04/03/05 AFM @ Buttonwillow

My student budget left the Ninja languishing in need of extensive repairs during the 
off season. Rather than strip it after the last race and then have it hulking in a 
big mess in the back of the shop while parts magically sneaked away into that place 
where little engine bits would like to disappear too. I decided to wait until I had 
the money saved up to fix it. Besides, it was dirt bike season!

Bad plan.

I got all the parts and repair work I thought I needed but, during re-assembly I 
discovered the forks and triple clamps were bent. And, the list kept getting bigger 
and bigger. Doh.

Happily, everyone really went the extra mile to get me all the parts I needed and 
after a few sleepless nights I was able to show up at Buttonwillow with a running 
bike - I only missed the first session while safety wiring it up.

Of course, I didn't know anything about the bike; New motor, new suspension and 
almost all of it was built from the spare (used) parts bin. All I knew for sure 
was that it would start.

The plan was to go with a reduced horsepower but, reliable motor this year. I don't 
have the time or the money to maintain a powerful motor right now. So, I thought I'd 
trade a few ponies a go for a one+ season motor.

It's slow.

All my shift points moved way down the track, my usual gearing was way to tall and I 
couldn't begin to touch my laptimes from last year. I stubbornly refused to change 
the gearing 'cause I was hoping I'd magically find some time and then I'd need it. 
Never happened.

I was also testing out my new super stiff suspension - I was sliding around alot last 
year and part of that, I theorized, was because, the suspension was completely sacked 
out in most of the corners. The new stuff made the bike feel alot taller, turn a hell 
of alot quicker, push the front and it was more inclined to wheelie. Kinda' fun 
actually but, I never really got the confidence to push the bike hard.

The Race
--------
I couldn't touch Jay on laptimes but, I was hoping that Dave and I might have a fun 
battle for second and we'd stategized before hand to make sure that Jay was third or 
worse off the line and then we'd do our best to keep him behind us. Lap times ain't 
everything.

The green flag dropped and I got a good launch. I thought for a moment I might have 
gotten the hole shot but, Dave came by like I was standing still. Damn him and his 
new super motor! :) Jay made a strong effort to beat me into turn one as well, but I 
held him off ...until Lost Hills. Jay kick's ass through there and, as I expected, he 
got by. After that all I could try to do was keep up but, it was a lonely race.

We hit traffic pretty quickly which at least gave me some passing practice but, it 
was generally pretty lame. Crossed the finish line a distant third.


...But, Mr. Belef, NMP extraordinaire, had fun:
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Kinburger was on Fire.
Crone tried callin Jay a Liar
twas atop the Hills of the Lost
so many others got glossed

Lisa chased Sue
turned on the screws
and finally got passed
who? where? when?

There were others, fast by god
that old man with checkers
painting that 404 guy more mod
the Chips were down
(but not out)...

Lonely Dairyman [third] in red
yeah, Little Red Sambo whipping slower tigers
into butter. Creamer that is, he was.
More.  much more.

Hell I dunno, I was just playing NMP.
-----------------------------------------------

As for me, I'm going back to Buttonwillow Wednesday to see if I can dial the bike in 
and get the best possible setup with what I've got. If I can knock a couple of seconds 
off my lap times I'm gonna stick with the stiff suspension/whimpy motor plan. If not 
maybe I'll sell a kidney or something and get some horsepower.