| Author | Message | ||
     Ferris_von_bueller |
I read in another thread that if the 1125R proves too much for the 600's the AMA will add weight to the Buell to make the race more competitive. Disregarding the possibility the aforementioned is absurd, how exactly does one add weight to a motorcycle. I'm no motorcycle expert but it would seem a difficult task to "bolt-on" weight to a person or a motorcycle without adversely affecting handling. How is this done? | ||
| Svh |
Very carefully and actually done quite regurally in automotive racing. Engineer the vehicle to be extra light then add weight where you want to for certain tracks or conditions. Some F1 teams have been accused in the past of having an active weight management system that would change the weight distribution on the fly. Could add weight with as simple as an add on lead/steel weight as low as possible is my guess. Not unheard of and very common. | ||
| Froggy |
They can do things like prohibit use of the magnesium wheels, no carbon fiber, and some other things currently allowed. They could also require you wear a backpack full of bricks  | ||
| Greenlantern |
They could also require you wear a backpack full of bricks Awww that's your answer for everything.  | ||
| Froggy |
Perhaps having you load up on White Castle before the race could work too, but would require porta-pottys in all the pit boxes.  | ||
| Crusty |
And gas masks for the other competitors.  | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
I'm not asking about automobiles or jockeys.... motorcycles !!! anyone? | ||
| Spatten1 |
Race bikes generally run far under street weight as components are swapped for aftermarket and unneeded parts are removed. With Ducati's extra displacement in the 1990's they went round and round with weight. If I remember correctly, they did have to add weight in the form of a metal (lead?) slug, at an engineered location. That way it affected the bike less than heavy street parts in their original position. | ||
| Hexangler |
(lead?) slug Tungsten Carbide 15.8 g·cm3 Lead 11.34 g·cm3 edit: We use Tungsten Carbide instead of lead for international competition model airplanes where space is very limited. (Message edited by hexangler on March 25, 2009) | ||
| Schmitty |
That's the way it was explained for Ducati in WSBK if the 1098 proved too much. They would be assessed a weight penalty in the form of extra ballast, however the placement of that weight would be up to them. I'm assuming that the AMA would follow the same formula. Schmitty | ||
| Fast1075 |
Ballast is very common in drag racing...the ballast is in the form of lead weight that is bolted in place on the chassis...placement is allowed anywhere except on the forks... Not only does it help make the weight minimums, strategic ballasting improves performance in that it allows better weight balance....I would assume the same basic attachment principles would apply to roadracing...how about a weighted exhaust can??? underslung, right?? low c.o.g. | ||
| Svh |
That was my point ballast is in all forms of racing. 4 wheel, 2 wheels, no wheels(boats). They add weight slugs to strategic points to affect the vehicles handling the way the engineers or pilot want it to. | ||
| Sethbuchbinder |
If there are adjustments made to the rules of any kind in an effort to "even the playing field", they had better wait till the end of the season. None of this make changes along the way BS.. You created the rules for the SEASON, these are the rules for the SEASON. They are not just in place until someone doesn’t like the way something’s working out. Two exceptions to this rule would be getting rid of the stupid rolling starts and the damb UNsafety cars. All the cars that are currently set up and painted for safety car duty should be parked side by side and run over bu a monster truck or be covered in dirt and incorporated in to the next super cross track. They would be much more useful that way. Sorry, if I got a little ranty there. Seth | ||
| Buffalobolt |
...getting rid of the stupid rolling starts and damb UNsafety cars... +1  | ||
| Benm2 |
If I remember right, the old Buell FX bikes (pre XBRR) had ballast. | ||
| Crackhead |
I like rolling starts only if the field is bunched up and all of the bikes can go when the green flag waves. .....although the 1125r could shoot up 5 or 6 places on startup compared the the gutless I4 if they were starting from a stop. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I liked the rolling start as well. It prevented a lot of that first turn goat screw that usually ensues. The "safety" car sucked. Great on an oval. Dumb idea on a road course. The signal work was pathetic as well. There is NO reason a bike should be ripping into a pack of bikes behind the safety car. | ||
| Froggy |
Indeed, they should have at least one way radios, not for pit to rider communications, but something like an announcer can come on and tell everyone at the same time "Major wreck in turn 8, unsafety car is out" | ||
| Spatten1 |
If there are adjustments made to the rules of any kind in an effort to "even the playing field", they had better wait till the end of the season. None of this make changes along the way BS.. You created the rules for the SEASON, these are the rules for the SEASON. They are not just in place until someone doesn’t like the way something’s working out. I have to disagree. When it becomes too obvious that one configuration is winning consistently with inferior riders, it has to be changed mid-season. WSBK has done it many times over the years to keep racing somewhat competitive. This is not when it is multiple brands with one engine configuration. It is when there are greatly different engine configurations and sizes and at the beginning of the season there is no way to really know how the different engines will stack up in real competition. Many times Ducati has been told that things may change at any time during the season if their displacement becomes too overwhelming of an advantage, and they have had to deal with such mid-season adjustments over the years. This is especially applicable with Buell running the 1125 and Ducati only getting the 848, all racing against the liter Aprillia and a horde of 600s. Better to adjust the formula mid-season in a reasonable manner than let the races become a joke and a waste of time for some of the best riders in the field. It might feel good for us to see the Buell at the top every week, but it might not always good for racing. I referenced WSBK because year in and year out they have kept racing interesting and competitive (although some would say they should be harder on Ducati). I think it is clear that Eslick is a great rider. I also think that he would not be winning on a 600. If he wins nearly every race that is a problem. If he wins a good portion of the time, it is just good racing. | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Big yellow light on the dash. Race control flips the switch on goes your light. Imagine you could even have all three colors green,yeller,red wow! Don't ya love modern techno? Add 74cc's, find 5 seconds a lap, race in superbikes and the add weight issue goes away. Play with the big boys.  | ||
| Mcgiver |
I think Danny should just wave the second place rider by him in every second race. That should keep everyone happy (except the guy he waves by).  Brian | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
I cant seem to find that craig jones video with the world record stoppie, I remember that they were adding weights to the front end, its a good visual if someone can find it. did craig die; when, how?!? they can stick a bunch of tire balancing weights on the underslung muffler, that would be the best place and I bet they can get like 5pounds of those things if placed right | ||
| Froggy |
http://www.craigjones.com/movies_photos/movies/ind ex.htm | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>edit: We use Tungsten Carbide instead of lead for international competition model airplanes where space is very limited. << Do you have sponsor's names on your pocket protectors? | ||
| Schmitty |
Craig Jones the Buell stunt rider = Alive and well Craig Jones the World Supersport rider = RIP | ||
| Hexangler |
Do you have sponsor's names on your pocket protectors? Used end mills are very cheep! |
