Twin Engine GSXR Land Speed Racer
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455 Posts
what an amazing machine
i'm late to work because of this thread
stay with it B.R.,
and how bout that vid with SOUND?!
i'm late to work because of this thread
stay with it B.R.,
and how bout that vid with SOUND?!
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3,049 Posts
Ok, here's a crappy youtube video. I've got some better ones but I don't know how to resize videos.
The salt only has about 70% of the traction that pavement offers so everyone has to take it easy off the start. I pull away harder on my Busa but I'm still usually half way through 6th before I can ever open it all the way up. One of the secrets to going fast on the salt is by adding ballast..theres 200 # of lead shot in the Busa swingarm and frame. When I ran the Double through tech inspection, they wanted to know where I'd put the ballast..I replied that I figured the 2nd engine was enough.
The first time I ever put the bike in gear and let the clutches out was at the starting line...not very graceful...granny shifted...ran @180mph...took forever to slow it down as I was unsure how it would act with 2 engines braking on compression...the track officials gave me shit for holding up the course, I said "WTF? Its a shake down pass, I've never driven the damn thing before".
The next morning I ran @190mph..again just checking things out..the rear tire went flat..my local shop had put a tube in a tubeless rim and I sheared off the valve stem..WTF?? I lost a day getting the wheel and tire checked out in Salt Lake City.
After that, I made several passes in the low 200's but we knew the coupler was eating itself up and that we'd have to come up with a better solution for next time.
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366 Posts
Very cool to see the beast alive. I hope you have more success this year with all of the coupler mods!!
If you remember, did you wire the vaypor tachs to the coil wire or did you do the coils around a plug wire?
If you remember, did you wire the vaypor tachs to the coil wire or did you do the coils around a plug wire?
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3,049 Posts
Thanks for the encouragement.
Yes, we wired the tachs to the coil wires...wrapping around the plug wire works too.
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366 Posts
Thanks!
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The bike looked alot cleaner when it was just a pair of engines in the frame.
Unfortunately we had to cut Mario's carb heat shields in half, the rear engine's headers would have melted the front one, we also need to be able to frequently change the main jets without removing the carbs every time.
The clutches need to be bled, the new Dynatech 2000 ignitions go on next, then its on to the coupler installation.
The Double is too long for a bike dyno, we are going to see if we can rent a car chassis dyno just to break the engines in and check the timing and jetting.
Calgary is at 3400 feet above sea level, the salt flats are at 4200. The bigger issues for jetting is the dramatic changes in air density through out the day. Early morning runs might occur at 65 degrees, 110 degree heat later in the day brings the moisture up out of the salt and affects the humidity, it can cool off to 90 during the last runs of the day. When I went to the Busa in '01, and saw how easy it was to tune EFI, I swore I'd never go back to carbs... now we have 8 of them!
Unfortunately we had to cut Mario's carb heat shields in half, the rear engine's headers would have melted the front one, we also need to be able to frequently change the main jets without removing the carbs every time.
The clutches need to be bled, the new Dynatech 2000 ignitions go on next, then its on to the coupler installation.
The Double is too long for a bike dyno, we are going to see if we can rent a car chassis dyno just to break the engines in and check the timing and jetting.
Calgary is at 3400 feet above sea level, the salt flats are at 4200. The bigger issues for jetting is the dramatic changes in air density through out the day. Early morning runs might occur at 65 degrees, 110 degree heat later in the day brings the moisture up out of the salt and affects the humidity, it can cool off to 90 during the last runs of the day. When I went to the Busa in '01, and saw how easy it was to tune EFI, I swore I'd never go back to carbs... now we have 8 of them!
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Check this beast out!
http://throttleyard.com/2011/06/17/ty-exclusive-early-70s-twin-engine-yamaha-drag-bike/
http://throttleyard.com/2011/06/17/ty-exclusive-early-70s-twin-engine-yamaha-drag-bike/
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3,049 Posts
The new pair of Dyna 2000 ignitions have been installed.
Both clutch cylinders have been bled.
New RaceTech shocks should arrive tomorrow.
The coupler plate is getting drilled and tapped for the new cover. Now that we have an oil bath, seals are getting installed on the back side of the coupler countershaft bearings. The coupler guts will be installed right away.
It should be running in another day or two.
Now that the postal strike in Canada is over, my PM front wheel might show up.
Both clutch cylinders have been bled.
New RaceTech shocks should arrive tomorrow.
The coupler plate is getting drilled and tapped for the new cover. Now that we have an oil bath, seals are getting installed on the back side of the coupler countershaft bearings. The coupler guts will be installed right away.
It should be running in another day or two.
Now that the postal strike in Canada is over, my PM front wheel might show up.
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The coupler is finished and filled with oil.
Here you can see what the back side of the coupler looks like, the coupler shafts just fit over the countershaft splines and secure with a nut on the inside.
Just some minor jobs to finish like a new chain guard etc.
The salt flats are currently flooded, several inches deep in some areas. A couple weeks ago, they were dry and everything looked promising. Speed Week isn't for another month, the salt may still dry out in time but the SCTA were supposed to start surveying the courses this week and do some grading, but that got cancelled...so we'll see what happens. We can only move forwards at this point. Although far from optimum conditions, I've driven on wet salt before, its like driving in slush. Given the choice of staying home and not running this year or running on crappy wet salt..I'd rather make the trip and atleast make some more test runs as long as the SCTA will host the event.
Here you can see what the back side of the coupler looks like, the coupler shafts just fit over the countershaft splines and secure with a nut on the inside.
Just some minor jobs to finish like a new chain guard etc.
The salt flats are currently flooded, several inches deep in some areas. A couple weeks ago, they were dry and everything looked promising. Speed Week isn't for another month, the salt may still dry out in time but the SCTA were supposed to start surveying the courses this week and do some grading, but that got cancelled...so we'll see what happens. We can only move forwards at this point. Although far from optimum conditions, I've driven on wet salt before, its like driving in slush. Given the choice of staying home and not running this year or running on crappy wet salt..I'd rather make the trip and atleast make some more test runs as long as the SCTA will host the event.
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412 Posts
Seeing the flats flooded like that is quite a remarkable sight! I hope things really start to fall in place for you to make a run at the record this year. I dont know anything about land speed records or how the classes work but it is pretty damn remarkable that the record you are going after has lasted for 32 years! Big ups to Tom Elrod, but it would be nice to see suzuki atop the heap! 
Do you have any major sponsors? seriously, you or someone needs to be making a documentary! I'd pay to watch that... Good luck! I hope you obliterate the old record. :cheers
Do you have any major sponsors? seriously, you or someone needs to be making a documentary! I'd pay to watch that... Good luck! I hope you obliterate the old record. :cheers
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Wow, you sure took the bull by the horns with that new coupler setup! The sophistication level is up a few notches, eh? That should be a great durability improvement. Good luck with your runs. I'm rooting for ya.
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Awesome. Al
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Thanks for the positive comments!
12 years ago we were building our own stuff in my garage and happy as shit to compete against a Muzzy backed race team and take the record. Now I send alot of it out, however I entrust most of it to my mechanic / engine builder / machinist, Richard Bak of 12 O'clock Performance. Richard is pretty switched on, he invented a planetary drive that replaces the cush drive on several late model sport bikes and allows weekend bracket racers and stunt riders to change their gearing with a push of a lever..it will be on the market fairly soon. He considers the Double to be one of his most challenging projects to date..it's an eclectic mix of farm repair and modern tech.
Larry Forstall, the original builder is thrilled with our modifications and updates. Larry built alot of the original brackets by drilling hundreds of holes on a drill press to cut out a pattern and then finishing them by hand with a file...there is alot of blood, sweat & tears in this project..that's what makes it so cool. Today, we can do a drawing of the part..email it to the factory we use and have the parts done by CNC and back to us within a few weeks.
The Bonneville Salt Flats are actually flooded most of the year, however they ususally start drying up in late Spring. The water table is actually quite high, it doesn't take too much rain to flood it and a storm far away on the other side of the mountains can still send water towards the courses. It is what it is...I'm in Oman for another couple weeks but am trying to get home. If the event gets cancelled at the last minute, I'll load up my KLR and ride to Alaska.
After a couple of shake down passes to check out the coupler and tune, we will run against two records:
3000 APS/G - 208.450mph - Dave Campos - H/D - 08/74 (with the fairing)
3000 A/G - 200.022mph - Tom Elrod - Kawasaki - 08/79 (no front faring)
I don't know the details on the Campos machine but he later drove the Easy Rider streamliner to 322mph in 1990, which held the absolute motorcycle record for 16 years. Today, Harleys and older British stuff etc run in a separate "push rod" category..this is likely one of the last HD records before they were given their own class.
Elrod ran a pair of Kawasaki Z-1's, I'd like to find a picture of that. I have quite a file of twin engine drag bikes.
Nobody is building twin engine bikes anymore, that's why the records have stood so long. The Double is a dinosaur. If I'm fortunate enough to get the bike dialled in, I won't take alot of satisfaction in bumping these current records. Lots of smaller bikes have run faster. However, I'm pretty optimistic that next year with the new body, the bike is capable of over 250mph..that's my goal.
Here's a few more photos...
We had clearance issues with the coupler chain so Richard machined the coupler plate to allow the bearings to sit a little deeper in order to steal the clearance needed.
The custom RaceTech shocks didn't fit as promised but some spacers were machined to allow them to fit on the outside of the original mounts, now they don't foul the rear caliper or sprocket. I think they are pretty sexy for twin shocks, might have to get a pair for my H1.
Lots of little projects need to be completed to finish the bike but a new chain guard was fabbed up and that's one less item on the list now.
It's alive!! Both engines have been heat cycled and the heads were re-torqued.
Cheers,
Scott
12 years ago we were building our own stuff in my garage and happy as shit to compete against a Muzzy backed race team and take the record. Now I send alot of it out, however I entrust most of it to my mechanic / engine builder / machinist, Richard Bak of 12 O'clock Performance. Richard is pretty switched on, he invented a planetary drive that replaces the cush drive on several late model sport bikes and allows weekend bracket racers and stunt riders to change their gearing with a push of a lever..it will be on the market fairly soon. He considers the Double to be one of his most challenging projects to date..it's an eclectic mix of farm repair and modern tech.
Larry Forstall, the original builder is thrilled with our modifications and updates. Larry built alot of the original brackets by drilling hundreds of holes on a drill press to cut out a pattern and then finishing them by hand with a file...there is alot of blood, sweat & tears in this project..that's what makes it so cool. Today, we can do a drawing of the part..email it to the factory we use and have the parts done by CNC and back to us within a few weeks.
The Bonneville Salt Flats are actually flooded most of the year, however they ususally start drying up in late Spring. The water table is actually quite high, it doesn't take too much rain to flood it and a storm far away on the other side of the mountains can still send water towards the courses. It is what it is...I'm in Oman for another couple weeks but am trying to get home. If the event gets cancelled at the last minute, I'll load up my KLR and ride to Alaska.
After a couple of shake down passes to check out the coupler and tune, we will run against two records:
3000 APS/G - 208.450mph - Dave Campos - H/D - 08/74 (with the fairing)
3000 A/G - 200.022mph - Tom Elrod - Kawasaki - 08/79 (no front faring)
I don't know the details on the Campos machine but he later drove the Easy Rider streamliner to 322mph in 1990, which held the absolute motorcycle record for 16 years. Today, Harleys and older British stuff etc run in a separate "push rod" category..this is likely one of the last HD records before they were given their own class.
Elrod ran a pair of Kawasaki Z-1's, I'd like to find a picture of that. I have quite a file of twin engine drag bikes.
Nobody is building twin engine bikes anymore, that's why the records have stood so long. The Double is a dinosaur. If I'm fortunate enough to get the bike dialled in, I won't take alot of satisfaction in bumping these current records. Lots of smaller bikes have run faster. However, I'm pretty optimistic that next year with the new body, the bike is capable of over 250mph..that's my goal.
Here's a few more photos...
We had clearance issues with the coupler chain so Richard machined the coupler plate to allow the bearings to sit a little deeper in order to steal the clearance needed.
The custom RaceTech shocks didn't fit as promised but some spacers were machined to allow them to fit on the outside of the original mounts, now they don't foul the rear caliper or sprocket. I think they are pretty sexy for twin shocks, might have to get a pair for my H1.
Lots of little projects need to be completed to finish the bike but a new chain guard was fabbed up and that's one less item on the list now.
It's alive!! Both engines have been heat cycled and the heads were re-torqued.
Cheers,
Scott
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Found a picture of Tom Elrod's bike with twin Kawasaki Z1's
Pretty cool! It probably sounded awesome howling down the course with a pair of megaphones.
Pretty cool! It probably sounded awesome howling down the course with a pair of megaphones.
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What a mean looking machine, good luck on the flats!!
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What a difference that a couple weeks makes...lots of sun and wind has dried up what was under water recently. There is no more standing water, 3 courses have been surveyed and grading is underway.
I'm leaving Oman tomorrow, back to Dubai for a day and then flying home to Alberta on Saturday. I'll spend a week playing in the garage and then load the trailer. Only 16 more days to Speed Week!
I'm leaving Oman tomorrow, back to Dubai for a day and then flying home to Alberta on Saturday. I'll spend a week playing in the garage and then load the trailer. Only 16 more days to Speed Week!
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