Steam Engine Restoration - Shaking Out The Cobwebs (Video Post)

This is the long-overdue higher resolution video of the steam engine running. It has been on display inside for nearly 8 months, so I pulled it out, wiped it down, regreased everything, and hooked it up to some air. Runs like a champ!

Loring Spring 2015 - Video of the Fastest Pass

Here is the video of the fastest pass on the CL450/CB500T Frankenstein. Full speed was 94.08mph. This set the new record in the class.

Loring Spring 2015 - Tales From The Road - Part 2

It rained and snowed most of the night, but by Saturday morning the track had begun to dry out. We arrived around 9am to set up camp and get some last-minute tuning done. There was a small turnout, but still enough for an interesting day of racing!

I installed the velocity stacks and megaphone pipes, and ran some test passes on the backup track. Most of the carb tuning was fine, but I did have to increase the main jets from 100's to 120's. Once the track had dried off completely, the race officials opened it up for runs. 

Unfortunately, the weather didn't completely cooperate, and there was a stiff headwind all weekend. The first pass went poorly. I am not used to wearing the race boots, so I missed a shift. The next pass was spot-on, but the bike maxed out at 7500 rpm in top gear. We were shooting for 100+ mph, but the best the bike would manage was 94. Still, that was enough to beat the previous record, and I'm satisfied with the results.

Base Camp

Final Prep

Saab 93 Racer

Former Stock Car

Resurrected from a field, and running a Straight 6 truck engine

Datsun Racer

Setup at the start line. 

Fox Body racer

The most impressive cockpit instrumentation of the entire weekend.

500cc BSA Partial Streamliner

Newer former stock car

Loring Spring 2015 - Tales From The Road - Part 1

I'm happy to say that, after a nearly 2 year hiatus, we're finally getting back to Loring for a Land Speed Event. After work on Thursday, I picked up Justin at the Port Jeff train station, caught a ferry to Bridgeport, and we drove to our friends' house outside of Boston. This morning, we hit the road and drove the final 450 miles to Presque Isle. Here are some pictures from the first leg of the trip.

Bridgeport Ferry

Barbeque in Derby, CT

Welcome to Maine

And then the weather took a turn.....

CL450 Racer - Prepping For Loring 2015 Part 3

T-minus 12 days to leaving for Loring, and I am posting a quick update of the prep progress.

I installed the PAMCO, but ran into some problems setting it up. After a few weeks of little success and even less sleep, I ditched the electronic ignition and went back to the original condensers and points.

I also replaced the Dunlop K70 semi-knobbies with a pair of race-legal Dunlop K81 Roadmaster TT100's. These tires have an unbroken center ridge in the tread. When over-inflated to about 60psi, the tire contact area is extremely small, greatly reducing rolling resistance.

Finally, I discovered that the cam chain tensioner was stuck and had not properly auto-adjusted during the last two or three engine tune-ups. As a result, the cams were slightly out of time, and the chain had ground quite a bit of fine aluminum dust into the crankcase oil. After 6 oil changes, and running the engine each time to flush out the dust, the oil is now (moderately) clean once again, and the engine is making no strange noises.

The box of supplies and fire-suppression

CL450 Racer - Prepping For Loring 2015 Part 2

After waiting on parts for a few weeks, over the weekend I finished wiring and installing the PAMCO ignition system. 

The installation first involved attaching connectors to the wires and covering them with heat shrink tubing (to both protect and stress-relieve them). Next, I made a small bracket to attach the Electronic Advance Module, sealed the module with liquid electrical tape to keep out moisture, and zip-tied everything in place. After this, all that was left was to time the ignition with the help of my friend and a Timing Strobe.

In addition, rather than apply the race registration numbers to the tank, I fabricated some brackets and installed number boards under the seat. Now all I need is warm weather!

PAMCO Ignition Installed

Air Intake Cover with appropriate warning

Number Board Bracket

Ignition Advance Module Bracket

Sealing the Advance Module from Moisture

Mounting the Advance Module Under the Seat

Wiring Harness Adapter for the Electronic Ignition

Ready For Testing and Tuning....once the snow melts.

CL450 Racer - Prepping for Loring 2015 Part 1

After taking the 2014 race season off, I immediately started 2015 by prepping my CL450 for the Spring Event at the Loring Timing Association. Modifications are relatively light this year, and are mostly focused on the ignition and exhaust systems. I picked up a pair of EMGO reverse-cone megaphones and a PAMCO electronic ignition system, and will be installing and tuning for them over the next few months.

Reverse-Cone Megaphone

Wide open and LOUD

Original Points Ignition

PAMCO ignition loosely installed