest...

[Rchop]

I just heard from Scott after his first run. 4 hours of waiting to get his turn to run. He had problems shifting between third and fourth and by the time he hit fourth, rpm's were way down. He was able to wind it out in fourth but couldn't shift into fifth, so he went throught the timing traps bouncing off the rev limiter at 148 mph in 4th gear! Hmmm...sounds like he could get near 170 if he could go into high gear. He said it was pulling very hard, so it sounds like he could go down a tooth on his sprocket too.
Looks like Scotty has a pretty fast motorcycle for it's first run in this form...:023:

You take it from here Dave...I'm disconnecting the computer now:wave:

[DarthRider]

Scotty just called at 1:30PM, PST.

On the first run of the "new" Bonneville Buell, all was well, pulling clean & strong, handling perfectly.
At the normal shift point, 7300 RPM in 3th gear the bike would not shift to 4th.
He kept trying to make the shift but in so doing he lost several hundred RPM.
He finally got it into 4th but it bogged a bit from the dropped RPM.
Scott nursed it back up to the the shift point but it would not shift to 5th, even after several tries.
He "ran out of track" and was timed at 148 MPH in 4th !

The record for his class is a fast 178 MPH. His gearing calculator shows the bike *could* run 177 MPH at 7300 RPM in 5th (top) gear.
The rev-limiter hits at 7500 RPM, so...if he gets the shifting problem straightened out, he could top the 178 MPH record by several MPH.

Unlike Bonneville where you have to average two opposite direction speeds and exceed the old record to set a new one, at El Mirage you only have to exceed the old record in a single, one-way run. So, if the shifting can be corrected, a new record is definitely do-able and could happen..

*Could* being the operative word. No Land Speed Racer worth his salt says what he is going to do, only what he has done !
But it is very encouraging and Scott is really pretty happy. He is going to check all the obvious things like boot or shift lever interference and will try pre-loading the shifter as a way to possibly help. He may/may not attempt a shift mechanism repair at the track.

It is 105 F. at the track and he ran just after noon, meaning the air was very "thin". A bit cooler for a later run today will be a plus, and the jetting should still be good.

Tech inspection went great and the Bonneville Buell performed flawlessly, save the recalcitrant shifter. He found a little engine oil in the belly pan after the run and will be chasing that but it is not significant.
He is really impressed with the performance of the motor and how stable the bike is...both signs of a well built racer ! :eusa_clap:

More later...wish him luck !

EDIT: I forgot to mention, last year's best speed of the (brand new) Bonneville Buell was 128 MPH in 5th gear. Great progress !

[DarthRider]

Scott called with today's last update.

Best case scenarios for the shifter & oil puking problems. Both turned out to be "new racer" teething problems that require a bit of fettling.
A heim joint on the shift linkage was rubbing inside the fairing preventing the 4-5 shift. It sounds like he'll do a "trackside fix" that will get the job done but require some TLC when he gets it home. "Inelegant but effective" for now.
The oil is normal for a "breathed on" HD motor turning 7300-7500 RPM for extended periods. A jerry-rigged catch bottle and a little hose will fix that.

The bad news is he won't get to make another pass today.
The good news he is near the start of the line for a pass tomorrow morning.

The other good news is why...
He gave up his slot for a run today to help another racer fix a problem and get in his "rookie run".
It was obvious that Scott has the smarts, skills & balls to build and race this bike in Land Speed Racing.
Now it is obvious that he also has the heart of a true racer. :eusa_clap:

Good luck tomorrow man...

[Deans BMW]

Dave, sounds like he is doing a great job.

Go Scotty Go.

[Ed K]

Great first day...

Something tells me even more's coming... Go Scott!

[DarthRider]

Scott got in another pass this morning at 9:00AM PST.

No record (yet) but things are progressing.
He was still experiencing shifter problems although it was better. He "missed" the 2-3 shift which cost him time (track length) and speed (power); until he could shift on up, 2-3, 3-4 & 4-5.
His trap speed was 168 MPH in 5th (against the 178 record), with the engine still pulling & accelerating.
In other-words, he "ran out of track", well before he ran out of power, gearing, or "aero". Very encouraging.
Unlike Bonneville, El Mirage is much shorter and doesn't allow room for missed shifts, etc.
Temp was 85 F. and air density was 5,180 ft. Anyone know the 'mean sea level' at El Mirage ?
He said he *may* get in one more run and will update us if so.
If you see no more updates, that's "all she wrote" for this meet.
In my opinion he has had a very successful meet. Only a couple of minor problems with the "new" bike, and the potential more more speed was proven.

Way to go Scotty ! :eusa_clap:

[isiahstites]

Thanks for all of the support guys! And a big thanks for doing what he does so well, put feelings into words! Man Dave, can you write!

I headed home earlier yesterday knowing I probably could of made at least two more passes. I was happy with the 168 run and had a weird feeling about running again. That feeling will be gone for the next race as I will have completely have gone through the bike.

Thanks for all of your support!

Scott

[beekstersocal]

you the man scotty ,good write up and thread

[DarthRider]

Thanks Scott, I was pleased you asked me to help out with the reports, and I enjoyed it.
I'm a big fan of anyone who builds their own motorcycle, then races it successfully, and you know how much I love Land Speed Racing, so it was a pleasure !
Go Scotty !

[Elsie Smith]

congratulations on your inaugural runs! It's been so interesting seeing your build then almost "being there" at the track
to hear about your minor trials/tribulations!

[isiahstites]

congratulations on your inaugural runs! It's been so interesting seeing your build then almost "being there" at the track
to hear about your minor trials/tribulations!

Thanks Elsie, there is more to come!

[1MPH]

Thanks for all of the support guys! And a big thanks for doing what he does so well, put feelings into words! Man Dave, can you write!

I headed home earlier yesterday knowing I probably could of made at least two more passes. I was happy with the 168 run and had a weird feeling about running again. That feeling will be gone for the next race as I will have completely have gone through the bike.

Thanks for all of your support!

Scott


This is THE BEST THREAD ever.
I'm sure you will beam the record up. Go Scotty.


Jack

[DarthRider]

Well Scotty...how do you like 'dem apples !?


EDIT: Just a thought...I know you have pics of the bike on another thread but why don't you post a couple here too. In case somebody just surfs through this one ?

[isiahstites]

This is THE BEST THREAD ever.
I'm sure you will beam the record up. Go Scotty.


Jack

I am glad you have enjoyed it!

[isiahstites]

Well Scotty...how do you like 'dem apples !?


EDIT: Just a thought...I know you have pics of the bike on another thread but why don't you post a couple here too. In case somebody just surfs through this one ?


Good idea!


It was really hot!! WATER!!!
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Buell%20re-build/100_2674.jpg


We are off!
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Buell%20re-build/index.jpg


Here is me and my pregnant Umbrella Girl/ Crew Chief!
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Buell%20re-build/100_2676.jpg

[isiahstites]

Here are a few more that I got from a friend last night.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Buell%20re-build/051708264.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Buell%20re-build/ElMirageMay2008558.jpg



http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Buell%20re-build/ElMirageMay2008559.jpg

[DarthRider]

Here are a few more that I got from a friend last night.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Buell%20re-build/051708264.jpg




Hey Scotty...get your big ass down out of the breeze ! :020:
"168", huh ? Not bad Bro, not bad.

[isiahstites]

Hey Scotty...get your big ass down out of the breeze ! :020:
"168", huh ? Not bad Bro, not bad.


LOL!! That was leaving the starting line.....I uh.....I uh......had not setteled in yet.........yeah! I hadn't setteled in.

In all honesty I set the bike up so I sit in the bike, but tech dinged me on the seat so I had to add a seat to the faring, which raised my ass almost two inches and kept me from getting completely under the fairing.

It's ok as I have figured out a fix to make tech happy and still allow me to get down a bit farther.

And as you can see I am not the most aerodynamic person in the world!

Scott

[DarthRider]

"Aero Scotty"...

[Rchop]

Congrats Scott :023: :023: I wish my internet was as fast as your run LOL (dial-up sucks:icon_cry:)