July 25th, 2009 TRACK DAY

I went to Putnam Park this Saturday July 25th. I wanted  to get the race bike dialed in. It didn’t start very well because the bike was only running in 3 cylinders. I was a little frustrated to say the least. I took out the offending plug and switched to another cylinder, but no luck. Dummy me packed the wrong plugs in my spares kit, and I had no extra plugs. STUPID!  I figured I had NO choice but to go thru tech inspection and get ready to try and blow it out on the track.  I did one lap and it “fixed itself” LOL. I think it was shooting flames out the pipe because I heard some loud “booms” when I was easing into the turns, LOL. It started running on all four cylinders and it was “all good”after that.

It was raining for the most part of the morning. The track was really, and I mean REALLY slick. The Dunlop's I had on the bike were not the best tire for the track. I wanted to get a set of Bridgestone's slicks for the event but lack of funds stopped me from doing that. I went out for 2 sessions in the wet, and I  got sideways twice, once in the dreaded “Dead Bear Turn” (thanks Carl)   and in turn 10.  I screwed up my breaking marks and got sideways. I had a little off track excursion (ride thru the grass!) I was coming in to turn 10 way to fast. (note to self)

After lunch the track started to dry out. I got the suspension dialed in after the first dry session. The rest of the afternoon was a BLAST! I really enjoyed myself. My bike was way underpowered for the guys I was running with. Most of the bikes in the group I was in were 1000’s. They blew by me on the straights like I was going backwards. I did OK in the turns, but I was “fresh meat” on the straights. Oh well. The 400 was just a pleasure to ride after I got it  running right. It handles really nice. I’m sure with better tires I would have been able to go much faster. I didn’t want to wad up my bike trying to keep up with the bigger bikes. It was like taking a pea shooter to a gun fight, LOL. I’m sure next year when I start endurance racing it will be a more level playing field. If I get a job soon I can see another track day in my future, and new set of Bridgestone slicks, LOL ;) I was pretty tired after a day on the track. It was fun and I hope to do it again soon. Thanks for coming up to watch me Pug and Little Pug!

Until such time!

 

                           That little girl on the bike was really fast!

 

Friday night July 17,2009

I wanted to take a few pictures all suited up. I got my new back protector on and I have enough room to still move around, LOL. If the weather allows I will ride both tomorrow and Sunday and break the leathers in even more. I have rode about 5 times with them on and they get better with each ride. I’m sure next weekend at the track they will be all broken in by the end of the day. The bike is done and it’s ready to go. I can’t wait to get on the track! Yahoo……………………….

 

 

A “NEW” Beginning July 17, 2009

 

It’s been a rough few months for me. I lost my job in May and I struggled for quite a while trying to figure out who I was, and what I wanted. It’s hard to explain but it was almost a relief when I was  let go by Aerofab. I was so stressed out, that my life was in a downward spiral. I hated coming home every night feeling miserable.  ENOUGH SAID!

Now I’m unemployed and enjoying the summer. I’ve been doing a lot with my daughter Dedra. I enjoy hanging out with her. I’ve learned that friends are very important, and everyone should have lot’s of them. Without my friends and family it would have been much worse to get thru this difficult transition in my life. One thing I have learned MONEY isn’t everything.  We all go thru life trying to make a “buck” and we lose sight of what’s really important, OUR family’s. I will NOT make this mistake again! I’d rather drive a dump truck and be happy, than make big$$$ and be miserable. I’d like to thank my wife Holly (Pugsley) for being there always for me. I’m a very lucky guy to have such a wonderful wife. She is my best friend and she has a heart of gold. I’d also like to thank all my friends and family for helping me get thru this: Dee, Angie, Toni, Carl , Dave B. Dan C, Stosh man,  Wayne S, Glenn B, Suzie, Mom Dad, Jimmy, Johnny, Mark, and lots more. Like the old Indian in Outlaw Josie Wales. I will persevere. LOL

Here we go!!!! GO GO GO!!!! I’m getting the little beast (Blue Lightning) ready for it’s first shake out run next weekend. July 25th I’ll be at Putnam Park getting the bike sorted out. I can’t wait. I wanted to get at least a few track days under my belt before the snow fly’s. I won’t be getting my CCS racing license this season, but I will get it next season! I had a minor set back (no job or money) but I will be back!. I have to change my fork seals this weekend, new 20wt oil. The bike is all set, all safety wired, all my gear is ready and my new back protector should be here today. I will be taking lots of pictures next weekend so I will post later.  I’m looking forward to dropping a knee and breaking in this bike. Until such time……………………

Power BY: Pugsley & Little Pugsley

The “Man” You talking to me?

May 9, 2009 test

The high speed test went GREAT! The bike ran excellent! I still have to figure out how to start it when it’s stone cold. The “white whistler” is a bear to start when it’s cold too.

Holly helped me load the bike up, and my friend Carl cut me a piece of board to use as a ramp. Thanks Quick Carl. I loaded the bike on the trailer and headed over to my mother in-laws house.  I did 4 wide open high speed runs. It ran the “swingers” There is a small flat spot down low, but that’s not going to matter since you pretty much have to flog the 400 engine to keep it on the boil. I had it up to 14k today and it was still pulling good. The real test will be on the track. I’m very pleased with the end result. I think I’m done now screwing around with the motor and tuning, Thank GOD! Thank you God.

I will still be writing in the blog of my racing and track day experiences. I will update it when new news comes my way.

I’d just like to thank everyone again who helped make my dream come true. When you stop dreaming, you stop living. Life is what you make it, so live it while you can. Thank you everyone!

Until such time……………………….

   

May 9, 2009

Well I’m getting ready to go to my mother in laws to do some high speed testing. I’m very happy that the bike started this time for me. For some reason these 400’s don’t like the cold. My “88 “is the same way. I’m looking forward to updating the blog later today with good news. Here are a couple of pictures before I load her up. I’ve been up since 4:00 am. Maybe nap time this afternoon, LOL

 

May 8, 2009

I got to run the bike up the street tonight after I set the carbs up the way Mark suggested. I now have 92.5 mains, needle set on the 2nd clip from the top. It ran really good when it got into the “happy zone” There’s a little flat spot around 3k but I can live with that. I’ll be headed back in the pits when the tack is reading 3k LOL. It really spooled up nice when it got too about 5k. Tomorrow, after I get all the body work put back on, I’m off to the the country drag strip to wind it up. I want to see what this little beast will do when it’s run thru the gears. Being in the neighborhood it’s very hard to put the bike thru it’s paces. I’m not real crazy about pissing off my neighbors either.

I’m very happy it’s running good again. I’ll put it thru it’s test tomorrow. Dedra has named this bike “Blue Lightning” LOL Let’s hope so! I’ll have some pics and a update tomorrow.

May 6, 2009

Happy days are here again! I got the little beast running. I’d like to thank my friends who helped me get thru this very rough few days. Dave B. my new friend from England, Thanks Mate for not letting me get down and give up. You’re words of encouragement went a long way. Thank you.

My other new friend Mark from the 400 club. Thanks Mark for getting me thru this, and answering all my stupid questions. I‘m indebted to you. Thanks a lot, you no doubt are “the man”.  You got my vote for the FZR 400 guru! :)

Both these guy’s were a HUGE help to me. Thanks again guy’s. Poor Carl had to hear me whine at work about my broken bike. No more whining Carl! LOL . Carl is a car guy and races a BMW. Rock on Carl man! Good luck the 17th at Putnam.

I still have a minor issue with the bike at idle, and I’ve asked Mark if he could help me thru it. This is where I screwed it up last time!!! LOL. I’m a heck of a lot more confident now that I have Mark in my corner. LOL. I left everything laying all over the shop after I got the bike running. I feel like the weight of the world is off my chest now. Maybe now I can think of something else other than what to try next to get the bike running. Now if I can just figure out where I parked my car……. LOL. I’m getting that warm fuzzy “pleased” feeling again!!! LOL . I’ll pick up the shop tomorrow and hopefully have the answer for the high idle. It looks like I may make my date with destiny after all !!!! Yahoo..!

Until such time…………………..