Video - Little Tujunga, Los Angeles, CA

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xbacksideslider

xbacksideslider

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http://youtu.be/7CZTGqk0Gno

DRZ 400 vs '73 750

Sacked out the fork springs so I was dragging the head pipes.

The night before this ride I installed a 1/4 turn throttle which made the throttles close about 3/8th inch before the throttle barrel hit its stop; thought I could ride around it and fix it later but wrong was me. The lack of a stop where it is supposed to be led to imprecise braking and the result is seen at the 4:43 mark where I found myself fumbling with the trottle, braking too late, going into that right hander a bit hot with a resulting stab at the brake; the front suspension bottomed, the front tire chattered and made three big slips, so I stood it up and crossed the line . . .
 
Nice save!

It seems to me the Suzy Q is not counter steering.Wouldn't you need counter steer at that speed? Also, appears you could have nipped the Norton almost anytime.
 
I vaguely recall that road from back in 1978. I almost bought a house in Tujunga . Decided L.A. was too much for me and went back to Minnesota. Probably a good thing, the company folded a few years after I left. No, the company's (United Press International) demise had nothing to do with my leaving.
 
Yes Jim, there is some unconscious countersteering going on but I wasn't moving around on the bike as much as I think I should. My fitness is off and my butt was sticking to the seat and the lack of a throttle stop also deterred movement.
 
Thanks for posting that video! Well ridden too. Did you take off your centre stand for better cornering? Do you have the standard head steady or an after-market one?

Dave
 
Dave, the side stand is long gone. So too is the "lifter" arm of the center stand; it was cut off long long ago but the stand is still there. Yes, a Dave Taylor/heim joint head steady is installed and the swing arm pin fix helps too.

Jim, I'm on the Norton, camera's on the DRZ.

The wide angle lenses on those GoPro cameras require that the filming/following rider be uncomfortably close if he's going to get a good video. Kudos to the DRZ's pilot for staying close and uploading in hi def.
 
O.K. Now, what I see from the video is the Suzuki is not using any counter steering. Or is that an optical illusion? It also appears that the Suzuki had the measure of the Norton. I know you race Nortons. I'm not being uncomplimentary here, just commenting on what I see of the video.
 
xbacksideslider said:
Kudos to the DRZ's pilot for staying close and uploading in hi def.
Click to expand...

Well, my first thoughts were more in the direction that hopefully the Norton guy gave the Suzi dude a decent slap in the face for coming that close. :mrgreen:


Tim
 
xbacksideslider said:
Dave, the side stand is long gone. So too is the "lifter" arm of the center stand; it was cut off long long ago but the stand is still there. Yes, a Dave Taylor/heim joint head steady is installed and the swing arm pin fix helps too.
Click to expand...

I was thinking you'd be a brave man to throw the Norton around with the standard head steady! If anyone is still unconvinced about the need for a rod end head steady to make a Commando track straight, they just need to watch that clip.
 
Rather dangerous to follow as close as shown and did cause a avoidance maneuver or two but appreciated by us to view. All cycle must counter steer with some pilot help to over come lean resistance at speed> soon enough to matter in tights. All bikes will straight steer if just using body english to lean steer. Clear roads like this allow some grace to screw up but its a bad habit to me to cross paint lines while leaned. If ya think the top link is a bone wait till ya try a rear link and a front too, oh la la! Love to watch the flings side to side and even more to do it but its creeping close to Commando hinge onset w/o full links so kinda scary working up close too it on un-tamed isolastics. Don't get a flat w/o center stand away from home eh.
 
http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/LittleTujungaRd.htm

That's alink to Pashnit, referencing this road.

Little Tujunga is tight and somewhat bumpy. That means that the match up of the Suzuki 400 DRZ SM to the Commando, on this particular road, favors the DRZ. That's why we go there - good match. The two bikes' acceleration from 15 to 60 MPH are about the same and it becomes a question of "Who's got the best gear ratios from corner to corner?" The DRZ400SM weighs about 320 to the Norton's 420, makes almost 40 horse compared to the Norton's short of 50 horse, has 5 gears to my 4, has far better suspension, 17" wide wheels/better tires, and the rider/videographer weighs maybe 75 lbs less than me. Once we both get into high gear, the Norton gets away. Above 60, the balance tips, at 80 MPH, he's out of breath. Most of this road, for my Norton, is 2nd and 3rd.

I have to emphasize that Brakelate, the DRZ pilot/videographer trusts me, and I trust him. We've shared miles and miles of high adrenalin rides, street and track. In making the video, he made it a point to stay close, because the fish eye lens of the GoPro demands it.
 
perfect place to live it up dicing it up. Someday they'd have tag along and shot ahead quadracopters.

Video - Little Tujunga, Los Angeles, CA
 
xbacksideslider said:
http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/LittleTujungaRd.htm

That's alink to Pashnit, referencing this road.

Little Tujunga is tight and somewhat bumpy. That means that the match up of the Suzuki 400 DRZ SM to the Commando, on this particular road, favors the DRZ. That's why we go there - good match. The two bikes' acceleration from 15 to 60 MPH are about the same and it becomes a question of "Who's got the best gear ratios from corner to corner?" The DRZ400SM weighs about 320 to the Norton's 420, makes almost 40 horse compared to the Norton's short of 50 horse, has 5 gears to my 4, has far better suspension, 17" wide wheels/better tires, and the rider/videographer weighs maybe 75 lbs less than me. Once we both get into high gear, the Norton gets away. Above 60, the balance tips, at 80 MPH, he's out of breath. Most of this road, for my Norton, is 2nd and 3rd.

I have to emphasize that Brakelate, the DRZ pilot/videographer trusts me, and I trust him. We've shared miles and miles of high adrenalin rides, street and track. In making the video, he made it a point to stay close, because the fish eye lens of the GoPro demands it.
Click to expand...


theres a bunch of great ones around here! Ever try spunky canyon? you gotta get over there if you get a chance and have not... That little road is rediculous!
 
Nice John, I haven't ridden that road in years but have been meaning to get over that way. Somehow I just don't think I could maintain your pace though.
 
Great vid. You guys are crazy.

My only critique is that you are doing that on public roads. Come out (or back out) to the race track.
 
Iceteanolemon - we did do Spunky Canyon - same day, there's another video of that, as a matter of fact. Twenty five years ago my old Ducati Singles used to make me look really good on that piece of asphalt.

gtsun - let's do it. SoCalNorton Club meets Sunday AM for a ride up Angeles - wanna go?

Holmeslice - yeah, critque well taken, you've heard all the excuses before . . . . .
 
John. I would love to go Sunday if I don't have to work. I should know tonight & I'll get in touch. I'll see if Paul & the guys want to go too. Glenn.
 
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