IMPROVING A RECORD SETTER
Our first complete re-design of a bike that has broken the Land-Speed-Record 3 times!
In September 2006, Willie attended the Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats. He was going after a record HE set in 2005. The record was 155 mph. Willie broke that record on the 3rd day of the event with 161 mph. On the last day of the event , Willie one-upped himself & set the Land Speed Record at 164.117 mph. Willie & the San Jose BMW Racing Team will head back to Utah in September. Willie says he has some unfinished business with his own records. So the preparation process begins once again.
Our neighbors just love us :)
Chris adjusts a carb
He's still smiling!
Now we're having fun - tomorrow we get the bodywork back and we leave for Bonneville
He lines up the bike on the rollers to get it started
The smile tells the whole story!
Willie installs the cylinders after the pistons and rings
Chris assembles the Heads after some port modifications
Pieces waiting for their turn
Willie works on the new Tail Section. As you can see by the wedging (lines & cuts) it needed significant modification. Once complete, it will add to the aerodynamics of the bike.
The new exhaust system snakes under the engine, behind the transmission and around the front of the rear tire
The new pipe runs right down the side of the rear tire to keep the pipe out of the air flow over the bike
The completed fuel tank is unbelievable! Bob created a mounting system, added the fuel cap, breather and petcock bung. The end result is lighter, lower and carries more fuel than our old one - PERFECT!
The mounting system is very simple
Willie modifies the old tail section - but doesn't think it will still work. He will probably make a new one
Bob checks the new Fuel Tank (shell) diameter
Bob checks the fit of the new Fuel Tank (shell)
With the entire outside shell complete - Bob checks the fit once again.
Bob creates a pattern for the bottom of the tank
Tim relocates the left foot peg & shifter lever
 Engine layout and fairing placement are easily seen with the left fairing panel removed
Chris creates a framework from chicken wire and cardboard.
Goal for the new fender is to create a smooth air flow to the front of the bike and add a little down pressure on the front tire.
Plaster is applied over the chicken wire frame work. It doesn't look very nice, but it's far from finished. It will take 3 or 4 coats to get it thick enough to sand and shape properly.
The finished plaster and chicken wire frame work is sanded and smoothed.
Willie covers the entire mold with wax so the fiberglass to be applied , will not stick to the plaster shape.
Willie applies a coat of fiberglass. Then sands it to make it as smooth as possible for the next coat.
More fiberglass is applied until the fender is the preferred thickness.
The fiberglass shell is removed from the mold. Once trimmed the shell actually looks like a fender. Thin, lightweight but still strong. The fender only needs sanding, painting and mounting.
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Willie disassembles his Race Bike
The beginning of a complete rebuild
With the piston, rod & barrel off you can see the crank
Tube 'O' Parts
The new body will take a lot of work to get it to fit
Willie inspects one of the carbs
After building Willie a new shock for the bike, Chris tries out the suspension