Well had a great weekend at Shakepeare County Raceway near Stratford upon Avon. Arrived late coz M25 shut! paid, scrutineered and pushed bike, a SV1000S to the start line. It was my mate Lee's bike, but he was too ill to ride, so I said I'd give it a go. First time on the strip for 24 years! I warned him that the first run would be a shakedown run, as I had never ridden the bike or used a foot gearchange on the strip since 1983. I came back and he acused me of being a " feckin useless tvat". His best time 12.02 at 94mph terminal speed, mine 11.74 at 120!!!! Met an old drag racing mate there, his first meet since 1984, mine since 1988. So we paired up for a few runs, him on a newish Z1000. Here's a video;
For fooks sake Ken, a man of your intellect , diggin that one out! I am disappointed in you to say the least. Ginga tossa.
Hey! I'm at work. I left all my intellect at home this morning. Along with my dignity, self respect, ambition, sense of self worth etc.
Lee says he won't ride the bike on the road again and wants to do some more RWYBs and sprints on it. I know what to do to make it quicker and faster, but haven't got the funds to finance it. Lee says he will sell his Lotus Elan, that he never drives, but I'll believe it when I see it. I reckon this bike, with no tuning, but a sticky tyre, longer arm and ideally an air shifter will run 10.9 second quarters!!!
When I launched the SV, it seemed to take ages to get my foot under the gear shift to click into second, especially with the front wheel up in the air or wheelspinning. No such problem with an air shifter, launch in first then punch into second and third. No problem. The accel on the Pro stocker meant that you had to use an air shifter!!!
Is it hand operated or something then Allan? Never seen 1 before so genuinely have no idea what it is.
There are four parts to an air shifter system Colin. 1/ The air tank, usually plastic or alloy or part of the swingarm. Pressurised to 150psi. 2/ Air solenoid attached to the gear shift lever, look at the last piccy, below and in front of gear lever. 3/ another small air solenoid attached to an electrical microswitch. 4/ A button on the left handlebar to operate the system. Launch bike in first gear, punch button 4/ with left thumb. An air signal travels from the air tank simultaneously to the two solenoids. The gear shift is pushed to select 2nd gear and engages when the electrical solenoid breaks the ignition signal for a few hundredths of a second. Enough to allow the gears to unmesh and slide into the next gear. 2nd gear engages and electrical signal remakes the ignition circuit. Big solenoid rellaxes pressure on gearchange ready for next shot at third etc. Result is clutchless, full power upshifts ,without the need to get yer foot on the gearchange!!!
