This has been a scramble, and not exactly on time, but we’ve moved forward and the whole scenario is working out perfectly. We’ll see in about a week. If you believe in anything, you believe in your efforts to make your dreams come true. So pray, work hard, check the alignment of the stars, work harder, have some gypsy check your tarot cards, work even harder, and rub Buddha’s belly. Whatever it takes to keep you moving forward.
Here’s the deal with our streamlined trike effort. Our original notion called for sending the materials to Kent Weeks, of Lucky Devil Metal Works, around the first of the year. He was going to build the frame and ship everything back.
We slipped a few months behind, but then Kent’s tube bending resource discovered his machinery was not capable of tight radius bends. He discovered another source, but the air-compressor was shot and he needed Kent’s help with repairs.
Then someone rolled a ’61 Chevy into Kent’s shop. It had a couple of rusted-out fenders and Kent went to work.
In the meantime, we ordered and received the heavy-walled tubing. Then we ordered pieces of dragster equipment to use for the front suspension. I also worked with Paughco on a touring frame for the driveline cradle and rear suspension.
So, now we are a few weeks away, with the majority of the chassis parts in hand, and a JIMS I35-inc twin cam engine, a Carl’s massive Typhoon carburetor, a JIMS beefy race 5-speed transmission, a BDL primary drive, D&D exhaust, and we’re chomping at the bit, but we’re not going to make Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials this year.
Talk about the stars in alignment, a couple of days before the SCTA speed week in Bonneville, the skies opened and suddenly the salt flats were a salt lake and the meet was canceled.
But in the meantime, the Departure Bike Works team tinkered on the Bonne Belle any chance they got. Lee Clemens refitted the BDL primary to the engine. He didn’t like my shifting mechanism, so he investigated an electric shifter from Pingle. In order to ensure proper battery supply, he set up the bike to be started off an exterior starter, so the battery would only power the electric shifter.
The ignition is run off a Morris Magneto and of course there are no lights or bullshit on this puppy. Lee also changed the gearing to a 50-tooth rear sprocket, although our formula called for a 51-tooth. I don’t remember what I had on that puppy the last time we went, but it wouldn’t pull it.
Our class is 750 Altered, partially streamlined, pushrod Gas or Fuel. The record for APS-PF is 142 mph, but there is no record for APS-PG, which made our day.
Lee carefully refitted the inner primary and he built a new set of wider bars for maneuverability. If we get out there and come close to a record, I will change the bars back.
The new ones are not aerodynamic enough for my thinking, but the narrow bastards are a bitch for everyday use.
We had a tough time with returning oil to the bag, so Lee enhanced the breathing system and removed the oil filter. There is more to do, and while Lee pops 5-Hour energy drinks and blasts back to Richmond, Virginia from Sturgis, he’s making a list with Brenda, his lovely wife, and will send it to me quick, I hope.
I need to route the venting oil lines, fit a rider to this beast and weld on new Biker’s Choice peg tabs. I need to make a side stand triangle to support the bike, once Lee ships me the solid, knurled foot pegs.
I also need to weld a tab on the bars to support the kill switch. Let’s see, what else?
I scrambled over the weekend and checked off the list:
Fitted Dr. Feng for riding position and drilled holes for foot pegs just below the rear axle.
I made the kill switch mount, painted it and mounted the kill switch.
I found a little battery locally, charged it and put it in position for testing tonight.
I got ahold of George the Wild Brush to patch the frame in spots where Lee removed tabs, and he can pinstripe our class 750 APS-PG on the fender.
I ordered a Biltwell P-Pad and bought a wide strip of Velcro to hold it to the tank.
I made the bike stand mount on the bike, and the triangle, plus added a Hamster points cover to the mix.
I needed to run all the oil venting lines (2) to a T junction, them make a guide to the rear chain for lubricating.
I managed to complete all my tasks over the weekend and added a few aerodynamic changes to the mix.
I started to put tools aside and went on a search for my pump-up Kendon lift, which has been a life saver. It wasn’t on the property. I started to search my feeble mind for the culprit. I asked Ray. He though it might be at Willie’s. That wasn’t the case. Then something made me reach out to Buster. Fantastic, he had it and I made a run over to his place to retrieve it.
Cooler
Kendon lift
Safety wire
Case of yogurt
Case of soft protein bars
Kangen water
Safety wire tools
Hacksaw
Tools, lots of them
Extra chains
Oil
Fuel containers
Tarps
Pop-ups
Banners
Extension cords
Screw gun, battery-powered drill, charger
Camera
There you have it, with less than four days ahead of us and records waiting on the salt. I will study my class tonight and try to avoid any scrutinizing mistakes on the salt. Wish us luck.
Sponsors:
JIMS
Paughco
Lucky Devil
Biker’s Choice
D&D
BDL
5-Ball Racing Apparel
