The World's Fastest Triumph

[CAJW]

That tears it! I'm going to ignore my Doc's admonition to reduce my sodium intake and visit Bonneville at my next opportunity. Even if I have to take a stocker out to try and blow it up, I want to get out there and get salted! More pics, we need more pics! (and stories).....

 

[Hudson]

Pardon me, but do you have any grey poupon? No? Well then, how about a 52 tooth sprocket for a Harley? But of course...

Not sure which one is the intake or the output. The gals tell me OM is often similarly confused

 

[Hudson]

It was getting late and Storm was refusing to get over 130 MPH before the rev limiter kicked in. They decided to cheat a bit and run the bike in 4th gear, since the limiter kicked in only in 5th or 6th. Matt and Jason decided to quickly change sprockets to deal with the difference in gearing running in 4th gear, and Matt did some quick math in his head to figure out the correct number of tooth to run.

The Storm was loaded onto the track hauler for one last run.

but the bike didn't want to leave 130 MPH before the fuel would cut out. They decided to try one last fix, and would have the bike ready bright and early for the last day of runs.

 

[Hudson]

While Matt and crew were putting the last fixes on the Storm, I mosied over to the Triumph trailer next door. Triumph had brought along a nice collection of specially prepared bikes for their own runs, including a Rocket, a Speed Triple, and a Daytona ridden by AMA rider Jason DiSilva. DeSilva talked about his day on the flats before a camera crew:

DeSilva's ride:

Dusk was quickly arriving, casting some gorgeous colors and shadows on the flats.

Matt and Jason tighted the steering stabilizer and filed the radiator guard to fit properly, just as the sunset came upon the flats.

The end of the day at the flats is a cool time. All the spectators have left, and just the racers and mechanics remain, breaking down gear and getting ready for the runs of the next morning. A very special vibe.

Triumph and DiSalvo figured this was also the right time, with the right colors and scenery, to shoot some speed runs on the Rocket. They got up to speed and filmed while while DiSalvo did his thing.

As everyone headed back to the hotel, even the stragglers decided to try their own private speed runs.

On the advice of the regulars, I headed straight to the manual carwash and spent $8 in quarters hosing the day's muck off the car and trailer. It was dark when I got back to the hotel, one of Wendover's casinos.

Yes, this was just the later half of the first day, and tomorrow, there was plenty more to come.

 

[Barabus]

Lots of strange rides. Do you have a sense of whether or not anybody is setting records? Anything go over 500mph?

 

[beemerdons]

Outstanding Ride Report and Pictures Hudson, I am really enjoying this!

 

[Hudson]

Lots of strange rides. Do you have a sense of whether or not anybody is setting records? Anything go over 500mph?

Barry, rare for a bike to exceed 250 during motorcycle week. You are thinking of Speed week, with rocket powered cars and such, held 2 weeks ago. Records were set this week, but last year, the top speed was 225. To get into the 201mph club is not easy.

I think the record is 350mph, set in 2006.

It's fun to skim the rules handbook. I liked the part at the end about having to endure a complete engine tear-down if you set a record. Sort of like getting a colonoscopy after winning the Boston marathon.

 

[Hudson]

Day 2

I am up early to witness the Storm's next attempt, and I'm happy that my oldest boy is up early too. He's not missing this either. Wendover Will greets us as we exit Wendover.

Arrivng at the gate, we quickly move through...

and notice a nice blue FJR to the side. Someone from the forum?

Matt's already lined up at the check in with the Storm. He's in an optimistic mood.

I take a gander at the riders lined up for their runs.

We might want to consider adopting this strategy at NAFO...no whiners here on the flats.

I think Steve McQueen's character in Le Mans, Michael Delaney, nailed it best: "Racing is Life. Everything before or after is waiting..." Well, there's a whole buncha waiting on the flats. An hour later, the first heat heads out for their runs.

 

[Hudson]

The staging area is suddenly abuzz with activity as riders from the earlier heat finish their runs and new riders line up for their turn.

That's no Russell seat in this hoopty. Can you imagine laying flat on your belly as you wind up past 200mph?

There's no shame on the flats for running what you brung, even if what you brung is under 50cc. Pay your $750 entrance fee, and its all up to you.

This guy's sponsors are probably very demanding.

We ride out to the start area, and I take a look down the track. The blue line is so you don't lose your way.

We immediately spy this chap, a Danish chap who resides in Reno. He's pushing a genuine factory Vincent Black Lightning, same as the one Rollie Free rode in that famous picture.

35 of these amazing machines were made, and this chap found two in Denmark many decades ago. He purchased them for $2k a piece. One recently sold for $1.4 million, but here's this guy taking his out on the flats for a balls-out attempt. My respect for this man is immediately cemented.

I'm not the only fan. My oldest is wearing the right T-Shirt, and the Dane takes an immediately liking to him.

"That's a great motorcycle you got there, mister!" sez my boy. The Dane smiles.

He winks.

He motions my son over.

Dreams are suddenly made...

I'd be tickled just to see one of these machines in a museum, but here is my boy is stradding one on the very place world records were made. I decline to tempt fate by asking for turn too, and am just content to know my boy will never forget this experience.

More fun awaits.

 

[Hudson]

The Storm is ready, and the only instrument that matters is taped up so Alan can stay in the sweet spot.

But there's more waiting around, and the sun is heating up the bikes. Jason takes a towel soaked in ice water and cools down the fuel tank.

We wait. And wait.

And just like that, it's time to run. The first bike fires up and heads out for his run.

The Dane mounts up next and gets mentally prepared. His bike is running pure methanol, and he is aiming for over 150mph.

There is no better sound in the world than a Vincent twin, and no better image than watching one head out on the flats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Lc7m5TUv8&feature=youtube_gdata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzR-J2vby9c&feature=youtube_gdata

 

[CAJW]

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

 

[ahchiu]

Great pictures and report for my morning, that's great the boys are loving this! How is Tanya doing?

 

[Hudson]

The Storm is up next, and heads out for the starting line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYdN6OxrhRE&feature=youtube_gdata

Alan manuevers into position and heads out for the last run. The Storm sounds fantastic as it comes up to speed, and I am certain this attempt will be successful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZJryTI-B5w&feature=youtube_gdata

Several moments later, something is amiss. The Storm is sidelined, and we hope into the support rig to see what's the matter.

Alan is near the end, but the Storm is not running.

The culprit will turn out to be the wrong fuel type. The spark plug is kapoot and the motor is lunched. The Storm's run at Bonneville is over this year, and if Alan is disappointed, I never hear it. A true professional. Only his gait reveals his thoughts as he walks towards the support vehicle. No whiners on the flats.

I take a quick look down the track. It takes brass ones to head down this salty path, running over bumpy surface, especially over 150 mph.

We head back into the pits towing the Storm. The other racers swing by to pick up their tickets recording their runs.

 

[dcarver]

Freaking amazing RR Hudson, WOW. Riveted to the screen. The Vincent? ohhhh, baby... :wub: the sound.

 

[Hudson]

The Storm's run may be over, but my adventure continues. It's back to the pits to spend some time with the McQueen bikes. The adventure actually began over a year ago, when I worked with Chad McQueen on his project with Triumph to create a limited edition homage bike.

We originally requested significant performance mods to the bike, which started off as a special Bonneville SE with some custom trim and paint. As we got into the details, the challenge of doing a high performance bike came to light. Things that you and I would take as a given for an upgrade(pipes, engine mapping, chain and sprockets) and things that require a specialists touch (big bore kit, valves, ported/polished heads, cams) don't translate very well to a manufacturer. The biggest challenge is getting all these mods certified world wide, while still keeping the bike reasonably affordable.

Triumph agreed to support our mod requests via a different route. They supplied two bikes, and supported Chad's plan to customize the 0000 bike the way a McQueen surely would. We also created a video of the build, that will run on their website once completed.

Matt Capri built the bikes to Chad's specs. The stock Bonnie pushes 67 hp or so, but Chad's version would exceed 85hp. True to the McQueen vibe, this bike would be a sleeper. No crazy colors or flashy chrome. Nope, this one would be subtle and McQueen-cool.

Matt trailered the bikes to Bonneville for a photo shoot and some testing.The stock bike looks cool without any upgrades.

But the McQueen Racing version takes it to a different level.

I'll share more when the video is complete. Both these bad boys looked good in on the Flats together.

I had already put about 400 miles on the 0002 bike, so I grabbed a chance to try out Chad's modded 0000 bike while Matt's crew looked over the Storm.

Like night and day. Where the stocker pulls decently off the line, the McQueen Racing bike surges and lunges forward at a twist of the throttle, and keeps pulling with monster torque. And the sound...oh my...the sound. The stocker is polite and demure, while the McQueen bike rumbles perfectly. No contest which one I preferred.

But the stocker is alright too, and I hopped aboard the 0002 bike to enjoy the flats.

After my own runs up and down the flat, it was time to head back home, as we still had a few days of travel ahead. But I loaded up two souveniers from Bonneville. A small cup of salt, and the 0002 bike.

On the way out, we passed another forum member perhaps?

We took in the final sights of Bonneville on the way out.

Two days in Bonneville is surely enough, but I know we'll be back again. Until then...

 

[Hudson]

Great pictures and report for my morning, that's great the boys are loving this! How is Tanya doing?

She really enjoyed the trip. She's also a fan of the movie, and while the waiting part was a bit much for a spouse, no complaints were heard.

Freaking amazing RR Hudson, WOW. Riveted to the screen. The Vincent? ohhhh, baby... :wub: the sound.

From your lips to God's ears, Don. I won't ever forget that sound.

 

[ahchiu]

Great end to your RR, have a safe trip home, and I will make room in "MY" garage for the Bonnie, you don't have enough room in yours that last time I looked..

 

[Panman]

You leaving 002 in Cal? What an adventure Dave, and getting watch the Vincent! Way cool.

 

[Auburn]

Can't wait to hear the stories when you get home.

 

[Fairlaner]

Dave it looked better in my garage........

When was this? maybe i should have come over from Reno!!!!!!

R