Joe, List:
Joe's predictions (and Jon's, also) regarding my speed potential were closer
than mine; they predicted 149 and 148 respectively, if I remember correctly.
I think I told Bill (on the drive to Wendover) that I thought the bike had
around 165 in her. We actually had to scratch and claw and change
everything possible to get to 155; the original configuration would have
probably maxed-out at about 148.
When we arrived in Wendover the Amos asked me what I based my expectations
on, and I told them speedometer readings from recent runs on Texas farm
roads. They pointed-out that (besides the density-altitude thing) there is
a lot of speedometer error-- and I basically "blew it off", because I've
done a lot of vehicle testing, and I already expected some error. But guess
what-- these damn "bullet-bikes" have HUGE speedometer error-- mine is about
22-24%. For example-- on my SCTA-timed 155mph run, my speedometer said
192mph!!! I think Jim Belford had the same kind of nasty surprise on his
one-liter gixxer.
I learned a lot on this trip, and much of it from the Amos. The other point
I want to make is that-- when I learned that my expectations had been
grossly misled by a lying speedometer-- I really felt kicked in the cahones
(so to speak) for a day or so. Much my bike's progress over the week was
driven by Bill Smith's enthusiasm, optimism, and capacity for hard (and
effective) work. And by the Amo brothers prodding me to go ahead and make
some changes. Thanks again.
Russ
-----Original Message-----
From: jkamo@rap.midco.net [mailto:jkamo@rap.midco.net]
Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2002 11:01 PM
To: Russel Mack
Cc: Jim Belford; land-speed@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: Thanks for a Great Event
Jim, great job!!! Wish I would have taken
the time to seek you out, Jon mentioned talking
to you, and said how impressed you were with your
speeds:):):)
Bonneville can be a wake up call to factory speedo
readings
List people, I cant say enough about how awesome
Russ Mack and Bill (wmts) were at attacking
Bonneville, those to had a tremendous time
"getting after it" and racing their bike
right on the production record, a very tough thing to
do
Ever the optimist, I let Russ know how crappy I thought
his speeds would be, you know cuz I have a way with words
(just ask, by wife, grib, Mayf) and I believe that REALLY
fired up russ and bill, cuz they were digging deep and finding
speed I believe in spite of my shit giving
Jim B., Russ, Bill, Jon W. and his Wife Nancy we were really proud of your
efforts
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