| Author | Message | ||
     Snail |
One final thought, when it happens it happens FAST! I had no idea the car was bearing down on me at 55-60 mph, my first clue something was wrong was when an explosion occured. Thats the best description of how it felt, like someone set dynamite off under my bike. It hurt. Paul | ||
| Jim_sb |
I've ridden many times on 100++ Deg. F. days. Always with a FF, Sidis, 'Stitch Dariens and my Joe Rocket Phoenix armored jacket. Plus Triumph Hard Carbon gloves with perforated air vents down the sides of your fingers. The only item that concerns me is the Joe Rocket jacket. I have questions about whether or not it will hold up based upon comments seen on this board and others. I see that First Gear, BMW and others are now making similar products - anyone care to recommend a good yet reasonably priced perforated, armored jacket? I'm trying to save the big bucks for a Roadcrafter...  Paul said it: If it's too hot for gear it's too hot to ride. | ||
| Buelliedan |
I'm with Paul. When I went down last year the first time I realized I had crashed was after I had rolled about 3 times in gravel. "Hey, whats that? Oh, thats just my S3 sliding in front of me. What?? Holy Sheeet! I just crashed!!! Dammit, this is going to hurt!!"  | ||
| Jim_sb |
So Paul, you're saying you were going to slow at the time? Just kidding...  Seriously, I have some friends who "speed to live". Their attitude is that as long as they are passing everyone those types of incidents will be less likely to occur. Kinda like defensive driving in bizarro world. Yeah, they lane split at stop lights too for the same reason. Better to ride up between stopped cars than to sit at the end of the line hoping the guy behind you will stop. Plus it gets ya' to the front of the line. | ||
| Snail |
Jim. I had slowed to make a left turn accross traffic, doing everything right, riding brake lights etc. My attention was on the traffic ahead. Car load of teenagers came barrelling along with the 17 year old female driver (very cute) turned around in the seat chatting with her friends. My riding partner helped me off the highway, and I looked down and saw my toes pointing backwards... Now the same riding partner wants to put one of those triangular 'slow moving vehicle' signs on the back of my Busa. Paul | ||
| Court |
Jim: That's not ALL bad. There is, however, a difference between "defensive" driving and the mindset that "mania saves". Driving faster than adjacent traffic is taught in some safety classes. They are talking about 5 MPH faster, not 50 MPH faster. The thing that gets you is relative speed. Ever watch Scotty Parker and Jay Springsteen slapping each other and rubbing tires at 100+ going into #1 at The Sacramento Mile? In addition, lane splitting (I'll spare you my rules of Southern California riding previsouly publishes in ThunderPress) can be done "right". Our Euro-Brethern refer to this as "filtering" and hasten to point out that one can be cited in Europe for NOT spliting lanes and thus impeding traffic. Again, the salient mental feature that will perpetuate the wiser of the species is understanding that spliting lanes on a Softail with forward controls, wide highway pegs and 18" ape-hangers is like holding a grenade with a slow fuse. Skill can't save you, it's only luck and I, for one, try to avoid those situations. Just like flying at minimums in the A36. One of the tricks is you know YOUR minimums from THE minimums. Remember our favorite saying "there are two useless things; runway behind you and altitude above you". Ride like someone you love depends on you....THEY DO. Court | ||
| Jim_sb |
Court, mania? Me? Nawww... 50mph faster? Nope. Not me either... But there's definitely something to this "ride a little faster" theory. You're just slowly overtaking everyone which makes them the obstacle, not you. And despite the ravings that they often receive, in truth the majority of cages in SoCal will move over for bikes, often doing so on mountain roads with the double yellow allowing us to lane share momentarily to get by. Minimums? Hmm. I've shot many ILS's to minimums. They don't bother me nearly as much as one of your back East thunderstorms. Or your icing conditions. Now THOSE bother me... And there are three 'most useless things' in aviation, the other being the fuel you left on the ground. | ||
| Court |
Okay...lots going on and let's start by getting a tad bit of information so some of you can start planning. EVENT: will be September 19-22 at The Bonneville Salt Flats. INFO: See: www.teamelves.com and www.saltflats.com HOTELS: THE WOZ is working "the deal" at present, more news in 10 days. Rooms will be scarce this year, plan accordingly. ENTRY FEES: If you paid last year or TEAM ELVES paid for you, it carries over to this year. I think there is some sort of an additional "handling" charge, I'll have to check. HELMETS: Remember the Snell 2002 standard will be enforced. I hope to have a smattering of "loaner" units from a helmet manufacturer. Deal is not locked down yet. GEAR: You are responsible for your own. 150 MPH ELF CRUISER: I am not sure if we are going to have a bike available for "Elf Use" this year. I will let you know. Our bike used in the past is presently going through a quite amazing transformation (all that can be presently said) and you may reserve a place in the record books for yet another Buell. This one, boys and girls, will most surely be a FIRST. ELF CHOW: If you paid last year, you'll get a 2003 ELF CHOW BADGE. If you are (we're already finding folks based only on lore from last year) bringing more of the family, you can buy additional badges. WOMEN: Captain Pete will likely be running personal ads seeking women who own cars or know of one that often has the keys left in it at night. We all have our preference as to who he brings but he seldom listens to us. MUSIC & FROLIC: There will be an "Elf Bash" with music by Cap'n Pete. Note to self: let Pete know about this. Bantz and FMJH may been seen wandering the streets, arm and arm, singing on about any given night that alky is sold. SAFETY & SECURITY: Rex Chaney dial the stadium operator. NEEDS: We will be flying in an Australian Chef and could use an assistant who can take orders, speak Australian and keep their mouth shut. Personal hygiene, although a consideration, is secondary. VOLUNTEERS: I need to get a list of volunteers, dumb suckers eager to do anything to be part of the team and willing to stand in hot places wearing a headset for extended periods of time reciting key phrases like "he's 3rd in line, get the chase crew movin'" REGISTRATION: We do the same on-line form. You can e-mail it or fax it. Same drill, we ask for a lot of information and assure you that NO ONE has access to it but Vickie. We expect folks from 8 different countries and 2 different planets and the last thing I, as an anal attentive Team Manager, need is your ass sprawled on the salt due to sunstroke or anything and not knowing who to contact, what your real name is (EMS does not recognize "BuellDude7" ), your blood type or allergies. Organization and preparedness are a key to the reputation TEAM ELVES enjoys at Bonneville. STYLE STATEMENTS: Again, khaki slacks and brown and white saddles are traditional Elf Wear. Thanks to Aaron being such a stick in the mud, jeans are accepted as well. Team Jerseys are available in limited quantity and my intent (the comment period is open for 10 more days) is to have a 2003 Team Elves Shirt and a patch to affix to the Jerseys sold last year. PATCH: I am accepting designs. All I ask is that it have TEAM ELVES 2003 on the top, World Land Speed Record Team on the bottom and depict and Elf in Scuba Gear riding an RR-1000. It must be consistent in size with the patches on the jerseys. LOCAL INFO: Do we have anyone within the sound of my voice in the Salt Lake City area? That's it for now...digest that, get you vacation requests in and come The Bonneville Salt Flats for you chance to see a Peter from Holland. Court TEAM ELVES P.S. - Blake - put a copy of this in the Bonneville section. It is in Bonneville - Preparation & Such. Moderator edited by moderator on July 06, 2003 | ||
| Court |
Jim: My great ice storm....over Southern Missouri in a Saratoga: Kansas City Center, this is Saratoga 38188 I'm picking up ice, request 1,000 ft up or down" KC: Negative 38188, traffic conflicts. <<this goes on for several minutes that seem like an enternity>> Finally, I get cleared up 1,000' and as I break out on top into the bright sunshine....well, you ever heard the sound of airframe and prop ice striking the 3/64" aluminum surface of a vertical stabilizer? My bet is that the icing was about 1/1000th as severe as my "total loss of control" imagination told me it was. | ||
| Jim_sb |
Court, I don't have any harrowing icing encounter tales. Don't want any either. I did have a mountain wave rotor try to ruin my day though... Sure would help if they'd forecast those things.. | ||
| Aesquire |
Shorts are right out! but I do the jeans thing in summer, mostly. When it gets hot enough, I go with a open face (not 1/2) helmet. So far I keep on the Joe Rocket Meteor jacket, but the Phoenix may come soon. I'd rather have Vanson Leather, but I just popped $250+ for an aventail for my Fighting helm, (chainmail neck protection) and have to balance protective gear costs across 2 sports. lol | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Court, Is there going to be a communial 130 club bike available? I would love to do it but I don't think my M2 is up to the task. I started "working the home front" early this year. The DA / CP (Domestic Associate, Chief Procurer) is letting me out of my cage to go as long I sell something to pay for it. (Anyone want to buy an 18' catamaran?) I will volunteer for what ever is needed. I'm gonna be there this year!!!! Brad | ||
| Court |
Brad: The "communal bike" is, at this moment, in the air. An M-2, in stock configuration, is a long shot unless it's stared a red beard in the eye first. We're going to look forward to having you and your talent on board this year. You are a radio geek right? I am going to need someone to help me unpack, set up and get all this equipment up 'n runnin'. Wish you were here today, I'm install a new R.I.C.K. controller and tuning duplexers. Court | ||
| Snail |
Court, rather than embarass the community of Elves, would it be more appropriate for me to do a 'stand alone' program with my GSXR entry? I mean, how would it look to see a GSXR with a flag of the rising sun flapping behind it parked at the Elves tent? And fake slanty eyes painted on my face shield? If this doesn't scare you too badly count me in. I have a nice enclosed trailer, and a smaller single axel 'chase' trailer that I could provide for team use. I won't be getting too serious until I return from my Vancouver Island tour that will start 7/15 and end 7/30. After that I'll be concentrating on getting Gix ready, and will be in close contact with you. Paul | ||
| Aaron |
Paul, set up camp with us, it's not like anyone cares. Hell, we had some great big guy with a YSR50 pitted with us one year, you think we're embarassed by an old dude with a GSXR? | ||
| Aaron |
RR1650S2 STATUS: Despite the radio silence, the bike has been receiving a lot of attention in multiple areas. Our goal of course is to take it to new levels of speed and we have reason to be hopeful we can accomplish that. The engine sits on my bench, waiting on the last few pieces to complete it (it's being put together at Nallin Racing as you might've guessed). As everyone knows, Cycle-Rama played the major role in the build-up of the motor last year and was largely responsible for our subsequent success at the 2002 World Finals. For 2003, despite the fact that we're doing the motor up here, there remains a significant Floridian-motor-guru content in this engine. We're trying to build on the great job they did, not tear it down and start again. Let me tell you what, they are some extremely talented people and we would not be where we are without them. They remain an important part of this program and we owe a great deal to them. Brad: two years ago, several folks used my M2 for a shot at the 130 club, with a 100% success rate. It had about 80hp at the time. Stock 27/61 gearing. I have every intention of having that bike at the event this year as well (with roughly 50% more power than it had then), but it's availability will be somewhat limited. As long as Peter has his 150 club situation under control and we don't need the bike (or parts off the bike) to pull racer backup duty, folks are welcome to use it for 130 club attempts. But a good running stockish M2 ought to be able to make it. | ||
| Court |
Paul: You are an ELF, pure and simple. Friend, it's as much a "state of mind". We're shown what a TEAM can do and have accomplished incredible results. Each year we bend at least one rule a bit by providing "Elf-Ships" to get key folks from far away lands here. No reason the Buell-Rule, given your "I'll show them" attitude can't be bent. You are welcome in our camp and to our logistical resources. Court | ||
| Jprovo |
Court, Is there a 2002 Snell standard? I thought that the latest was M2000 for motorcycle helmets. James | ||
| Court |
Let me check...I know there is a "new" one and that helmets are on my "hot list". I will find out and let you know. Court | ||
| Court |
You want answers...we GOT answers: THIS YEAR: The helmet standard is the M95 Snell Standard for motorcycles. (for anyone crazy enough to drive a car, you'll have to comply with SA95) EFFECTIVE WITH 2006 RACING: All motorcycle helmets must meet the NEW Snell M2000 standards. And so shall it be... Court | ||
| Jprovo |
Court, Thanks for checking. James | ||
| Snail |
Thanks Aaron, Court. Count me in, I can use the support and experience of the team to stay focused and in the right place at the right time. I can probably bring an ice chest full of sea food for the kitchen help (I'm connected) either salmon or tuna, or both. This is going to be a major event for this country bumpkin, but please don't expect me to wear shorts. Paul | ||
| Blackcatracing |
Court: Do the "Communication Elves" have any needs that we in NASCAR land can assist with at this year's event? A direct line into Motorola land is within an arm's length daily. Let me know if there are "needs" . | ||
| Blackcatracing |
Aaron: The offer still stands for the Elves bike to utilize the MoTeC data acquisition system during the record runs. Ping me off line and we can discuss options if you are interested. | ||
| Ray_maines |
How much tire slipage is there on the salt flats? If my otherwise accurate, rear wheel driven speedometer says 130, how fast would I really be going? | ||
| Aaron |
At that speed, slippage is typically minimal, you can basically ignore it. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Court, I'll help with the radio setup and what ever else is needed. Just tell me when and where and I'll be there. Brad | ||
| Ray_maines |
ehdub: Thank you | ||
| Buellnuts |
No, make it maditory for Snailbert to wear shorts. Ya gotta do something to keep the competition thinking, Wondering, Speculating, figuring, sypherin, Stammering!!! Ya thats it Stammering!! Snail, you could be the part time covert spy decoy type person with those legs. In The Rain Forest, Bob | ||
| Snail |
Hey, Uncle Bob! I have some nice legs. I already forgot again how to post pics on this site or I'd show you. I even decorated my leg with some nice body piercings. You're just jealous of my good looks. Paul |
