| Author | Message | ||
     Marcus_mcbain |
Hey Guys, I just wanted to update you that we FINALLY got the Penske shock in. Although I am a Penske Dealer, I still have to special order these. I am doing the revalving and re-springing for the Buell XB9R that Mark Godfrey owns. We will report on the upgrades and then take the motorcycle to the race track at the end of the month. We should have the tech article/report by the end of the month. Thanks, Marcus | ||
| Bads1 |
Damn did Blake talk to this guy once before?? | ||
| Shazam |
yeah, you should go back and read it! a wealth of info | ||
| Needforspeed2 |
Marcus, Thanks for the update ! I'm a student of Englishman's and I've been waiting to hear how this shock does. I'll catch you at the next track day. Lance | ||
| Austinrider |
Thanks for the update Marcus. For those of you who dont know. Marcus is sponsoring Englishman119's Buell. Englishman119 = Mark Godfrey. Marcus is really doing alot of work on the suspension from what I gather, information that will benefit all of us. Especially those of us who go to the track on our bikes. Not much info out there on Buell XB's and their front suspension, I for one am following this topic closely. Hey Lance, what track days are you going to this year? Im singed up for the LTSD on feb 16th. I bumped into Dave Wonders (ridesmart) he is putting a few on also ( march 1st is his next one). We gotta hook up at the track one day. | ||
| Marcus_mcbain |
FWIW: Max McAlister worked with Buell directly to develop suspension/geometry that worked correctly. Although Max has not "advertise" this, he has a lot of technical knowledge pertaining to Buells. Though doing trackside service and working on various technical combinations, I have been very successful thusfar with the Buells. The Buell XB9r will have 1.0 Traxxion Dynamics springs put in with a FVK-1S10 (Traxxion Valve) Compression upgrade and I will update the stack on the stock rebound piston. The Shock will be a Penske Twin Clicker which you can get for a little bit more than the standard Twin Clicker Penske. It features ride height adjustability and compression/rebound adjustment as well as matched weight spring. We will get pic's, I promise... Marcus | ||
| Boulderbiker |
I thought I read that someplace. I really hope to hook up with you some time and at the least get the current suspension setup for me if not the upgrade you're talking about. Mark was saying that you come up to the Denver area from time to time. | ||
| Marcus_mcbain |
Actually, I made it to six of the MRA races last year (I only started out in July up there) and MRA customers won about a half dozen championships and 25 races on my suspension. I will be at almost every MRA race this year and I usually arrive a day or two early to work on "non-race" bikes. You can see my schedule at www.roadracinghelp.com Thanks, Marcus | ||
| Englishman119 |
Right about now Marcus will be cursing the mix of metric and SAE nuts and bolts on my XB9......I just spoke to him, add “The copious use of Lock-Tight” to the curse list as well. He has been taking pics of the standard rear shock side-by-side to the new Penske and plenty of notes as he goes. I’ll be picking it up on Tuesday night to put the bike back together for track testing on Sunday. Do I sound excited ??? Mark. | ||
| Austinrider |
Mark - You, excited? naw... Let us know how it goes. | ||
| Skully |
Mark, Gonna make it to OHR Saturday and Sunday?  Keith Team Fossil Racing | ||
| Marcus_mcbain |
Alright, the bike got finished about 11:00 Tuesday night. IT FEELS GREAT and can't wait to get it on the track. Marcus | ||
| Blake |
Bring it to OHR Sunday? If so, see you there. | ||
| Englishman119 |
Skully wrote: Mark, Gonna make it to OHR Saturday and Sunday? Yes, I'll be there Sunday with Marcus to set-up/adjust the new suspension, assuming I can get Mr.McBain off my ride at some point in the day!! He is really enthusiastic about this project and is very happy with the feel of the new set up from his qualified bounce on the suspension in the garage. It certainly feels much smoother. Now if you can get Blake out of hibernation, Marcus would like to set his suspension up as well for the Tech Article - Anyone know if he's around ?......Sunday Blake, Sunday.. Edit....There you are Blake....See you Sunday it is then. Mark edited by englishman119 on January 21, 2004 | ||
| Boulderbiker |
C'mon Mark, *twiddling thumbs* hurry up and post how it went! | ||
| Austinrider |
^^^ What he said | ||
| Marcus_mcbain |
Well, I will go ahead and comment on what we got accomplished this week. First off, the Penske Shock and the Forks worked well. Mark immediately felt confidence inspired when he came in from the track. Under observation the bike was extremely smooth and stable. The one very positive thing I noticed is Mark was holding it open through turn one. Just a note here. Turn 1 at Oak Hill is the most complete turn in the country. It features high speed, technical approach, and is only really conquered when you mix in some testosterone. A hell of a turn. If a rider is making noticable improvements there, then I know we have done something good. Well, Mark was definitely quicker there, so I knew we had done something good. In regards to the rest of the track, that is merely about getting the small setup details taken care of. I had planned on running about 15 laps, but truth was my trackside business was slammed. COMPLETELY BUSY. At about 1:30, I finally got unbusy enough to get some laps. I had to frantically wave at Mark to get him to come in and give up his bike to me and finally after the third try, he came in. I hadn't ridden a Buell before, but I had campaigned a TLR-1000 in CMRA competition in 98 and 99. I had actually won one our 50 mile races that CMRA runs on Saturdays at Oak Hill so I figured I could draw on that for some usuable experience. The first thing I noticed on the Buell is...IT DON'T REV. I bounced the motor off the stock rev about four times before I figured out by the third turn, I was going to have really keep the rev's down to keep speed/drive up. I spent the rest of the first lap getting acquainted with the bike and almost crashed in T5 when I found out that the fairing was hitting my hands as I was countersteering. I tried for 2 laps to make a hard run, but it was useless as I was hitting the fairing every turn with my hands. The other thing I noticed is that the bike did not turn well. I came in and we cut the fairing and raised the rear ride height so I could make a run. Well, I went out and this time, I tried very diligently to NOT HIT THE REV LIMITER. Besides the fact it kills your drive, the Buell in stock form makes no hp the last 1000 RPM. Everytime I hit the Rev Limiter, I said to myself, "You just cost yourself .5 seconds dummy." In the end, I think just from shifting properly, I could have dropped 2-3 seconds a lap. Well, as I got on the track, I was doing much better. I immediately got into the 1:36 range on my second lap and ran a 1:35.5 on the third lap. ON the fourth lap, I was coming up on traffic and almost clipped a guy on an F4 going by him, so I pulled in and turned the reigns over to Mark for the rest of the day. Mark and I worked on a couple of details, but all in all the packaged worked much better. At the same time, I was not even close to being satisfied. I really felt that with some small changes, We can get the bike to run in the 1:31 range or maybe even in the 1:29 range if I am really right on some things I feel need to be tweaked. I want to thank Mark for letting me work with him on this project. We are going back to Oak Hill next Weekend (I hope) and finish this article up with a few small changes. Thanks, Marcus | ||
| Henrik |
Marcus; thanks so much both for taking an interest in Buell suspension, and for the excellent article on your work so far. It's great to see Buell generating an interest beyond our own little circle here  Henrik | ||
| Englishman119 |
OK, to keep you all happy, some initial thoughts on my new XB9 suspension without interfering with Marcus McBains more technical writings: It’s a HUGE DIFFERENCE over the stock components. Two things immediately stand out; 1 High Speed Damping – At Oak Hill there is a fast sweeping left hander (Turn 1 in Marcus’s post above) that has a couple of dips in the track surface when you are just past the 2nd turn apex that makes up this corner at almost max lean angle. On the stock set-up, the suspension would compress immediately, the belly pan would strike the bump violently, lift the bike and catapult me upwards and outwards (Off-line) onto some surface ripples from a track patch. This lead to instability, would point me towards the edge of the track and bring my testicles into my throat. With the new suspension, the dips caused no instability, just a small rise as I crested the hump between the dips. The new suspension smoothes out the irregularity to the point that it almost ceased to exist leaving me and the XB exiting the turn hard on the gas in total control (always a good thing). The books all say go fast through the fast turns, I was as quick as anyone else out there through this turn at least. 2 Holding Line – On my only previous visit to Oak Hill, the XB always drifted out wide on the exits to just about all the turns, resulting in some nervous moments as I skirted the ragged edge of the narrow track. I had assumed that this was down to me using wrong entry, line, turn points etc. Now, at each end every turn I was exiting mid track on the gas. All I have to do now is to work this backwards into my entry, turn, line and drive = More saddle time at this intimidating track. 3 Each time Marcus made an adjustment, things just got better. No longer do I have to change my riding to suit the bike, we do it the other way around. Marcus has been itching for a ride on my XB ever since I swapped it for my old race bike (R6) last summer. However, when someone who normally screams an inline-4 between 10 and 13K rides a motor that dies on the rev limiter at 7,500, education and adaptation must come fast or suffer the consequences. As I heard my XB hit the limiter in the first 3 gears as Marcus pulled out onto the track together with an unintentional wheelie, I knew I had forgotten to mention this to him. However, a couple of laps into it and Marcus has established this for himself and I relax (a little). A pit stop for some adjustment to the shock and to the stock fairing with a carpet knife (Guess I wont be selling that on ebay after all !!) he’s now mixing it with the big boys on a warmed over Harley motor. Seeing Marcus ride the Buell like the wind (in only 8 laps) fuels my excitement for what we can do with this bike. With some better track knowledge for me or at the tracks I more familiar with, I know this little XB will be shocking a few more people in 2004. Stay tuned for the updates and full article. Mark. | ||
| Austinrider |
You know, I was really curious what somebody who was not used to an XB would say when they rode it at the track. The first thing I noticed on the Buell is...IT DON'T REV. Glad to see that the work is progressing well. Looking forward to more info on how it goes. Good info so far, really good. | ||
| Marcus_mcbain |
Well, I was being as technical as possible...  | ||
| M1combat |
But he also said that it don't turn... I guess I don't have a lot of experience on sportbikes, but it sure seems to turn well to me. | ||
| Austinrider |
Hey Marcus, I wasnt diggin on you. I really was looking forward to what your impressions were of the Buell XB after you rode it around a track. I will be brining mine to you on the 16th at the LSTD event. I was hoping to have the oil changed out in my forks and ask a couple of questions. Is this something we can do at the track? (the changing of the oil). I plan on arriving early Sunday the 15th and camping out. Thanks again for the great service you provide to the local sport bike community. Phil | ||
| Marcus_mcbain |
M1combat - I would say at a trackday pace, the bike turns great. Quite honestly, I ride the piss out of a bike. Last year I had several races where I ran in the lead or at the front in the fastest classes in the CMRA. My goal is to ensure that the Buell is setup so that when Mark is ready, he can win his classes. In its current state, the bike is nothing short of fun to ride with no irregularities. In order for me to get into the lower 1:30's/1:29's I will need to get the bike to turn quicker so I can drift the front more effectively at the mid corner/exit portion of each turn rather than being mid-turn and still finishing the turn. The times I am talking about will give Mark a chance to win in the D-Superbike and Twins classes in the CMRA expert ranks. Hey Phil - Look forward to seeing you there and yes, we can get that work done at the track. The work takes about an Hour + fork removal/installation. In regards to "How does this bike compare to a normal in line four". Here are my initial impressions (And yes, I have several hundred racing laps completed on big twins) 1) The unusually low peak HP/Rev Limit really make you stay disciplined when compared to an in-line 4. In 2 laps, I felt comfortable that I was in the "Rev Ball Park" 90% of the time and the lap times improved with discipline. 2) The bike is one of the most predictable bikes I have ever ridden (I have raced about 20 different motorcycles in 16 years of road racing). The suspension characteristics are as good if not better than GSXR-600 or R-6. Excellent damping (Again, the Penske Shock and Traxxion Dynamics kit parts are the key). 3) I have no doubt whatsoever that within 7 or 8 more laps of time on the bike I could run in the 1:31 range or better at Oak Hill. I know for a Buell that is excellent. This tells me the "package" (Bike/Suspension/Motor) work well together. Again, thanks to Mark for letting be part of his fun and everyone else for their interest. Marcus | ||
| Englishman119 |
M1combat: "But he also said that it don't turn..." Just racer slang for it did not turn fast enough for a rider with the abilities of Marcus. We have the forks off again now for some more modifications and out again next weekend....to make it turn in quicker. Believe me, as well as knowing about suspension, Marcus has the trophy's on the wall at home and a Kawasaki works ride in the past to prove he can pilot a bike as well. Thanks to Marcus for getting me this far and wanting to be involved in the project. Plenty more to come. Mark | ||
| Easyflier |
Marcus, Have you done anything with the stock rear Showa or is that a lost cause? | ||
| Marcus_mcbain |
At the end of the day, you will not get the desired performance from the Showa Shock. You can respring, but the bike greatly needs ride height and again, it will not dampen as well as a Penske. I will put the costs of all the work conducted on Mark's bike including the cost to put a 24" reservoir hose so that you can use the stock mounting hardware for the reservoir. Marcus | ||
| Skully |
Guys, There are not many people who run in the upper 1:20s or low 1:30s at OHR, especially not on a bike with only 80 RWHP. Marcus is an exceptional rider and he obviously likes the bike. Keith | ||
| Marcus_mcbain |
Thanks Keith, Yeah, Mark brought me the forks over last night and we made the required changes. We were laughing that I only have a total of 8 laps and that maybe 10 straight laps might help!!! Sunday it is... Marcus | ||
| Marcus_mcbain |
OK, I am getting obsessed with this Buell... Pic's by Todd Smith.. Http://www.roadracinghelp.com/pics/Fgallery3-11.jpg Http://www.roadracinghelp.com/pics/Fgallery5-6.jpg Http://www.roadracinghelp.com/pics/Fgallery8-3.jpg | ||
| Skully |
Marcus, I would love to see and Mark you kick some SV butt on this thing! Wish I could join you this weekend, but other responsibilities prevail. Maybe one weekend soon before race day? Keith | ||
| Austinrider |
I'll feed your obsession at the Feb 16th LTSD for ya Marcus. I'm bringing my Buell XB9S/R to the track as well as the CBR, both of em need your magic touch --Phil | ||
| Boulderbiker |
Thought I'd bring this thread back in anticipation of todays testing | ||
| Austinrider |
I'm thinking what boulderbiker is thinking.. there a way to bump this back to the top? | ||
| Englishman119 |
Yeah me too.......Alive, well and faster!!! Marcus is writing the article now I'm penning some lines from the owners perspective. Mark | ||
| M1combat |
Once you get it done, maybe just make a new thread and link this one at the top? |
