Bonneville Speed Week Status - Norton Entries

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lcrken

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I thought I'd post this to see if we can get any updates on the Nortons running right now at Speed Week. Here's what I know so far.

The meet was delayed three days because of rain, and didn't start until yesterday. They only have one track for the vehicles running for records, with both the long and short course vehicles running on it. The short course entries start further up the course, and exit sooner. There's also a much shorter course that is only for rookie runs and testing. They got quite a few runs yesterday and today, but the salt is not in such good condition, and there were some spins, crashes, and fast guys who decided it was too poor to risk running.

I checked the pre-entries, and saw two Nortons from the forum, Andy Cox in 750 M-PG and Ranier Zumach, from Germany, in 750 A-PG. I've listened to some of the real-time audio reporting from the event, and haven't heard either one mentioned, but that doesn't mean too much. I've only listened for a few hours each day.

If anyone has any updates from the meet, I'm sure many of us would like to see them.

At least two of us are planning to run Nortons at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials the week after next, and the conditions so far make me a little nervous. I suspect Paul feels the same. Bonneville is amazing when the salt condition is good, but it can be pretty scary when it's not.

Ken
 
I have been listening in myself both days and seems that there are very few record runs being made unless they are in classes with no records. Multiple spins and besides Tyler there was one other Motorcycle that went down that was announced.

I saw this post from Andy Cox today on Facebook.
"Well, it’s with an incredibly heavy heart that I have to say we called it. The course doesn’t seem much better today, with the second car off the line spinning out and several riders in the 150-160mph range reporting scary conditions. We just don’t feel we’ll have the traction to get the record on this salt. After a crash yesterday, Tyler flew out this morn, and is looking at surgery. Kyle made an experienced call earlier this morn to get out of line and Alp isn’t running his big bike, either, so We’re packing up without getting a run in. It blows, but it’s all part of the Bonneville experience. This place is a beast. Sorry we couldn’t bring everyone a more exciting finish. Stay tuned, we’ll be back!"

Looking at this video Andy posted the salt looks very loose and wet in the pit and staging area, usually it is pretty hard packed.

click on the link in the middle



It is going to be hot in the 90's from here until next Friday so hope this will help our efforts at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trails on the 25th.
Praying that Tyler is OK and that it dries up some under the salt with all the heat...
 
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Just read this on Tyler on Andy's facebook post.
"Crazy day; after concerns about the poor conditions went up and down the staging lanes all day, Tyler went down at the 1 mile, doing ~125mph. A super soft course led to a bad wobble, and ended with a high-side. He’s OK, just a broken finger and maybe wrist, and a banged up race bike. They closed the course for the rest of the day immediately after the crash, so we didn’t get to run today. Super glad he’s OK, and relieved they’re dragging and grooming a fresh course for tomorrow. We’ll be back at it at 7:30am tomorrow, and we’re close to the front now, so hopefully get a run in early."





https://www.facebook.com/lowbrowcustoms/photos/pcb.10158698692982519
/10158698692842519/?type=3&theater
 
A member on the Triumph rat forum is running his Truxtons there he goes every year and said its not good, he has had a few runs but not what he wanted and his speeds were down from last year, the track is bad and 4 bikes down and a few cars crashes so not looking good, I have never met Tyler from Lowbrows but have brought a few things off him over the years for the Norton and had emails from him, its good to hear he is OK with minor injuries.
Anyway hope things improve for the rest of the time everyone is there.

Ashley
 
Well, I don’t blame anyone for ‘calling it’ ...

If I were doing top speed runs like that I’d want the cards stacked in my favour. I doubt you’d see me out there braving slippery surfaces !
 
Just read this on Tyler on Andy's facebook post.
"Crazy day; after concerns about the poor conditions went up and down the staging lanes all day, Tyler went down at the 1 mile, doing ~125mph. A super soft course led to a bad wobble, and ended with a high-side. He’s OK, just a broken finger and maybe wrist, and a banged up race bike. They closed the course for the rest of the day immediately after the crash, so we didn’t get to run today. Super glad he’s OK, and relieved they’re dragging and grooming a fresh course for tomorrow. We’ll be back at it at 7:30am tomorrow, and we’re close to the front now, so hopefully get a run in early."





https://www.facebook.com/lowbrowcustoms/photos/pcb.10158698692982519
/10158698692842519/?type=3&theater


Same thing happened to my Friend Fred Eiker on a 920 Nort when he hit the nitros at 135 on a rough course, but he was seriously hurt.

I hope the Rainier gang didn't come all the way from Europe with their Norton for nothing.
 
Same thing happened to my Friend Fred Eiker on a 920 Nort when he hit the nitros at 135 on a rough course, but he was seriously hurt.

I hope the Rainier gang didn't come all the way from Europe with their Norton for nothing.

Me too. I haven't heard any mention of them on the daily radio coverage. All the results will be posted after the meet, probably early next week, so we can see if they made any runs.

They ran this morning, with a lot of return runs for folks who qualified yesterday. Not many on the long course, mostly fairly low speed records set on the short course. A lot of the higher speed cars and bikes opted not to run this week because of the salt conditions. Hope it's better week after next.

Ken
 
I was with Rainer Zumach who ran the Norton with the controversially discussed air box.

We arrived on the 8th of August but he had his first run on Tuesday (14th) after waiting for the salt to dry. He had three runs on the rookie course, he had 1mile for acceleration, then 1mile timed. He achieved 127mph. We changed the jetting between the runs (leaner), Rainer was really happy with how the bike ran. Very strong apparently. The air box didnt seem to cause any issues. Rainer said he could have gone faster if the course was longer so he decided to change to the long course.

After one full day waiting in the cue he had a run on Friday morning. He had issues keeping the bike straight. The rear wheel slid sideways and the steering was at end stop. At around 115mph he stopped. He decided not to go for another run. Too dangerous and we were all running out of time and probably being cooked in the sun for a week didnt help. Brave and wise decision to call it in my opinion.

Overall a great event for us, we had a blast!
 
Thanks, Joachim. I must have missed him while listening to the Friday radio commentary. It's a shame you didn't have better salt conditions, but it sounds like you had a great adventure anyhow. Having the rear wheel slide is pretty typical when the salt is soft and mushy. There just isn't enough traction. We're hoping it will improve in the next week before the motorcycle speed trials starts.

Ken
 
I can't imagine how difficult it is to ride in the conditions as described. As a kid I spent a lot of time sliding around on the shellrock back roads in Florida, it was fun on a dirt bike but tucked in on a "street" bike on "loose salt" has to take a lot of skill and courage. Sorry to hear of the crashes, hopefully everyone will make a full recovery.
 
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We managed to get a front-row slot (3rd) the first morning out, as the bike's rider slept on the inlet road to save his place. Our late-model Triumph Thruxton 1200 was 10 mph off of our run in '17. Yes, the Salt was terrible! The pits were a mix of saturated salt and standing water anywhere there was a low spot or tire track. It built up on the tires and the bottoms of your feet as if it was melting snow.
One of the crew trying to help in his own special way...
Bonneville Speed Week Status - Norton Entries

Anywhere in that image you see what looks to be a smooth area is standing water. It was miserable.
 
Thanks, Joachim. I must have missed him while listening to the Friday radio commentary. It's a shame you didn't have better salt conditions, but it sounds like you had a great adventure anyhow. Having the rear wheel slide is pretty typical when the salt is soft and mushy. There just isn't enough traction. We're hoping it will improve in the next week before the motorcycle speed trials starts.

Ken

So you are planning to ride next week? Please let us know how it goes. Good luck!
 
Yes I am riding next week. Leaving tomorrow. I will post results.

Ken
 
So, just the normal Bonneville sort of luck. We were on our way today, when the van decided to split the radiator top tank and low all the coolant out, in the middle of the desert on I-15, just short of the Nevada state line. We pulled over to the side of the road and opened the trailer to get to tools and supplies. We patched the crack with JB Weld, waited for it to dry, added some duct tape for gpood measure, and filled it with all our bottled water. Glad we bought that flat of water for the week! We left the reservoir cap loose so pressure wouldn't build up in the tank and split our patch, and turned back to head for Barstow, at 55 mph, with the A/C turned off. I had checked while we waited for the goop to cure, and found a NAPA in Barstow that has a new radiator. We're now ensconced in a nice motel in Barstow, drinking beer and cider, and planning to grab the radiator in the morning and install it in the back parking lot. If all goes well, we should be on the road again by mid-day, and hope to make it to Wendover late tomorrow night. Here's hoping.

Ken
 
At least there is some solace in the fact that it isn't just Norton's that die on the road...

Good luck!
 
It sounds like your van's engine compartment got one hell of an involuntary steam cleaning session.

I don't know why Ford used plastic radiator tanks on these heavy duty trucks. Mine on my 2014 is plastic also. Probably good for about 10-15 years only. Who would have thought you'd need to bring your metric tools on a trip to Bonneville. (I think all late-model Fords are all metric now)

Hope you guys got there OK last night.

Chris
 
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