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2stang
Posted on Monday, June 06, 2016 - 02:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hi everybody,

I want to share with you how my 2016 racing season is going so far in the AFM. We just finished round 3, so I'll post some pics and info of the first three rounds in this post and continue to update as the season progresses.


Round 1 was at Buttonwillow Raceway in Buttonwillow California. Last year was my first year racing and I skipped the two rounds held at this track, this year I'm making the effort to go to all seven rounds. I'd never been to Butttonwillow and since I work Saturdays and can't afford to miss work I only race Sundays. I headed down to the track Saturday night with my buddy in the shop van all loaded up with his 675r and my 1125. Since my buddy had ridden there multiple times I picked his brain on the 3 hour drive. Sunday came and I went out on track for early morning practice. The track is both technical and high speed. I had three races ahead of me; open twins, formula 1, and 750 superbike. It was good day of racing, I continued to learn the track and progressively got faster. I finished 2nd in open twins, 14th in F1, and 4th in 750 superbike.










Round 2 was held at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma California, some of you know it better as Sears Point. I have plenty of seat time at Sonoma so I was hoping to be competitive. I signed up for the same three races as round one, but they change the scheduled from round to round so my races were in a different order. First up was 750 superbike, I started on the race on the front row. The race went well, I lost one spot and finished 5th, I did set a personal best lap time of 1:48.3 though. Next was F1, because I finished 14th in round one I started towards the back of the grid. My start was ok, I didn't lose any spots but I didn't make up any either. I worked my way towards the front finishing 7th, I managed to set the fastest lap of the race at 1:47.1, besting my PR from race one. My last race of the day was open twins, not many people ride twins these days so the class is small. I got a good start from second on the grid and led the whole race to take home my first ever first place.














Round 3 was held at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows California. Thunderhill is another track I've ridden at many times, so again I was hoping for some good results. The weather was nice and hot so hydration was very important, as was tire pressure and wear. My first race was open twins, I started first on the grid and finished second. I had some new competition in the form of an 1199 Panigale, he ended up taking first, but I have high hopes to get him back at the next round. Race 2 was F1, I started on the second row. I made the bone headed mistake of launching in second gear, losing many spots off the start. Lucky for me the race was red flagged by turn 5, full restart. I got a much better start this time, finished the race in 6th, my best finish to date in F1. Last up for the day was 750 superbike, usually a class with 5 to 7 of us novice riders. Four riders started the race, two finished, with me on the top step.


















Thanks for reading.

Joe Akrop
AFM #834

(Message edited by 2stang on June 06, 2016)

(Message edited by 2stang on June 06, 2016)
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Bullettooth023
Posted on Monday, June 27, 2016 - 12:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nice Joe, glad your season is going well.
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Nate
Posted on Monday, June 27, 2016 - 02:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

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2stang
Posted on Monday, June 27, 2016 - 03:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks guys.

Just finished round 4 yesterday. I'll do a little write up in the next few days when I get some pictures.
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Dannybuell
Posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - 09:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dayum!! Congratulations!
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2stang
Posted on Saturday, July 02, 2016 - 11:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Round 4 was another Thunderhill round and like the previous, good and hot! I got to the track early Sunday morning and set up my pits. My morning practice session was announced and I went out on track. I use the short practice session to get myself and the bike warmed up, I was feeling good. My first race of the day was 750 Superbike. The rider in front of me got a poor start, I had to let the rider to my right clear before I could go around. After the first few turns I was in 3rd in my class and 10th overall. Over the next 5 laps I continued to make my way though the pack. The white flag came out and I was right behind the leader, I knew a couple spots on the backside of the track I could try to pass on the brakes. I could not get the pass done on the brakes, I would have to drag him down the front straight, and I did, using all the power of the 1125 I got him by .061 to take first.













My second race of the day was Formula 1, a large class made up of 600's and 750's. I got another poor start, but this time it was my fault. I got swallowed up by the row behind me going into turn 1 and had to make some moves. Entering turn 2 I made my way around two riders and another existing the corner. Turns 3 and 4 I took another spot. Up the hill into 5 is where it went bad. I lost the front, there goes my bike, f*ck!





Standing on the side of the track watching your fellow racers go by is never fun, a thousand thoughts go through your head, how you would've I done, whats damaged on your bike, only if that didn't happen. Well it did happen, its part of racing. Round 5 is in September at Sonoma, plenty of time to get the bike back back together.

Photo credit to Oxymoron Photography

The rest of the crash sequence can be seen here. http://www.oxymoronphotography.com/Motorbikes/Racing/AFM/2016/Round-Four/834
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Duanelr
Posted on Saturday, July 02, 2016 - 12:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

OMRRA member here. God I know this sick feeling, I feel for you. I've enjoyed your posts and hope you get the bike together for more. Do you have some kind of "frame slider" to protect the 1125's tank? Pics of the crash damage? (sorry for the morbid fascination)
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2stang
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2016 - 11:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I made a thick plastic slider that I attached with heavy duty 3M double sided tape, hitting the curbing tore it right off and dented the frame. I going to try and make some guards similar to the EBR clutch and stator cover guards, but I think most big impacts will dent the frame regardless.









Ready for new frame



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Duanelr
Posted on Friday, July 08, 2016 - 12:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That's a hell of dent. And "dent" sounds like an understatement. Maybe this is a testament to how the Buell is built, that the tank didn't rip open.
Is that a second frame I see in the bottom of the third picture? Or, do you even have to replace the frame?

(Message edited by duanelr on July 08, 2016)
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Brother_in_buells
Posted on Saturday, July 09, 2016 - 07:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It made me a bit sad to see you go off!

Is is it a must do to replace a damaged frame in the racing world?
Because the buell x frames still work perfect with having crash damage.
For on the race track i think it isn't a big deal to have some damage or repairs on a bike!?
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2stang
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 - 11:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Not sure if frame needs replacing, but I'm going to anyway, this way I know everything is good. I will have crashed framed checked and keep for spare if its good.

Old frame removed. Checked valve clearance while I had access, all right where I left them.





New frame, DEI reflect-a-gold covering entire inside, all parts transferred over.






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Two_seasons
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 - 10:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Purty. Hope you are back in the hunt soon.
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Willmrx
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 - 06:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

How much of the DEI heat shield do you need? Did you use a roll or sheets? Looks awesome!
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2stang
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 - 08:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I used two 12"x24" sheets and had a little to spare.
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Peeweesp
Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2016 - 01:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

what kind of front end are you running?
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2stang
Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2016 - 06:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It's a Yamaha R1 front end, 04- 06 generation, that I revalved with Racetech stuff and Ohlins springs. Has Braktech superbike iron rotors with Ferodo carbon ceramic pads. All held together with Attack Performance gp triple clamps.
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Peeweesp
Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2016 - 10:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nice that's something I would love to do to time. I can't stand the front brakes.
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Fresnobuell
Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

How was the surface at Buttonwillow? They repaved it a couple years ago or so. Is it Bumpywillow again?
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2stang
Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2016 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Buttonwillow is nice! Sonoma is the track that needs repaving now.
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2stang
Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2016 - 11:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Some updates on the bike repair. Fixed subframe, cracked at the welds of the battery box, braced with aluminum angle. Straightened left rearset and replaced right side. Also straightened right k-bracket. Replacement frame on and bolted down with all new hardware(stock hardware on these bikes are junk), subframe back on. Fairing stay on, with new addition of Ohlins steering damper bracket.












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Fresnobuell
Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2016 - 08:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


quote:

Buttonwillow is nice! Sonoma is the track that needs repaving now.




That's awesome to hear. It got to a point where I cringed when the traack day wasn't run in the opposite direction cause you missed most of the car ripples going opposite.

I may have to get back out there this Fall.
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2stang
Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 - 11:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A few more progress pictures. Got the frontend back on, new steering damper setup, put in spare clutch pack, and adjusted slipper.











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Onlyoneromeo
Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2016 - 11:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Can you tell us about the chain conversion? What's entailed and was it expensive ?
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2stang
Posted on Saturday, September 17, 2016 - 11:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sorry guys, I haven't updated this in a while. I finally got the bike put back together. I finished a couple weeks prior to AFM round 5 which was scheduled for the first week of November. To shake the bike down, I took it to a trackday at Sears Point, the track where round 5 would be taking place, all went well with only a few minor adjustments to get the bike back in to racing form.

Sunday morning, its 4:30am, time to get loaded up for the races. We arrived at the track and got our pit area set up, got registered and tech'd, was ready to go. The bike is now in it third iteration of bodywork. I think I like this one best, same way we built my brothers.







My first race of the day, Open Twins. Green flag, I get a poor start, bike shifts into neutral between first to second. My brother is in this race with me, though he is a expert and I'm a Novice. I get settled in and realize my brother has found some speed, I push to catch him. Going into turn 7 I pass him, but he passes right back and pulls a gap. Two turns left on the final lap, I'm not gonna get my brother, but I am leading the Novice class. Exiting turn 10 about to go into the final turn, the bike cuts out, dies, no dash, nothing! I coast off into track exit and push the bike all the way back to the pits.





My buddy and I work on the bike trying to ready it for my next race after lunch. The problem seemed electrical, we traced it to some loose connections in the fuse box. I thought we had it fixed, but both times I got ready for my races the bike would not start. So waiting months to race again and all the time spent getting the bike back together only to have this happen was frustrating to say the least.

Photo credit: Lee Simmons photography
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2stang
Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2016 - 11:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Got the bike issues all sorted! Did a some trackday testing, gonna make some changes to the front end geometry and I'll be ready for round 6.








Photo credit - Oxymoron photography
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