After days of problem after problem and continual setbacks we finally had forward movement. It has been so frustrating to keep the shop open while working on the bike and last night when we thought all was good, nothing. Again a late night and then this morning Chris and Reg from RCTS had everything ready to go and then ....no signal from the pick-ups on the crank sensor. Turns out the the shaft that the sensor pips run on was bent and would not even come close enough to work... again we are done.
About a half hour of ideas and potential solutions, the shaft was straightened and the sensor moved in to within .015' thousandths of an inch. The starting dolly was fired up and the bike again rolled in gear with our fingers crossed. BANG !!! she fired up and started to run on it's own. 25 minutes later Reg and Chris were tuning this thing to idle on it's own and you could begin to hear the turbo spool up.
By the time I left the shop today at 3pm the bike could turn over easily with one kick and is running (at this time) fine by itself. We still have lots to do before we go but we are in a place we only imagined we could be by now. We are still on!!!
Happy? Yeah we're happy!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Make Some Noise | Project Raquel
So there is literally only days left and we are doing what we can to finish the bike. Days are long especially for Derek and even our new technician Chris Hart has been pulling his own hours at the shop with wiring and electronic controls. The stress is on and the trip date is fast approaching.
Strange feeling these days with a lot of people stopping in to check out "Raquel" (the slat flats race bike), seems everyone has positive things to say. "Oh you guys can do it", or "it'll happen, you guys are good at last minute projects". The problem is we are good under pressure and as much as we appreciate everyone's support, we know that we have to pull the rabbit out of the hat and make this thing like a miracle. This time for real, and not only complete the build but run it at least twice across the hot and bare salt.
Right now there are no "what if's", only a target that we have to hit doing 130 MPH in 10 days. Derek is focused and those who are close to him have stepped back to let him work. There is also no such thing as a problem. Only challenges thrown at us every day which is basically another chance to use our skills and experience to design, build or work-around another road block. No dropping the ball, we are too busy working on success.
So while we are spending late hours at the shop turning ideas into historical reality, we are asking anyone who is following this blog, Derek on Twitter, our friends and everyone who just loves living larger than life, to support us by spreading the word. Keep watching this page for updates and follow Derek at the twitter feed above. Make sure you send him some twitter love and lets get as many people checking this out as we can. We need your momentum to finish this so lets kick it into high-gear.
K~
Strange feeling these days with a lot of people stopping in to check out "Raquel" (the slat flats race bike), seems everyone has positive things to say. "Oh you guys can do it", or "it'll happen, you guys are good at last minute projects". The problem is we are good under pressure and as much as we appreciate everyone's support, we know that we have to pull the rabbit out of the hat and make this thing like a miracle. This time for real, and not only complete the build but run it at least twice across the hot and bare salt.
Right now there are no "what if's", only a target that we have to hit doing 130 MPH in 10 days. Derek is focused and those who are close to him have stepped back to let him work. There is also no such thing as a problem. Only challenges thrown at us every day which is basically another chance to use our skills and experience to design, build or work-around another road block. No dropping the ball, we are too busy working on success.
So while we are spending late hours at the shop turning ideas into historical reality, we are asking anyone who is following this blog, Derek on Twitter, our friends and everyone who just loves living larger than life, to support us by spreading the word. Keep watching this page for updates and follow Derek at the twitter feed above. Make sure you send him some twitter love and lets get as many people checking this out as we can. We need your momentum to finish this so lets kick it into high-gear.
K~
One Week.
We have one week left and I don't need to say it but we are very busy. Derek has been working around the clock and we are hoping to run the bike this week. So far it still looks good but again, there just is not enough time in the day. Below is a test clip from the work we did last week.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Rolling | Salt Flats Project
The chassis is rolling and filming has begun. We have very little time to do this. Here is a quick clip from one of the time lapses we shot today.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Bare Bones | Salt Flats Project Bike
Well the clock starts now.
37 days until tech-inspection on location at the 2012 BUB Speed Trials. There is no doubt the pressure is on but whether we like it or not, this is something we are used to. The long slow build up to a project always ramps up in the final days our and team members are always good with deadlines.
The frame returned to the shop today from powder coat and as we unwrapped its simple bare white skeleton the adrenaline began to flow. Derek's vision for the bike is clear but seeing it with paint is extremely exciting and there is no escaping the reality; this is happening right now....
K~
37 days until tech-inspection on location at the 2012 BUB Speed Trials. There is no doubt the pressure is on but whether we like it or not, this is something we are used to. The long slow build up to a project always ramps up in the final days our and team members are always good with deadlines.
The frame returned to the shop today from powder coat and as we unwrapped its simple bare white skeleton the adrenaline began to flow. Derek's vision for the bike is clear but seeing it with paint is extremely exciting and there is no escaping the reality; this is happening right now....
K~
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
History - Canadian LSR project
History is more than just the past, more than just what's coming out the tailpipe as we move forward. History is also what is in the making. We live (some of us) in the present which is really the only thing that is tangible; what is happening now whether we think we are in control or not. And time itself, really at it's essence is just a man made concept or perception. Even so, history is very real to us as it is a record of where we have come from and in some cases a guide-post as to where we are going.
Our latest sponsor is based on history and I believe the relationship we have is also history in the making. Modern Motorcycle Mechanics has generously contributed towards a very key component on the race bike: a Bob Newby belt drive system (in our opinion and others, the best primary drive you can get).
For over 10 years Greg Williams has been a rich source of information and history about British Vintage, and has written many great articles about Derek in newspapers and magazines that have garnered positive exposure in his career and business. Derek and the team would like to thank Greg and Linda of Modern Motorcycle Mechanics in their support and continued friendship as we make history on the Salt August 25th to 30th, 2012!
Our latest sponsor is based on history and I believe the relationship we have is also history in the making. Modern Motorcycle Mechanics has generously contributed towards a very key component on the race bike: a Bob Newby belt drive system (in our opinion and others, the best primary drive you can get).
For over 10 years Greg Williams has been a rich source of information and history about British Vintage, and has written many great articles about Derek in newspapers and magazines that have garnered positive exposure in his career and business. Derek and the team would like to thank Greg and Linda of Modern Motorcycle Mechanics in their support and continued friendship as we make history on the Salt August 25th to 30th, 2012!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Rocky Mountain Section | Salt Flats Project
On May 15th Derek was invited to a meeting of the Rocky Mountain Section of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group to show of the Salt Flats Project Bike (Raquel). There Derek was able to talk about the project and his reasons for doing it. The evening turned out to be a good time and everyone who was there enjoyed seeing the bike and asked a lot of questions. It is so great to see a group so dedicated to vintage rides and to have the energy they do.
What's just as exciting is the fact that the RMS (after private deliberation) offered to be a monetary supporter of the project and is generously covering our race fees for the week. Obviously the momentum is building and the project is not just about what we are doing. It's about the desire to live passionately and to follow through on an idea, no matter how crazy or difficult it may seem. We have great people supporting us and we are honoured to be a part of this amazing community of authentic motorcycle enthusiasts.
Make sure you check out the RMS group at their website below and if you see these guys at a show or a ride, say "hey" and talk to them briefly about their rides. The history is rich and the people are interesting. Thank you Rocky Mountain Section - CVMG. http://www.cvmg-rms.ca/
Stay tuned....some additional news to share in a few days that we are equally excited about.
K~
What's just as exciting is the fact that the RMS (after private deliberation) offered to be a monetary supporter of the project and is generously covering our race fees for the week. Obviously the momentum is building and the project is not just about what we are doing. It's about the desire to live passionately and to follow through on an idea, no matter how crazy or difficult it may seem. We have great people supporting us and we are honoured to be a part of this amazing community of authentic motorcycle enthusiasts.
Make sure you check out the RMS group at their website below and if you see these guys at a show or a ride, say "hey" and talk to them briefly about their rides. The history is rich and the people are interesting. Thank you Rocky Mountain Section - CVMG. http://www.cvmg-rms.ca/
Stay tuned....some additional news to share in a few days that we are equally excited about.
K~
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